Why do (or don't) you post reviews?

I rate beers mainly for self-reference. I don't review because I am not particularly good at describing why I like or dislike a beer. We have plenty of other folks here who excel at that.

 

My palate is too fickle, it seems. As I discover more beer selections and varieties, over time I realize that a given beer might have tasted great that time I had it on tap, but not so much in the bottle/ can; or when I opened it following consumption of a different style beer, so my palate had that segue to reckon with.
The answer is probably multiple tastings/ notes in different settings/ from different sources in a continuum over time but as much as I find writing rewarding, I am not disciplined enough for all the note-taking-maintenance. Eventually though as my palate evolves I hope for my coverage/ sharing skills of what I'm enjoying [or not] will evolve too, in a direction that benefits everybody~

 

I give everything I drink a rating (tick) but not necessarily a review. I did reviews for on Beer Rater for almost a year, so it would be quite a bit of work to transfer them all over.

Mainly I do the ticks now just to keep track of what I have had. The real benefit of BA for me is seeing and reading about what other people are drinking as well as keeping up to date with releases for new and seasonal beers.

 

I travel a lot on business and fortunately; get to try a lot of beers along the way. My work friends have come to rely on my recommendations for places to eat during the week; recognizing that good beer is part of the formula; and have come to appreciate having solid beverage choices. Of course, it also affords me the opportunity to research and try new breweries and craft beer pubs.

I started using Beeradvocate as a repository for my reviews over 7 years ago so I would remember what I/we liked. It's become a nice hobby that I enjoy doing on the road or locally when I'm not travelling.

 

I agree with @rollom that note taking could detract from the experience at hand, especially when you're enjoying a beer with other beer lovers. 100% of the time I would prefer to discuss the experience with friends rather than taking notes.

I do however like to rate what I'm drinking and I consistently revisit past ratings to amend/confirm my score but it's more for personal reference and I have yet to write a review on the site.

Curious when most BAs write their reviews, if it's while drinking the beer or afterwards based on notes? Can't imagine sitting down at the computer while having a beer and writing it after the fact seems like a lot of work.

 

I enjoy occasionally discussing how a beer tastes with someone else, but I quickly realized trying to review a beer was not at all fun and not at all the reason I drink beer. Additionally, I find the entire enterprise to be fairly comical - considering there are a lot of people using terms like horse-blanket and farmhouse that most likely have no idea how either of those actually smell. I find there to be an overwhelming amount of crap that seems to be people just trying to string words together. 2 fingers, 3 fingers, khaki head. tobacco, leather, stone fruit, pine, must, vinyl, cat piss, sand, air, gasoline, dog food, stainless steel, lysol, red clay, concrete. Ugh.

I have brewed my fair share of beer. I like being able to speak a common language with other brewers or beer fans, but I do find the review game to get a little silly after a while.

 

Before we go any farther I want to say Thank you to all the people that take time to write a review. I do actually read a lot of reviews and am very grateful to the people who have taken time to help me buy better beer.

 

It depends on my mood; but just now while on vacation and reading this site; I reviewed a beer in front of the computer while tasting it. I like doing it this way when I'm by myself because it gives me time to properly reflect on all aspects of the beer and take my time with the tasting (and typing).

While on the road; if I am by myself; I'll sometimes do this on my smartphone. If I'm with people on the road or locally, I generally will either just give it a quick numeric rating; or I may jot down a few notes on paper; because it's quicker than doing it on the phone, and I don't want to interrupt the flow of conversation at the table.

I've come to like the process of doing detailed reviews because it makes me give due consideration to the pleasurable aspects of each new beer. It's interesting reading my early reviews from 7 years ago and seeing how my perceptions/aroma/taste-capabilities have progressed since taking the time to observe the nuances of appearance, smell, taste and mouthfeel.

 

I don't write most reviews because there are many other people out there that can write a hell of a lot better than myself.

I do write reviews when I have a drastically difference experience than everyone else or if there are currently no proper reviews written.

 

I write reviews for just about every beer I try. Don't always get them up in a timely fashion, but I get around to it sooner or later. I do it because I enjoy writing. Also, because I find others' reviews to be helpful in deciding whether a particular beer might be something I'm interested in, so I write reviews in hopes that someone else who is on the fence will read it and decide to give that beer a try.

 

Yeah I really agree with this. I tried writing a few reviews, but usually someone has already said it better than I can, and I really appreciate that about this site.

 

Great perspectives here and I like what both of you are getting at (not pathetic at all!). Taking the time to think analytically about the sensations is key and for many, writing it down or typing a review is the best way to experience that. I have a great appreciation for all the BAs (like yourselves) that take the time and put so much thought into their reviews. It's one of the greatest aspects of this community.

 

Who has time? Tried a few and im too busy drinking and enjoying to review.

 

I stopped because my reference points, tastes, and priorities changed.

 

I review simply to share an experience. Take from it what you will/won't.

As an aside, I love the people declaring their inability to articulate their opinions on given beers, despite the fact that many (if not all) will gladly give their two cents on every little piece of the beer/brewing world on these forums. Here's a secret, guys: It's all the same thing. If you can say why you distrust Goose Island due to their corporate overlords or what the best desert island beer is (or even why reviews are/aren't helpful/worthwhile/what-have-you), you can review a beer.

 

I review when I have something to say, and don't when I don't. I rate every beer I drink.

 

I just don't have the creativity to do it. Plus the best reviews are so long and detailed that writing it or taking notes for the review gotta detract from experiencing the beer!

 

im too lazy