What is the best method for smelling a beer effectively?

Taking short sniffs while closing your eyes can be an effective method for smelling a beer because it encourages a more focused assessment of the aromas present in the beer. By closing your eyes, you reduce distractions and can concentrate better on the sensory experience. This technique allows you to pick up subtleties in the aroma that might be overlooked with longer inhalations.

The practice of taking short sniffs can also prevent olfactory fatigue, as longer breaths can potentially overwhelm the olfactory receptors and make it harder to distinguish between different scents. Additionally, short sniffs allow for a more controlled introduction of aroma compounds to the nose, making it easier to identify specific notes.

Using a glass with a narrow opening can concentrate the aromas, but it is not as effective for sniffing in the context of this question as the technique of short sniffs with eyes closed. Similarly, taking long breaths could lead to olfactory fatigue, and sniffing with your mouth open might not enhance the smelling experience in a significant way compared to focused, deliberate short sniffs.