How often do you get half pours or flights?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by JuliusPepperwood, Mar 30, 2017.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Daveshek28

    Daveshek28 Pundit (785) Nov 10, 2015 Pennsylvania

    I also agree with all, I would gladly do half pours, but to the point above- I feel not many breweries in my region over here are offering half pours, hence the need to do flights sometimes when visiting a new brewery. If it's a brewery I've been to multiple times, I don't need a flight. Also, if the bar is packed I'm not getting a flight either people!
     
  2. peteboiler

    peteboiler Zealot (690) Dec 16, 2010 Florida

    I enjoy the flights! That is what got me into craft beer. I am sorry if the bartender has to do a little extra work to do it, but that is what they make their money on, no? I tip well, and have never had an instance where someone seemed annoyed to pour me a flight. They know where they work and what they have to deal with. As for people waiting in line, I'm sorry, but I was there first, and that is what I want. I am not going to adjust my order for you.
     
    schteve, jrnyc, HermitDan and 7 others like this.
  3. dbrauneis

    dbrauneis Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,071) Dec 8, 2007 North Carolina
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Flights? If it is a new brewery or there are a lot of beers in styles I drink less frequently so I can gauge what beer(s) I would like in a full pour. But only when the place is not real busy.

    Half Pours? Extremely frequently as it allows me to try 3-4 different normal strength beers and still be able to get home safely or if the beers are really high ABV.
     
  4. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    I always write a review for new breweries that I visit, so a flight is always what I order so that I can try to evaluate the brewery's beers as much as I can. (Not offering a flight has happened only a handful of times in 300 reviews.) If flights are not available, I'll order half pours if those are available. (Only one time in 300 reviews that half pours were not available.) Most of my visits are when the brewery is not busy, but I am sensitive to not ordering a sampler flight if the place is swamped. (I usually want to get out of there as quickly as possible if it's crazy busy.)

    The only time when I order a half pour at a brewery that I visit regularly is when I've had one full pour but I still want more to drink and don't want to get buzzed for the drive home. Fortunately both of my homer breweries offer half pours for all beers.
     
    cjgiant, Daveshek28, sharpski and 2 others like this.
  5. wingedeel

    wingedeel Savant (1,190) Nov 17, 2005 Indiana
    Trader

    In my 61 years of roaming this planet I have never done a half pour or a flight. My wife does enjoy a half pour every now and then.
     
    mudbug, dennis3951 and cavedave like this.
  6. TonyLema1

    TonyLema1 Pooh-Bah (2,890) Nov 19, 2008 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    I usually get a flight if I'm in a new place
     
    IDABEERGUY and SFACRKnight like this.
  7. Billet

    Billet Pundit (794) Dec 17, 2013 Michigan

    I rarely order flights...

    I find there are too many beers that start off not so good from the first few ounces, BUT by the end of the pint, I really like it.

    The opposite is also true, sometimes a beer starts off really good, BUT by the end of the pint, I am growing tired of it.

    You just don't get enough time to properly evaluate a beer in 4 ounces. I sometimes order half pours, usually when I want to have a second beer, but don't have time for two full pints.
     
    Selby56 likes this.
  8. cavedave

    cavedave Grand Pooh-Bah (4,157) Mar 12, 2009 New York
    In Memoriam Pooh-Bah Trader

    You seem like a well adjusted person who isn't the least bothered by those behind you in line cursing your tourist ass for ordering a flight, and that is admirable.:wink:

    JK, of course.
     
  9. bbtkd

    bbtkd Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,790) Sep 20, 2015 South Dakota
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Never done a flight, but I would if I could choose beers I like, and wasn't driving soon. I'd really like the option of a partial pour on a high ABV beer, so I don't have to worry about driving. Suppose I could just not drink it all, as if.
     
  10. nc41

    nc41 Initiate (0) Sep 25, 2008 North Carolina
    Trader

    I don't know a place here that does half pours, but I'd support that.

    I generally just ask for a sample and from there I can tell whether it's a yea or no.

    No to flights, well, maybe if I'm in Vt and I can find 5 beers worth the effort.
     
    Harrison8 likes this.
  11. hophugger

    hophugger Grand Pooh-Bah (3,434) Mar 5, 2014 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah

    Whenever I can try several beers at one time that I have never had............
     
    IDABEERGUY likes this.
  12. Riff

    Riff Pooh-Bah (1,673) May 12, 2016 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah

    Flights? Usually if I'm at a brewpub where I haven't been before and I want to get an idea of their beers. Half pours? Well there's only one place where I've gotten them, it's nice since they rotate their taps quite often. At my usual places to stop? Full pours of my fav tap only beers.
     
  13. thebeers

    thebeers Grand Pooh-Bah (5,837) Sep 10, 2014 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'll get a flight maybe once a year or so if I'm at a new brewpub and nothing on the menu is speaking to me. Generally I'll got for the pint or whatever other full pour though.

    The one exception to that will be whenever I finally make it to Russian River. I'll get a full pour of Pliny the Elder and then go to town on the sampler. If I'm not slurring my words by then, maybe I'll get a full pour of something else when I'm done.
     
    HawkeyeJosh and PapaGoose03 like this.
  14. Wiffler27

    Wiffler27 Pooh-Bah (2,092) Aug 16, 2009 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    half pours, never. there is only 1 place i get flights. besides that one place i've never had the chance for a flight
     
  15. Urk1127

    Urk1127 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,790) Jul 2, 2014 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Ive done flights. But i like 8 oz the most.
     
    jrnyc likes this.
  16. CJNAPS

    CJNAPS Pooh-Bah (2,492) Nov 3, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Big fan of 8oz pours. Stopped doing Flights can't really get the taste of one of them when your trying to knock down like 10 3oz pours
     
    jrnyc likes this.
  17. Sound_Explorer

    Sound_Explorer Grand Pooh-Bah (3,044) Dec 29, 2013 Washington
    Pooh-Bah

    I used to do flights when first hitting a brewery. Now I like to do half pours primarily. Especially if I am going to a couple breweries.
     
  18. Nightwish1094

    Nightwish1094 Initiate (0) Apr 24, 2010 Texas

    If i am on a beercation and have to hit multiple breweries, i will do flights to try as many as i can and get full pour of what warrants it.

    Or if i am at a new place and want to get a feel for what they have. I dont typically do half pours. I disagree with flight samples being too small. I have a pretty good idea if i will like a beer from a sample.
     
  19. LavaLite

    LavaLite Aspirant (266) Dec 3, 2016 Illinois

    I like half pours so I can have more types/choices. Flights are ok but I feel like it's just a teaser, not enough for a fair taste. If neither is offered I will just get a full pour of something I know. My limit while out is 32 oz to stay safe/legal. I would rather have 4 halfs than 2 fulls just to try more.
     
    Thirst_trappist likes this.
  20. aleckpa

    aleckpa Initiate (0) Dec 20, 2010 North Carolina

    I love half pours. If I stop into the brewery and only want 1 beer, I can get 2 different beers essentially. I don't get flights often. If I go to a brewery I haven't been to and don't have access to their beers, I'll probably get a flight.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.