Best Lessons You Have Learned From BA

IMO - the best lesson I learned is that the opinions on beer from other experienced BA's are 99 out of 100 times spot on. If you are interested in trying quality beer, trust your fellow BA's. Their palates are generally legit!!!

 

I got into craft at the same time I found BA last summer. Since then I've discovered that there are far more breweries and styles than I could have guessed. I learned from this site and from some sampling that while I had previously liked "some dark beers", what I really preferred was stouts - though I also like some other dark beer styles. I learned how limited craft distribution can be. I learned about seasonal and limited distribution cult beers. Lastly I've learned I can no longer drink macro.

 

I am the 1%.

 

Interested in what specific beers you think are great, that others don't...??

 

Respect beer. Drink less, drink better.

 

Definite agree, I drink much more often though. Before getting into craft it was one day of drinking a week but 8-10 beers now it's 3-4 days a week 1-3 beers.

 

It doesn't matter because I'm never spot on. (I am just kidding.)

 

One of the best things I've garnered from this Board is the wide range of informed thoughts I've read here.

 

The biggest thing I have learned on BA is that not everyone see's advocating beer the same way.

 

I also learned the whole quality vs. quantity thing, and now drink much more often but much less in one sitting (especially if it's a stellar DIPA). I also check can/bottle dates and learned that total wine sort of sucks with their dates and keeping things fresh, whereas my smaller stores and even ABC seem to have the freshest. Also learned of the insane craze of stouts and barrel aged dark stuff and that I don't like them much!

Visited almost 10 breweries since getting into this the last year or 2 and loving every experience! It's a whole world of awesome beers, "artists" and people.

 

Tried & true old standbys that are for the post part easily attainable are as good or better in some cases than the new "it" beer from up and coming "insert new brewery" here. Wait. After time, Im pretty sure I came to that conclusion myself....

 

I have learned a lot while being on here, though it's fuzzy what was from here. Some things I can say I learned more of, at least, are distribution and seasonal concepts (years ago). More recently and constantly, I learn of new breweries local to each BA. I have also learned that there are cycles, and what is new to me isn't to others, and I need to consider that when I'm on the "not new" side of things.

But most effusively - I have learned there are many great beer ambassadors out there - those that want to bring others into a fold, be it expanding someone's thoughts or sharing beers from their local scene. There are some damn nice BAs out there!

 

I've learned a number of things from BA.

1. While reading other people's reviews is helpful in deciding what beers to purchase, it really comes down to what you yourself like. I've liked many beers that have high reviews, but I have had some poorly reviewed beers that I also thought were quite good. Read, be informed, but make your own decision.

2. Do not judge an entire beer style by one beer (or even two or three). Saison is my least favorite ale but I have still had some excellent examples.

3. As many have said, quality, not quantity.

4. I spent many years as a member but not participating much. Minimal beers entered, minimal reading of the forums... there were times I logged on every three months just to make sure my membership stayed active and that was it. But you get out of this site what you put in. The more you participate, the more you learn. I love entering new places and photos too because it helps other people.

5. The app is great, even if the only thing you use is the "Nearby" feature. The BeerAdvocate app was the third app I downloaded when I got my smartphone. Never regretted it, and I've gotten two people to download it just for the "Nearby" feature.

6. For the most part the people on here are great. As with any large grouping of people there will be the occasional tool but it's easy to ignore them. I haven't made a lot of "friends" per se, but I have met a number of people that I respect and several good trading partners. It's a vibrant community and worth being a part of.

 

I learned that you can't taste hype. Some of the best and most hyped beers from some regions may just be mediocre in yours.

 

Beer is your friend.

 

From Ba and Beer Advocates I have learned an awful lot about beer. I consider the membership here to be the most knowledgeable and they have schooled me in everything from proper glassware and do not chill the glass, to hop additions to yeast strains and the differences between malts . I think of everyone as my friend even though I have only had the chance to actually lay eyes on a small few of you. (You know who you are and WOW! ) From the head honchos to the guy on the bar stool BA has taught me life is art.

 

Though I've been more of a lurker and a review-reading junkie in the past, BA has taught me how many badass people there are with the same hobby. I learn a ton from you all every thread! Pretty excited to recently be writing about beer, working at a brewery, and dappling in homebrewing, this community rocks! The chemistry of beer is fascinating...and its taste after (or during) a long day defines refreshing. The more I know, the more I realize I have to learn. Cheers!