Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:10 pm
It does if for no other reason than tipping your hat to the history of brewing. For eons, the process of brewing created dark (and often smokey) beers. Then the governing nobles of Plzen in the Czech republic developed (or at least commercialized) the process of lightly kilning malt. Of course, the Pilsner malt they introduced was the key to brewing light, straw yellow brews. These beers quickly rocketed to dominance all over Europe. In response, many other brewing centers rushed to develop "yellow" beers. Examples include the Trappist Tripels and perhaps Kolsch. Since that time there has always been a vein in brewing that struggles to achieve certain visual aspects of beer character. As sure as the Czechs value pale yellow, the Germans value clarity. The Bavarians delight in thick foamy heads. Neither much effects flavor but recognizes that beer is a feast for all of the senses.
SO the real question is, Are you creating modern art (like a black IPA) or recreating the work of the grand masters (like a rauchbier)? Which you are doing probably dictates how committed to color you are.
Although aroma and taste are the prime characteristics, I can waste an awful lot of time staring into a pretty glass of beer.
