How often do you get half pours or flights?

No religious war, it's just I am friends with the people at most of the places I go for beer, and I know how much they hate it when folks order flights. They offer them because their competition offers them, and the tourists who come on the "tour the craft beer fad breweries and pubs" bus tours like them.

At Rushing Duck the glass sink is actually in the tap room, and it was a sad day that I had to watch Nikki scrubbing a sink full of these little glasses while Josh tried to keep up with orders for everyone despite having to fill all these little tiny glasses and write out the cards for each.while his partner had to wash tiny glasses and no one else got served. I don't like flights particularly anyway, but it was that day I decided I was never gonna order one from anyone, friend or otherwise.

 

Understood, and I do not begrudge you that opinion. As I mentioned it's up to each brewery to handle them as they see fit. If they hate it so much, don't offer them (I won't be upset). If the tourist dollars aren't necessary, why try to appeal to them? And sure, it's not hard to see that dealing with trays of small pours is more annoying at busy times, but what about when you easily have time to spend a minute on a customer? I also wouldn't be surprised if they'd rather you just came in and bought a keg, then they wouldn't need to wash any glasses.

Those statements are exaggerated. It's never so black and white to me, and everyone has to have some part of their job they like the least.

I have seen places that embrace them and those that don't. I've seen those that handle it well and those that don't. I've been to a couple places that even assume you want sample sizes. In Virginia, where most of the breweries are newer, I think they are happy to give people a chance to find a beer they will enjoy and come back for.

I would definitely go with half pours (or mid-size glasses) if more places offered them over flights for many of the same reasons others have said. We also tend to consider the situation, like some have mentioned. We will grab single pours if the place is handling a lot of customers. Once it seems the staff has some time, we might explore the menu options in flight form. I tend to believe flights serve a purpose for the brewery and customer, and if it's an option and fits our situation, we're likely to use it.

 

Been thinking about this for a while since the thread was first created.

I'll sample tasters on a new beer, if they are offered.
I never get half pours.
I may have a flight once every few years when the tap list contains three different beers in the same style and I feel like doing a side by side tasting.

But that's also probably related to being a creature of habit and living in an area of the country with 1st class distribution and lots of high quality local breweries to choose from.

 

My favorite place has 16 oz and 9 oz glasses.

If I want to have two of anything over 7% and driving home, one of them better be the smaller one, if not both. Nice to have the option.

Otherwise give me the big ones and to the rim, please--I'll walk or get a ride.

 

I hate flights out side of breweries.

I hate flights at breweries too, now that I think about it. Rookie.

 

yup small pours are flights are really good for this

and generally i like switching it up....so getting smaller pours saves me from getting trashed

 

TBH, I usually just ask for a small pour and if they can charge accordingly.

 

Flights also cost more for less beer. I do love half pours, though.

 

I'll do half-pours or flights if:

1. There are enough beers that catch my eye to warrant it. If only one beer catches my fancy there isn't much point.
2. I won't be coming back soon or otherwise feel if I don't try it now I likely won't be trying it any time soon.
3. I don't have the time, mood, or designated driver that would be required for multiple larger pours.
4. It's a style I don't feel is too badly cheated by a smaller pour. A smaller pour of some punchy RIS? Sure. A flight filled goses, Berliner Weiss, and pilsners? Not so much.

 

Never. My preference is for a full imperial pint.

 

I go with half pours whenever they are available because it allows me to try more beers without getting completely smashed.

 

My last beer in a flight is usually some kind of stout, so it actually helps it to warm up a bit.

 

I usually order half pours or flights if it's a place I probably won't return to, or f there are enough things that I haven't had since my last visit. Most of the breweries around me have so few new releases that I only come out for those and do a whole pour.

 

I love flights and always order them if it's my first time at a brewery. I think I can get a general feel for a beer in that amount of liquid. I've either got a phenomenal palette or I'm ignorant.

And most times I'll get a pint or two of my favorites after that.

 

I never do flights anymore. I never was able to really get a sense of a beer by having 5 of them poured in front of me. Sensory overload.

I also don't do half pours.

Also, be mindful and don't order flights if the taproom is very busy. A lot more work for the server and it slows down service for everyone else that is trying to order.

 

Two beer bar places I go to have regular flights offered which would be rare for me to ask for, but they also have special nights with a brewery tap takeover - often resulting in 6-10 beers I have not had before (for local breweries it might be the only time they made it), so I take advantage of a 5-6 flight promo offer that night on that brewery's beers. They are 5 oz, which really isn't enough of a taste, imho, but I can knock out a few from later consideration on the large pours - 10oz or better.

 

Why, thank you. ;-)

 

I guess I've been lucky. I feel like most flights I've gotten tend to be 5 Oz each, and most of the time the glasses are overfilled. That puts each one closer to a half pint than "a few sips". Hopefully, places that sell flights smaller than 4 Oz each aren't charging much for them. I've been served free samples that big many times, often without having to ask.

That said, I'll only order a flight if I want to try more than about 3 beers a place has on offer. Otherwise, I prefer 8-16 Oz servings.

 

Love half-pours! When I do a session, I'm almost always driving myself. Therefore, I have an alcohol "budget" reinforced with a BAC meter that I adhere to. If there are more than 2 beers I'm dying to taste, I can allow 2-3 half-pours with ease if well-spaced. Flights are OK at a brewery I've never been to or may not get to again, but I still adhere to my "budget", especially if traveling in an unfamiliar place.