Etiquette for providing negative beer tasting comments

I would probably tell them what was nicely done about it and omit the negatives.

 

I firmly believe in Karma. Play it off and say nice beer. Chances are, they worked hard on it and want others to like it.

 

Similar to that of Warren,

Give them some positive feedback, but also include some negative feedback but in a polite way. For example, say I think you guys created a very nicely balanced beer, but it has a strange off-flavor at the end. What would cause that?

Or do the famous BS sandwich.... good in the beginning, bad in the middle, and finish with something nice

 

Yes, and let's give EVERYONE a trophy. Then let's slowly bankrupt them by not buying their beer all the while they don't' know what's wrong. "Everyone tells us our beer is good, this makes no sense." Don't be a jerk about it but be honest. There's not enough honesty in the world as it is.

 

Tell them it's not for you or not to your taste and tell them why. If they can't accept critisism they aren't going to make it anyways. Don't be rude about it but telling them should be viewed as a positive.

 

At many fests you won't have any brewery personnel pouring the beer, rather it will be distributors or volunteers. If you have feedback about the beers, those folks are not the ones to talk to. Otherwise, most of the fests that I've attended where brewers are present, they are so busy pouring that you'll be ill advised to stand at the head of the line and chat when people behind you want their cups filled. Give feedback to a brewer if the reasonable opportunity is there.

 

Rate to style? If it fits in a defined one.

 

There is a difference in saying "this beer sucks" or suggesting it was badly made and saying "I didn't care for it". They know that they can't please everyone. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it is a bad beer. Budweiser is a well made beer I don't care for.

 

"a vendors event where multiple breweries are invited"... this doesn't sound like an invitation to review and critique.

Save the constructive criticism for the proper environment. Go home and type up a review here on BeerAdvocate. If they care what you have to say, they'll look it up. I will add however that one of the best brewers in MN (No. 2 in the state) told me in person that another fine MN brewer (No. 1 in the state) specifically advised them not to ever, EVER look at this website )

 

I'm all for being polite and honest. As others have pointed out, you don't want to mislead them by telling them how awesome their beer is, when it's not. Being honest is the "nicer" thing to do in the long run.

But it is a double edged sword, and probably tough for the brewers to wade through the various feedback. Like did the guy who told you your foreign export stout was "not for me" or "a bit uninspiring" or a bit "thin" tell you that because they are very familiar with FES and felt yours fell short of some of the stellar examples? Or did they tell you that because the beer wasn't as "good" as the KBBS / Assassin / Prop / BVDL epic beer tasting they did with their beer bros the night before?

 

Agree with several others above that you're part of the mediocrity problem if you don't speak up.

I think it has a generational component too, as those who were raised with participation trophies, extreme political correctness, being told everyone is unique and special in their own way, etc. are often very intolerant of any sort of negativity & criticism. Pathetic local breweries aren't pathetic - they just need more time... or they haven't quite brewed their best beers yet... or hey continue supporting them because that's what they need, plus time, for them to be successful.

 

Spit the beer in their face with a loud EWWWWYUUUCK!!!!!!
Than grab them by the ear, drag them to the booth of a better brewer and tell them (loud enough for everyone to hear)
Now you try a good beer you fool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Back to reality, I would have no problem telling them what I didn't like about their beer. But I would soften it up with praise for what I did like. I am also a fan of making the dissatisfaction about me "That sweet malt flavor in the background isn't really my favorite."

 

Honesty is definitely important. Some have already touched on this, but what can make the criticism more constructive than derogatory is to phrase it in terms of "I" rather than "You". Saying "I noticed an off flavor" or "I felt like it came off a little thin at the end" goes a lot further than "Your beer has an off flavor" or "Your beer is a little thin at the end". The latter two will put people on the defensive, whereas the former set up dialogue a little better. As @DaverCS pointed out, following up with a genuine question is a great way to keep the conversation positive as well.

EDIT: This also helps account for the many different factors that can affect one individual's experience of a beer at a given time. At a festival, after trying 10 beers, one's taste of beer #11 may not provide an accurate representation of the beer, either.

 

I would be honest - in a tactful way. Mention the good points to start and follow with what I see as the weak points.

 

It depends if the beer is flawless and just not to your taste, or if it has technical flaws. If the latter is the case, I would consider it polite to point it out.

 

I feel like this is turning into an outlet for mostly off topic social critique that seems unnecessary.

I'll start this off by agreeing that there is a lot of mediocre craft beer out there. With that said, there's a difference between lauding a mediocre beer with praise and just not saying anything at all. Look at what Avery says right on the front page of BA, "I brew beer I want to drink." Also it seems naive to assume the brewers can't tell who makes a "better" beer than they do. That is, after a few bottle shares with your bros and some mediocre to good homebrewing, you're going to be the one to lecture this person on something like too much crystal malt in an IPA.

BAs in particular act like every beer was made for them. Let your money speak to what you like and leave it at that. I don't write every single brewery to explain why I didn't buy their beer last night at the store. Part of tasting is also working your way through mediocre beer to get to the good stuff too. When I'm sharing beer with friends who aren't particularly crafty drinkers (or say, my PBR drinking family from upstate) and might be totally turned off by super hoppy Other Half cans, I'll find something a little more approachable.

I would've killed for a lot of today's mediocre beer ten years ago when I was in the wasteland of Potsdam, New York and Honey Brown/Yuengling were my "craft" beers of choice!

 

Honesty is rare these days, everyone wants to sugar coat what they truely feel.

At an event sometimes its better to take your sample or even 2 depending on the volume size ( come on i know its law but
2oz of beer does not give me enough to judge it) and either keep your mouth shut give a nod and keep walking.

If you are inclined to comment on the offerings talk about the strong points as well as some of the flaw or negative aspects.

 

I'm for honesty, but I'm generally straightforward.

And I hate generational assumptions. No, everyone isn't a special *********, but I also don't assume I know a person automatically based solely on their age.