Why don't you review?

I agree that noting biases and limitations in reviews is helpful. Many of my reviews include a phrase similar to "...but I have really limited ability to detect and identify subtle smells".

 

Think I've found a way to move from the "don't" to "do", and that's with the help of Untappd. I number-rate the beer here once, and when having it again I choose among the default word reviewing buttons on Untappd. That will help to put at least some words to the experience, coming back here later for some reviews.

 

I was, back when I joined BA in '08 a big reviewer. But since discovering Untappd, now merged w/BA, my logging and reviewing appears on that app. BA however has always been my go to for good research of styles, trends etc.
I review for myself and those like me who want some sort of synopsis of a particular offering before purchasing in store.
Up until this holiday season I haven't logged into BA in a long while but it's good to see that some things never change.
@jbknot on Untappd & still have never even clicked on Ratebeer, always enjoyed the mix of nerds, nuts & the general peanut gallery vibe of BA. Prost to all in the new year.

 

Oh snap, did not know AB now owns RB, I need to check in more often for the best industry news. Since joining in '08 I've never once looked at RB, love BA and the atmosphere here.
Was really glad to here that Untappd & BA became part of the same family.

 

Love Morticia, like a softer Barbara Steele, but her and Gomez were just great.
Addams Family would be my pick over the Munsters, taking nothing away from that timeless classic either.

 

I got into BA as i like to track things. It goes back to my days as a 10-year-old in his mid-Michigan bedroom some evenings seeing what AM radio stations i can pull in, and tracking them, just imagining the world out there thru the "Spirit of Radio". It may go further back with my tracking of what songs i heard on the radio back in the early 70's LOL!

Today I am a retired accountant and i jumped into BA mid-career following what i have an affinity for and for my ongoing quest for better beer. But BA to me is not just for ticking as i look at it as my personal journal for the beers i have had. I try to honestly evaluate them for the merits of the beer as well as a being contributor to BA reviews and finally for my notes to look back on and re-review beers to see how much my palate/beer has changed. Reviews are all about my journey with beer. And i will rely on previous personal ratings if i desire to purchase a quality non-ridiculously priced pack of beer as a "stock" beer.

Since my relocation from PHX to Western NC in 2021, i have joined a tasting group in my new neighborhood and to me you cannot realistically evaluate 8-10 beers from one of those sessions so i never do. I rarely post a review of a beer that i enjoyed less than 12 ounces. Nor can you do reviews when at the tasting room or bar with friends/family are the focus. I get that even a 12-ounce sample may not be enough as one previous poster elaborated.

I also get that most of my reviews sound the same for the style i review but to me it is important to continue to review as i personally leverage other BA's reviews when determining if i should buy a beer or not given the choices we have today compared to 7 years ago and back further so i am hoping other BA's have the same philosophy. I will admit i use Untappd, not to rate mind you, but i use those ratings when purchasing new beer. i use these ratings with a grain of salt as i have noticed there are biases against styles e.g., high alcohol beers are consistently overrated, and classic IPAs/Lagers/etc. are underrated compared to the matured palates of BA members.

Since i am retired and Da Boss will be retiring sometime soon the funds flow will be less in the near future which will lead me to being even more discriminate when buying and trying new beer going forward.

Bottom line is i appreciate the BA community for the Forum contributions and the humor that comes from it, seeing the camaraderie amongst members, and the thoughtful reviews that BA's put in writing!
Cheers!
Tom