Rating an infected beer

Very fair points.

 

There's a difference between an infection (can only be brewer's fault) and oxidization/skunking/etc... which MAY also be brewer's fault but can very likely be the distributor/store's fault.

If infection, i would rate it as it can alert other consumers and they can make there choice dependent on that. I would not however rate a beer that was in dubious storage conditions as the final product is not what the brewer intended.

 

For example Prairie has had several infected batches, at this point if you have had one from them that is infected I would absolutely review it. At the same time if you rate an infected beer put as much vital information from the bottle as you can. If there is a batch # or bottle date include the info that you can.

 

I just looked at vanilla noir and was surprised to see that it was 88. Then I realized it was from reviewer's reviewing the infected batch

Seems kind of unfair since it's fucking amazing beer

 

Never had it, but seems like the uninfected ones were off the charts great!

Oh and shoot me a message man!

 

If the fact the it's infected and the brewer has said that it is, like 2009 Abyss, do not review, but if the whole brewery has issues, like Fantome, I don't see the issue with reviewing. If the brewery is small and you don't know if it is an issue with the whole brewery or an issue they are aware of and trying to correct, just e-mail the brewery and wait to review.

 

I think it is only fair to review beers that are not infected AND NOT OLD, and, yes, that goes for ALL styles.

 

Infected beers are a fuck-up by the brewery, plain & simple.

I paid good money for the beer, which was wasted. Why would I not review them as is?

Review as you like, but I appreciate people who review beers & note their faults. More than once this has kept me from unwittingly buying/trading for a batch of beer that's known to have infection problems.

 

If it is infected, I would notify the brewer. If the infection has been discussed here, that means it is widespread. The brewery has a quality control problem and that is within the brewers responsibility. Under that condition, I would review it.