Hype is not a flavor...

For me, the hype definitely plays into getting the beer. I will most definitely seek out hyped beers because I want to, know know.... see what all the hype is about.

That doesn't make the beer taste better or any different, and I most certainly won't tell myself or others a beer tastes better because it was hyped up.

But hype 100% for sure plays into seeking out beers.

 

Are you sure it wasn't "grande"!?!

Cheers!

 

Not exactly. Research suggests that perceived exclusivity (which is certainly a component of "hype") does influence actual taste:

http://www.cnet.com/news/study-90-wine-tastes-better-than-the-same-wine-at-10/

 

So, put Bud Lite in a corked and caged bottle and sell it for $20 to satisfied customers? Maybe.

 

True for some people but not for everybody. Everyone is different and some are more influenced than others.

 

Yep, there are plenty of studies out there that show the effects of hype, but certain people stick their head in the sand and say there is no evidence.

 

Put "limited edition" and then handwrite "No. 014" on the label. Include a story about how this Bud Light (not "Lite"... Miller would have a fit) is extra special for reasons x,y,z. Include a romantic story about the history of the company. Surely some out there would find something in the taste that distinguishes it from normal Bud Light in their mind. I just saw a sketch on Jimmy Kimmel where people on the street were handed two iPhones. They were told that one was the newly released iPhone and the other was the older model. The people claimed that the new phone was lighter and that the screen looked better. Of course, it was a joke and they were both the same model phone. This doesn't change the fact that a new phone could in fact be lighter and clearer, but people will sometimes find something that confirms their bias even if it is or isn't "real." Just to clarify - I think we are all susceptible to this. On a site where people put a lot of stock in their perceptions, people tend to put a lot of value in the authenticity of those perceptions. As if there was anything wrong with being open to the idea that one's own perceptions aren't clean cut.

 

It's not a flavor but it is damn delicious!

 

Like Jack H proposes, a truly blind tasting would be interesting. Take 5 fresh IPAs ranging from truly world class to swill and don't tell the tasters anything other than "You're going to taste and rate 5 IPAs" and see how the ratings compare to BA ratings.

 

I have a buddy that will not stop giving me crap. About me not being blown away by Pliney. I said it was a good beer. But I don't see what all the hype is. Six months later he still keeps bringing it up. "Your the guy who doesn't like Pliny" Or " You can't taste properly because you don't like Pliney".

Some people can't see past the hype.

 

But hype is often the only reason I know a certain beer exists in the first place. So yes, it's great when you pick up a beer you've never hear of and it ends up being fantastic. But I wouldn't ever have tried several hyped beers if I hadn't put in a little effort obtaining them. All I'm saying is that it's nearly impossible to shield ourselves from the allure of a hard-to-get beer. At least for anyone who cares about beer enough to have a log-in here.

 

My 2 cents [or 21.95 for my KBS] I agree..I just had my first KBS Monday-same feeling..it was good,maybe even great,but did it live up to the 'hype'...no. Batman vs Superman was superhyped as a movie and cost 250 million to make [!] and now it's a dud. I think hype can have a negative effect on the palette..expecting TOO much..in the end it's all just beer.
Good thread!

 

Or maybe he really loves Pliny.

 

I view marketing and hype as an information source, nothing more... nothing less.

 

Not that I'm disagreeing, but I think you might be getting too caught up in the idea of an ability to distinguish between quality and lack thereof... or if there is a distinction between the two to begin with (although I introduced an example that touched on the same thinking). I don't think this is limited to that way of thinking, but can be as subtle as "Did I like a beer a little bit less or a little bit more because of external factors like reputation?"

 

Where did i say i put in effort to get them? The fact that i don't find them to be better than other top rated beers does not mean i don't want to try them. I agree with everything else you said.

 

Please ignore my poor reading comprehension. I've been dropped on my head as an adult fairly often, by capricious bar stools that lull me into a false sense of security for 10 pints or so before suddenly moving out from under me.

 

It is if you are a hypeman and your name is Flavor Flav.

 

I look forward to trying 'hype' beers, and add them to my list of whales. Without BA, I would have no idea! I then make my own opinion, but my current fav beers would not have been found without the 'hype.'

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm getting the sense that you think I'm saying hype is somehow different and apart from psychological factors and expectations, such is not the case. Hype would be a subset of psychological factors and expectations.