Does a state's reputation for beer influence ratings?

No doubt in my mind that this happens.

 

Does a states reputation for beer influence ratings? I'd say no.

Like others mentioned, I think its more brewery biased or homerism biased that affect the ratings.

 

I'd be curious to see how many reviewers are influenced by the beer's current review score.... While enjoying a new brew, thinking to yourself this is a solid 85, but then logging on BA to see that the current score is a 93. How many people are influenced to adjust their score upwards?

 

I tend to be far more critical of my own states beers.

 

I have noticed a tendency of PNW folks to rate almost everything slightly lower. (I'm kind of an outlier here)

 

None taken Jake...however you are from California, so it's not like your state is short on odd folks and happenings either.

 

The hipster effect?

 

Yes, yes it would.

 

I think a beer from one's own state will typically get a harsher score and not a better score. I tend to think its more likely that someone rates a beer higher when they had to travel farther/ or trade for it.

 

Florida is to the US what Fresno is to California.

 

I think brewery bias probably has a greater impact on ratings, but for those having local beers, homerism and having access to fresher beers from that brewery probably impact in-state rankings somewhat. I think that state bias can come into play through hype, i.e., if someone gives you a beer that and tells you it's very popular in Vermont, that probably Has a more positive impact on ratings (however slight) than if it's very popular in South Dakota.

 

I truly believe that breweries that are seen as being more exclusive are rated higher than breweries putting out solid, non-hyped beers.

Also, the mystique of some so-called rare beers is better than the beer itself. Examples of this, to me, are Dark Lord and KBS.

 

Just Fresno? Let's be a lil more honest than that...

 

There is a lot to be said for local, fresh beer (IPA's especially) over beer that has been traded from one coast to another. I traded for Pliny the Elder 3-4 years ago and it was good. However, 2 years ago I received a case that was driven cross-country while being iced the whole way. Those Pliny's were so, so much better, fantastic! I will never drink a shipped, unrefrigerated Pliny again and I will never ship Heady across the country again. The freshness/shipping factor has so much to do with a trader's state/regional bias. Another example, a customer came in the store and said he would ship me an MBC Dinner. A couple months later, in mid November, I got a package. One bottle of Dinner bottled July 31st! It was horrible. Now, for those west coast guys who come to Vermont and drink fresh Heady and don't appreciate it for what it is and where it is on the Top 250 list? That, my friends, is bias! What was the question? Ah, yes! State bias doesn't hold a candle to Brewery bias.

 

Everything affects ratings. Personal preference, the beer you had before the beer you're rating, what you had for lunch, whether your in-laws are visiting you, what your expectations were before you tasted the beer, whether it's from your hometown or your hometown's rival, whether you like the label or not...

You name it. People are rating based on opinions and perceptions, and opinions and perceptions are highly subjective. Give someone the same beer blind on two different days and see what happens.

I'd actually be interested in blindly re-reviewing the same five-ish beers over the course of a year and trying to get a handle on my own variability...but not interested enough to actually do it.

 

I couldn't agree more. There are quite a few people out there that would look like absolute fools if they were put through a blind taste test.

 

True Story: I stopped considering myself a coffee snob after I rated a microwaved instant coffee higher than an actual top tier coffee….i'm scared of blind taste tests...

 

I'm going to amend my earlier post. I have noticed on my current trip that IPAs at every brewery and brewpub have consistently been rated higher than almost every other style. I know that this will be an unpopular statement but I believe that there is a great amount of bias for IPAs. The same can be said, but to a much lesser extent, of barrel aged beers and stouts.

 

No. But the beer's rating might....

Snore....Heady Topper.

 

No, there's no rampant homerism in any state at all...