BA Group Think or Clueless Masses?

Who would even waste their time drinking something outside of the "top 25" beers? Seriously...its called socializing outside of the home..lots of people do it. Give it a try sometime instead of sitting in the cellar looking at your beer.

 

But it's really an apples to oranges comparison. Within the heading of hamburgers there are a number of sub-types, each of which have their great, good and bad examples. Same thing with steak, and on and on.

When I'm in the mood for a "fast food burger" I will consider my options and get the best one available- hopefully from a local type joint. A steak won't do. Usually, not even a half-pound 'bar burger' will do.

Same thing with beer- you should only look at each style within itself; one isn't inherently better than the other.

Anyway- the essence of this topic seems to be that the purported 'common language' we seem to communicate with, even as enthusiasts, is still open to interpretation. Making the steak to burgers comparison seems to reinforce that notion.

Plus- how do I know that the beer in question is even 'mediocre'? The ratings here say as much about the raters as they do about the beer.

 

A lot of places are popular because they are local or near somewhere else. I like some places because they are on a decent bike route, I like their food, I like the people there or I like their patio on a sunny afternoon. Drinking beer is often about more than the quality of the beer. If I am mowing the lawn, I am not about to open a Pliny the Elder or Todd the Axeman. When I am about to enjoy a really good beer, I want an appropriate spot where i can really enjoy it.

 

Since there are many beers I dont like but other do I just move on.

Enjoy

 

I have a couple places I like to go to that all things considered do not brew beers that make you go "wow", however they do have on average 10 or so guest taps that always have some good stuff on. The food is above average and reasonably priced and the atmosphere is great, as well as the folks who work there. They are always putting out new product and they do 5oz pours of any of their own brews for 2 dollars each so I sample, enjoy good food and great company in a very chill atmosphere. And if none of their product tickles my fancy I grab a pint of one of their guest taps and still have a fantastic afternoon or evening.

 

There is no BA groupthink. Everyone here is completely objective and never influenced by hype, rarity and trends.

 

I don't see what the problem is with a brewery putting out mediocre beer. Mediocre isn't bad. It's mediocre. I will take a fresh, reasonably priced mediocre brew over a fancy $14 12oz bottle from a bottle shop almost any day. Almost.
And if their clientele enjoys it, be that because they are not well versed in "tradition" or inexperienced with what many of us here would call great example of a style, who gives a crap. Ya don't like it? Don't go there. It's all subjective, man.

 

Not every beer needs to be tradeworthy for people out there to enjoy it. A lot of times a low-key taproom with a nice atmosphere and B-level beer is more up my alley than a hyped brewery with A-level beer, lines, mules and judgmental folks in thick-rimmed glasses.

 

This seems like the correct answer to me. Fat Tire used to be held in pretty high regard by many BAs early in their drinking days whereas now it would be seen as a step down.

 

Given the choice between the two avenues, it's easier for this audience to talk about why "mediocre" beer sells than how this site molds our own opinions. Aren't we the enlightened ones... "versed in amazing beers," immune to groupthink and all that?
I wonder what the responses would be if the people in the brewery were asked the question.

 

@bubseymour I've noticed the same thing over and over.

Many people support local even if it isn't all that great because it is local.

People support local event if the beer isn't the best, but maybe...

- the food is good.
- the location is near their house.
- atmosphere is good
- friends go there
etc.

Regarding BAs vs. the general population I would say that BAs are more likely to know the difference between the mediocre stuff and best of the best, but the same isn't true to the same extent with the general population now that craft beer drinking is more mainstream. Don't care if it sounds elitist but it's true that many people just don't know that they're drinking mediocre (or worse) beer relative to what is available in their market. And you know, many people don't care. The beer in their hand is good enough, plus the other factors above.

 

You mean it's not just about the beer at the expense of all else?

 

I agree, and less politely stated - given that craft beer drinking is more mainstream now, most people don't know any better. Unfortunately this means that the mediocre places are going to be supported and stay in business, meanwhile the much better breweries trying for regional or national distribution aren't going to get the support that I wish they would receive or perhaps.... deserve. Yes, I'm a little miffed by someone ordering the mediocre house brew over the best of the best guest tap of the same style. This isn't a weird obsession with other people, it's a reasonable concern about brewers who make the best beer and a reasonable concern about there being far, far too much mediocrity in craft beer today (which arguably is the case). It's naive to just shrug this off and say drink what you like and don't care about what others drink. Wrong. Consumer choices do affect other people's choices in the marketplace.

Much of this well stated and I agree but unfortunately I think it fuels the problem I mentioned above. More often than not, they don't somehow improve to make best of the best but rather just continue to make more and more mediocre beer.

 

Aw man, say it ain't so. Seriously, I do read a number of reviews here but skip down to the taste impressions. If numerical ratings were done away with altogether I probably wouldn't notice.

 

Can you put a Like with an emoticon on a posting? I'd put one of each face on this one. The posting is very true, yet....

 

IMO we can end this thread here.

This is the 'answer'.

Cheers!

 

Wha?? I can't tell if you're not reading him right, or if I'm not reading you right.

 

I took it as pure sarcasm, but there are exceptions to what was said.

 

I don't want to get into the who's and the whys of this happening, thats been well done already. I would just like to add that here in my college town the favorite local beer (not just brewer but beer) is a super light beer that tastes like horse piss and is like a worse re-imagining of Bud. That being said the college kids around here drink that shit up like it's going out of style! The brewer that makes it has a few really great beers, I love the APA and IPA they make, but the horse piss ale is the only one they can and distribute.
Now my theory is all these kids want to drink local and want to be cool (by drinking local craft beer) but don't actually like good beer so instead of being cool and drinking a tasty local beer they go for this one. It's frustrating that the better beer only gets put in kegs and growlers to go while the shit gets canned and sold at the store, but I understand why it happens.

 

Waverly?