Deciding on which beveragino to responsibly drink on a night out is one of the toughest and most consequential decisions in the history of humankind.
Lucky for you, indecisive consumer, a tasting kit that tells you what beer you’re genetically predisposed to enjoy has been made. Heineken and a geneticist named Andrew Shelling teamed up to bring it to life.
The Heineken Choice taste kit (which could do with a catchier name) will tell you if you prefer full-bodied or smooth beer by testing your tastebuds. You just place the kit strip on your tongue and pay attention to how bitter it tastes.
The Heineken Choice taste test kit. Credit: Heineken
You’ll be classified as either a ‘supertaster’, ‘taster’, or ‘non-taster’ depending on how intense the bitterness is to you. If you detect a strong amount of bitterness, you’re a supertaster and would prefer a low-carb beer.
This was all done to celebrate Heineken introducing their own low-carb beer, Heineken Silver. Maybe you'll wanna give that a hoon if you're a genetically inclined low-carb lover.
Shelling says bitterness has played a big part in influencing human diets since day one.
“We are genetically hardwired to detect bitterness,” he said. “It is written in our DNA and has evolved to be like that over millions of years for our survival from potentially toxic and poisonous foods.”
“Some of us are born to detect strong bitter flavours more strongly than others. Those who are more sensitive to bitterness are likely to make food and drink choices to avoid the taste. However, as we age, our bitter taste sensitivity also changes.”
If you are keen to find out what beer your DNA wants, head to one of the following bars in Auckland and ask for the Heineken Choice.
- Garrisons Public House
- The Lula Inn
- Coops Corner Pub
- Basalt
- The Merchant
- Moretons Bar & Restaurant
Science helping out beer drinkers around the world - what a time to be alive.
