Using the Word "Try" at a Bar

"Can I try" = a little sample
"I'll have/Can I have?" = Full pint/snifter

Too many "special" people out there.

 

Fascinating. I've caught myself doing this; saying, "I'll try the X," and then worrying that adventurousness came across as asking for a sample. Good to keep in mind though. I'll try to stop using the word.

 

It's extremely easy to misinterpret what they want, so to be safe I always ask " do you mean a taster? Or would you like to dive right in?"

 

I think it also depends on where you live, here in Portland OR (the land of beer) Try, Taste, Sample and/or whatever.......
will get you what you want, because the beer bartenders here can read your mind.

 

"I don't ask to try sips of beer at a bar before I order a whole glass because I'm not a douchebag."

There are definitely times when that could be a D-Bag thing to do (it's way busy or the bar just doesn't do tasters), but the bar I go to loves to pour tasters. If you just inquire about a beer you will have a taster in front of you on most occasions. It's part of their business model (and a great one at that). I'll take a guess that it is not an uncommon model for many a craft beer bar.

 

Freely admit using the phrase "Can I get a try". I do not know why I say that, as I typically enjoy using far better grammar than that. Guess I get caught up in the excitement of possibly getting to try something new??

 

I'm guilty. Bartenders have asked me numerous times if I wanted a taster or full beer.

 

I always say - "May I have XXX beer" = I want a full pint
If I say - "May I have a taste of XXX beer" = I want a sample to see if it is worth buying a full pint.

On another note - I was at World of Beer a couple of months ago with a buddy of mine and they let you try samples of whatever you want before you buy and the female bartender was letting us try a bunch of stuff. So, some schlep (while he sipped a labatts light) at the stool next to us mutters "I wonder if they are going to buy anything or are they just going to sample all day" what the fuck business was it of his? People get upset just to get upset these days. Fuck that guy and I hope he's on these forums just so he can read this.

 

Yeah, "try" is far too vague. I never think to order a taster when I am at a bar, though...

 

I actually used the word "Try" before at a bar and received a taster (for free) of the beer I wanted a full pint of. I felt bad and I don't use that word anymore when ordering beer.

 

"A sample or a full pour?"

There, I solved your issue in a manner that tastes 0.7 seconds to do.

 

I don't get the confusion here.

If you're unsure if the person ordering means a full pint/snifter/tulip/whatever or a sample, then why not ask before pouring the beer?

 

I guess I've been lucky, cuz I'm definitely guilty of saying I'll "try" a beer both if I'd like a sample of something or if it's a beer I haven't had before and I want to order a glass. Usually if there's any confusion the bars I go to ask for clarification, which I'm happy to give.

 

I'm in the "ask for a sample" camp too. Usually it only happens to me at Founder's when asking to try or sample a new one off prior to a growler fill.

 

I personally find the entire concept of asking for a "sample" to be ridiculoous and entitled. "Can I also have a sample cheeseburger before I buy a whole one please?"

Buy the damn beer like an adult. If you don't like it, don't buy it again.

 

I've always had success saying, "Can i have a taste of X beer" and signifying with my thumb and index that I want it in a tasting glass. Not saying it the best way it has just always worked for me.

 

I live in NYC. I do not recall using the word "try" when inquiring about a sample. I do however use the word "taste". In my experience, asking "can I get a taste of the ....?" has had a 100% success rate in terms of the bartender giving me just a sample to try. I have never had a miscommunication regarding this issue. What I do wonder sometimes is how many tastes are acceptable. Obviously I will not waste the bartenders time by asking for a taste of everything on the menu. At what number should we draw the line. Thoughts?

 

I respect your point of view but I personally like the fact that one can have a sample of beer whereas it is impractical to have a taste of the cheeseburger before ordering. Since most of us in this community like quality beer, it is our right to have a taste first. After all, when the somelier pours you that taste from the wine bottle, you have the right to send it back.

 

I'm comfortable asking for one per session, maybe another one a couple rounds later if I'm there a while and it's not too crowded.

Sometimes I get lucky and get a bartender who's enthusiastic about beer and genuinely proud of what the bar has on tap, and offers me tastes of things he or she thinks are interesting and potentially up my alley ("If you like brett, give this a taste!") – in that case, I enjoy the tastes, tip well, and find out that bartender's schedule so I know when to come back

 

Agree with this. I don't go to bars a whole lot, but I have a couple regular haunts. I go early, when it's not crowded. I like the bartenders, they know me, they know I tip well. If I say "what is XYZ like" they usually say "oh let me give you a sample" without me even asking. With these bartenders, it is way off to say that asking for a sample makes me a d-bag. Obviously if the bar is packed I would just have my order ready and I would not waste their time with a sample.