Cyclops® was developed by a group of industry bodies to help to de-mystify beer. For too long we have used long, flamboyant tasting notes to confuse ourselves. This in turn mean little to bar staff and make it very hard for drinkers to understand what it is that they like about certain beers.

The principals are simple:

* Describe the beer in what it looks like, smells like and tastes like using no more than 3 words for each area

* Make sure the terms used are aimed at the average drinker.

* When describing the taste do not use distinctive terms such as orange, chocolate, toffee unless the beer is a flavoured beer. Rather use terms such as fruity, strong, refreshing

* Then scores (out of five) are allocated for Bitter and Sweet depending upon the bitterness units, present gravity and most importantly what it tastes like!

Once done you can start to learn about the sorts of beers that you like and can look for other beers that would suit you.

Cyclops® is now being widely used by beer buyers to help distinguish between beers and will increasingly become as well used as the 1-10 and A-E of the wine world.

For more information on Cyclops please follow the below link or to find out how to be accredited please email Rachel on atm3@sibaatm.co.uk

www.cyclopsbeer.co.uk