Overrated Is Overused

You can't tell me _______ isn't overrated!

 

The "overrated" piece is laughable. BA is literally a website that applies numerical values to subjective tastes, thus giving them objective scores. I understand that the article is more about the dismissive use of the word "overrated", but by inserting a Bros score to contrast the score applied to a beer by a community of beer enthusiasts who go out of their way to contribute their opinions in order to create a quantifiable value for their subjective thoughts also intrinsically creates the environment in which overrating a subjective opinion is possible! When the BA community gives a perfect 100 score to a beer with 2300 reviews and the Bros (insignificant sample size but can be interpreted as an "expert opinion") give that same beer a 96 score, I read that as the Bros considering that the community at large is overrating a beer. Don't complain about people claiming a beer is overrated when you created the rating structure to begin with. AKA don't hate the player, hate the game, which BA has created.

 

This article is overrated

 

Companies like Yelp have a rating system that is entirely useless along with others that have kick started the rating trend now on it's second decade.

 

I have concluded rating beers is totally useless. Brewers change ingredients all the time. What you drink today will be made differently next year.

 

Hear Hear !!!
Civility is underrated . . . Biggest understatement of 2017 !!!
I agree with the albeit short but profound article. I can't say that my "utter lack of understanding and appreciation for the fundamentals" doesn't get the best of me from time to time. I have certainly learned that those who are "consistently brewing classic styles" provide great drinking options.

 

Mostly agree with the article, but there is a time and place for the word. It seems the gripe here is when people use it to put down older, "classic" beers (people say it all the time about Pliny), or use it lazily. I tend to think "overrated" about brand-new beers, from new-ish breweries, that automatically get 4.5+ reviews from new beer drinkers who are (a) simply following the hype around a brewery and/or (b) haven't drunk enough beers to know the difference.

 

Internet forums are specifically enjoyable for the simple reason to be able to candidly voice your opinions whatever they may be. If you feel a beer is overrated, and you wish to express your opinion, you have full reason to do it. If it leads to further explanation and debate by others, as long as not a deliberate troll post, then the forum posting was a success for both entertainment and informational value. Forums by nature, aren't set up to be politically correct and filtered conversations. Be blunt, be a straight shooter on your opinions, but of course apply some common courtesy to others as well. That's my stance anyway.

 

That's why I generally will add additional comments and re-rate.

Something like:
Original review was from 2013 with a rating of x.xx, but trying again in 2017 and (express your new updates review comments and rating using the drop down). Gives you both information for your own database of ratings and informative to others whom may be reading your review.

 

Ahh, I agree??!!

 

A lot of words are overused and misused. There are also a lot of things people say that don't make sense (to me at least). Nothing is going to stop these things from happening; there are just too many people out there.
I like that these things happen, because it easily identifies people, places, things, and conversations that I want to get involved with. If somebody says something is overrated, we may agree, disagree or grossly disagree.
There are a lot of uncivilized people out there and they should be ignored (for the most part).
However, none of us are perfect. I get into stupid arguments now and again. Such is life.
Cheers.

 

The internet is overrated.

 

So the word "overrated" is overrated? It's hard not to think about ratings when the whole world seems to be about ratings -- from Amazon to Yelp and everything in between.

 

The concept "overrated" may or may not be overused, but it certainly is valid. Sometimes a particular product is selling well or getting a lot of buzz when either 1) it does not seem to justify the sales and buzz, and 2) there are far better substitutes in terms of quality and/or price. There is nothing wrong with pointing these things out (and it's not always mere opinion if price is a major factor or other objective criteria can be adduced).

Moreover, the question of whether something is overrated or not can be quite interesting. I agree that it's only interesting when one brings good arguments and evidence to bear. And civility is definitely a plus.

 

I think saying a beer is overrated is a subjective assessment of other's opinions about the beer, not the quality of the beer itself. A great beer could be considered overrated without insulting it. The comment in the article about highly-rated breweries built on a trend could itself be indirectly calling out some breweries as overrated, unless I'm reading this wrong.

I think hazy IPAs are generally overrated, but I also know from experience many of them are delicious, high-quality beers. I just subjectively believe that people are getting more excited about them than a blind tasting would warrant against some clearer but equally tasty offerings. And that standing in line to buy them in cans is a fad that will fade. But that's just my opinion, so I don't think or intend rudeness by expressing it. I think the term can be useful if not delivered dismissively.

 

The article is technically correct. There are people who use the term 'overrated' to describe anything and everything that they don't like and others do. The only problem is that the article implies that ANY use of the term 'overrated' is wrong. ALL opinions are subjective. As someone mentioned, this site is based on opinions. When I read through the opinions, it is pretty easy to tell the people who provide valuable insight into the qualities of a particular beer and those who are just being elitists, or clueless. When I see a beer rated 100 I want to try it. If after trying said beer, I scratch my head wondering why the big attraction. TO ME that beer is overrated (Tree House Haze comes to mind). The beer may be of high quality and may be better than a lot of other beers out there. Is it worth standing in a 4 hour line in the rain to get a 9 ounce pour for $15, or 10 cans for $7 each? To me, those beers are 'overrated'. Neither the beer or the brewer came out and rated itself, people did. It isn't a slight on the beer, but a slight on the opinions of others as it relates to yours. So, the use of the word 'overrated' is valid to describe the difference in opinions, as long as you can describe why it is 'overrated' to you.

 

+1 to this. I also have no qualms about applying the term "overrated" to new beers from certain popular breweries that people rate highly just because of who the brewery is.

 

Underrated is more overused than overrated.