Contacted by brewmaster?

Personal message.

 

This is why I prefer to review/respond directly at the brewpub. The brewmaster/head brewer/brewer is usually onsite. Generally, fresh beer with real time feedback.

 

That guy from Illinois who rated both Panther lower than 4, needs to be contacted by Westbrook's head brewer.

 

Is there such thing as a brewmaster contacting a random stranger???? What are brewmasters???

 

I think it's pretty cool personally.

I can also see why he might have contacted you. Workhorse is a solid IPA. Not a Pliny clone, but it's very good on it's own merit. So, was your low rating due to the fact is did not taste like Pliny or was it that you genuinely did not like it? Just curious.

 

Been contacted by brewers twice because of reviews.

The first was from a local brand as they were starting out – they’ve since grown quite a bit nationally. They appreciated some kind words I wrote about some of their beers and sent me a nice care package as a thank you.

The other time, which was somewhat recently, was for a bad review I wrote about a local beer. I was surprised at how quick the brewer responded…just a couple hours after I wrote it. They basically just said sorry I didn’t like the beer and that since they brew "other things" that I should stop by the tasting room to try them because I'm bound to find something they make that I like (nevermind that I’d already visited them). But given how quickly they contacted me, it made me wonder if brewers are able to get notifications of when their beers get new reviews. I can only imagine very small and/or new breweries would be interested in that. It was probably just coincidental timing…

 

Brewmasters probably sit at their computers hitting F5 every few minutes to see if there are new reviews.

 

That's what all us reviewers like to think

 

The "cat pee" reference probably got his attention. I'm sure he wanted to know how old it was, how it was stored, etc. His concern is a good thing.

 

Yes. Once. Clown Shoes it was. Pleasant.

And again, by a Daredevil rep, don't think a brewmaster. Again, a very positive experience.

Gave both beers another go as a result.

 

yes, though i don't remember who. honestly, most brewmasters i've met or interacted with online have been extremely cool; eager to expose you to the beer the way they intend it, but not angry or unduly hurt if you dislike it.

 

Not a beer review per se, but I had a strangely awful experience at De Molen, and months after I submitted my place review, a representative reached out on behalf of the brewmaster. I still think my experience there was highly atypical, and his message made it obvious he was legitimately concerned. On the basis of that alone, I'd go back and give them a second shot.

I do my best to make sure my reviews are constructive, detailed, and accurate, so I don't know that a brewmaster would ever reach out for further thoughts (most people probably think my reviews are way too long as is!). I am known to stoop to the odd cheap dig against Stone, but they have no reason to pay any mind to the wisecracks of some lowly bastard on a beer website.

 

I have yet to deviate to the extreme. What kind of number caught their attention?

 

I was contacted by one, but it was for adding a beer with messed up info/name. Guy was awesome though and offered me a free beer next time I was at the tasting room for correcting the error, which was somewhat awkward considering that by the time I went there next the mistake that I flagged was still outstanding, but I got a free beer anyways after I explained the delay not being my fault.

 

Been contacted twice by head brewers. Both were very polite and cordial. One was for me talking down on a beer for not getting enough of a certain element, and another was me destroying a place in a review (both beer and place) due to what a horrid experience it all was. I still wont go back to that brewpub regardless of the name behind it as that first experience was so polarizing.

 

For whats it worth - as a fellow Oregonian, i completely disagree with your review of workhorse. That beer is crazy good and IMO drinks and smells better than Pliny. Have you had beers that use their same hop profile. I think they use primarily Citra in it, but also Galaxy and El Dorado. Im curious as to what other IPAs you have had and if you are mistaking dankness for cat pee.

Also, I don't know the brewmaster at laurelwood but i have seen him on the forums before and he always seems super nice and genuinely interested in feedback and answering questions. I think its cool when breweries are involved in the online community.

 

I occasionally send PM's to my customers, but only if the review was well thought out and not whiny. We have also had a few batches that were recalled early on in our bottling days that still managed to find their way to shelves, and when I see reviews from those batches, I typically will invite reviewers to the brewery for some pints.

 

Lol. I typically check reviews each night before I get ready for bed.

 

Maybe he was pointing out the Personal Message and Personal Messages carry the same initials (PM) therefore "PM's" is redundant?

For what it's worth, Workhorse is my favorite Oregon IPA, I wish we could get it in Cali.