Biggest beer pet peeves

So you are sharing a ridiculous example contrasting a man (or woman) who is unable to smell vanilla against one who can (let's call the latter "nearly every single man in God's creation", and the former Herman Sinus Pants), and that example is giving credence to what?

Let us keep the argument on sound footing by assuming that the discussion is central to people with functioning senses.

 

I rest my case. Beer experience does not translate to better beer moments.

 

I too have used 'smooth' in my reviews. Whether it's in my taste or MF section.

How about "chewy"? I've never chewed a beer in my life, but I've seen that before. It all really helps to describe the beer to the best of their ability (and I'm a noob to tasting).

 

I'll give poetic license to someone describing a taste as smooth. They could be implying that it is well-rounded, with no individual elements poking out, but instead melded nicely...or smooth.

 

Extreme examples are usually pretty insightful.

Let me give you a real example.

My bitter sensitivity often precludes me from tasting vanilla in a RIS. The fact that vanilla exists in the RIS is the reason most people seem to report they like it so much in reviews. For me, the bitterness is so strong that I can't taste virtually any vanilla, and essentially all I get is "bitter."

Don't you see how someone's ability (or inability) to taste precludes them from enjoying a beer?

Does it work the other way, sure, but that's the whole point. That people experience taste and smell differently because we don't all have the same ability to taste and smell the same things.

 

Ok, so I have located the moment where our discourse fell off track. You thought that by me saying "we all enjoy beer in the same fashion" was me saying "we all taste the same exact thing". That was NOT my intention. My intent was to say that by taking cicerone classes or forgoing a life to study the ins and outs of the history of Pabst, does not inherently make one enjoy beer more than the guy who chooses to simply enjoy beer in a more casual sense. Moreover, if someone fancies themselves as a beer veteran, than perhaps they have missed the point. Or if not, then call me a meatball veteran.

PS, my condolences for being a beer lover and not being able to enjoy bitterness. That must suck

 

Using 'smooth' within a review isn't a pet peeve of mine it's only when all they have to say about the beer is 'smooth.' That's what people say when they have no idea how to describe a beer. Hey man how's that beer? "It's smooth."

 

@Hoppedelic
I really can't explain how DDH and highly hopped beers have made my tastings harder! There are times I'll sit there and try my best to pull out flavors, and all I get is balanced aroma's and tastes. Don't get me wrong, I love those beers.. but it's frustrating. I'm keeping an eye out for local taste classes. If it's a possibility, I'm going.

 

We do not all enjoy beer in the same fashion. Some like to enjoy beer with friends, trying new versions of the same styles, posting pics and checking in on social media. Some may drink old favorite(s) with their father/son while sharing a hobby. Some may enjoy beers at home with their spouse, each having their own style. Some like to find the the perfect food pairing for their favorite beer. Some like to learn the nuances of many beer styles and write detailed reviews to share with others. Some are very passionate about their beer hobby. Some people don't think that beer can be a hobby. Some like to drink mass quantities of beer until they pass out on the floor and piss their pants.

Whether we want to or not, we do not all enjoy beer the same way.

 

So true.

Some people like to buttchug their BBA imperial stouts and some like to drink them, well, more conventionally.

 

But each and every one of us pours it over our tongue and down our neck. In that regard, we all consume beer the same. If Joe Exhaustion live tweets his experience, what happens in his mouth is still the same as John Chill, who drinks it while watching the clouds pass.

Ah whatever, I don't have the patience to argue what otherwise doesn't matter. I will carry on drinking beer the way I do, and I'll the others carry with their academic approach to beer.

 

Something I noticed today standing in line for Tiramisu is that the majority people waiting in line look so depressed and are on their phones checking ISO, FT updates every 2 seconds.

It's Thursday, most people got a snow day, you are at a brewery buying awesome beer, they have a waffle stand, they are literally giving out free samples of coffee and people look like they are in line at the DMV. I don't know why it pissed me off so much because it really doesn't affect me. It's beer, a lot of people need to stop viewing it as a commodity to trade with and just have a glass and enjoy it.

 

Ever do any sensory evaluations? Not everyone has the same tastes or appreciates beer the same way. It's not about writing a review or tweeting about it. It's about ( wait for it) tasting. I led a small group through a beer tasting, 6 beers or so. Used a mayflower porter for one. I got 3 different hops and maybe 6 different kinds of grains. Ever taste hop tea? Or chew on some brewing grains? Sum of the parts, separately and as whole. Through study and learning, one can have a more enjoyable tasting experience. IMHO.

 

How then, does one gain knowledge about what is a " good" beer? Only through experience? Yes? I'll take you up on your meatball palate. You've only had supermarket frozen bags of meatballs( first ingredient is mechanically separated turkey) , and Grandmas homemade ones, hand ground veal and pork, simmered in sauce for a whole day. When, with your experience, what do you look for when eating your nice dinner out on the town?

 

This is my last statement on this, because the subject is bigger and yet smaller than it is.

People who obsess beer to the point that it becomes them are not enjoying beer more than those who live a more balanced life, of which beer is a part of. I might argue the opposite, and that FOMO is a deep rabbit hole filled with emptiness.

All of you are right. I don't care.

 

my point was lost long ago, or perhaps not lost, but derailed by the the pedantic, the literal and the exhaustive. so yes, of course I can agree with your statement here, which, however, does not discredit the point I originally made.

 

Ahonky, I think you have a good point. Just drinking and let the taste flow is the main thing. I will try to add the "dissecting" reviewing aspect too, gradually. But think I will not be a reviewer of big words. The big thing happens inside.

The reviewing can help you stop for a minute, "wait, maybe there's even more to this"

 

Finally.

What did you expect from a website dedicated to beer? Indifference?

 

That's the first thing I thought. "Let me see, yeah badger ain't bad at all, I think it's a real compliment". Badgstard may have crossed the line. Go Badgers!

 

I hate when people on Untappd say "first to check-in!" on a new beer even though 25 ppl already checked in the beer but Untappd says 0 ratings at the top because it takes several hours/ a day for the app to refresh this section.
My bad if 25 ppl already said this.