No More Taproom Samples

All my local breweries price their beers over $5. Regardless of price, I might ask for a taste if I am trying to decide between 2 beers and the descriptions are inadequate AND if I see other patrons getting tastes or it is otherwise obvious that they freely provide tastes. The alternative is buying one or more flight glass pours prior to selecting a pint. I think it is pretty judgmental to claim that reluctance to buy a pint of an unfamiliar beer is the result of being afraid to risk $5.

 

I have a simple solution for this dilemma. If you walk into a brewery and want to sample a beer before buying it and they say "no" just walk out. If everyone just walked out they'd change their policy.

OR, take the chance. Now, I HAVE BEEN BURNED IN TAKING THE CHANCE but I take solice in the fact that I can then write a review of the beer, and the place.

But my final thought, and what I actually support, is more on the brewery/business side of things in that some beers are expensive to make (barrel-aged sours with fruit and so forth) and a busy brewery can't just absorb those costs so either they raise their prices for everyone or they put up a "no samples" policy. This will keep the people who want a F'ng sample of everything before they make their choice (slowing everything up) get off the shitter, and also those cheap bastards who are just trying to get free stuff to give it up. A sensible bartender should be able to have the authority to make a decision as to who or who cannot skip the rule in certain situations.

 

I can see where you’re coming from, and have worked in retail establishments where you get people who literally make the rounds, going to every store in the area doing free tastings and just getting day drunk. And that’s their Saturday, and they do tend to be assholes. However, that’s about as close as my own personal experience gets to yours and I feel like it would be different in a taproom setting, at least for the most part. As stated above, I can’t imagine too many people have a sample of a beer and then leave without ordering anything at all.
As far as my experience as a customer goes, I honestly don’t go to that many taprooms but there is one nearby where I go to play chess with a friend and have a few pints. The bartender often offers samples, not just to regulars but generally speaking. He seems happy to do it and it often results in customers ordering pints of the beers that they sampled or it’ll prompt them to order something else that maybe they’re more familiar with.
Without trying to generalize, because I know that people can be shitty and take advantage, but it seems like an overall positive for everyone involved and the only reason that I would consider someone entitled or rude if they made a scene after being politely denied a sample. Just my two cents.

 

At the breweries that I regularly visit I see samples given out, so, yes, it's done in my neck of the woods.

I don't think I've ever asked for a sample, but I'll take advantage if it is offered and it's for a beer that I'm curios about. Mostly this occurs with IPAs that use a new hop variety that I haven't experienced yet, and especially if the description might say 'mint' or some flavor that I'd probably really hate. I'm always a curious beer lover so I'll generally try anything, and I've ordered some weird beers before, but sometimes that flavor is so over-the-top that I know from a taster that I'd hate it. Beers with hot peppers or unusual fruit are two other 'styles' that I'm leery about.

 

Just today I made a a spontaneous trip up to Maine and hit Allagash. Even in the beer to go section, they were offering up samples of Little Sal from the bottle

 

I often pop into a brewery very short on time with the intent on walking out with a crowler. I do not have time to sit and drink a pint or two. I usually tell the bartender that I'm trying to decide on a crowler of beer A and B. Then they usually offer samples of both. I try. I choose which I want in a crowler. I tip well.

So I guess mark me down for liking a free sample. It's nice for decision making.

 

You’re the 1 out of 100 beer sampler that’s looking for an expedited experience. In this situation, I have no quarrel with your probably 15 second sample.

 

If you're unsure, buy a 5oz taster or a sampler.
Most breweries offer them.
You wouldn't go out to a steak house and ask to try the Filet Mignon before you decide on which steak to order, right?
It is a pain in the arse for bartenders to cater to your undecided needs.
Not to mention, you are not tipping for the time you tie up the beer tender trying to decide if you like it or not.
Most places around here do not give out freebies.
If you absolutely dislike the beer you ordered, most places will offer a replacement. But really, it's beer.
Choke it down and order something else.

 

I mostly agree with you, but I'm going to be a bit of a devil's advocate and address the bolded parts where I quoted you:

Asking for samples doesn't make the person entitled. They're most likely asking for a sample because their neighborhood breweries all offer them so they're just used to having the option. The brewery should set their own parameters regarding flights. My favorite idea is, when the bar gets to the point of being too busy, the manager declares a "no flight zone" or in this case just "no samples, too busy." Sure this can turn into a subjective thing, but my point still stands: it's up to the brewery to choose where their stance on flights and samples may be. Breweries like Burial and DSSOLVR that are located in a well-known beer destination and have beers that cost more than the average to make are well within the right to deny tastes. However, the brewery I'm sitting in right now, Gatlinburg Brewing Company, is in a completely different realm, so it would be a bit of a head-scratcher if they denied tastes at all.

As for your (paraphrased) "It only costs $5, the trial error is what makes getting into craft beer fun" argument, you and I both know the trial and error process is not only more costly now than it was 10 years ago, it's also way more confusing and overwhelming to the uninitiated than it was 10 years ago.

Again, as being a beertender for several years in the past, I mostly agree with your sentiments, especially during busy times, but had to give you some retort on the parts that I disagreed with.

This is the only scenario where I get annoyed if samples aren't offered, but I still have to respect a brewery, especially the more high-end ones, for taking that stance

False analogy similar to @JuliusPepperwood 's "you wouldn't ask for a taste of the French roast" analogy. Beer is already fully prepared and all you have to do is pull a lever and voila! Steaks and coffee drinks are made to order

 

Pain in the arse? Then why do so many brewery staff people willingly offer tasters?
"Not tipping....."? Speak for yourself. I very definitely take into account the fact that the bartender is taking an extra effort to let me try a taste. I tip very well when that happens, so do all of my civilized friends.

 

that’s a silly comparison. It takes a lot more time to cook a steak than it does to pour a 1 oz splash of beer. Also, if you take a steak and cut a piece off you are making the whole steak less valuable. Taking a keg and pouring 1 oz of it does nothing to lessen the beer as a whole.

 

One thing I am not sure of is what is the base line for a free sample? In my case it’s a splash. Like one ounce. Just enough to give you an idea if you might or might not like a beer. As mentioned before if the situation seems appropriate I’ll ask. I would never ask if it’s busy or there is a line behind me. If they tell me no all good. I think 90% of the time they are happy to accommodate. I am not ordering a bunch of them. Most likely if I am getting samples and I like the said beer I’m going to order it which means more money for the brewery. Maybe there is a beer I am on the fence about and don’t want to pay the $8 for a full pour but I get a sample and it’s good. Then I am ordering it.

 

This conversation reminds me of why I love taprooms that are cool with 1/2-pint pours. You might pay a little higher price per ounce, but you can try more beers… and not get stuck with 16oz of a stinker…

 

“Business would be so much better if it wasn’t for those pesky customers!”

- Anonymous

 

I pretty much agree with the OP, and pints are $7 where I hang my hat, but 4-5 oz tasters are maybe $3, a flight of 4 for $8.. Seems if I were in doubt I should be willing to spring for a 4 oz pour.

That said, if I ever express that I'm having trouble deciding between a pint of x and a pint of y, I am almost invariably offered a sip of each without even asking for it.

Maybe because at that point in the transaction they know I'm gonna be buying a pint, and am not trying to get a "poor man's flight" for free.

 

I request a sample but emphasize i do not want a full sample glass. I say pour me 1/4 -1/2 inch. That should be reasonable. They understand and know i am not taking advantage of the establishment. I ask for the taste to make a decision on which one i would prefer.

 

Seems like the whole dogs/kids in the taproom discussion. It's a business decision the business makes, if you don't like their approach then take your business somewhere else

 

I’m eager to see a list of $5 pints/pours found in the greater Asheville area.


OP is obviously a taproom employee/owner who doesn’t like giving away pennies worth of beer to people lol … good luck with this battle!