Beer Tasting Dilemma

If he's a nice guy like you say, be a good friend and pull him aside (not at the tasting. Before the day, if possible.) Tell him that, as his friend, you are giving him a heads up. The rest of the group is a bit ticked off because he's not pulling his weight at your tastings. Mention that you know he has access to some great beer and his excuses to why he isn't sharing it are wearing really thin with everyone. Chances are, he's not a sharer by nature and may need a kick in the ass to get him to open the cellar.

I have to say, I'm glad you are generous and understanding with your other friend. When you don't have access to the rare stuff (or don't want the pressure of chasing walzes) a tasting group can be intimidating. I'm not a trader and refuse to take off of work to stand in line to get local limited releases. I was invited to my first tasting a month ago (it fell apart last minute so I guess it actually wasn't my first tasting after all.) I put myself under so much pressure to try to find something good to bring that I ended up just dreading the idea of the meetup. I'm much more comfortable with the idea of hanging out with a group of people and discussing any sort beer that's in front of us than being in a group where everyone is trying to one up each other with rare stuff. I've since hosted a few informal tastings with friends where everything is shelf beer, but most of it is new to at least one or two of us.

 

Call him out on it, be honest, if he doesn't change then you know whats up, if he does then you're good. Maybe he doesn't know he's being a D so much as he thinks its not a big deal to trade shelf beer for a whale at a tasting party.. Idk I'm just giving him the benefit of the doubt, and I think you should always do that with a friend, but give them an opportunity to show their true colors or at least shape up. Regardless of the outcome from you talking to him about it you'll have your answer and can act accordingly.

 

All I can say is a friend to me is someone who would NEVER screw me over, when they do, there were either never really MY friend. or just fake to begin with. So many folks have lots of people they know aka acquaintances, but are fooled into thinking they are friends. A friend will come bail you out in the middle of the night and not blink a eye.
Friends do not screw you over on beer. If they did that to me they be out so fast, there pants would be on fire.

Just my 2 cents. YMMV

 

9 times out of 10 a tasting is not really a group of real friends, but common interest folks about beer. aka a party of maybe acquaintances and people you do not know yet. But that is just my experience. I can dig it when folks want to meet up at some bar or whatever, but why put all that pressure to bring something "great".....I guess my buds are more laid back....

 

I would change the day and time of the tasting and then when the guyshowed up I would say something like ; "Oh did I forget to tell you? Everyone cancelled so I don't have any beer. But you have what YOU brought right?"

 

Ha, you guys are lucky to have good friends that enjoy beer. Share it with them. I keep my best beers for those times when I'm with a friend who'll appreciate it.

Mooch is a pretty awesome word.

 

Since Pliney the Younger is only available at Russian River (and select bars in Cali) for a very short period of time once a year, (usually February-March) and only one place East Coast (Monks Café in Philly) please let me know where he is finding it on tap (at midnight in North Carolina no less) and if you meant Pliney the Elder, well......last time I checked it is not distributed in your State either. I have some buds in NC that would love to tag along to get some of that.

 

The friend needs to think about this: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Beer karma.

 

Sounds like you need to learn how to tell people to fuck off.

 

Thanks for the advice. Fuck off....lol

 

Ahh... saw you were from NC and you wrote that like your friend lives nearby- Your quote:He lives close by and he's a good reason why my backyard kegerator taps have locks. Now that you said he goes there on business it makes sense.

Your post was just a tad confusing. But hey if he comes all the way from Cali after his trips and does not bring any good shit back to your tastings with him then I would be pissed too. And it ain't bragging man, it's good to have the hookup.

 

Move.
Problem solved

 

I would handle it one of three ways:

1. Hound him with text reminders to chill the beer, bring the beer, etc.

2. Make a point to say, "I'm SO glad you're bringing beer X. I've been dying to try it. I wasn't planning on bringing beer Y, but since you're bringing something so awesome, I'm totally willing to do the same in exchange."

3. Bluntly call him out, either beforehand or during/after. He obviously doesn't respect you guys at all (or your generosity), and he probably thinks you guys are the idiots for "not noticing." Just ask him what the deal is, and if there's a reason he keeps behaving this way. It's quite possible using 'imaginary whalz' to garner an invite to your tastings.

 

Here's what you do:

Hand him a champagne flute of kerosine. Say that it's new from Brewdog (prepare the squirrel in advance).

Ask him to note the bouquet, taste and mouthfeel.

While he's paying attention to that, set him on fire.