Cardinal rules of beer

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Orca, Oct 6, 2013.

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  1. Orca

    Orca Grand Pooh-Bah (4,710) Sep 18, 2010 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I've come up with my own set of beer-related cardinal rules over the past few years. Because I buy the vast majority of my beer at bottle shops and grocery stores, my rules are centered around bottled beer. Others of you might have your own rules related to beer festivals, brewery releases, tap-only beers, homebrewing, or other aspects of beer. Anyway, here are mine:
    1. Always check the beer section, whenever you're in a store that has one. You never know what you'll find, or where.
    2. If you see a limited beer you want to try, grab it. Even if you expect to see more or find it later at a better price, you'll be kicking yourself if you didn't pick up at least one when it was within your reach.
    3. If there's a beer you're really interested in finding and don't see it out on the shelves, ask the beer guy to check in back. You never know what they're keeping back there. (I often don't do this, as I generally don't like to support stores that hide the "good stuff"; but some beers also just move fast on the floor and they might not have had a chance to restock. So it can never hurt to ask.)
    4. If you miss out on a certain beer that you wanted, don't sweat it. Aside from certain one-offs, if it's good, they'll probably make it again and usually they'll make more of it. It's simple economics; breweries generally like to make beer that people want to buy.
    5. Even if it's not a hyped beer, if it sounds good to you, try it.
    Anyone else have any cardinal rules of beer that they live by? Cheers?
     
    #1 Orca, Oct 6, 2013
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  2. Vivinski

    Vivinski Initiate (0) Sep 29, 2013 Netherlands

    I have a guideline,

    Take the Belgian
     
    #2 Vivinski, Oct 6, 2013
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  3. CraftBeerMe

    CraftBeerMe Initiate (0) Nov 13, 2011 Virginia

    If the bartender pours it for you without asking, assuming they don't want you out the door, drink it
     
    #3 CraftBeerMe, Oct 6, 2013
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  4. Uniobrew31

    Uniobrew31 Pooh-Bah (1,567) Jan 16, 2012 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Never trust a beer that requires lemon, lime, orange or any other fruit. If it isnt good enough to stand on its own it isn't worth drinking!
     
    #4 Uniobrew31, Oct 6, 2013
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  5. mrcraft

    mrcraft Grand Pooh-Bah (3,396) Dec 15, 2012 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    No 1. Always.
     
    #5 mrcraft, Oct 6, 2013
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  6. bifrost17

    bifrost17 Initiate (0) Dec 16, 2011 Washington

    My cardinal rule is don't tell anyone about all of our secret PNW beer....
     
    #6 bifrost17, Oct 6, 2013
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  7. drtth

    drtth Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2007 Pennsylvania
    In Memoriam

    6. Don't buy undated beer unless there is some other way to establish its current age. (e.g., a week after its release as a seasonal).

    7. If there is a beer you want to buy that is undated, buy something else and send mail to the brewery telling them which beer you bought instead of their undated beer.
     
    #7 drtth, Oct 6, 2013
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  8. jwheeler87

    jwheeler87 Initiate (0) Oct 27, 2011 Massachusetts

    Be open minded.

    Be a craft beer fan, and not a beer snob (not everyone will like BBA ethiopian coffee, central american vanilla, imperial stouts that clock in at 15%, and that's cool)

    Experience all the styles that you can.

    Don't drink from the bottle, and advise others not to either (without being an a-hole of course).
     
    #8 jwheeler87, Oct 6, 2013
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  9. Jimbobebop

    Jimbobebop Initiate (0) Jun 12, 2013 Illinois

    If your buying an IPA, check the date.
     
    #9 Jimbobebop, Oct 6, 2013
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  10. offthelevel_bytheplumb

    offthelevel_bytheplumb Maven (1,277) Aug 19, 2013 Illinois

    Change up the styles as often as you can, support the local brewers, and go back to good beers every now and then so they can make some money for their product.
     
    #10 offthelevel_bytheplumb, Oct 6, 2013
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  11. seanyfo

    seanyfo Pooh-Bah (1,718) Jan 2, 2006 Scotland
    Pooh-Bah

    Enjoy it, that's it.
     
    #11 seanyfo, Oct 6, 2013
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  12. fudanchu

    fudanchu Initiate (173) Sep 16, 2013 California

    Brew at least one beer in your lifetime.

    If you like a beer drink one and cellar one. Unless its an ipa or any hopped up beer
     
    #12 fudanchu, Oct 6, 2013
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  13. fudanchu

    fudanchu Initiate (173) Sep 16, 2013 California

    If it has brett, age it.
     
    #13 fudanchu, Oct 6, 2013
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  14. Flibber

    Flibber Initiate (0) Jul 27, 2013 England

    Unless it's absolutely vile, never make up your mind about a beer after only one glass.
     
    #14 Flibber, Oct 6, 2013
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  15. RochefortChris

    RochefortChris Grand Pooh-Bah (3,271) Oct 2, 2012 North Carolina
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Never count out lagers, they can be just as awesome as any ale.
     
    #15 RochefortChris, Oct 6, 2013
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  16. Sludgeman

    Sludgeman Grand Pooh-Bah (3,356) Aug 17, 2012 District of Columbia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    If the Pope offers, always accept, no matter the brand!
     
    #16 Sludgeman, Oct 6, 2013
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  17. djsmith1174

    djsmith1174 Savant (1,015) Aug 21, 2005 Minnesota

    I think it's a pretty good set of rules. My only exception would be #3. Some beers are just priced out of my beer budget and I apply #4 to those.
     
    #17 djsmith1174, Oct 6, 2013
  18. teal

    teal Zealot (589) May 3, 2012 Wisconsin

    I have one rule

    1. Drink what I like, don't worry about what others think I should drink.

    Rinse and repeat if people get upset at my choices.
     
    #18 teal, Oct 6, 2013
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  19. MLaVioletteJr

    MLaVioletteJr Initiate (0) Jun 12, 2013 Massachusetts

    If you forget a beer in the freezer, don't try to thaw it in the microwave.
     
    #19 MLaVioletteJr, Oct 6, 2013
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  20. azorie

    azorie Pooh-Bah (2,471) Mar 18, 2006 Florida
    Pooh-Bah

    There are no rules in beer drinking, no crying either.
     
    #20 azorie, Oct 6, 2013
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