Responsibility of Beer Knowledge

Why would this be any different than just about any other purchase? The answer should be both. If I'm ordering a meal, would it make any sense that I don't know the basics of the food on the menu? And if I'm taking the customer's order, I should know the menu to describe the food and make a suggestion.

The better challenge is how about good service, clean and proper glassware, and customers who tip appropriately when said service is performed well? I can accept that the bartender isn't as knowledgeable about craft as I am (though that's kind of a perk if they are well versed in what they sell). I can use my BA app to find out information quick. But I can't fix bad service, dirty glasses, or not valuing me as a customer. In those cases I'm not coming back.

 

Regarding specifically bars that serve other types of alcohol - do BAs who think the server/bartender should be able to speak intelligently about the beer they have available, also think the same regarding any and all wine/whisky/whiskey/gin/tequilas etc they have available?

 

I'm pretty tired of ordering a beer and then watching the bartenders huddle up to discuss which tap is the right one.

 

I'd expect a bartender to know as much about the beer they pour as they would in making certain cocktails.

 

Depends on the bar, obviously. Servers at a bar focused on serving, and catering to craft beer ABSOLUTELY need to be knowledgeable and know what they are selling. Sports bars/high volume BMC bars with a few craft taps? Not so much on the server.

Basically: If you're going to tend a craft bar - expect to be expected to know your product. Converse, Lead, recommend, and share knowledge. If you're going to patronize a high volume BMC/non craft establishment, expect that the bar back won't necessarily be able to give you the specific taste notes of the local IPA they have on tap amongst their bud heavy, banquet beer, and miller lite.

 

Im responsibe for my own knowlege however a staff should be well versed on the products they are selling.

 

New to craft beer drinker would be green behind the beers,. The bartender or server should be the master of saramonies, guiding the patron through uncharted beers.

 

Knowing details around a beer is not the same as knowing the proportions of different spirits/mixers needed for a cocktail.

If people expect the bartender to be able to give an overview of the beer - brief description, flavor profile, which brewery etc, then I imagine people would also expect them to know about, say, a Macallan 12 and how it would differ from another whisky.

 

If I'm at a "normal" bar/restaurant (read: a place where craft beer is not the primary focus), I think it's on the customer. Craft beer drinkers are not the primary focus at an establishment that also serves BMC, mxied drinks, potentially wine, and a feed menu, be it small or extensive.

If I'm at a bar that is meant to have craft beer at the forefront, other options (food/wine/etc) as a secondary, it is absolutely on the server/bartender to be able to recommend beers based on what a customer likes, and to be knowledgeable about their selection.

 

I see I ticked a button in your previous thread. So. I choose both, and yes, it depends. For establishments that go specifically after the good beer enthusiast i.e. craft beer bars, brewery taprooms, etc. I fully expect them to be able to tell me a great deal about what they are serving me, and to have tasted ALL OF IT so that I can whine about something and they know what direction I should get pointed in, beer wise. I'd also prefer them to be cicerone qualified, homebrewers, or involved with judging. It's in the beer focused establishments best interests to have beer geeks handle the difficult and high maintenance task of serving beer snobs.

 

A recent thing that happened to me at a bar was I ordered a creature comforts Athena (a berliner). The bartender looked at me and asked if I had it before.. I said yes. He served me the beer. He acted as if I didnt know what I was ordering.

Kind of annoying. I walked into a bar and ordered a pint and then get questioned. Now if I was hesitant... then maybe. But I knew what I wanted..

 

I agree with what a lot of other people have said here. If I go to a bar that specializes in craft beer, I tend to hold the server more responsible. Certainly if beer is local, I would expect them to know the products. If the focus is less on beer and more on the food, I would expect some knowledge, but not the same amount.

 

I guess I was subconsciously thinking Galaxy Dry Hopped Fort Point and Mosaic Dry Hopped Fort Point from Trillium because I've been in trade talks the last couple days for Trillium beers. No reason really.

 

The server should know how to guide a customer on what beer to order if the customer is just getting into the beer world. If this is a beer place (bar, brewery, restaurant) or what not the server should know how every beer taste they have on tap.

 

If I'm traveling and visit a pub without any previous knowledge of the selection, it is nice for a server try and tailor a choice based on a short explanation of my preferences.

 

You let the server pick your beer?

 

Yeah, I have no problem with this. Just makes me chuckle. Last weekend, I was at a brewery and ordered a Rauch Beer. The server warned me that it was "real smokey". I said "No problem". It was amazing...

As far as the poll, I selected "both" and agree with the comments on it depends on the type of establishment. I usually ask a server when I'm trying to narrow down my choices. Depending on the response, I will know whether the server has a clue or not. If not, it's no big deal. I just make my decision without taking in account their response. Besides, I'm anal. Most places I go, I check out the beers before going...

 

No, not exactly. Lets say a shop had 3 regional IPA's on tap and you're not from around them (with a dead cell phone battery), and you dont want overly hoppy, they might have a good choice thats more mellow.