title_body: What is the traditional vocabulary to describe the characteristics of beer?
upvoted_answer: I found this pretty amazing infographic at popsci.  Most of them seem pretty clear, but for context reading some of the BJCP Style Descriptions might help you out.  But really, describe it however it tastes to you even if the word isn't commonly used in beer tasting.  There are some hop varieties that, to me, smell and taste like raw green onions rubbed on feet so I just say that.