Why do you use BeerAdvocate?

Forums above all else: I had gone sort of 'dormant' (though content) after the kids came along, and finding this place has kept me feeling plugged-in, and turned me on to many great places and beers I probably would not have found out about otherwise. If I can return the favor and help others out nowadays I am more than happy to do it.

 

mostly to avoid doing work.

 

I use mainly the places section as I travel al lot and the reviews left by fellow BA members have really helped when on the go. The beer ratings are great as well but just all things in life they can get swept up in the brewery of the moment trend.

 

I think the Beerfly/Places function is the best on the Internet for being able to find a craft beer bar or store during my travels across these great United States.

 

BA for the forums as they are more active with a better layout and better usability. This is linked to my doing the majority of my trading here as well. Recently, I sometimes cross check beer ratings on BA after checking RB to see if there's a gap.

RB for rating beers and checking beer ratings when shopping as I prefer its scaling system. Some trading activity on RB as well.

reddit/beertrade for some more trading as I'm on that site a fair amount anyways.

 

Forums...especially useful when planning a trip!

 

1. Beer reviews when I'm at the store.
2. Entertainment when I'm bored at work.

 

Research and info

 

Reviewing is by far the best here. Not only is it the easiest and cleanest to be a reviewer yourself, but you have the breadth of knowledge of some pretty amazing noses, palates, and passions.

 

You just answered your own question. RateBeer ratings seem to be about 20% higher than BA ratings. I see "RateBeer score of 100" shelf-talkers all over the place. How many beers are scored 100 here? Retailers aren't in the business of telling you that a product you're considering buying isn't great (unless, of course, they're trying to get you to buy something else with a higher price tag/margin).

 

1. message boards (discussion, announcements, recommendations)
2. database (mainly brewery information/beer information)

 

BA is more accessible and user friendly. It feels like a community without being invasive. Sites like ratebeer just don't come off as comfortable.

 

I like to talk beer and have the ability to ask questions about local beers when traveling. It is also great to keep track of beer ratings.

 

Good people , great source for imformation , volunteering for the fests .

 

Because the Bros throw the best fests around.. What does RB do??

 

BA is the most professionally managed site of the bunch - I count on it for real reviews, a no-nonsense approach (well, with some nonsense tolerated ), and a huge database - the other sites are knock-offs - BA is the original.

 

So I can trade for whalez brah!

Seriously though it's a great way to connect with the community and share information and appreciation.

 

It's a good way to pass the evening hours away.... In addition, it's just a solid community of people who have different backgrounds and opinions, but we all have one commonality: the love of good beer!

BA also has some reliable resources.

 

For the love of beer.