No More Taproom Samples

that’s what this thread reminds me of. Those damn customers! But generally working with the public sucks because so many of them are rude. That’s why I don’t do it anymore.

 

That’s what I love about Sierra Nevada’s tap room. They have multiple pour sizes. Usually I’ll get double the pours because I can get half pints. Personally not a fan of 4oz tasters unless it’s a big beer.

 

I almost never ask for samples, surprise me! I actually have had them offered without asking. My wife asks for samples sometimes, and besides her I have witnessed many strangers ask. I have never seen anyone be refused. BTW, I have been to over 150 breweries and I don't know how many bars and taprooms.

 

If your owner/boss says to pour samples you pour samples. Its called work, not fun. You work for the customer, no matter how much of a pain in the ass they are. Cheers.

 

I am a flight/sample hater. For the former, because they impede progress ("yeah, I'll get a flight" and fumble over a card of beers to pick when the line is 20-deep), and generally are a time-consuming pain-in-the-ass to assemble. For the latter, because I see them abused way too much. People getting 2-3 samples before settling on something. Make a decision, commit to 12-16 ounces.

 

Probably in the past 5 years I have never asked for a taste/sample. If I am on the fence about a beer I usually ask the person pouring what they think, if they give it a good rec, I will trust them. If they offer a sample, sometimes I will take it, but I usually follow up with do you offer half pours and just get one of them. That is usually the way I work myself into a half pour vs a full pour which is what I normally want when visiting a new brewery. I honestly don't blame busy breweries from not wanting to deal with them as they can be rather time consuming if you are swamped.
I remember my first trip to Jester King and getting my panties in a wad on how slow the line moved, but honestly they were selling and experience. Every person that walked up there and asked questions the bartender took their time and explained every single beer on that tap if needed to satisfy that customer and never once seemed put out. So totally impressed with how they handle/deal with it. Lots of people roll thru there based on JK's rep with no idea of what kind of beer they have. In retrospect, not sure if they did samples, just remember them going on with descriptions of the beer.....

 

Small samples free of charge is pretty standard in my area.

 

I like that. And you bring up a good point. If the servers/brewers are annoyed by people asking for free tastes, a perfectly reasonable response would be "we don't offer tastes, but we do flights." The situation @JuliusPepperwood brings up is a flexible one that need not go to the extreme of NO MORE TAPROOM SAMPLES. Some breweries will always offer tastes, and that's ok. Some customers who are used to breweries offering tastes may ask for some when visiting a new brewery, and that's ok. Some breweries will have a strict "we don't offer tastes, but you can buy a flight or half pour" policy. And that's ok. True, the people who grumble after being told that are dicks, but we're all adults here and should at least try and be respectful of whatever policies the brewery you are a guest in adheres to.

 

https://www.beeradvocate.com/commun...-out-drinking-and-im-bringing-my-kids.665528/

 

I don't think I've ever had a sample aside from the 1-2 times I was offered one by the bartender.

I tend to stick to fairly straightforward beer styles and don't think I've ever had a "basic" IPA, porter, stout, or lager that I couldn't finish.

It's the crazy beers that have always let me down (e.g. imperial IPA infused with goat cheese, dill pickles, and curry), and I almost always avoid them. Not even worth sampling most of them IMO.

 

This reminds me of the time almost 10 years ago I was at a renowned beer bar in New Orleans. I either said "can I try?" or "can I have a sample of (x) ?" And the bartender pours me a full 4 oz sample. I say "that's a very generous sample." They say "Oh no, you're paying for that." I had no idea they offered small pours because it wasn't listed on their menu

 

Starting to think that taproom work might not be the best fit for OP

 

I'll say this, one thing I really enjoy about going to breweries or bars that specialize in the wide variety of beer styles is geeking out about a product I really enjoy with professionals and fellow enthusiasts. And one thing that has really endeared various places to me is when I've been having a good beer dork session with the bartender/other bar stool occupants and the bartender has spontaneously provided samples of different beers to compare/contrast.

I get that people are human, and thus some of them are absolutely rude pieces of crap. But, much like the issue in OPs last thread about their frustration with bad etiquette at the tap room, the fact that some people are shitty isn't a very good justification for dismissing some particular practice entirely. That is, after all, the logic of prohibition. Some people are horrible about alcohol, so no one should drink alcohol.

 

Lol! so if you bring your kids and ask for a sample just expect to get yelled at, or worse.

 

Yeah, I'd hate to see what happens when I ask if my toddler could try the new pastry sour.

 

I never ask for a sample, but by just talking to the bartender/brewer about their various beers, damned if I don't get offered samples all the time.

Some times, they don't even ask but just plop down the sample and say something like I think you will like this, or what do you think about this new beer.

It cant be my looks so maybe just taking an interest in their wares & business is the key.