Never a 5

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Huffaroma, Mar 26, 2013.

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  1. Huffaroma

    Huffaroma Initiate (0) Jan 2, 2012 Montana

    How come as MANY beers as there are out there, I rarely see a 5 rating across the board? And if you do have a number 5 beer tell me what it is.
     
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  2. 2beerdogs

    2beerdogs Grand Pooh-Bah (4,878) Jan 31, 2005 California
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    2009 Black Tuesday. God that was phenomenal!!!

    But I know what you're saying. I guess we're thinking 5 is pure perfection, and even when you're in that moment of Beer Bliss, you're still living & breathing so you're still part of this world, thus even a GREAT beer can only be "almost a 5."
     
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  3. KFBR392

    KFBR392 Initiate (0) Jul 29, 2012 Illinois

    I think I saw some 5's for Natural Ice from the "Hads" folks
     
  4. zachary80

    zachary80 Initiate (0) Nov 29, 2009 Indiana

    A perfect score should be attainable but not common. I've never written a full review for a beer that was exceptional and without an issue across the board, my closest would be Surly Abrasive at a 4.83. However, Barrel Aged Plead the 5th from Dark Horse would likely get a 5 if I ever cared to write a review for it. I've had enough bottles to form a solid opinion but every time I have one I'd rather just enjoy it than review it.
     
  5. davey101

    davey101 Initiate (0) Apr 14, 2009 Connecticut

    All 5's means a perfect beer. Ive never had a truly perfect beer before. Very close (4.88)...but not quite all 5's.
     
  6. Jugs_McGhee

    Jugs_McGhee Grand Pooh-Bah (5,956) Aug 15, 2010 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    I always figured a 5 rating indicates perfection - that the beer could not get better in any way.

    I've had a few that've come close, but never a perfect beer.
     
  7. alex_hart

    alex_hart Initiate (0) Feb 28, 2013 Oklahoma

    The reason you don't see a "5" rating across the board is because that would mean, according to the rules of reviewing, there is literally nothing better that could possibly be done in any given category.

    If a beer were to be given 5's across the board, that should mean that it is the absolute epitome of whatever style it may be, and that there is no hope for improvement.

    Because, if you give "blank" barley-wine 5's across the board, and then you find another barley-wine that you like better, wouldn't that dilute the 5's you are going to give it?

    I think a full set of 5's means that you have no hope for the future of that style.

    But of course this is all my opinion on the matter, because I like to believe that, even if that beer I just had seemed perfect, there will be another one that I will try some day that will surpass it, and therefor my search will continue.
     
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  8. Revenant

    Revenant Initiate (0) Aug 8, 2012 Minnesota

    Abrasive, Furious and Bitter Brewer are both 5's IMHO. Perfection to me.
     
  9. TMoney2591

    TMoney2591 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,103) Apr 21, 2009 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society

    If the beer is truly that good (and I agree that it is superb), there should be no trouble with both enjoyment and a review...
     
  10. bifrost17

    bifrost17 Initiate (0) Dec 16, 2011 Washington

    I don't get too crazy about rating beers. I really try not to give 5's out, and I always make sure I've had the beer more than once before I give it a 5. Scrolling through the list of beers I've rated on here I totally agree with all the 5's that I've given, those are all some of my favorite beers. I know a lot of people might not agree with some of them, but taste is subjective, and for me the beers that I've given a 5 are perfect to me. I also try to always remind myself that it doesn't really matter at all how I choose to rank a given beer on a scale from 1-5, because after all, I'm just some random dude posting on a website about beer......with all that being said.....I love beer.
     
  11. bifrost17

    bifrost17 Initiate (0) Dec 16, 2011 Washington

    Do you think that's just because your expectations are too high? Have you ever had a beer and thought "wow, this is the best beer I've ever had" but you still haven't given it a 5 just because you don't feel like you should? Sometimes I'll be drinking a beer, especially some of the "rare" hyped beers and my expectations are through the roof and I find myself let down, but then if I just take a step back and enjoy the beer for what it is, then I find the experience much more enjoyable.

    I'm not trying to argue with you or anything, just trying to discuss.

    Cheers!
     
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  12. raynmoon

    raynmoon Initiate (0) Aug 13, 2011 Colorado

    Things can never be a 5 because you may love the way a beer tastes to no end, but it looks terrible in the glass. You aren't going to give it a 5 in appearance just so it ends in a 5. The results are always skewed.
     
  13. raynmoon

    raynmoon Initiate (0) Aug 13, 2011 Colorado

    ...therefor you will never give a beer the rating it deserves.... If it tastes great and you love it, you should give it a 5 for that category.
     
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  14. HopCraverDave

    HopCraverDave Initiate (0) Feb 20, 2013 Ohio

    I have never been overwhelmingly "wowed" by a beer.

    That is, until I drank IBUsive at Fatheads.

    It ended up as a 4.98 on my BA rating. (I still feel that appearance is a tough call)
     
  15. mikeyv35

    mikeyv35 Savant (1,040) Oct 15, 2008 New York
    Trader

    I would have to say Heady Topper is the closest I have ever been to giving a beer a perfect score. I am not even a huge DIPA guy, but I have had this beer numerous times and am blown away each time and don't feel that a better DIPA could possibly be brewed. IMO for the style it is perfection. However, I still left a bit of breathing room just shy of 5 to give another brew the chance to boggle me even more. Only time will tell.
     
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  16. Orca

    Orca Grand Pooh-Bah (4,441) Sep 18, 2010 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Society

    A 5 means I quit drinking anything else.
     
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  17. DaveAnderson

    DaveAnderson Initiate (0) Jan 11, 2011 Minnesota

    According to the site guidelines, a 5 should be rare, and should be given to a beer that can't be improved.

    To me, this doesn't mean there can only be one 5, or even that there can only be one 5 within a style.

    But I have only managed to issue a 5 once, and it pisses me off, because the geniuses who run this site refuse to distinguish between Furious and Tea- Bagged Furious.

    Let me be clear: Tea-bagged Furious is an improvement over Furious. If I want to give a 5 to Tea-Bagged Furious, I have to give it to Furious. But by definition, a 5 cannot be improved. Let me reiterate: Tea-bagged Furious is an improvement over Furious.

    Can anyone else see how crazy this is?
     
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  18. Huffaroma

    Huffaroma Initiate (0) Jan 2, 2012 Montana

    I'm with bifrost17 on this, I get wowed by great beer and thus I give out 5 ratings. Its just my opinion on the beer. By the way 2006 Widmer's Snow Plow Milk Stout 5 across the board
     
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  19. MadDogMD

    MadDogMD Initiate (0) Jan 7, 2013 Arizona

    There was a similar quote from the Mikkeller guy (forgive me, I forget his actual name) basically saying if he thought he ever brewed the "perfect" beer, he would stop brewing after that. I kind of feel the same way in giving a beer a perfect score. By the way, he said he thought the "perfect" beer ever brewed was Orval.
     
  20. ChrisMon02

    ChrisMon02 Pooh-Bah (1,611) May 2, 2010 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Society

    On tap now and heading there after work to get a growler fill. That shit is fantastic.
     
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