Samples. How many is too many?

But the samples aren't "free". The bar is going to cover the costs.

So by being part of the "free sample" crowd, you are probably driving up the overall cost of beer in that establishment.

 

I have no issues at all asking for a sample or two, depending on where I'm at...even if flights are available. World of Beer will pass out pretty much as many free samples as you'd like. Granted, any more than 2-3 just is obnoxious. Half the time it's the bartenders telling me I should try this or that. On the other end of the spectrum, a local german bar specifically says "no samples but we do sell 5 oz pours for $2-3". Being a good customer is just knowing the situation.

 

I agree. With both of your statements. Tipping is a big reason why I can sample away!

 

I'm a sampler. If I've never had something, I want to try it. If I like it, I'll buy it. I have also asked for a side-by-side sample when I wasn't sure between two similar beers: maybe it had been a while or I hadn't had one or the other. I lve never ran into trouble doing this and if the bar knows what they are doing, samples and occasional mistakes are accounted for in their pricing. I don't over do it (in my mind) and will to with flights when they are available

 

I will do as many sample as I need to figure out what I want, then I will get a flight of the ones i liked the best. then I leave the brewery/brew pub/etc normally with a couple c-notes worths of bottles, growlers, and glass ware. it all depends on what if offered

 

Different regions, different culture maybe, but around here the pubs and especially growler fill stations are generous and proactive with the samples. "What styles are you into? Have you tried this, this, or this before?" They're usually ~1oz, a quick flip of the tap handle, but enough to smell, taste, and know if you want more or not. I think 1 or 2 is perfectly acceptable, and have gone higher if they keep offering.

 

Cagey doesn't necessarily mean bright or clever - there are two definitions of the word that work wonderfully in the scenario @JdoubleA describes:

1. hesitant about committing oneself (hence the request for multiple samples, pure indecision)
2. not willing to say everything that you know about something (the opposite of indecision - this definition describes the guy at the bar as knowing full well what he's doing, trying to get the most bang for his buck - especially in sampling a very expensive beer)

All that aside - it's a situational thing. I frequent several bars that would let me sample everything in the house. I'm a good customer and I tip well. I speak well of those places constantly, especially here on BA.

On the other side of that coin - my girlfriend and I hit the famous Max's Taphouse in Baltimore. The draft list was amazing and I was prepared to be there a while, so I latched onto the first great thing I saw on the menu - having never had it before. The bartender brings my drink - then asks my girlfriend what she wants. She requests a sample of a particular brew and is told, "We don't do samples. We're in the business to sell beer, not give it away." To which I reply, "I'm ready for the check." If you don't do samples, okay - but I just bought a very expensive beer and I would expect my partner to be able to try a sample. Anyway - we left and walked up the street to Alewife... where they rolled out the red carpet for us. I explained to the bartender I was a NC guy and that they had a lot of stuff I'd only read about. I go to the bathroom and come back to find he'd lined up six samples of brews unavailable in NC. I didn't even have to ask.

Long story short - for me - if a place doesn't offer samples, you can probably count me out. Even if I'm not interested in asking for one.

 

In a bar, I personally think it's pretty shameless to ask for more than two free samples in a row before deciding upon something. If you go through two and hate them both, pick a safe option and re-assess your situation. Sounds like the guy in the OP's message was trying to drink for free.

 

When I go out I generally know what style of beer I'm in the mood for that night, if it's to someplace new then I would imagine 1 to 2 small samples would be well enough for me to figure things out. I mean, beer tastes very different but in a way a stout is a stout and is going to share similarities so you know what you're in for.

On the other hand, a place by my house pretty much only brews IPA's so with 7 of those on tap at a time I would't be averse to having maybe 2-3 samples...and by samples I'm referring to maybe a shot glass worth of beer in a glass.

 

A place giving away and providing lots of samples is their prerogative.

People expecting samples--certainly more than two are--well you are being greedy.

 

Agreed - but you can send back bad beer too.

 

at one bar I used to regular (moved an hour away sadly) the friendly bartender would ALWAYS give little tastes. I ended up with 8 taster glasses once because it was slow and we were just talking beer. I understand the need for some people to get a little taste but if their is a line and you don't know what you want gtfo

 

I think the most samples I've had was 6. That was on a tour at New Belgium. The most I've asked for was 4. The tour token earned me two free samples. I then got a sample of two test beers I was curious about as well. They had 1 more test sample I could have had for free, but I didn't want to push it any further.

So I guess it depends on the situation. A small microbrewery? No way am I going to ask them for oodles and oodles of samples. Big craft brewer is pouring samples down my throat? Keep going.

 

If it's a $7 16 oz beer, then (2) 1 oz samples are about $1 of beer they just didn't sell.

I'd rather the bar keep the prices lower, rather than inflate beer prices to cover those loses.

 

2 samples no more...... you don't get a sample of wine before you order a glass at a wine bar.

 

I'm not sure what the preparation has to do with it. You don't get samples at a grocery store either.

As for the ability of sending food back - we'll have to "agreed to disagree" on that. If it doesn't taste good, I just won't order again. I know what happens to sent back food - my brother worked at a 5 star restaurant and even a nice place like that, they fucked with people's sent back food.