Cyclops accredits more than 1,500 beers
Formed in 2006, Cyclops Beer produces tasting notes on beer based on its appearance, smell and taste as well as its bitterness and sweetness rating. Eyes, nose and mouth symbols and around 400 words in which to describe the beer are used.
The accreditations are carried out in a laboratory at brewer Everards in Leicester.
Mark Tetlow, who manages the testing process, said breweries can use the Cyclops tasting notes on their websites and on pump-clips, glasses, beer mats and other PoS.
He said: “We measure the sweetness and bitterness of each beer in the lab, taste it and then carefully select words to describe the look, aroma and taste.
“It’s important to use words that people drinking beer in the pub can easily understand rather than anything overly technical or flowery. We want to encourage more drinkers to enjoy their beer and we believe that their choice is made easier by using simple tasting notes and a standard measure of bitterness and sweetness.”
Recent research by the Campaign for Real Ale found that 40% of 18 to 24-year-old adults who have never tried real ale before would be willing to try it if simple tasting notes explaining what a beer looked, smelt and tasted like were available.
The Cyclops scheme has recently been taken up by Mitchells & Butlers, while the most recent beers to have been accredited by are from Black Sheep and Box Steam breweries.
Full details of all the beers and breweries accredited can be found on the Cyclops Beer website.
