Samples. How many is too many?

Most of the places I go the bar caps samples at two.

 

6 samples would be more than enough in my opinion.
If they have flights available I would take that route rather than asking for as many samples as I could get.
If the bartender doesn't have an issue with it then I guess you could ask for as many samples as you wanted, until they cut you off. That's shady to me, so I wouldn't be the one to do that.

 

Do you mean buy a sample, as in like a 2 oz. pour for a few bucks?
Or do you mean asking for free taste's to decide? If its the free taste's to decide I think 1 is max acceptable. I can't try a sample of the steaks on a menu before ordering.

 

If the establishment doesn't allow you to get a refund if you don't like what you ordered, or they don't do flights or half pours, there should be unlimited "try it before you buy it" samples. For all other establishments that offer smaller pours and flights, three samples is the absolute max in my book. Anything beyond that is pilferage, plain and simple. When I go into a bar, I treat it like I'm a guest at someone's home. Especially if it's busy, I don't expect the bartender to give me sample after sample when there are paying customers who know what they want waiting to get served. What really burns me up, as a bartender, is when people presumptuously say "We're gonna get a few samples of some beers to figure out which one we want" to which I'm basically like "Ok, so you're getting a flight cuz there's no way in hell I'm pouring several tasters for you at once" only I'm more polite about it of course. Speaking of politeness though, I find the people who ask for taster after taster to be rude. For instance, the guy who's mentioned in the OP was within the limits I see as acceptable with the first two tasters, but then he asks for a taster of My Blueberry Nightmare? That keg is ridiculously expensive. If people realized how narrow the profit margins are on some of these beers, even when they're priced at $1/oz for a pour, I feel like (or would hope) they wouldn't be so ignorant. And, yeah, if the place offers flights, that table should order flights, not 6 samples. Ridiculous.

 

There seems to be a protocol that I follow which would be about a sample per beer ordered, if that. Most places I just order what I want. And if they sell flights, which this place does, and I was unsure between more than two beers, I would pay for a freaking flight.[/QUOTE]

I do the same.

 

See, I've heard people use this analogy and it's flawed. A steak you have to prep and cook up before it's ready. All you have to do with draft beer is turn around, pick up a glass and pull a lever. I'd love to compare that keg of My Blueberry Nightmare to a bottle of Bordeaux but, with the Bordeaux, once you open the bottle the wine immediately starts to perish. With the keg, it's perfectly fine if you shave off a little taste. And, while I think your 1 max free taste is a bit too strict, I wish more customers had the thought process you do.

 

If they offer flights, zero samples is the max acceptable in my book. If they don't 1-2 over the entire visit. It bothers me when people ask for a taste when there are samplers available.

 

Jerks like that ruin it for everybody else.

 

For me I stick to one. If I don't like the sample I just get something I know I like.

I think anymore than 1 or 2 and youre exploiting the system.

 

I feel bad asking for more than two, but as expensive as craft beer is bars can't be mad when someone asks for a one ounce sample of something to see if they like it first

 

I see your point, but prep, etc. is involved with the beer as well (cleaning glasses, lines, etc. etc.)
I have never really seen this happen (sampling for free before ordering). I have had a bartender hand me a taste of something and say try this (as a suggestion) as a look longingly at the beer list making a decision.

 

I agree, makes perfect sense.

 

I see nothing wrong with asking for a couple of free samples at a small time brewery that I am unfamiliar with their brew. I see the other side of I enjoy when my wife asks to taste a couple before diving into a beer since it's getting her exposed to more styles; if they limited samples at 1 the experience of visiting a brewery wouldn't be as fun.

 

I never ask for a free sample, I may ask the bartenders opinion or a specific question about a beer and many times they offer a sample but I don't really see a problem asking for a sample (1-2 per visit, max) if the bar isn't busy. That being said, if the bar sells ~2 oz pours then don't be cheap, order a couple of those or a flight if you aren't sure what you want/like.

 

All down to common sense and how busy a venue is for me ...

If I'm somewhere on a quiet afternoon I am more than comfortable asking for multiple samples, if the place is rammed then not so.

However common sense evades plenty of beer drinkers (just like the public at large) so you will just have to put up with this unless the venue specifically states 'NO' or 'One' sample.

 

I think the OP meant a pub/bar. At a brewery is more reasonable, and it seems like the norm that samples are offered.

 

Right, in that case I agree with sweatshirt., if flights are available, try them there. If not 1-2.

 

I rarely do more than one but at places where they know me the server and bartender may put together a flight of up to 6 beers they don't think I have had - there are benefits to sitting hunched over at a table scribbling in a small notebook. I try to return the favor by bringing in beers you can't get here from time to time for the server and/or bartender.

 

I won't accept samples. I've never had a beer that wasn't worth the price of admission -once. But people tell me I'm strange all the time for numerous reasons.