Do blind tastings keep you honest?

I have done one blind tasting. I should have a trade coming my way tomorrow that I'll be doing a bigger blind tasting for, but that's just to compare Terrapin's Single Origin stuff. I intend to do more blind tastings in the future. The only one I've done was comparing two coffee beers that seem to be more of a cold brew than a coffee beer. It was rather fun to do. The downside was I could tell them apart just based on colors (black vs. dark nearly-black brown). I'd like to do some where I can't see the liquid, but I'm too much of a prude to pour them in a solo cup or something.

If I do get a rare beer through a trade or whatever, I usually sit down and enjoy it as an experience. If I got two, I might put one in a blind tasting....

 

That thing needs to be blindfolded to make it legit

 

Definitely keeps you honest.
I did a double IPA tasting last year of fresh Barrier Rock N Roll, Harpoon Leviathan, and Trillium Heavy Mettle.

Harpoon ended up in first followed by Trillium and Barrier in last.

 

I found bling tastings useful both for refining my own approach to beer and saving a considerable amount of money by finding lower cost alternatives.

 

I can't say I've taken part in a lot of blind tastings, but I do think it takes the hype out of tasting a beer, which makes for a more accurate personal response. I've known a lot of people to claim that a beer was "one of the best I've ever had" just because of the label. I try my best to distinguish between taste and my excitement to try a certain beer. Sometimes I'm not successful, but it helps keep me honest.

 

You were disappointed by Sunday Morning Stout?

 

I would recommend that you cellar these beers and then re-consider. Last weekend I had a one year aged SMS and I thought that bottle was AMAZING!! Needless to say but YMMV.

Cheers!

 

I did not view your post as a knock. I bought a 4-pack of SMS last year with the intention of cellaring this beer. I drank one bottle last year and I thought that bottle was very good. I thought the one year aged version was even better (i.e., "Amazing"). I will drink a second bottle later this year and save the fourth bottle for one year from now.

Cheers!

 

Oh no, I wasn't reading into it. Was just curious about in what way you were let down. Thanks.

 

I would still recommend that you cellar some of your beers. For my palate this beer tastes even better with some aging.

Cheers!

 

What does hype and ratings taste like? Beats me. I usually goes with what tastes good. YRMV.

 

For tastings, take some time with each pour. Limit to 5 or 6 samples. Cleanse palate between each round with water and dry crackers. Start there.

 

Cloudy, turbid IPA's are a New England thing. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Ask Trillium and Treehouse. Back to the OP, does appearance affect taste?

 

Blind tastings eliminate preconceived bias. Appearance can affect expectations, which influences perceived taste. Some people are more easily influenced than others (think placebo effect). So, the best trials eliminate as many variables as possible. For a "fair" beer tasting designed for taste aspects only: same temperature, same age and the taster blindfolded.

 

That's why it's hard to get into rare beers where you're lucky to have one. Sometimes you get a bad bottle or you're in a bad mood or you ate something or you're getting a cold or something that throws off your perception. Glad you dug it on the second go round.