Samples. How many is too many?

Most places I go charge a minimal fee for samples that covers their cost. Order as many as you want as long as you are covering the establishment's cost. Don't be greedy and pay for what you drink !!!

 

Really? How does that work, exactly?

 

Good point. Sorry

 

I had a customer once who asked for a sample bottle of Aventinus. I refused. I told him to research it and try some after he bought it. Anyone who asks for a sample of Aventinus is clearly clueless, or stupidly ballsy.

 

Hey? I thought we lived in Amurica? Is this Amurica?!? No limit on samples until I inexplicably have my pants down to my ankles.

For real though it sounds as it may be as simple as it depends on the bar/breweries "laws" on that. Ive been to places that charge for a 2oz sample (I can only imagine its becuase theyve had a problem with this before), places that dont offer samples but will offer it you if they see you indeed will order something, and etc. . Everyone that has a policy that works for them. Sounds like this OG poster observed situation may be an isolated incident for that establishment that they have yet to encounter a problem with or its becoming a habit they may need to implement a policy that works for them. Im all one for free samples but I imagine as a bartender/anybody youd notice when someones going in just to get "LIT BRUH".

 

Don't tell me I've had too many goddamn samples. I'll tell you when I've had enough samples

 

6 is perfect

 

thats SELLING price not COST. two very differant things. samples can be considered an advertising expense too

 

If you can't figure out what you want with 1-2 samples, then you need to go home and learn what styles you really like. I am all about trying a new beer here and there, but I also know what I do and don't like.

 

2 samples IMO is what you should ask to have, and after that if you take care of the server/bartender He/she will usually offer you more.

 

Understood - but it's increasing the overhead costs. If the bar owner is shooting for a % profit, they are going to mark the price of the beer up accordingly.

Assuming the bar is making a % profit that is in the range of what is socially acceptable for the industry, it is still in the consumer's best interest to not artificially inflate their operating costs. Because those costs are going to be passed on to you, or the place is going to go out of business.

 

And I agree. There's certainly a middle ground and they should have let you have at least one taste of something even if they felt like you might ask for another or another. My main point was that every ounce of that keg was paid for by the establishment and acting like a one ounce sample doesn't hurt them, especially when built up over time, is incorrect. As I stated in a previous post, the profit margins become very slim especially these days when beer is more expensive than ever.

What he said

 

they can take a reasonable amount of an expense in tax terms as an advertising expense. so all is not loss and it isn't all passed on to the customer. no matter what, they are not taking a selling price hit for on average say 2-3 samples of an oz per person (it is less than that)

 

I've never asked for a free sample. I've bought flights, bought samples, and just bought pints to try a beer - if I don't like it xin loi - I'll chalk it up to experience and try something else. If the brew purveyor has a beer menu that defines the brew in more definitive terms than just "Lager" or "IPA", then I can make a pretty good guess what I'll like without wasting both the server's time hauling and my time sucking down samples. That said, two should be enough free samples for all the reasons stated so eloquently in preceding posts.

 

This. I live in a pretty redneck area, but I've never seen anyone go into a craft bar and ask for free samples. One time a group of ladies none of whom had had anything craftier than Blue Moon came in to the local brewpub for a full meal, and the server offered them samples of two or three things when they told her as much. (I think they all chose a pumpkin ale.) But generally, people just don't go to a craft bar if they're not willing to at least get a flight.

 

It's the establishment incurring the cost of the beer, not the bartender. Hooking the bartender up for giving you free samples at the cost of the establishment could be construed as illegal by some because, in its literal form, the bartender is essentially stealing from the bar to make a few extra bucks since he knows you'll tip extra if he gives you free stuff.

See, Max's doesn't realize you have to have a middle ground, which is sad. It's actually the same way at Monk's Cafe, they don't even offer small pours. I understand that Max's usual clientele is actually not the beer geek crowd because it's in Fell's Point IIRC so they get a lot of college kids and tourists. So they probably had major loss issues due to samples at first because it's the crowd, as someone had mentioned earlier in this thread, that wants to "GET LIT BRUH." That's why every establishment needs to determine their own policy and stick with it. No samples is not a smart one obviously but maybe for them capping at 1 might be ideal. The thing is, with a super busy bar and more than one bartender working, even with capping at 1 you can just ask for a sample from a different bartender the next time and cheat the system. You'd be amazed what ends people will go to just to get stuff for free. I actually had a customer the other day say to me, after I told her we were out of Delirium Tremens glasses to sell, "Oh, well I'm glad I took the one from this bar I was at the other night then."

Depends on the wine bar

Like X1000

Well that's a stretch...

 

My local gives one free sample or 3 for a buck....only regulars get to abuse the limit...well, at least I do

 

A lot of great discussion. My take on it is if the bar is offering unlimited samples then it's perfectly okay. Especially if someone is debating on a growler fill, but even if just contemplating a regular pour, then it's still no big deal. Most people, myself included, usually narrow it down to two choices and then pick one. My regular bar is Whole Foods--they've got little one oz plastic cups and they will gladly pour as many samples as someone would like from any and all of their taps. The bartenders know good service like that gets them bigger tips and loyal customers.

 

I prefer to have small pours available over the only options being full pours and samples. I don't usually ask for samples but I'd limit it to two per full pour I was buying.