When you review a beer...?

Talk Discussion in 'BeerAdvocate Talk' started by Luv2Brew422, Mar 7, 2012.

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  1. Luv2Brew422

    Luv2Brew422 Initiate (0) Jan 7, 2012 California

    I am curious how many of you take time to make sure there are no sensory distractions going on while you rate a beer. Be it people, music, tv, other noise, funny smells such as cologne, BO, correct lighting, and making sure your palate is clean and primed to pick up on suble nuances. The reason I ask is because I love trying new beers but probably 95% of the time I have a new beer, the atmosphere just isn't "right" for a true beer review. Most of the time I have a new beer there are people around talking and it can be distracting and I usually have had at least one beer before it. Just doesn't make much sense for me to sit down by myself and review. Thoughts...?
     
  2. pearljam118

    pearljam118 Savant (1,049) Jul 5, 2008 Pennsylvania

    Prepare the flame suit. No but I prefer to have a relaxed setting to assess a new beer.
     
  3. yamar68

    yamar68 Initiate (0) Apr 1, 2011 Minnesota

    I just try to make sure my palate is at least mostly untainted and that I'm not too drunk to write an accurate review.
     
  4. spicelab

    spicelab Savant (1,223) Nov 6, 2009 Australia

    I meditate for a full 2.5 hours before reviewing a beer.
     
  5. Pahn

    Pahn Initiate (0) Dec 2, 2009 New York

    more or less. usually. reviewing with people and/or noise around is no big deal. while i've commented on audible bubble popping in beer, i generally don't engage my sense of hearing that much when reviewing.
     
  6. minnesotaryan

    minnesotaryan Initiate (0) Dec 27, 2010 Minnesota

    if taste buds and olfactory senses are clear, all systems are go.
     
  7. Hophead717

    Hophead717 Initiate (0) Oct 21, 2011 Massachusetts

    I make sure I'm freshly showered to make sure my review isn't affected by BO.
     
  8. podunkparte

    podunkparte Initiate (0) Nov 14, 2009 Washington

    It's just a beer review. It's for fun. This sounds like something Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory would really stress over. Relax and have fun. Who cares if a bird chirps during your first sip of something?
     
    Tschnab and azorie like this.
  9. harrymel

    harrymel Initiate (0) Dec 15, 2010 Washington

    I do not get paid to review beer. I do not provide due decorum accordingly.

    I drink, if I wanna review, I do. If not, I don't.
     
  10. Luv2Brew422

    Luv2Brew422 Initiate (0) Jan 7, 2012 California


    Yes...I always make sure to "sit in my spot" while reviewing!
     
  11. Dope

    Dope Pooh-Bah (2,925) Oct 5, 2010 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    I try a new beer every night so it's been a bit of a routine for me prior to going to bed. I'm not super anal about it but I like to relax with some music and sip on the beer as it warms up to get the best experience possible.
     
  12. teorn88

    teorn88 Initiate (0) Jun 5, 2010 England

    I don't always review my beer, but when I do I go here: OSHO
     
  13. BeerSingh

    BeerSingh Initiate (0) Jul 25, 2009 India

    Dont drink beer until I have this :[​IMG]
     
  14. jmarsh123

    jmarsh123 Initiate (0) Mar 31, 2010 Indiana
    Trader

    I make sure my palate is up to the task and usually review only beers I have at home or a friend's place, but not always.

    I don't review beers I have at DLD or other events as I'm usually tipsy and my palate is wrecked anyway. At a sour tasting last week I took notes on everything up until Mother Funker and reviewed none after that because that beer destroyed my palate something fierce.
     
  15. kevinv

    kevinv Initiate (0) Nov 23, 2009 Texas

    Bazinga.

    I review when I feel ready. Most of the time I'd rather just sit and enjoy the beer vs. taking notes on it.
     
  16. ShogoKawada

    ShogoKawada Initiate (0) May 31, 2009 Pennsylvania

    I'd say you're taking it too seriously, but hey if it works for you it works.
     
  17. tsauce2

    tsauce2 Savant (1,138) Oct 12, 2011 Indiana
    Trader

    I review beers in a sterile room that is hermetically sealed off from all outside contaminants, aerated with pure oxygen, and only conduct reviews while receiving massages from a member of the Swedish Bikini Team.

    Seriously though, I make sure I'm sober and that my palate is clean. No incense burning, maybe some music, but I just sit back and chill and try to be as objective as possible. If I'm reviewing more than one beer in a sitting, I mosdef make sure I drink water in between and cleanse my palate. I don't review more than three, maybe four beers in a sitting. Sometimes I take notes and review later, but I always note that said beer is reviewed from notes taken on xx-xx-xxxx date.

    Cheers!
     
  18. ryan1788a5

    ryan1788a5 Pooh-Bah (2,062) Nov 27, 2009 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    I do try my best to review without sensory distraction, but I'm not too meticulous about it. I usually review in the comfort of my own home (though I will occasionally review something that is on tap). I do make sure that the room has a neutral smell (mostly because I have a cocoa scented candle that I light from time to time, and this could really screw with me since it is a scent/flavor I find quite often in the beer styles I drink most). I review on a fresh palate, don't review immediately back-to-back, and never review when I'm drunk. If I'm guilty of anything, it's reviewing when it's too dimly lit to really get a grasp on the color of the beer, but I usually don't put too much stock in appearance anyway. All of this is just me though; that's just how I like to do it. If you want to be more informal, go for it. Most of us here are just doing it for the fun of it.
     
  19. SawDog505

    SawDog505 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,922) Apr 9, 2010 New Hampshire
    Pooh-Bah

    It is fun. It makes you think about what you are drinking. I have a 3 year old and a 1 and half year old making all kinds of noise and I will still do it. I prefer when they are napping, but that can't always happen. You will say the same things a million times as you do it, but it helps you keep track of what you like. Reviewing beer is like golf and sex, you don't have to be good at it to have fun:slight_smile:
     
  20. azorie

    azorie Pooh-Bah (2,471) Mar 18, 2006 Florida
    Pooh-Bah

    Reviews are for you, do it how ever you like. I find Randy's book good for those new to this craft. I can review anywhere anytime, after anything. its just beer.:slight_smile:

    Still I keep most of my notes private, and I admit most of the time I only posted to see if what I though of the beer matched anyone else. Most of the time I do not care. What I enjoy most is posting reviews of new local beers, and then see how others review them.
     
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