i assume you’re too sober to get it right, then. dry drinks are not always bitter. plenty of dry wines aren’t bitter, they just aren’t sweet. the opposite of bitter is usually “smooth,” a term you have absolutely heard and accepted in that context.
I don’t think it’s directly related to ABV/proof, but it can definitely taste that way. “Drier” drinks tend to not mask the alcohol as much, IMO. For example, the main difference between sweet and dry vermouth is how much sugar is in them, but they tend to be basically the same ABV.
I’d be curious to see a flavor diagram if some kind for alcohol. I definitely think of bitter as the opposite of sweet - like a sugary cider vs an IPA.
There are certainly flavour diagrams for specific types of alcohol. Scottish whisky, for example, either gets represented as a wheel of different non-competing flavours or with two axes of smoky - delicate and rich - light
It’s funny because I’ve got an interest in booze but I’m also really into coffee and they’re slightly different.
With coffee, it doesn’t have any natural sweetness really, at least not like with wine. Generally describing a coffee as sweet means a nice balance of bitterness and acidity such that neither is overpowering. Sweet, more in the way of being pleasant, rather than sugary. And usually bitter and sour are the polar opposites. Whereas with booze, I think you’re right in that most people see sweet and bitter as opposites.
With that being said, dry is always the opposite of sweet with regards to professional tasting, at least for coffee and wine. I’m not sure about beer and spirits.
That’s what I always thought it meant, actually feeling dry after sipping. The sensation is lessened the sweeter the drink is though, which kinda makes sense too.
For booze, dry is the opposite of sweet.
Person who came up with the word to describe the opposite of sweet in the context of booze: “I got so drunk, I forgot the word for bitter.”
i assume you’re too sober to get it right, then. dry drinks are not always bitter. plenty of dry wines aren’t bitter, they just aren’t sweet. the opposite of bitter is usually “smooth,” a term you have absolutely heard and accepted in that context.
Dry wines are sour.
Here I was thinking it just made my tongue feel dry after drinking it.
Oh, I thought it meant near-100% ethanol
I don’t think it’s directly related to ABV/proof, but it can definitely taste that way. “Drier” drinks tend to not mask the alcohol as much, IMO. For example, the main difference between sweet and dry vermouth is how much sugar is in them, but they tend to be basically the same ABV.
It’s also because more of the sugar in the drink has been eaten by yeast and turned into alcohol.
I’d be curious to see a flavor diagram if some kind for alcohol. I definitely think of bitter as the opposite of sweet - like a sugary cider vs an IPA.
I take savory as opposite of sweet, bitter is like a different axis
Sweet is the opposite of a lot of things through, salty, sour, bitter…
There are certainly flavour diagrams for specific types of alcohol. Scottish whisky, for example, either gets represented as a wheel of different non-competing flavours or with two axes of smoky - delicate and rich - light
It’s funny because I’ve got an interest in booze but I’m also really into coffee and they’re slightly different.
With coffee, it doesn’t have any natural sweetness really, at least not like with wine. Generally describing a coffee as sweet means a nice balance of bitterness and acidity such that neither is overpowering. Sweet, more in the way of being pleasant, rather than sugary. And usually bitter and sour are the polar opposites. Whereas with booze, I think you’re right in that most people see sweet and bitter as opposites.
With that being said, dry is always the opposite of sweet with regards to professional tasting, at least for coffee and wine. I’m not sure about beer and spirits.
Me: sips
Drink: “how rude, what an asshole!”
Can also be referring to astringency, which is the drying sensation caused by the tannins in some red wines
TIL astringency, and a buncha the fruits that are in this category. Gotta try cashew apple now.
That’s what I always thought it meant, actually feeling dry after sipping. The sensation is lessened the sweeter the drink is though, which kinda makes sense too.