Re-rating beers a decade later

I've always said a review is just a snapshot in time; one experience with that beer at that time, in that place. You could review a beer, from the same batch, two weeks apart and have different experiences.

You're different than you were ten years ago, and the beer is too. It's fun to look at, but don't put too much weight in the differences.

 

I do many re-ratings. I find that trying a beer multiple times helps you understand it better. Takes about at least 3-5 tries to get a good impression. Many beers, I do muchmore. Often times my reviews contradict. I make sure to date each new review on BeerAdvocate so I can compare the difference. If collectively and repeatedly there is a difference, then I update my rating. Comparing to your previous notes, I think encourages learning, palate training, and greater beer education. I promote it!

 

There's so many things that could affect a rating - from the batch variation, storage conditions, age of the beer, your own palate, what you ate that day, how many you've had before, etc.

 

I’ve actually done this a few times lately too (re-reviewing a beer I had already reviewed and forgotten). I’ve found that for the most part the descriptions and ratings have stayed pretty close—naturally I probably score a little lower than I used to, because the more beers you’ve had the fewer rank at the highest echelons. But it’s also true that both we and the beers change and evolve over time, so overthinking it probably isn’t very useful. For me the main thing is to force yourself to really pay attention to what you’re drinking and focus on the various aspects of the beer for a little bit before you just relax and enjoy it.

 

I picked up a 4pack of Grolsch yesterday. Low and behold, it is now a Premium Pilsner vs a Premium Lager. When the hell did that happen??

Anywho, I would rate it higher than what I did in the past. I kinda like the hop profile and the malt ain't too shabby either.

 

Because the word "Pilsner" sells better!?!

Cheers!

 

Why would it? Amongst the uncleaned masses?

 

I really do not have a 'definitive' answer here since I am not a commercial beer industry person.

FWIW I do see a lot of BAs post about how they like and wish that more Pilsners were brewed. I doubt that BA discussions have great influence as regards beer industry marketing but maybe some influence?

Perhaps you have a 'better' answer here?

Cheers!

 

Average beer drinker reads Pilsner. What?
Average beer drinker reads Lager. Yeah, baby.

 

Maybe non-average beer drinkers are willing to pay more and this is the reason for the change of labeling?

Cheers!

 

Very possible. I don't know when they made the label change but perhaps it smelled more like victory?

 

Not that long ago, actually. I saw both branding on shelves at one point and it left me scratching my head.

Went home and looked up their website and it only advertised as Pilsner.

From last November:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/commun...-to-german-pilsner.649537/page-4#post-7083578

 

Rut roh!

Maybe a lawsuit coming !?!

 

I knew you would go there. I was going more for a Robert Duvall quote.

 

That gasoline smell?

Same thing, isn't it?

 

For green bottle BS, it is actually pretty good. Put it in brown bottles like Pilsner Urquell and whoa; the ratings would jump!

 

That is a good point. I also do my ratings somewhat fasted so that I'm hungry. I've noticed my sense of smell and taste is more attune. I eat very minimally during the day before a beer review. Also completely sober so that my mind is clear. There's so many factors that can influence your rating on a beer so I try as best I can to minimize the distractions and keep the consistency.
Things definitely change from batch to batch and over time though. It's an evolving practice and not for perfectionists.