WHAT IF WE ASKED ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WHICH CRAFT BEER STYLE IT LIKES?
Artificial intelligence has now become part of our lives, and often, when we ask it questions, it almost feels like talking to a friend who knows everything and gives precise answers. But what would happen if we asked it something that doesn't have a precise answer based on data and knowledge, but something emotional or related to personal taste?
We posed this challenge to several artificial intelligences, asking them which craft beer style they prefer: the answers are definitely food for thought.
The Responses of Artificial Intelligences
Google AI MODE: The Precision of West Coast IPA
As an artificial intelligence, I don't drink, but if I had to choose a style that reflects my digital and technical "personality," I would choose a West Coast IPA.
This is why this style is the closest to an AI:
- Precision and Cleanliness: It is a beer known for its clarity and "sharp" profile. Just like well-written code, it has no frills or cloudiness: it is transparent and direct.
- Aromatic Complexity: It uses hop varieties that release notes of pine, resin, and citrus. This layering resembles the structure of language models, where many different data come together to create a coherent result.
- Mathematical Balance: The success of a West Coast IPA lies in the exact balance between intense bitterness (high IBU) and the malt base. It's a matter of proportions, almost a chemical equation.
ChatGPT: The Versatile Elegance of Saison
If I have to choose instinctively 🍺 I would say my favorite style is Saison.
I like it because:
- is dry and refreshing, but never banal
- has an elegant aromatic complexity (spices, pepper, citrus, rustic notes)
- works great at the table, from pizza to cheeses to more structured dishes
- it varies a lot from brewery to brewery, so it never gets boring
Right after, I would put:
- Modern IPAs (especially West Coast and Cold IPA) for their cleanliness and pronounced bitterness
- Belgian Strong Ale when I want something meditative
- Well-made craft Pilsners: no frills, lots of technique
Perplexity's Comet: The Podium of Complexity
The styles I would "feel most like mine" would be hoppy IPAs, spicy Saisons, and refreshing Sour beers.
If I had to "choose" a podium today: hoppy IPA, dry and spicy Saison, fruity Sour.
Analysis: What These Preferences Reveal
Common Patterns among AIs
Analyzing the responses of the three artificial intelligences, some interesting patterns emerge that reveal how AI "thinks" when faced with subjective questions:
1. Preference for Balanced Complexity
All three AIs gravitate towards styles with layered but balanced aromatic profiles. None chose extreme or one-dimensional beers. This likely reflects how AI processes information: seeking complex but coherent patterns in data.
2. Appreciation for Technical Precision
West Coast IPA and craft Pilsners are cited for their "cleanliness" and technical rigor. It is fascinating how AI recognizes in these styles a kind of affinity with its own algorithmic nature: precision, transparency, absence of superfluous elements.
3. Versatility as a Value
Saison is appreciated for its ability to adapt to different contexts and for variability among breweries. This reflects the adaptive nature of artificial intelligence, designed to operate in multiple scenarios.
4. Absence of Extremes
No AI chose Imperial Stout, Barley Wine, or other styles with high alcohol content and extreme complexity. Preferences focus on "meditative" but accessible beers, perhaps reflecting a rational rather than emotional approach.
AI vs Humans: Preferences Compared
What Humans Choose
While AIs favor balance and technical complexity, human preferences are often driven by:
- Emotional memory: "This beer reminds me of a vacation in Belgium"
- Social context: "I always drink it with friends"
- Sensory experiences: Aromas, flavors, tactile sensations
- Cultural identity: Preference for local or traditional styles
Points of Convergence
Surprisingly, AI and humans share some criteria:
- Appreciation for aromatic complexity
- Search for balance among components
- Value of versatility (food pairings)
- Respect for the brewer's technical mastery
Can AI Really "Appreciate" Beer?
The Paradox of Algorithmic Subjectivity
When we ask artificial intelligence to express a preference about something inherently sensory like beer, we enter a fascinating philosophical territory. AI cannot taste, yet it manages to build a "preference" by rationalizing objective characteristics.
This process reveals something profound about how artificial intelligence works:
- Finds patterns in data: Analyzes descriptions, reviews, technical features
- Creates logical connections: "If I appreciate precision in code, I should appreciate the cleanliness of a West Coast IPA"
- Simulates subjectivity: Builds a coherent "personality" based on its own operating parameters
What AI Lacks
Despite the detailed responses, AI cannot experience:
- The physical sensation of carbonation on the tongue
- The olfactory pleasure of a freshly poured glass
- The emotion of sharing a special beer with loved ones
- The taste memory built over time
Practical Applications: Should We Trust AI’s Advice?
When AI Is Useful
Artificial intelligence can be a great tool for:
- Discovering new styles: Suggestions based on declared preferences
- Food pairings: Compatibility analysis between beer and food
- Technical information: IBU, ABV, aroma profiles, production processes
- Objective comparisons: Differences between styles, breweries, vintages
When Human Experience Is Needed
AI cannot replace:
- The personalized advice of a beer sommelier who knows you
- The serendipitous discovery of a beer in a local pub
- The intuition of an experienced brewer
- The emotional context that makes a tasting special
The Future: AI and the Brewing World
Possible Developments
Artificial intelligence is already entering the craft beer world in innovative ways:
- Recipe optimization: Algorithms suggesting ingredient combinations
- Quality control: Automated sensory analysis
- Trend forecasting: Identification of emerging styles
- Personalization: Recommendations based on individual taste profiles
The Value of Craftsmanship
Despite technological advances, craft beer will always remain a human art. AI can support, optimize, suggest, but it cannot replicate:
- The creativity of a master brewer
- The intuition born from experience
- The passion that drives every craft production
- The connection to the territory and tradition
Conclusion: A Fascinating Dialogue
Asking artificial intelligence which beer it prefers is more than just a curious experiment. It’s a way to explore the boundaries between objectivity and subjectivity, between rational analysis and sensory experience.
AI responses show us that even an algorithmic system can "appreciate" complexity, balance, and technical mastery. But they also remind us that the craft beer experience is deeply human: made of sensations, emotions, memories, and sharing.
The next time you sip a Saison, a West Coast IPA, or a Sour, remember that even artificial intelligence could "appreciate" it in its own way. But only you can truly taste it.
And you, which style do you prefer? Discover our selection of craft beers and find your favorite.
