Barstool Bartending

I feel like it's sometimes appreciated, especially when a busy bartender is being held up by an indecisive customer. Maybe I'm totally off though. However, if ever offering an opinion, I try to keep it light and not too beer-geeky, and really put it out there as "just a suggestion" just to avoid stepping on any toes.

 

I don't mind people recommending beers to me, as long as it isn't in a pushy manner (which has happened a few times). I know what I want to order but am always interested in other's thoughts. I don't offer recommendations unless specifically prompted. In my experience unsolicited advice not the best way to start a conversation.

 

I have a Cantillon tattoo, am often found wearing brewery gear and have a large beard and glasses. I get asked for help pretty often.

 

Yeah why not? Im not pushy about it, but Ill namedrop my favorite beer at a particular brewery. If nothing else it can be an icebreaker, since I go to breweries to converse and socialize, otherwise I'd just get growlers to go.

 

Interesting topic! I've experienced this from both sides.
I, as mentioned above, offer advice with discretion as well to avoid stepping on toes. I'll make a subtle suggestion and if someone wants to get more into the conversation than I'll kick beer geek into high mode. But if a couple people are taking about how their craft brewed lager (even though what theyre drinking is a stout) taste just like that wheat beer they had last week, I don't intervene. I'd feel like I'm coming off as a know it all.


But I seem to encounter a lot of the opposite. People telling me what I should be drinking. When I go to a bar I usually look over the beer menu thoroughly and usually know what I want to try and what's good and/or rare and limited. But just the other day some guy sits next to me and says "wow you need to order one of these green flash ipas. It taste just like heady topper" and I'm thinking yeah totally...

 

Pics of Cantillon tattoo?

 

https://www.facebook.com/thebeermatchmaker

Profile Pic (shameless plug, feel free to give a like)

 

I wouldn't go out of my way to push a beer, but if I';m talking to someone and the opportunity presents itself, i'll sometimes recommend something. I generally do it if its at a beer bar and the person i'm talking to is just getting into craft, and I see the bar has another version of the beer they're already drinking.

 

I do not. I hate those people

 

There is a huge difference between offering advice if asked or starting a conversation about beers and thumbing your nose at someone's order or butting in a conversation you were not involved in (to talk about anything, but beer in this instance).

One is worthy of hate, one is just being a Beer Advocate and social creature.

 

Some of us are not social creatures.

Yes, I am that dick.

 

You got your like!

 

No but a few days ago I was at a liquor store and stumbled upon some FFF Gumball head that was bottled that day, was quite surprised and asked a guy a few feet away from me if he was a fan of the beer. He was, and picked up the hours old GBH, patted myself on the back for that one. ::not really::

 

No, not unless someone asks for my opinion.

 

I was hoping this thread was going to be about super lazy bartenders who have set up stools near the taps.

 

I hate the guy who walks into the conversation only hearing the recommendations and unsolicited feels the need to crap on your advice. Let people do their job.

 

Being asked has nothing to with the topic OP presented. Being asked is being asked. Nosing in to spout off at any chance to wax poetic on beer is just annoying. It's like backup, I'm talking to my wife. I don't give a shit if you and your bearded friends do weekend car tours of Vermont. Just back the F up.

 

best post I've seen here.

and I totally agree.

It's one thing if someone sits down at a bar all wide eyed and full of wonder, quickly scanning the tap list as the bartender asks what they'll have, but only managing to get out an uneven, bewildered "uhhhhh..." because while they'll probably have no idea What your cantillon tattoo is, and will probably assume you're just some glasses wearing bearded hipster, your advice will probably help them make a difficult decision and will be much appreciated.

me? I'm here with my wife on one of the rare nights we got someone to watch our son. I don't want to hear your "if you like X then you're going to love Y" bullshit beer equation.