Former lurkers, why'd you finally join BA?

I wish I could even recall when I first began using BeerAdvocate passively.

I think it must have been around 2004 or so. I was still a bit too young to buy beer back then so most of my exposure was through my friend's parents who were into wine and would let my friend and I pick up a 6 pack or two to while at the supermarket with them to enjoy with dinner.

Often it was just something fairly mundane like Sierra Nevada or Anchor, but we loved picking a 6 pack there and then going back to his house to look up reviews as we cracked them open. I remember in particular loving having The Bros rating right at the top of most reviews as a good baseline of what expect.

It was only later I found out there was a magazine that I wish I had subscribed to as well (but was probably too poor to actually have).

Then for the next 16 or so years I used BeerAdvocate to read reviews. It was indispensable for helping me determine what to buy when purchasing unfamiliar beers. I always preferred the more serious tone and longer-form reviews of BA even after Untappd popped up.

Eventually I started reading the forums as well, but I think it really picked up around the time of the pandemic, and that's when I decided that I wanted to join around September 2020.

Funnily enough, it was wanting to be able to post on the forums that convinced me to sign up -- as much as I love beer, I guess I as always more interested in reading other's opinions than giving my own.

 

I was impressed by the large database and after years checking out reviews I finally decided to start writing my own.

I love this site!

 

Joined to add an event (friend's restaurant was having a beer dinner with Heavy Seas) back when you could have events posted. Had mostly been keeping notes on paper, but I remember doing a fair amount on MySpace.

 

I finally joined Beer Advocate after going to my distributors and looking up beers. Beer Advocate reviews were usually the first posting to show up after the brewery’s info. I’d always clicked on the reviews and eventually I’d just go to the BA review. After lurking for about 5 years I pulled the trigger and joined. I haven’t looked back!

 

To be honest, I’ve been looking a BA for about 20 years or so, at least.
You guys always nail the beer reviews better than any other source.
Collectively speaking, the reviews are spot-on. Any time I was beer shopping BA was my go-to while making a decision when considering something new…Nailed it every time.
I now wish I had joined years ago. I think of all the places, experiences, and beers I’ve had over the decades that would have been nice to share.
A year and a half ago I finally got tired of Todd’s pesky messages telling me to stop lurking lol.
Years ago, I used to be a member on a performance car enthusiast forum, BA is a natural fit for what I’m into now.
I really enjoy it, Cheers

 

To talk shit resulting in @Todd and the rest of The Mod team yell at me in PMs

 

I joined for the reviews, which I still use when deciding whether to buy a beer that I haven’t had.

 

He does!

 

I lurked only a few months. I got into craft because I'd had a few dark beers I liked, but then would have a different one that I hated. I wanted to choose good ones, so I started going by the BA ratings and reviews, studied the style descriptions, and tried different styles. It didn't take long before I decided Stouts were my go-to style, but more generally most strong dark beers. Then I wanted to track what I'd had and liked, so ten years ago I joined BA so I could review beers for my own tracking/reference.

 

Same…..joined the day I found it.

 

Self-recorded video?

 

I don't recall the year but I subscribed to the magazine which I enjoyed.

 

Wanted to join the conversation I had been lurking for years. Been amazing! Cheers!

 

I stood in front of coolers for years wondering if this-or-that was any good. Websearch always lead me to BA, and I made decisions based on what I considered to be a panel of experts. I knew I could contribute, so I finally jumped in.

I’m not (terribly) anti-social, but don’t do social media. Never have. But I love the camaraderie, the atmosphere, the fuckin' geekery of BA.
And the often impeccable music choices you all throw out here.,.