Stop Drinking Beer Like This: 5 Mistakes Most People Make (And How to Fix Them)

Let’s be honest, beer feels pretty straightforward.
Open it, drink it, job done… right?

Not quite.

A few small habits can seriously dull the flavour of your beer without you even realising it. So if you’ve ever had a pint that felt a bit “meh,” there’s a chance it wasn’t the beer; it was how you were drinking it.

The good news is, these are all easy fixes, and if you’re drinking something brewed with care (like we do at Tun Brewing 😉), it’s worth getting the most out of every sip.

1. Drinking It Ice Cold

We get it. Especially in the UK when the sun makes a rare appearance, an ice-cold beer sounds perfect.

But here’s the catch: super cold beer = muted flavour.

According to brewing science, lower temperatures suppress both aroma and flavour perception – especially in more complex beers.

At Tun Brewing, we spend a lot of time balancing flavours, so serving temperature really does make a difference to how our beers come across.

The fix:

Stick to these temperatures for optimum enjoyment:

• Lagers – can be enjoyed coldest (around 3–7°C)

• Pale ales & IPAs – cool, not freezing (7–10°C)

• Dark or stronger beers – slightly warmer (10–13°C)

When you next take a beer out of your fridge, let it sit for a few minutes before drinking – you might be surprised how much more you taste.

2. Drinking Straight From the Can or Bottle

No judgement – we’ve all done it.

But when you drink straight from the container, you’re missing out on a big part of the experience: aroma.

And aroma = flavour. Big time.

Research in sensory science consistently shows that a large part of what we perceive as “taste” actually comes from smell (often cited as up to ~70–80%).

When we’re tasting new brews at Tun, we always pour into a glass, because that’s where the beer really opens up.

The fix:

Pour it into a glass. That’s it!

You’ll get:

• Better aroma

• A proper head (which helps release volatile aroma compounds)

• A fuller flavour overall

It takes about 5 seconds and makes a noticeable difference.

3. Using Any Old Glass

Beer isn’t that fussy… but glass shape does make a difference.

Glassware design is actually something brewers and sensory experts pay attention to; it can affect head retention, aroma concentration, and even how beer hits your palate.

The fix (keep it simple):

• Standard pint glass – works for most beers

• Curved/tulip glass – great for aroma-heavy beers (widely recommended in tasting guides)

• Narrow pint glass – good for pilsners

• Avoid thick, heavy glasses that dampen aroma and visual appeal

You don’t need a full glassware collection; just don’t treat every beer the same.

4. Ignoring Freshness

Here’s one people don’t always realise: beer isn’t meant to sit around forever.

Unlike wine, most beers are best enjoyed fresh, especially hop-forward styles. The Brewers Association and many craft brewers emphasise this, as hop compounds degrade over time and oxidation can flatten flavour.

At Tun Brewing, we always recommend drinking our beers as fresh as possible, because that’s when you’ll get the full character we intended.

The fix:

• Check the date (not just the expiry – the packaging date if available)

• Store beer cool and out of direct sunlight (UV light can cause “skunky” flavours)

• Don’t leave it languishing at the back of the cupboard

Fresh beer = better beer. Simple as that.

5. Drinking What You Think You Should Like

This one’s big.

A lot of people stick to what they think they should drink:

• “I’m not into dark beers”

• “Lager’s the only safe option”

• “IPAs are too much for me”

But beer isn’t one-size-fits-all, and your taste changes over time.

Even industry bodies like Cicerone® and beer educators encourage exploration, because preference is highly personal and develops with exposure.

One of the best parts of brewing at Tun is seeing people try something new and realise they actually love it.

The fix:

Be a bit curious.

Try something new every now and then. Pay attention to what you actually enjoy:

• Citrusy?

• Malty?

• Bitter?

• Smooth?

There’s no “right” choice, just what works for you.

Final Thought

Great beer isn’t just about how it’s brewed, it’s how it’s enjoyed.

And the difference between an average pint and a great one? Often, it’s just a few small tweaks like these.

At Tun Brewing, we put a lot into crafting our beers, from recipe to final pour, so it’s worth making sure you’re experiencing them at their best.

So next time you crack one open, give it a bit more attention. You might find there’s a lot more going on in that glass than you thought!

Further Reading

If you’re curious to dive a little deeper into beer, flavour, and serving tips, these are great places to start:

• Brewers Association – Beer Serving & Storage Guidelines

• Cicerone® Certification Program – Beer Styles & Tasting Resources

• Beer & Brewing Magazine – Glassware and Serving Techniques Explained

• CraftBeer.com – Serving Temperature Tips

• CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) – Cellaring and Serving Advice

• Beergasmic – Types of Beer Glasses