Samples. How many is too many?

I think we can all agree on that one. If you liked the sample - buy the damn beer! Or better - let your boss buy it for you. Sheesh.

 

I go to a couple bars that besides offering a full pour, they will offer a 3-4 ounce pour at a reduced price. It allows you to taste a little more than just a splash put in a glass. Of course, Understand, I do not have a problem with free beer samples, lol

 

That's the case for me - at the spots I hit frequently.

 

Agreed - but a great experience for a customer, likely brings that customer back.

 

That's F'n insane!

 

Think it depends on what else you are buying, how busy they are, how friendly you are with staff etc.

Regardless make sure you tip for the samples at the end of the day

 

For the same reason your meal at a restaurant factors in the cost of spoiled ingredients. All costs of business (plus profits) are factored into the price of goods and services.

 

Makes sense, abuse is the only issue.

I need to move to where you guys get beers at bars for $6, only thing in that range near me is bud.

 

To paraphrase Justice Potter Stewart, you'll know it when you see it.

 

Yep - Salud would let me try one of everything if I asked. Same as Duckworth's on Park. I'm sure we've crossed paths at some point. I'm Wes Long.

 

If a place has flights, don't get greedy, order them up and enjoy the selection

If you are a good customer at a place, and tip well, it is likely that they may offer some free samples, nothing wrong with enjoying those. Being friendly and frequenting the same establishments has some perks

but don't just go into a place and ask for a bunch of free samples, 1 or 2 maybe, and if you ending up liking those beers you should be the ones you actually buy, not just a tick, never ASK for sample of something you have no desire to purchase

 

1-2 max per visit, everywhere I go offers flights that are generously sized but I rarely order those because there usually is not 4-5 beers I have not tried before. Because I am a regular, the staff always offers a taster of something new that just came in that they are enthusiastic about. I usually just order a 10oz pour because of my confidence in the bartenders recommendation rather than take a sample, even when there are "weird" ingredients.

Never order a sample of a cask beer, it is a real pain for them to pour, and you don't get the full effect of the natural carbonation. I guess that goes for nitro beers as well.

Nor will I ask for a sample of some exotic expensive brew they have that goes for premium prices - especially those that are not even offered on flights because a quick search on BA will tell you all you need to know.

Tip well.

 

I was agreeing with you, up until that last sentence. A beer is good because it has a high rating, or because someone else thought it was? Really? Last I checked taste was very, very subjective. I've always thought Avery's Mephistopheles, Tweak, Pump[KY]n, The Kaiser, & The Beast were fucking terrible, but going by your logic, & checking BA or Untappd, I must be wrong since all of those have a high rating.

 

I am with a bunch of other people here. One or two at a beer bar, if you need a comparison. At a brewery, I will only usually ask for a sample if I plan on filling a growler.

 

1-2 tasters, over the duration that I'm at the bar, is my max and I only get tasters at one bar that I go to because I know 90% of the staff.

 

My (slight) problem with this is why should I be urged into getting a flight if I just want a full pour of one beer? I've stopped in many places ahead of going to a ballgame and would rather get a pint and hang out with friends than worry about 4 or more small tasting glasses on a paddle of varying shapes.

 

Last night we asked for three samples at the brewery we were at (we split the samples between my girlfriend and myself). I felt that was pushing the limit of generosity but we wound up buying a 32 oz growler of the one sample and a pint of another sample so I think that justified the samples.

Usually, if I ask for a sample it's 1 maybe 2 tops. Otherwise I look to build my own flight.

Also, all samples were beer they brew and not guest beers.

 

Well you've just convinced me that no establishment should ever offer unlimited samples if they're going to jack up the prices as a result. As a matter of fact, you've given me a good response to the next person who asks why I cut them off after 2 samples: "Do you want the prices of the pours to get even higher since we have to factor in waste when determining pricing?" ...but wait, then I'd sound like a jackass...

 

I don't see anything wrong with sampling - as long as it's kept to one sample per order of beer. There is a catch - I make sure to tip the bartenders well at the end of the session. Especially if the bar doesn't offer flights, and many don't, ordering an $8-$10 beer and not enjoying it is a waste. At the same time, there may be 10 plus beers I would like to drink at a bar, but the high ABV content would prohibit that from happening while maintaining coherence. Sampling allows the patron to try some of these beers. On the contrary, if flights are permitted, samples should not be considered.