Using the Word "Try" at a Bar

Since I've gotten into craft beer, most of the bars I frequent tend to be more serious beer establishments that feature a selection that is obviously broader than Bud, Coors and Corona. I have never encountered a bartender, at these types of establishments, that gave me an attitude or seemed put off about pouring me samples. As someone else mentioned, it is a good business model. It allows me, the consumer, to compare brews if I'm undecided. It also gives me an opportunity to be exposed to different brews I have not heard of or tried. I know for sure that the bartender who is liberal in the amount of samples he/she pours me, is friendly about it and likes to talk beer with me, will get a generous tip from me for sure.

 

What if you say "I'd like to try a sample."????

Arghhh! The confusion!

 

Are you to the same guy that was just on sodaadvocate.com asking Georgia to be more spefic when they order a coke?

 

Communication is a two-way street. Maybe instead of posting a rant that will likely never be in front of your customer's eyes, it would be more logical to clarify their order rather than assuming and complaining about it later. The extra few seconds it takes to ask, "a sample? or a full pour?" seems worth it if this happens enough to become this type of issue.

 

I usually ask, "mind if I try the xxx?" Or "Can I taste the xxx?" Those are likely meaning a small sample to most people, not crystal clear for sure, plus I probably say "can I try the xxx" more than I should. I'll work on that. A lot of times the bartender asks the clarifying question though. For waiters and waitresses, it's easy since its not as common, but similar phrasing. Sometimes I remember to say sample. Thats probably best but if it costs money, they better tell me.

 

Good for you, but you're old school and in the minority these days. My parents taught me to deal with mistakes, eat the food on my plates etc. But most people don't follow that advice today. But in the defense on sampling beers, there are tons of craft beers out there that people haven't had before or even heard of. It's not like your options are Bud Light, Sam Adams, and Michelob these days. If you want craft to continue to grow, you should want people to be able to have a free taste or two so they have a good experience with the beer. Otherwise they'll choose what they know (AB In-Bev or other macro) or they'll choose wine or spirits. I'd prefer they choose a local (or not local) craft beer than support the big guys and have a no flavor or sweet beer.

 

IMO, 2 samples is acceptable and totally fine unless a bar is jam packed (2 is always fine at a brewery if they don't have flights or small pours). 2 is a comparison - do I want this or this? 3 is usually too much unless the bartender is super friendly about it and wants you too, but I'm sure 3 is usually annoying for the bartender.

I often ask to taste/try something I've never had, so I average 1. I've been lucky to try a lot of beers, so locally I know what to expect usually. New places and cities though I go for 2 typically because I want to see how the local stuff is.

 

Your pouring, why not just ask...a sample or a full glass? If there is a mistake it is on you for not fully understanding what the customer is asking for. Every customer's response may be different....yours can always be the same.

 

I would be pretty disappointed if I asked "Can I try that?" and got served a pint. If nothing else, the bartender should be asking "Pint, schooner or pot?" at which point you could clarify your preference for glass size, or just for a taste.

 

This is what I do if I'm looking for a sample. I guess "try" used in that context is sort of slang for "have", if you will.

 

In fairness to the hospitality industry of New Orleans, you would assume that the locals would know all about it and it would get very tedious for both bartenders and locals if they explained their rules each and every time someone asked for a taste.

On the other hand, it is fairly rare in my experience for a bartender not to let you have a small (and free) taster. Bit of a weird rule, but lesson learned I guess?

 

I prefer the word "sample" as well. More often than not though I have always associated the word "try" as they wanted a sample. I usually just try to read the customers confidence when ordering. If they sound not sure then I pour a sample. If they sound confident I double check to make sure they want a full pint.

 

I have had breweries/bars give me a tiny sample when I ask for "a taster of X" even though their menu calls the 2-4 oz. pours "tasters". I think it depends on the employee really.

 

In my personal experience when I say I will try the "enjoy by" or insert beer here, a good bartender will most of the time say "do you want a sample or are you just going for it?" or something to that effect in order to not have any confusion.
I personally do not usually ever ask for samples unless I am at a new brewery or something (or driving and can't have a full glass of everything I want to taste and know I am not coming back anytime soon), I generally seem to have a pretty good idea of what to order at a beer from sampling so many beers over the years, and I know beers are like 7-10$ each or whatever and we can whine about prices all day but hey craft beers expensive, if you order a beer you don't like just don't order it again, it will still do the trick abv-wise.

Oh and when bars are busy and you have plenty of people waiting for drinks with empty glasses and you keep asking to taste every beer in the bar because you just discovered you kind of maybe think you just might enjoy blue moon so you want to come a crowded craft beer bar with your frat bros on a friday night, and piss all the paying customers off, just do us all a favor and stay home and split your busch light 36 rack of camouflage cans.
please and thank you. signed a concerned drinker that HATES sitting at a bar with a full glass.

 

Ha, fair call man.

 

I always ask the server if they do free samples so I know what to expect and not blindsided when I get the bill. Most places will accommodate, and I don't mind paying a buck or 2 if it's something I'm really on the fence about, and if they are free then I limit it to 1. However I always order a full beer first so they know that I'm actually going to order something, and I'm trying to decide what to have next. I always make sure to phrase it as "can I get a sample of?" or can I have a little taste?" just so we're on the same page.