Mentoring Program

Talk Discussion in 'BeerAdvocate Talk' started by BeerKangaroo, Aug 16, 2013.

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  1. BeerKangaroo

    BeerKangaroo Initiate (0) May 30, 2011 Alaska

    Still also another valid point.
     
  2. BeerKangaroo

    BeerKangaroo Initiate (0) May 30, 2011 Alaska

    Be the OP to teach us to not be selfish without a rant, that's all I think most BA's would want. If we're all one beer community, why aren't we setting each other up for success?
     
  3. TwoTrees

    TwoTrees Pundit (951) Oct 31, 2012 Washington

    On the topic of creative assessments, I don't think I've read anyone funnier than BA member 'RaulMondesi.' That dude pens some funny-ass reviews.
     
  4. dbrauneis

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

    Maybe it is my inner engineer coming through...
     
  5. BumpkinBrewer

    BumpkinBrewer Pundit (993) Jan 6, 2010 Massachusetts

    There is definitely a second "BA" in there and the Select is needed if playing 2player. And lets face it, you'd have to have balls of steel to play Contra by yourself.
     
  6. utopiajane

    utopiajane Grand Pooh-Bah (3,982) Jun 11, 2013 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    The review mentioned above does need a little work. I would maybe suggest that one simply start with the first words that come to mind when tasting the beer and observing the nose and appearance. Jot them down. Use the form and create some good habits that become second nature to you. Say something about each category. You can try to break free of the form and "freestyle" there is nothing wrong with that. A sense of humor is not a bad thing. I would also suggest to read the top reviewers and gather as much information you can. No one knows what horse blanket is until they read it in someone else's review and it clicks. Don't be afraid to adopt the words and phrases and make them your own. The bros use some excellent phrases in their descriptions that bring an excitement to the reading of it. When you are done you want to have imparted the experience of this drink to anyone who will read your review. You will write hundreds of them so just keep doing it.

    =)
     
  7. BlackNote

    BlackNote Initiate (0) Apr 5, 2013 Michigan

    I was lucky enough to have local, seasoned BA's that helped me out when getting into trading and commenting. Glad I had them around, but still would like to get an official mentor. That would be awesome.
     
  8. PEBKAC

    PEBKAC Pooh-Bah (1,743) Sep 4, 2006 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    As long as it follows the basic etiquette already outlined beforehand, let them be. There are already too many members who don't review out of fear of being mocked/picked apart. It's a casual hobby, not a standardized test or something you can put on your resume for Wine Spectator.
     
  9. JG-90

    JG-90 Initiate (0) Nov 29, 2012 New Jersey

    I get the idea, but personally, I don't think it is a very good one. Several people who have backed this idea have stated the idea that you have to develop your palette before being "able" to review beers. So lets say a novice runs his review by his mentor, and his mentor does not agree with the ratings or characteristics that the novice gave the beer?

    Is the novice supposed to agree with all the nuances the mentor tells them too? How is someone supposed to develop a palette if they have someone over their shoulder telling them if what they taste is "right" or "wrong"?

    Again, I get the idea, but don't think that someone can "teach" someone else about how to taste a beer when everyones palette is different and everyone values different characteristics differently. (i.e. Threads about beers like GUBNA where 1/2 the people say it tastes like onions and cat piss and 1/2 the people say its a great beer). If I enjoyed GUBNA but my mentor said it tastes like cat piss should I change my mind cuz he's my mentor, and since he has had so many beers he should know what I'm tasting more than I do?
     
    IKR likes this.
  10. Todd

    Todd Founder (13,518) Aug 23, 1996 Finland
    STAFF Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah

    We don't have any interest in creating a one-on-one mentoring program, and have already provided resources to get people started with reviewing beers.

    http://beeradvocate.com/articles/637
    http://beeradvocate.com/help/index?topic=reviewing_beers
    http://beeradvocate.com/help/index?topic=ratings
    http://beeradvocate.com/beer/style

    Paired with the ability to read existing reviews, the above links should be more than enough for most to get started. Of course there's nothing stoping anyone from asking questions in the forums or others privately for help, but we'd rather focus on providing services for all.

    Beyond this, we do plan on completely revamping our Beer 101 section. This should help new members too.

    In the meantime, thanks to everyone for their input.

    Cheers!
     
    Beerontwowheels and BeerKangaroo like this.
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