Are beer ratings biased?

I think malt liquor is an example of this. Only 9 of 253 beers are rated at a 4 or higher. How can it be that so few malt liquors are brewed properly to style? Of course we know that's not true. People rate beers based on of they like them, not if they are brewed well to style. I'm guilty of this as much as most, I guess. Although I have rated 2 make liquors at a 4 or higher.

 

I haven't done the review (yet), but PBR is a 4.5 or better.

 

If you want to separate yourself some from the bias of the hivemind, this site's best asset is the written reviews. Ignore the score; read what people say they are actually tasting or follow a few individual reviewers you trust.

 

I hear ya, partner, but in that TASTE category, I cannot pull the trigger there. Is a 5 what is supposed to taste like (and who can really really say?) or at least in some modest way, be somewhat pleasing. A bit like rating a fart--or worse, someone elses. Analogies with food abound.

Sure the ratings are biassed in the ways so well stated but I do not find it bothersome and recognizing it for what it is--collective opinion--it works.

 

You frequently here food critics say/write: This is not a classic XXX, but is it fantastic, and is a creative spin. It's my thing, but it is well done." I think with sufficient experience in tasting a style, you can absolutely do this. There are landmarks for each style. I don't think there's anything wrong with rating a Hefe with fruit to the style of hefe, since there is no sub-category to rate it to, and recognizing whether it is well done or not, and stating that you didn't like it, but you can recognize that it was well done.

I can't do Pale Ale's or IPAs, but I have tried Zombie Dust, and I can recognize that it is well done.

 

I rate my beer to the astmo system to a point. I mainly stick to ales, stouts and lagers. Really good beer usually speaks for itself, good is good no matter what it looks or smells like. Heck a lot of us love beer that smells like cat piss and looks like dishwater. If I try a new style I try to consider representation of that particular style, the astmo rule works well for that.

 

I see your point and I try be be objective in my reviews. but why buy beer you don't care for? not to mean I would not try other styles and in time like them as well but for the most part i'm going to buy beer I like and enjoy.

 

I like to try a beer at least three times then it's on base home run or your out.

 

I tend to agree with you and my own ratings reflect my bias - if I don't like it, I won't rate it high. I spend less time worrying about how it compares to the style guidelines and more time deciding if it tastes good. I'm not sure that's how it's supposed to work, but it's what I tend to do.

 

I have argued this point with many in the past. Your tastes are your tastes and my tastes are mine. You might be partial to stouts, of which I am not a fan. I will try anything once and make my own judgments.