Advice on unwanted beer

I don't know how those beers are packaged. Did you get six packs of each of those?

 

This really doesn't happen to me simply because anybody who knows me, knows I am a big beer nut and I always tell them to NEVER buy anything for me.

Still even beers of random that are given to me I always find something to do with them.

The best beer is free!

 

That's a contradiction.

I also tell people (who are very close to me) to not buy me beer... not because I probably won't like what they pick, but because I just have too much as it is anyway.

 

This never happens with me. All the beer that I've received from family during the holidays or my birthday has been drank.

OP sounds like one of those people who believes that if it's not an IPA, the beer is not worth his time. Drink the damn beer and expand your horizons, you ungracious hop-loving shut-in.

 

You took that basic comment in your own direction and assumed an awful lot. So it would be better for friends and relatives who know I am into beer to spend money on something year after year that I will not enjoy drinking? And where did I say I criticized the gift? I say thank you, do what I can with the beers and when the subject comes up again I inform them that it is best to not buy me beers because I can be particular OR it is best to get me X, Y, Z.

Most beers, like any perishable item, are best consumed fresh. If you would not say anything about getting year old moldy bread as a gift than that is on you but I would prefer to avoid that year after year.

 

We have trained relatives, if they feel obligated, to go the gift card route and said cards go directly to the beer budget. I believe that people mean well, but we BA types can be a picky lot sometimes. Even my wife goes the swag route. This year, some nice Lost Abbey and Boulevard glassware/hat. The gift card, while it seems a cop out, is better than beer somebody might not like or swag from a brewery somebody may not support. We're at the point where we are vocal advocates for no gifts for grown ups, but people do what they do. My son and I do gift beers, but he's got great tastes and neither of us has to do much thinking other than selection.

Seems the best solution is to be gracious in the moment, then at least try the beer and do a review. Pour 'em down the sink privately if they are that horrible, or save for the day when it's "just a beer" day if they are even average. Not every beer has to bring you to Nirvana, and people probably aren't gifting cases. The other options are obvious and well-covered as we all know. Dump, give away, party cooler, etc.

 

There's a really fun game called "drink a beer", @5thOhio you should try it I think it will solve your problem. How to play:
Step 1: Acquire a beer (congratulations! you already completed this step!)
Step 2: Open said beer
Step 3: Drink said beer
Step 4: Repeat as needed

I mean complaining about free beer? Seriously?

 

Free flavorings can make up for many flaws.

 

Wow! Year old moldy bread? Really?

If someone gave me moldy bread as a gift, I would have three choices:

1. either they did not know it was moldy (accept the gift graciously), or
2. it was a gag gift (laugh), or
3. they are intentionally telling me to GFYS (say a terse "thank you" while giving the evil eye).

I could probably easily figure out which fairly quickly. I suspect (hope) your friends are in the first category.

As to assuming a lot or taking the comment in my own direction, I was just taking you at your word:

Sounds like criticizing the gift to me. It's just beer... why is it even necessary to tell them anything except "thank you"?

 

Ha! Shooting it never crossed my mind. You are a man of great vision!

 

Because I find it pointless for people to waste their hard earned money and it makes more sense to me to give/receive gifts someone really wants, would enjoy and makes them the happiest.

Sounds like you and I are quite different and I am sure we would not enjoy gift giving to each other.

 

Not trying to pick a fight or anything, but people do this all the time with gift giving. They try to give a thoughtful gift, but it misses the mark. Unless it's your mom, smile and say "thank you."

No, probably not, because after being corrected, my next gift to you would be a case of intentionally aged Lime-A-Rita! (Not really.... but I'd think about it!)

 

I disagree and I have had people thank me for being honest and then the next gift was right on the mark and then when they saw how happy I was that made them happy too. I feel that this is a big problem in the world and too many people are smiling and saying thank you when they feel quite the opposite...to me that can do harm in the long run.

I do understand your school of thought but I prefer my way because it has proven to benefit all parties involved and it's all how you approach it.

Well then I'm sorry to report that I would probably still rather have that than a really old IPA.

 

Send them to me and I’ll dispose of them for you

 

I have always felt that in much the same way clothes I no longer use/need are donated to Goodwill, a similar program must be started for alcohol. I am thinking drop boxes on local college campuses for un-needed/unused alcohol. Those accepting donations must be 21+, of course. Who wants to take this bull by the horns and make it a long term BA project?

 

It's happened (happening now) to me. OP, you sound spoiled man.

It gives me a chance to retry almost 90% of these beers that I haven't had in a good 2 years time. Maybe said beers have improved? Maybe they still suck.


I would never say no to retrying a perceived "crappy" beer on someone elses dime.

You don't know it's shit (a second time) until you actually try it.

If its not a highly acclaimed local IPA or a high ABV STOUT, BA scores mean very little IMHO OP. Did you try some of these beers before seeing the BA scores? It feels like you checked the scores of everything first to see if they would be "worth your time" and then started this thread.

I have about 8 local beers I got in a world market 'local' 9 pack gift set. I'm worried but will try to have some fun with it. Its nice being reminded why we rate the highest rated beers the way we do/ It's all about context. It just feels like you are sad you didnt get a ultra rare four pack of hyper local IPAs, and instead got shelf turds... 95% of America drinks shelf turds btw.

Six packs are different though. I may go through 2 before the rest get dumped. But singles, I'll give every beer a fair and honest shot.

 

I'll see if I can get a hold of the one from Aldi's and report back. Never heard of any of the others.

 

Toss a chuck roast or some sausages in a crock pot with carrots, onions and potatoes and dump it in. Bad beer can make great sauce or gravy.

 

I have honestly received a year old Lime a Rita as a joke gift before.