Referencing BA while buying beer

Really?? Had me fooled as well...

 

I'm really quite bored with most of the IPAs on the shelf, they're ok, but good beers like Dirtwolf just sit and for me age out. And there's two dozen other good IPAs in that same boat. That leaves WW Freak which is ok but I rarely buy, Pernicious which is always fresh, The recent Jade bottling is single digits old right now and Burials Scythe. I opt for Scythe most of the time, and I fill in with mostly Pils. Prima and Nooner are always around, not quite as date sensitive and always work for me. Some AALs too, I'm returning to my roots a bit, I'm tired of $12 sixers of average craft offerings that due to the glut on the shelf are also of unknown age. They sit and sit, good beers like Knee Deep Simtra are ancient probably north of 8-9 months old and still full price. I don't want an IPA bottled in July right now.

 

I like to use both. I certainly appreciate the thoughts of the store employee. But I can't ignore the opinions of all the BA reviewers. I am always searching for new beer, and I'd much rather try the beer that has received a 90 on BA vs. an 82.

 

I've come across many unknowledable staff members in various shops. By searching online I can get a sense from thousands of people how the beer stacks up and can read tasting notes too. The store employee is just an unknown person with one opinion.

 

Agree-exact situation around me. Some new things locally show up and trust the guys at my local shop implicitly when they suggest something new. They know what I like. Many are draft first so nice to get a taste before committing but if only bottle/cans--I'm in--they are that good.

As far as local--try the recent draft offerings from Wooden Robot who is knocking it out of the park and finally some Trophy from Raleigh making it this way.

 

Be careful what you wish for.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/communi...lated-snobbish-act-you-have-witnessed.375468/
(Scroll down to post #29)

 

T

The internet awards excellence. When you don't know what to get or where to go, you can always get recommendations which is awesome, and not something that was option prior.

 

I've found BA reviews/ratings a very useful source of information in making buying decisions as I know it has helped me reduce the number of mistakes that can be made when wasting money on beer I won't like. As others have said, I don't check my devices at the beer store unless I have notes stored on something like an iPod so I don't have to carry pieces of paper around as well.

Going into the store with particular targets in mind means I don't often have a need to chat with the folks working there unless I have a question. In many of the places I've been to on a shopping trip the folks usually know what they've got in stock but seldom have the same tastes I'm looking to purchase for on my visit.

 

I overhear beer store employees giving other customers advice all the time. It's never made me wish they would share their opinions with me.

 

Sometimes people with nothing to say insist on saying it anyway.

 

This is what I use BA for when I'm shopping. I sometimes check on a style classification, where it was brewed, which malts and hops are used, stuff like that. If it sounds interesting, or if it's a state/country/style I haven't ticked yet, I'm in. Rating has absolutely no bearing on whether I buy it or not.

 

Then shop somewhere else.

 

Truth is I don't require any assistance buying beer but I always exchange pleasantries with the staff because people like to feel appreciated.

 

Recognizing the knowledge of many on this site exceeds many of the folks staffing stores, I am surprised how many seem not to have a "go to" place with really sharp staff. I guess that doesn't exist in some places.

 

I do admit to whipping out my phone a lot and checking the BA score. If it's below like 84 or so I am a less interested. That being said, I definitely ask the employees of a few of the shops I frequent a lot out here as the majority are really knowledgeable.

 

When Leslie was at Bestway she was great, she was a certified Cicerone. Kates her replacement and she's really nice too. Roger is the owner and he's into beers and wine, he's setting up more growler stations too.

 

I don't have a smart phone thingy, so I can't and don't look up beer scores while at the store. My purchasing decisions come from whether or not I like the brewery and its a style I like or want to try. The first time I saw Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest, without a doubt I was picking that up and not worrying one bit about scores here. I have a good enough relationship with store owners/managers, even some contacts with some brewers/reps and know what to expect and when certain things will be coming. I love to review and read others reviews, but that rarely dictates what I am going to buy. Unless it is something I have been wanting to try already, but haven't been able to find it yet. Then I just want that particular beer more. Weihenstephaner 1516 Kellerbier being a recent example.

 

It's interesting just how much the perception of knowledge matters. I say "perception" because as long as one sounds intelligent, they will be effective at selling to most consumers (mind you, us nerds on BA are in the small group who can sniff out bullshit, but most average craft consumers cannot). I remember when I was buying a 12er of SN Oktoberfest last year and a guy asked the rep about it and he knew nothing. I chime in that this year SN collaborated with a german brewer to create the beer. Bam. The guy picks up a pack and buys it. Knowledge of a product can help a lot when trying to sell to someone, even if the point is largely immaterial. The example I used is a good one because the fact that SN collaborated with a German brewer says absolutely nothing about the quality of the beer. But it's the perception that it's traditional, authentic, and has german influence.

 

Only time I use BA to look up a beer is if the abv or style isn't clearly labeled. Tho I do tend to seek out stuff I've heard good things about around the forums.
I always chat with the guy who runs the beer area at my local store..(if you live around Myrtle you know who I'm talking about)