Why doesn’t the second beer taste as good?

[Skeptisk]

Perhaps I am the only one afflicted but my enjoyment of the beer I’m drinking seems to drop precipitously. The first beer generally tastes amazing, as long as I’ve chosen a decent one, but already the second doesn’t taste as good. It goes downhill from there. Of course, over the years I’ve stoically carried on drinking into oblivion, despite the drop off in taste!!

But am I alone with this affliction? And does anyone know why?

[RedAndy]

alcohol frazzles the taste buds.

[Jinx]

Aside from the psychological component you should refresh your palette between beers (especially if switching away from a particularly hoppy IPA) .
May I suggest a refreshing gin and tonic as a palette cleanser.......

[Djtemeka]

Keep changing the beer then you’re always on the first beer.

[RedAndy]

Jinx said:

Aside from the psychological component you should refresh your palette between beers (especially if switching away from a particularly hoppy IPA) .
May I suggest a refreshing gin and tonic as a palette cleanser.......

i quite like those alcoholic fizzy water drinks you can get in 'spoons as a cleanser. like lemonade but with booze in.

[cookie1600]

I think people are approaching this the wrong way. Just make sure you have a glass that is always your first beer:

[Monkeylegend]

Buy two at the same and drink the second one first.

[dundarach]

You're rushing to get pissed, drink slowly grasshopper and enjoy it!

[Notreallymeeither]

I’ve noticed the smaller bottles of beer (200ml vs 330ml) don’t taste as good either.

[Scoobz1]

It's called the law of dimishing returns - applies to virtually everyhting - shagging, eating Mars bars - the first is better then the second and the second is better than the third !

[NNK]

The first beer is sometimes a bit of a struggle (normally around 11am) so I think its the second or third that tastes the best.

[Mr Squarekins]

Scoobz1 said:

It's called the law of dimishing returns - applies to virtually everyhting - shagging, eating Mars bars - the first is better then the second and the second is better than the third !

Yep, diminishing returns.

I presented this to a group of Economics professors, using the example of a first beer after a walk through the desert. Then the second, third etc.

Got the lecturing job (many years ago now).

[sherman]

NNK said:

The first beer is sometimes a bit of a struggle (normally around 11am) so I think its the second or third that tastes the best.

I hope thats to wash away the taste of the bloody marys and mimosas

[Douglas Quaid]

I think it’s the contrast between rushing to get to the pub, or get ready for a night with the missus or whatever and the supreme relaxation level once you’re there and drinking the first that makes it taste so great. You’re sitting with mates, you’re all feeling great to be out, the night is stretching ahead of you with just relaxation and good times to look forward to.

Once you’re already settled and then continuing to drink you haven’t got that. Really you should probably have the first one and then call it a night but that’s no fun either.

It’s a difficult life.

[NNK]

sherman said:

I hope thats to wash away the taste of the bloody marys and mimosas

Correct !
Sometimes it's just for rehydration purposes though

[SimonTheSailor]

RedAndy said:

i quite like those alcoholic fizzy water drinks you can get in 'spoons as a cleanser. like lemonade but with booze in.

What seltzers ?!

[the-norseman]

Sometimes the second beer tastes better, sometimes I go out for a session, the first one doesn't go down so well but the second one starts you on the slippery slope.

[xx99xx]

A bit OT, but related to taste. The same beer tastes different from a can, a bottle and on tap. On tap I can understand but not sure why there is a difference between cans and bottles.

[the-norseman]

xx99xx said:

A bit OT, but related to taste. The same beer tastes different from a can, a bottle and on tap. On tap I can understand but not sure why there is a difference between cans and bottles.

Cans give them a metallic taste, same kinda thing as leaving Whiskey in a normal barrel or a barrel that has made stout etc before it, it will adopt a different taste.

[Lester H]

It’s the anticipation, if you are performing a boring task or stuck with a boring person, but thinking of that first beer, particularly in a good, known pub. If the weather is warm, the initial two thirds of the pint may hardly touch the sides, so the second will be almost as good imho.