Adding new Beers and not Reviewing Them?

I think it is fine to add a beer without reviewing it. I do, however, find it annoying when people add a place and don't review it. Just my 2 cents.

 

That scenario is certainly understandable. There are however places that were added some time ago that have never been reviewed. This is frustrating, particularly when traveling to an area without a lot of options for craft beer. Pretty useless to have a place listed with no reviews or other information.

 

As someone who I guess is guilty of doing this, I’ve only added something like 15-20 beers to the database, I don’t review, period. I definitely respect those that do. But, as someone who used this site for YEARS before I actually signed up (and I’ve been a pretty frequent user) more than 4 years ago, I think having the beer in the database is valuable for people who want to know the style, abv, notes, etc about what’s probably a new beer. I always put the notes in (if there are any) after I add the beer. I have submitted pics before but I couldn’t do that from my old phone, only my laptop, which I’m not on that much. I think out of the ones I added, maybe 2 of them I hadn’t had when I added them.

 

I'm old. I record my notes on beer in a little Moleskine book and I am about 30 or so beers behind in my reviews (usually). I take pictures and I upload the pictures before I do the reviews. When reviewing a beer from a brewery if they have other beers listed that are not on BA I will enter those beers too. I figure it helps the brewery and also help BA people if they are looking for a beer. I might not get around to reviewing the beers for 6 months. Sometimes I drink a beer and I don't review it because I didn't pay enough attention to it while I was drinking it. I never review flights because I do not think the individual beers are big enough for a proper review but I will enter them. Sometimes I drink a beer and I don't review it because I didn't pay enough attention to it while I was drinking it or it has an obvious flaw that is not the brewer's fault. I would be happy to add descriptions but I don't know how to do that.

I don't mind having unreviewed beers listed on BA. If I am trying to decide to go to a tap room I can get an idea of what they are doing from reading reviewed and unreviewed beers and even the unreviewed beers can give me ideas of what to look for in the store. I also know of breweries that add their beers without reviewing them. I think I would prefer a beer without a review than a beer with a crappy review.

 

In general, I would say this website's places database is lacking. It seems to largely be the function of who BA attracts, which are people who enjoy good beer. Those people are likely to write reviews to rate a beer, but not pay much mind to who or where they buy it. Myself included. I'm trying to focus more on reviewing each and every place I visit to buy or drink beer, much the same as I review each and every new beer (within reason). Then again, I suppose this is all my own theory.


Bottom line, I know I rely heavily on the BA places database when I'm out traveling, so I'm trying to pay better mind for others and review places to help further substantiate the database for others traveling around my area.

 

The places database is one I also enjoy using, but I still feel it is of little use without reviews, preferably up to date ones. For example on a trip to Columbus,OH last year I saw someone added (and simply ticked) a place called "The Crafty Pint". As it was close to our hotel, we checked it out despite its lack of reviews. It was a waste of time. I don't personally know a single beer lover who would have enjoyed it. A review would have saved me some time and money. Now please excuse me as i return to my carapace.

 

I'm planning to first add beers I'm having but are missing from BA, naturally including photo (if succeeding ). After that reviewing, at some point when I'm ready. Adding beers makes you learn stuff too.

 

I try hard to include everything possible when adding beers or places, but I do find adding photos to be daunting. I'm reasonably capable when it comes to technology, but there doesn't seem to be an easy way to add photos on BA. I love everything else about it, but until I can add photos in one or two easy steps, I won't bother. Any insights or support would be greatly appreciated!

 

I think what would help solve some of this issue is to prompt the person x number of days after like the way Yelp does. I add a fair amount and it's usually based on what I know my locals are doing. I don't always get a chance to review right away. That or have a queue like "Beers you've added" where you can pull up the ones you haven't review yet.

 

Queues of added beer, breweries, pubs, etc. would be very nice indeed.

 

How can it be 'one or two' steps? First you have to select the 'add photo' option, than 'upload' (select the pic from your device), and then submit. Can't be any slimmer than that.

 

That is not a Beer Advocate issue, that is a 'reasonably capable when it comes to technology' issue.

 

@dbrauneis is correct in his interpretation of my comment about adding photos. That said, I took some time to get an app to resize my photos. Pending BA approval, I believe I have successfully added my first photo.

@biboergosum, thank you for motivating me to figure out my own problem. Your contributions are in a league of their own!

 

I see it. Well done!