Controversial Beer Opinions Thread

Seriously, do you review beers based on flight-sized pours? I don't, I need more than that since I have a big mouth.

 

I'm confident serious tickers will find a way.

 

No. In all seriousness, I have nothing against flights. I even get them from time to time.

 

If you like fruited goses but do not like SeaQuench then either you really hate limes or you're just looking to be 'cool' by saying you don't like a Dogfish Head beer.

Most likely it's the latter.

 

A: let's start by getting rid of the snobbish term flight, and call them what they are: Taster Trays.

B: Fuck taster trays.

 

I don't like tasting trays on the whole. If a brewery does offer sample size and you ask for a taste before ordering you are an asshole.

A facebook page is not a business website. If you own a brewery and think it is you are a tool and I will never go to your establishment.

 

Except for Deciduous. You can't stay away from Deciduous. Although they can be somewhat tool-ish at times.

 

There's a lot more a** kissing (by BA posters) on the quality of the beers in the Brewery threads where the Owner/Brewer posts and participates than in those that do not. And I think often the Brewer's participation is calculated in order to keep any negative comments to a minimum.

 

Often times if I;m going back and forth between a couple beers and asking questions about them, the bartender will offer a small taste, on the house. Am I still an asshole for accepting?
I may be one for asking the questions, but if I have time for one beer, I want the one I'll enjoy most.

Facebook pages are a tool. It should never be the one and only (OK, these days Instagram and Twitter go alongside; so I'll adjust that Social media should not be your one and only contact, online presense, etc of your business. Exceptions may be granted for breweries that are in planning / construction. By the time you're in final build out, you should have a full website, with your story, info about the tasting room etc and your beers. Obviously that info will change day to day sometimes, but do the best you can. Social Media is great as a supplement for that, to get info out quickly, releases, etc. THe website should be updated as frequently as possible - preferably weekly, with what will be on, what's upcoming, events and so on.

 

Personally, I think there is/are appropriate times to be asking for samples and taster trays and inappropriate times. Chances are, if you have time to ask questions and get thorough replies, it's probably an appropriate time to ask for a sample or two. I know there have been places where I am chatting with the bartender between pours and she/he pours me a few samples per their recommendation, not my request. This doesn't take away from anyone else at the bar since I was the only one engaging with the bartender, let alone waiting for a beer.

My issue with taster trays and samples comes during busy hours, when there is a line several deep and someone orders a flight or two, making a slow line even slower. It comes off as inconsiderate.

Now if you're one of a couple waiting for your pour, then order the flight or ask for a sample. If that one or two other people are that impatient and upset, they can come here and whine about it.

 

Shoot - I'd spill that whole damn thing before I got back to the table.

 

If I ask for a sample of something, I always either order said beer, or something else. I wouldn't walk into a place, ask for a sample of such and such, then leave after drinking it.

 

Sample sizes are there for tasting the beer. Shirking the paid solution to the trying the beer is being cheap and wasting the time of the workers. If that small option exists and you ask for smaller samples it's being an asshole.

I'd have a talk with a bartender giving freebies when a paid option exists if it were my business as well. You aren't an asshole for accepting but he is giving away profits when he shouldnt.

 

...or, maybe it's just not that big of a deal.

 

Any sample I've gotten (save for one) was an ounce or less. Not something someone could form an accurate review of, but at least get an initial flash impression. This is vastly different from the typical 4 or 5oz sample pours I see.

I get your point, but sometimes that 1oz of service means more profits down the line.

 

When I'm watching people go through 3+ ounce pours to figure out what they want in thier flight it's a big deal. When people steal from the place that they work it's a big deal.

 

Well, that's what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps.

 

Honestly, all kidding aside, I get where you're coming from. But , to be fair, if someone is willing to give you endless pours or samples, that's on the bartender. Most places I know of that do samples, also charge for them.

 

I think this is misleading. A bartender may be making the pours, but the owner/management is the one who has a say in if these free sample pours get made or not. Some owners may not be cool with it and crack down, and others may want to share more samples and examples of their work. Some bartenders may even be owners/management, in which case it's a moot point to accuse them of stealing their own product.

If a bartender is pouring free samples after being told by the owner/management that they don't offer free samples, then the bartender is stealing.

I know I'm getting nit-picky, but it's an important distinction on if it's stealing or not.

@Sweatshirt

 

No taprooms here charge for samples.