Rating beers at festivals

It doesn't bother me. I mostly just rate to keep track of what I like and if someone else has the same mentality rating small pours makes sense. As long as they don't write a full review it shouldn't affect the concensus rankings much.

 

Why would it bother me? This is another reason I stopped going to fests, I want a decent pour to enjoy not an oz or two. Rate how you want. I like to taste for my self, even low rated beers. I like some low rated and hate some high rated.

Enjoy

 

At festivals...? this is what a lot of tickers do regularly all the time. Sampler at a brewpub - ticked. Free sample before ordering a (different) pint - ticked. Sip of wife's beer that you didn't order - ticked.

This is now the norm. Get used to it.

 

I force my girlfriend to do this.

"is this one of those ones you've really wanted to try?"

"yeah, have a sip so you can knock it off the list."

*sips* "blehhh, oh gosh"

 

I think this site could use a tick option rather then having to give each beer a rating. I only rate so I can keep track of the beers I have tried.

 

Most beer fests let you get multiple pours of something, if you so desire. I done understand why people get upset about people rating small pours.

 

OP- what would you consider to be the minimum number of ounces to properly rate a beer?

Just curious

 

Don't let it bother you too much.

The overall instructions for reviewing beers on this site have for years specifically asked that this kind of ticking not be done. That long standing request, combined with the fact that people still do it, seems from what I've read to be at least part of the reasons "Hads" don't count or count very little towards the numerical score unless someone also does a review when ticking.

 

Guilty as charged. Love to keep track of what I drank. Feel bad that I gave to rate but would rather use one app all the time than use two. If push cane to shove I would go to untapped merely because I can check a beer in. However I prefer BA and thus I tick and perhaps skew a rating. However if you check my rating to BA overall rating I was pretty close on most beers sampled

 

Here's the thing, if a two ounce pour is all that one may ever get of a rare beer, then the rating is legit.

By contrast, if someone rated SNPA or Boston Lager based upon a two ounce pour, I call "bullshit."

 

I've done ratings based off of small pours at "rarez" festivals, and sharing my wife's beer - she typically goes for imperial/bourbon stouts and I go for IPAs from the fridge or out at a bar. My rule of thumb is if I am off a substantial amount from the mean, I will refrain from doing a "tick" rating.

 

Smell the bottle? Ticked.

 

Is the size of the pour what this question was about? I didn't read it that way.

EBF was a fine event. A few recommendations to make it better, but overall, good selections and well executed.

 

Why even bother going to a beer festival. You only get a couple of ounces to try. By all means it is not enough to judge whether or not the beer is any good, right?

 

I don't follow your logic here.

 

I have been professionally tasting and rating [as a purchasing manager for medium sized distributors] wine and beer for over 20 years. You cannot possibly review ANY beverage accurately from a 2 ounce plastic cup. That said, the people "reviewing" these beers are not in a position that results in a 5000 case commitment. I don't think the "tick it off the list" style of review is all that bad. After all, you HAVE had it. Whether your review means much matters not. It is all about the BA points, right IMHO, I seriously doubt the claims of 150+ samples, etc. I have notes from many years of power tasting, and these claims seem to be bragging more than actual fact. And I taste very fast when analyzing beverages...

 

I think the logic is that you can easily review common beers properly, full pour, proper glass etc...

 

Yes. Meaning that an accurate and fair review does not come from a tiny pour in a plastic cup. Plastic has a very distinct aroma btw...

 

The plastic cup is a big problem, even more than the pour. Plastic has a very big aroma for any person with a discerning palate. But I would humbly suggest at least two mouthfuls. Most professional tasters taste twice [not much more as taste acuity then fades]. So 4 ounces? Perhaps five. Also consider the type of glass used will affect the volume needed. Also, also remember that the head of a beer releases very complex notes. Ever seen the head of a two ounce pour