I'm not sure where I've read it (I think Tasting Beer) but its been a while, and I'm a few beers deep right now. Just wondering how many people do you like to get your beer in the hands of when you are really looking to get a well rounded understanding of your beer? I find that my perceptions are different than most, which is one of the things that I love about brewing, I am sensitive to different things than my normal drink testers. It is a fascinating dynamic to me. Of course, if everyone was honest this number would be lower I'm sure. I take the approach that if I like it and my friends and family like it that is good for me (by good, I mean they ask for refills). I'm not looking for a "right number" just more of a general curiosity of how different brewers approach their assessments.
Only one person has to like it, right? (I mean you). It's always great when your friends and family enjoy the beer too, and you can probably tell if they do. I mean, they wouldn't keep drinking it if they hated it, right? But if you are looking for critical evaluation of your beers, do not look for it from people who might give you biased feedback -- relatives, best friends, co-workers, etc. Most people who are offered "free food" are not prepared to give critical feedback. If you make a cake and bring it into work, people are not going to say "kind of dry, don't you think?" Homebrew club meetings and competitions are venues where you should be able to get non-biased feedback.
Objectivity is what you need (or "non-biased feedback" per @pweis909), and it only takes one person to judge it who knows what the beer is supposed to taste like, whether that be you or a friend.
The Dec 2016 issue of BYO had an article addressing this question. A few takeaways... - The more the better - If they don't know you, that's better. - If they are tasting separately, that's better. - Look for comments that are common between multiple tasters. - Ignore comments that come from only one taster, unless you perceived the same thing. - You are probably not your own worst critic. - Friends and acquaintances will likely not be as critical as they should.
There are some at my club meetings that I listen to more than others. They have experience judging, and are award winning brewers.
I tend to start with two or three of the more seasoned members of my club. But even they default to politeness unless I specifically ask for an honest evaluation. It helps if I first describe my perception.
Another option if you are looking for objective feedback is to enter the beer(s) into a homebrew competition. Cheers!
...with really good beers being the hardest to nail down because they have no glaring flaws, and become subjectively evaluated at some point against each other, imho
I’m happy to let anyone taste my home brew. I always ask for an unbiased opinion, but gauge the response according to who is tasting.
I always tell people that I do not appreciate politeness, and specifically request that they be brutally honest with me because that's what I really want to know. When you tell people that, then they will usually identify something faulty, which just helps you to become a better brewer. The more honest they are with me, the more profusely I thank them for their honesty. And then yes, if you can pick up the same faults that they can, then go to those same people for their opinions again. The more, the better. If you know a couple people who can do this for you, great. But 10 people would be way better if you can find them.
This thought process is key, IMO. Give your beer to people that are experienced in evaluating beer in general AND that not only have experience in evaluating the style of beer that you've brewed, but actually like drinking that type of beer, as well.
I like to tell people to tell me what is wrong with my beer. I can't say that I'm a strict style stickler though, unless I'm doing it for a reason (competition, party, etc), so I'm sure that doesn't help me with some crowds. I do find that I tend to brew for me and what I like too, so I guess there is something to be said for knowing your audience. I never actually considered the implications of the latter, I would think that could give bias both ways depending on experience level.
