What's wrong with Whale Hunting?

Unless somebody told me the rating I wouldn't know what it was, so I would just choose randomly I guess. I do sometimes refer to ratings but usually after I've already tried something just to see if my palate agreed with the masses

 

I see two problems with "whale hunting", or more generally, only seeking out the highest rated beers.

First, it seems that there has been an increase in the number of young, new-to-craft drinkers that have "grown up" with things like BA, RateBeer and Untappd. Finding out what "the best" beers are is seemingly only a click away. On several occasions, I have seen a guy in his early 20's walk up to the counter of a bottle shop and ask for Pliny, KBS, Heady Topper, Westvleteren, etc while reading off a list. There has been no effort to establish what their personal preferences may be by trying what beers are readily available, nor becoming part of the greater beer community. I know that not everyone has the same priorities, and that we were all new once. The best analogy I can think of is a yuppie showing up to a recreational sports league with all new, top of the line equipment but having never played the sport.

Secondly, a growing fraction of the BA-type community are increasingly focused on rare beers. Like in other scenarios of high demand/low supply goods (playoff tickets, drugs, ivory, Tickle-Me Elmo's, etc), bad consumer behavior is brought out. The recent thread about muling and hoarding addressed a lot this (but "it's just capitalism", right?). The priority is acquiring rarity and status over camaraderie and generosity. Of course not everyone who wants the latest "whale" is an jerk, there have been so many shared stories that illustrate this behavior.

Having said all of that, highly rated beer is good stuff. Just depends on how much of your resources you would spend to get them.

 

Knock yourself out, but don't be surprised if some folks laugh at you.

 

The two problems I seem to have with it tend to be:

1) The people who do it just to put another notch on their bedpost so to speak. Where it's not about drinking the beer, or even the journey to get the beer. It's about telling people you've had the beer.

2) People who go "Omg you haven't had beer xxxx?! It's so good how haven't you had any xxxx?" while they have half the release in their basement.

 

I think it's fine to whale hunt, but I don't think it's not good to be obsessed with it. I will say though, a lot of top beers and hyped beers are really that good. But At the end of the day, the goal is to get amazing beer that is flavorful, fresh (depending on the beer), and an experience.

 

What you're describing isn't really whale hunting. It's just referring to ratings, which is something I do myself sometimes (when, like you said, I'm faced with a couple of beers I've never heard of, and only have time/$ for one). I doubt anybody would have a problem with this.

True whale hunting (buying or trading for the truly limited / hard to acquire releases) is fine as well, as long as you play fair.

 

...but what if the person that related the word to beer in the first place meant it to be one of those beers 99.99% of us would never see?

I think that is the case. Do you still have a problem with it?

I also think it was a joke... now so many are butt hurt over the term.

 

I promised myself a few years ago that I would try every different beer I could get my hands on - whether I particularly wanted to or not. The funny thing about doing it that way is that I have had some absolutely amazing beers that have pretty ordinary packaging.

And a lot of the newer beers in the Australian craft brewing scene haven't made their way to BA as there are obviously far less Aussies on BA than Americans. That reminds me... I still have to add all those beers :-s

 

If you are hunting beers to drink yourself that's fine. If you are hunting to resell that is wrong.

 

I don't mind if people do it...it's frustrating that beer culture is getting that way where if you can't leave work mid-day or someone can't buy/hold bottles for you, you might miss out on a lot of releases. This is also coming from a location/perspective where it isn't THAT bad as compared to Chicago, NY, etc.

I would not have stood outside in a thunderstorm/rain storm for a 32oz growler of KBS for 90 minutes. I can say that much.

 

I have no problem with it, but I don't do it. I've got other priorities in life.

Plus, rare does not always mean better than what's readily available.

 

I've had occasion to try a "whale" or two. And they were damned good brews. But I feel my time is better spent drinking a good (easily accessible) beer with good people. As for how others choose to spend that time..You do you.

 

nothing wrong with it at all. its generally the attitude that comes along with it where no beer outside of the top 10, 50, 100 etc must be worth drinking bc its not highly rated. Dont get me wrong the top of the rankings is littered with great beers, but no where close to an accurate reflection of my own personal tastes. just one guys opinion here...drink what you like and seek out whatever beer makes you happy. just remember nobody honestly gives a shit that you have ticked the entire top 50.

 

Sorry to pick on you, you're just the most recent post...

Anyway, like I mentioned in another thread recently, how long are you going to be content drinking the same good, easily accessible beer? Sure, I could drink Rochefort 10 or FBS until I'm blue in the face, but wouldn't that get boring?

For me, keeping tabs on the Top 250 and being able to look up ratings really help me keep my fridge and cellar loaded with interesting new things.

 

I hate Whale hunting! (out of complete jealousy that I will not work to find the beer and give it a try)

 

I'm developing quite an issue with me hunting, but couldn't care less how anyone else spends their time. What' you'll find on this site are people who despise using mules or gathering up everything they can find to use as commodity or worse. You personally want to engage in the chase, than by all means enjoy yourself but please remember to post comical stories of rude behavior you witness along the way!

 

In my relatively short time (roughly 2 years) on the craft beer scene, I've realized the hunt isn't for me. There is just way too much easily accessible great beer for me to be bothered with the necessary effort/output of resources. I have a couple decent sources that will hold a small amount of any limited release stuff for me if I request it and they can get it. But that's about as far as I'm willing to go. More power to those that love the thrill of the hunt.

 

I am friends with a ton of people that work at beer stores here in Chicago. they say once a week someone new comes in and says.. "Do you have Heady topper?" They can't help but laugh... they dont tell him its not available because people need to do more research.

 

I am on that has zero problem with looking at ratings and chasing them. I personally do that only for IPAs. I usually to go to the states ratings because I don't want to miss a 94pt(for ex) from Rhode Island or something because it isn't in the top 250. My thought is I go with the style I love and want to try them. If I go to store and the IPA is only and 86 but there is a 92 right there Ill by the 92 because I do mostly trust the BA rating system! That being said.. If there is a style from a brewery say, Pipeworks, I will try ALL of their IPAs no matter the rating because I know I love them. Just my opinion

 

I used to seek out the highest rated beers. Just for the experience. Got 99 of top 100 at one point.
And eventually I noticed too many that tasted much like some less highly rated beers that were easier to find. And some styles that were never highly rated that I preferred over those that dominate the lists. Got too old for some of my longer road trips too. So I don't actively seek out the highest rated beers anymore, but rather the stuff I've found over decades of drinking beer that I like the best. But do I have a problem with it? Of course not.
Whale hunting seems to me to be a small subset of seeking out the highest rated beers. It's not for me, but again, to each their own.