Go for an old reliable, or try something new?

I'm a ticker... it's cold out, so I'm actively seeking out new dark beer/high-test beer. New brewery is a double bonus.

 

I used to always try a new beer, but since I drink less now I go with my favorites.

 

If I'm at a restaurant, I am more willing to order something new as a one an done. If I'm at a store and I'm buying a 4 pack or more, I will usually stick with what I know unless it is something new from a brewery I normally buy, I feel like it is less of a risk.

 

Depends on the reliable and what I know about the new tick.

if I’m in blahblah California at dinner and I’m looking at blahblah brewing IPA and Sierra Nevada Celebration, you bet your ass I’m drinking celebration. On the other hand, if that’s a regional that’s got a good reputation and its Sierra Pale, love me some SNPA but it’s not the play.

the old reliable consistently wins against the generic local if I don’t know anything about that local.

the other wrinkle is who’s paying. If work is paying, I’ll take a pour of generic local and not finish it if it’s not up to the cut.

 

I hate to add this wrinkle to the mix, but my choice in the moment would depend on the freshness of the beers for sale (I'm thinking about this situation at a liquor store, where I can look for date codes on my own. Freshness is very important to me, but I don't ask about it at bars/restaurants).

Assuming all of the above choices are equally fresh, then I'd probably go with option 2 (favorite style, new brewer).

 

I always look to try a new beer when I am out, whether it is a restaurant, brewery or my favorite beer place. I run down the list of available offerings, then double check here to make sure I haven't had it.

 

I'm always up for trying a new beer.

 

At one time I would have chosen to try something new 95% of the time. You never know if it might become a new favorite, right?

Trick is, with so many places brewing the same stuff I don't feel that way anymore. Do I really need to try a new hazy IPA with citra and mosaic when I already know the 3-4 that stand out from the pack? Do I really think Joe Bob's Mexican lager will be better than La Cumbre's or even just Modelo? Do I really think (insert new brewery + fruit) kettle sour with vanilla beans will be special? The answer is almost always "not really." Hence I go with proven winners most of the time now.

 

Every old reliable starts as something new. I enjoy trying as many new beers as possible. That said, I always have some old favorite beer in my fridge.

 

I find myself sticking to familiar beers and/or familiar breweries. Breweries that I know like pizza port, north park, Sierra Nevada etc and I see new beers from them I am buying it regardless if it’s my favorite style. If there is a new brewery or beer I haven’t had but have heard good things I’ll buy it. Beer it too expensive theses days and there are too many breweries out there making mediocre beer to blindly buy their beer without knowing anything about them.

 

yeah I was probably 98% 5+ years ago but now there’s a proliferation of great beer, and of really mid beer, and the tried and true is often great beer we forgot to appreciate.

I’ll still take plenty of newcomers and see what’s up, but these days it’s probably 50-50 with that equation being tilted more based on other factors I mentioned above. You gotta have a great rep as an up and comer for me to sit down a bar and pick your IPA over Pliny on tap (this happened yesterday, guess who won?)

 

I voted #3. But I think it really depends on what kind of vibe I get from the place. Some vibes are a sure bet the beer will be good. On the other end of the spectrum, in some places water may be the best option.

 

That is exactly what I do, but I voted for options 2 and 4 as I will never buy a just one single. I like a minimum of two because often times my initial opinion of a new beer will change after the second (or third) one. However, I tend to purchase the vast majority of my beers in four or six packs. If I don’t personally care for a particular beer, maybe one of my friends will and he can have the rest of the pack.

 

I'm in group 3 for the most part. I'm hesitant with new to me breweries but enjoy trying other styles and new breweries. I also don't buy a 4 pack of anything unless iv had a can. I also get tired of the same shit but will buy shit i know i like. I'm a confusing guy.

 

Diff'rent strokes for restaurants and retailers. I tick, therefore I'm always looking for something new at the store. If I can get a single, so much the better. If the restaurant happens to be a taphouse or brewpub, I'll get a flight to go with my meal. If they don't offer flights, I'll settle for an ESB, Czech lager, blonde ale, hefe, saison, something along those lines. If it's a restaurant like BW3, I'll get a tried-and-true world-class APA/IPA like PseudoSue, Zombie Dust, 60 Minute, or Lagunitas; if they don't have that, it's Diet Mountain Dew or Pepsi.

I obviously haven't thought this through. I need to make a flow chart.

 

FOMO is heavy in this community!