Rating value and criteria for "Look" value

Part of it is rating to style. For example, I would knock some points off a hefeweizen for having a small head on it, but would expect it from a barrel-aged stout. Part of it is simply how inviting the beer looks to me after it's poured. A couple of things I look for:

How is the clarity? Is the beer hazy, cloudy, or murky when it should be bright?

Does it form a nice head when poured? Does the head have good, persistent retention?

 

Lots of us are very reticent to give any 5s for any number of reasons. Probably lots of beers deserve 5s so I'd say hand them out if you feel moved to do so

 

Aside from wild ales/lambics. A beer appearance only gets a 5 if it has a nice head and retention. Otherwise it’s 4.75 at highest potential on all other factors. That’s just my personal thing though.

 

You may not have to like the taste, but a Guinness poured on tap at a pub is one of the most beautiful beer appearances on the planet. Especially nitro flow thru the body, and top it off with a bar back that can artistically make a shamrock in the head with the dribbles out of the tap.

 

That's my preference too but additionally for me a stout/porter has to be black not dark brown and I'll ding for lack of clarity in a beer for styles that recognize haze as a fault.

 

For something to warrant a 5, to me it means it cannot be improved upon. Over time, as you try more and more styles, you'll learn the characteristics of each one. If you love the way the beer looks, and feel like there is nothing you would change to make it better, then by all means give it a 5. Don't overthink it, reviewing should be fun.

Edit: Check out the BJCP Guidelines if you want a description of the typical appearance for each style.

 

This can all attempt to be too precise in determining a "standard look". Most of us really know what a beer "ought" to look like. In my opinion there possibly "ought" to be some leeway and not dyed in the wool thinking when judging by look. No head, too much stuff floating, clarity issues in lighter beers each contribute to a bad look. So, I like anthracite black dark ales with a fluffy head and drink on happily.

 

Definitely reference the BJCP app.

 

Look is no different than any other category in that it’s multiple factorial. Color, clarity, head, retention, and lacing are all things I consider. Many brewing organizations have standards for how styles “should” look, particularly with things like the color and clarity.

Granted, there is a huge component of subjectivity in ratings as a whole, and look is no different than any other category in that regard, but there are well defined parameters for beer styles that you can know and consider if you want your ratings to be more “accurate”.

 

Do we even want to get into how the pour and glass can impact appearances?

 

I usually rate the quality of the head. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think it’s related to the quality of the barley. I also grade to style on its color and clarity.

 

Looks:


4.25 Nice colour, good clarity, thin collar, uniform appearance, pretty, etc..


4.5 Beautiful saturated colour that really conveys the theme of the ale (peach). Striking, glowing, catches your attention.


4.75 (there's an extremely bright light shining so I could capture the translucency of the ale on camera)

Vivid, brilliant, eye-catching. Bold colour that looks like no beer I can remember pouring. When you can describe the appearance with precious gemstones. Standout.


5/5

You'll know a 5 when you see it (this is my only one to-date). When it just makes you laugh. When you have to text your buddy a photo and say, "DUDE! Look at that colour!" and your buddy responds, "DUDE! That's insane!".

In all honesty, something has to look just ruddy and off for me to hit it with less than 3.5. If it looks like a good, average example of the style, I usually give it a 4. If head retention, visible effervescence, lacing, and vivid colour come into play, I'm probably looking at 4.25 to 4.5 depending on how impressive it is. For me, 4.5 and up is for something that really stands out as impressive. Most beers for me stay in that 4-4.25 range for looks. It's all so subjective, and is the least important factor when it comes to enjoying the taste of the beer, which is why appearance score makes up such a small percentage of overall score. I'd rate accordingly to whatever feels right to you.

 

Outstanding pics! They make me want those beers to drink. Are you a professional photographer?

 

All of my ratings skew slightly high because I don't care about appearance, so I rate every beer a 5 in the looks category.

 

There was a pic I saw yesterday of A beautiful glass of Celebration, that’s what a 5 looks like in the glass. Ratings are tough for me so I might give overall impressions like just a bottom line like it’s a 4.25 kinda beer, it’s all encompassing. I tend to be more neutral on looks and nose, but that Celebration was perfect.

 

Thank you! I don't have the credentials to call myself a professional. I am a passionate photographer who just likes to capture little moments of time. And beer. Moments and beer.


Beer moments.