Preferred method for reviewing beers?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Buschyfor3, Aug 26, 2014.

?

What is your preferred method for reviewing beers?

  1. Old school - pencil and pad

    7 vote(s)
    15.6%

  2. Notes on my phone/tablet

    2 vote(s)
    4.4%

  3. Via a beer-centric app on my phone/tablet

    8 vote(s)
    17.8%

  4. Word document

    4 vote(s)
    8.9%

  5. I write up my reviews on BeerAdvocate as I'm drinking the beer(s)

    24 vote(s)
    53.3%
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  1. Buschyfor3

    Buschyfor3 Savant (1,083) Jan 4, 2009 Kentucky

    A question popped into my head tonight. I've recently got back into reviewing beers, and in the past, when I was out at a brewpub/restaurant, I had always just used my phone to jot down quick tasting notes so that I could write up a full review when I got home. If I was at home, I would typically work from a word document and flesh out a more thorough review as I worked my way through the beer.

    But tonight I tried something different. Really, since the last time I was into consistently reviewing beers (way back at the end of 2011) there has been considerable growth in the number of phone apps for tracking/finding/rating/recommending craft beer. I stumbled upon one the other night thanks to a recommendation, and its called "Beer Citizen." What struck me about the app was the way it lets you review a beer by adding any number of "characteristics" which you think describe the beer in one of four categories: A/S/T/M. For each characteristic, you then assign a number on a sliding scale. So for example, tonight I re-reviewed an old friend, Bell's Special Double Cream Stout, and for the Taste I added characteristics like "roasted malts," "dark chocolate," and so forth, and was able to assign a numerical value based on how prevalent those flavors were compared to one another. I though this was really nifty in helping me pin down the characteristics I want to emphasize in my reviews. I think this will come in quite handy going forward, as it seemed to make the reviewing process much more streamlined, especially when out and about and trying new beers. Meaning - I'm not pegged to my phone trying to review a beer and I can enjoy the atmosphere of the establishment, my friends, etc. (I.e. I'm consciously trying to be less of a beer-geek than I was in the past for the sake of my friends deciding they don't want to go to bars with me).

    I've seen threads where people have talked about other apps, particularly Untappd, but it seems like that was more for ticking beers and the social side of finding out who was drinking what beers nearby. Are there any others apps or methods that you prefer to use when reviewing beers? What was good (or bad) about it?

    *Disclaimer: in no way am I trying to promote any apps or anything to the detriment of BeerAdvocate. The apps I've found don't hold a candle to the depth of information that the BA community holds when it comes to advice, insight and beer reviews. I'm just looking for some opinions and discussion on the means by which members go about reviewing their beers, so that I can try to streamline and simplify my own process going forward.
     
    #1 Buschyfor3, Aug 26, 2014
  2. josmickam

    josmickam Initiate (0) Apr 19, 2013 Georgia

    Verbally. I know it's not a way of documenting notes to look back on (review), but I think it's really enjoyable to split a big bottle of something with a couple other people and compare the taste.

    Edit: I'm downloading Beer Citizen right now.
     
    #2 josmickam, Aug 26, 2014
    Roguer likes this.
  3. ArkansasTraveller

    ArkansasTraveller Initiate (0) Aug 4, 2014 Arkansas

    I use a small spiral notebook. My notes are sorta "out there" so as of now I only put a number rating on this site.
     
    #3 ArkansasTraveller, Aug 26, 2014
  4. hopsputin

    hopsputin Grand Pooh-Bah (4,403) Apr 1, 2012 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    I used to review in a little notebook & overly complicated excel document. I'd always try to get them on BA anyway (though like half of them I've never transferred) so I decided to just always review on BA as I drink. If I'm out I'll take some notes on my phone in hopes of one day putting all those on BA too
     
    #4 hopsputin, Aug 26, 2014
  5. mudbug

    mudbug Pooh-Bah (1,762) Mar 27, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    I drink the beer then write the review from memory (yes, I trust my own brain that much!)
     
    #5 mudbug, Aug 26, 2014
    cavedave likes this.
  6. Orca

    Orca Grand Pooh-Bah (4,710) Sep 18, 2010 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Sit down with the beer and open either BA or Notepad (yes Notepad), or jot down notes on paper to transcribe later to BA.
    Then back up all data to Excel in case BA does something I'd rather they didn't do with my reviews.
     
    #6 Orca, Aug 26, 2014
    Roguer, cavedave and wonothesane42 like this.
  7. cyrushire

    cyrushire Initiate (0) May 25, 2012 Florida

    I just rate. i tried reviewing but i'm not much of a wordsmith.
     
    #7 cyrushire, Aug 26, 2014
    amalburg likes this.
  8. UCLABrewN84

    UCLABrewN84 Initiate (0) Mar 18, 2010 California

    At home I do them live. Out at the bar, bottleshares, etc. I take notes on my smartphone and then upload them later on.
     
    #8 UCLABrewN84, Aug 26, 2014
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  9. amalburg

    amalburg Initiate (0) Jan 7, 2014 Michigan

    I just rate too. I feel like my ratings are getting really random though.
     
    #9 amalburg, Aug 26, 2014
  10. 64vdub

    64vdub Pundit (848) Feb 20, 2014 California
    Trader

    I just realized I'm a BA poser...you guys are serious about this stuff!

    In all seriousness, maybe it's just bad flashbacks to the torment I endured in college, but its hard for me to review beers...in some ways it makes drinking them less enjoyable for me; almost like taking a test or filling out a questionnaire. When I do review, It's done while drinking said beer. Thanks to those that consistently review beers! You are true assets to the BA. :slight_smile:
     
    #10 64vdub, Aug 26, 2014
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  11. Shroud0fdoom

    Shroud0fdoom Initiate (0) Oct 31, 2013 Maryland

    I voted for *Other*. While at a pub trying a new Beer, I use a pen and pad to write down notes/review of said brew. While at home, I write the review on BA while drinking said brew.
     
    #11 Shroud0fdoom, Aug 26, 2014
  12. TommyTheHat

    TommyTheHat Initiate (0) Jul 30, 2014 Pennsylvania

    lol...I had similar thoughts. Between this and the "You Know you're a BA when..." thread I am a bit taken aback. :grimacing:
    Other than liking craft beer I seem to have nothing else in common :slight_frown:

    I see a beer I might like to try...I buy it, I drink it and either I like it or I don't. Done! :grinning:
     
    #12 TommyTheHat, Aug 26, 2014
  13. FoamInnovation

    FoamInnovation Initiate (0) Nov 12, 2013 Washington

    The notes I take are on my phone, and more for conversation with other beer nerds I know personally, than they are for review on a website.
     
    #13 FoamInnovation, Aug 26, 2014
  14. cavedave

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

    I used to carry a notebook and write wherever I was. Nowadays I only review beers I find exceptional and hope to try again, or exceptional in other ways, or beers that have no/few reviews, and only do it when I am alone and can enjoy as much as possible over the full range of temp to properly examine it. I do these on BA as I drink.
     
    #14 cavedave, Aug 26, 2014
    mudbug likes this.
  15. Ericness

    Ericness Zealot (646) Nov 21, 2012 Massachusetts

    I've only started in the last few weeks but I go old school and grab my beer notebook when drinking a beer I want to review (wherever that maybe in my house). Those notes then get condensed into the BA reviews I've started. I think I do it this way since I don't want to have to just sit in front of my computer and drink it and I'm more comfortable writing down notes than plugging away at it on my phone.
     
    #15 Ericness, Aug 26, 2014
  16. malvrich

    malvrich Initiate (0) Feb 17, 2014 North Carolina

    I'll review at home "live" in real time on BA on a laptop as I drink it. If there's only my wife around, she could care less, so cool. If we have friends over or are at their places then screw reviewing beer, I prefer to concentrate solely on enjoying our guests/hosts.
    No bars. I don't go "out drinking".
     
    #16 malvrich, Aug 26, 2014
    TheDoctor likes this.
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