Rating Places - How do you do it?

You've put your finger spot on one of the reasons I do the reviews and treat the numerical ratings as being incidental. With those students you need to have transparency of criteria and consistency from one student to the next etc. You have a tightly constrained context to ensure dealing with all of them fairly. You are the only source of feedback they will have.

In a review, just as when chatting with my friends, I can explain what I valued and why, but I also try to structure what I say around each of the criteria to be rated so folks will know why I gave the number I give. Unlike working with students, there will be others providing the reader with the same kind of information, each from their own indvidual perspective and readers are free to pick and choose the information they use in deciding whether to visit the place. As for the rating scale numbers for a particular place, they will all average out across all the numbers provided by those who review and rate and that helps reduce biases.

 

There's a local restaurant critic that often says things like, "the wine list has many unknown options, so I am wary". Generally, these places actually do have the most interesting and well thought out wine lists.

 

I will usually check reviews of bottle shops anytime I am in a different state or country. If there are any highly rated stores, I will make an effort to visit them.

Most of my reviews are of stores. When I give a rating for quality, some of the factors are:
Is the store and inventory clean?
Are all the beers clearly priced?
How reasonable are those prices?
Are beers organized by region/country, brewery, or beer style? Or are they just randomly on the shelves?
How old are the beers?

 

I just rate on my overall feelings about the place, without guidelines it's a little tough, but an okay review is better than no review.

 

I rate places frequently and always go to the BA places list before I take a trip. I rate a place when, in my opinion, it has a good, solid selection of beer, has a nice atmosphere and service is exceptional. If I think other BAs might enjoy the place, I'll rate it.

However, I have been to places recommended by BA that, again, in my opinion, do not meet those standards and I will post my opinion.

Personally, the places list is my first stop when I have a trip out of town.

 

Just ran across this thread, and have a few points - many restating what others have said, will try to attribute.

I think it's been hinted at and said (@WesMantooth and @gatornation that I recall) that I feel reviews for places are more important than for beers, even. As mentioned the rating can be subject to interpretation. But much like beers, I expect the ratings will even out eventually and always consider the number of ratings involved in any place score. Since less scores are given to places, this is always something to consider.

Along the same lines, these reviews (assuming done with a modicum of care) add some context to the ratings that were given. I think @drtth mentioned something along this line.

Lastly, a statement that may not surprise some of you coming from me. But I argue you should revisit your place reviews (especially local places) often and update them. I do this (but not as often as even I'd argue I should). As @StoutElk_92 and @LeRose mentioned, a single experience might have been awesome, and the next experience might be average. You can even out your own score and give people an idea what to expect when they visit your community. Think of it as community service, and if you like a place, good marketing (but be honest!!).

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Back to some technical points - I always have an issue determining Vibe score; this is my toughest scoring item. Quality I go with: how "solid" are the brews the place is making/offering. Selection I go with a variety of styles mostly (I think pour sizes tend to go into Vibe for me). For example, I really like Ocelot, but they at one point were really heavy on IPAs. They've gotten a little better, but I still have them lower on selection.

I'd be interested to see more and more opinions on this thread.

 

Vibe for me is how I feel in a place. Different factors can contribute to this, such as how much space there is to move, how the staff treats me, and other contributing factors on how I feel during my experience in a place. I'm sure other people think differently about this as the ratings are open to interpretation. I have given lower vibe scores (under 4) when there isn't much space to move around in a store.

 

Seems Vibe catches us all. It is really dependent on the mood. I hate to slam a place because it is a) too loud b) too quiet c) decor is ..... I just put in my review enough so if I am going back to somewhere I have been before and forgotten, I will choose something that fits my mood.