How do you choose a beer at the store?

I lick the labels to see if I can attain some sense of the beer within. Hasn't failed me yet.

 

Usually it's something I haven't tried before, whatever seems interesting to me at the moment. Or a variety pack from a brewery that I've had a good beer or two from before (or just a variety pack in general--those seem to be a pretty good way to try a bunch of new beers without ending up with anywhere near a full 6-pack of one you don't like quite as much.) This usually involves a whole lot of looking around, and I usually end up having to decide between two or three "ooh, I want to try this one" options and narrow it down to just one (or "these three/four/five/six" in the case of the variety packs, heh.)

Other times it's something I already know I like, and would like to have more of... especially if it's on sale at the moment.

 

I start by getting the staples, then browse for something new i havent tired yet or a new release (seasonal, limited, or just a new beer) and sometimes ill pick based off what i see is popular or interesting from the what beer are you drinking now thread.

 

I usually have a style in mind then go from there and spend $100 on a bunch of different stuff.

 

Well, being fairly new to the non main stream beer scene, i look for something i have not tried..simple.

 

Have my styles I like but I do pay attention to here and see what other think and give it a try. I heard people talking about smuttynose over year ago a lot in some forums and decided to give them a try. Loved their Old brown dog.

 

I look for beers I haven't had in the styles I like but man it gets tough after you have drank hundreds of different beers.........

 

Usually see if the store has something I've been looking for and if not then I'll choose something that a friend recommended or something I've read about that sounds interesting.

 

Rarest first. If no .rar WHALEZ on the shelf, ask clerk what they have in the back. If they tell me "nothing" I scoff condescendingly and leave in a huff. Works every time.

 

NY and surrounding areas tend to use BeerMenus a lot, so I look up store's stock before going in then research the beers (mostly on BA). I almost always know what I'm getting before I go to a store.

 

I look for beers that are getting buzz on the forums. Then i realize im in MA and dont get any of them and end up buying random IPAs lol

 

Whatever is new to me. Unless it has really atrocious ratings on BA.

 

Something old, something new, something bourbon, but not Labatts Blue

 

Alaska has an App that shows everything on tap at all the growler bars so I usually know what I'm getting when I go in.

 

I have not had that many craft beers so I just get something I have not tried. From there if I see something I have been wanting to try I will grab it, also grabing a different beer from a brewery that I enjoyed a beer from.

 

Stick with styles I like and utilize the beauty of technology to check reviews on here while standing in the aisle

 

1. What style am I in the mood for.
2. Scan the entire selection in the store and see if anything catches my attention.
3. Look up unknown beers on BA app and decide if there is anything new I should buy.
4. If I don't find anything new I want to buy, buy a beer I know is good that matches my first criteria.

 

I'm not a ticker, I get what I like. And I like a lot so choosing is a bit of a chore.