Why do (or don't) you post reviews?

I don't because im pretty sure no cares about my opinion

 

I don't on here because I am really lenient with my grading. Does it taste good and would I order it again? Probably give it a 4 out of 5 then. Really good beer that makes me want to reorder it immediately? 5 out of 5. If I like something I'll give it a good grade. I'm more concerned with answering the question of 'does this taste good and should you drink it' than trying to compare it to this or that beer and making reviewing so granular and scientific. That's why I do my reviewing on untappd as opposed to here, because my style of reviewing works for that medium while it's not something that would help out the average reader of beer advocate.

And on the flip side of that, when I don't like something I usually hate it with a fiery passion. Bourbon barrel aged beers that just taste like thick syrupy bourbon, Lagunitas, beers with soggy wheat flavors, man I just unload on them with pure hatred.

 

I know what I like and don't like so I always rate the beers I've tried. But I have a hard time defining what it is about the beer that I like and can't describe the taste or aroma "properly" so, I fear I will not look "smart." Maybe I should take a beer sommelier class.

 

Why? 99% as a self reference, mostly out of boredom: just something more interesting than vegging mindlessly in front of the TV when nothing is going on. That, and I just kind of enjoy writing in general. The other 1% goes out to the very few who see your review and may receive some needed information.

When? Now that question is truly the crux of the matter, since it directly relates to how you're enjoying your delicious beverage. I very, very rarely write a review of a beer of which I only have a single (12oz), and only occasionally with a bomber (22oz). The bottom line, as stated by many others, is that if you're wrapped up in pondering the nuances of a beer and handing down judgment via writing, you're almost certainly not just enjoying the beer for what it is at the moment. If I have more than 1 of a beer, I can sacrifice one to review and have others for unbridled enjoyment. For example, I bought a single small bottle of St. Bernardus Christmas Ale to enjoy when I get off work Xmas day, and there is no way in hell I'm reviewing it. I'll be sitting down and relaxing with my girlfriend and enjoying my beer with not a care in the world for judging anything.

 

I will echo the OP and say that I rate mostly for self-reference. If someone gains useful information from one of my reviews, then I consider it a bonus

I was really very pleased when the minimum character limit was lowered because there were times when I did not have a great deal to say about a beer but I still wanted to put something on record. Stretching my reviews to reach the minimum was difficult at times.

 

I use the system here to track my beers. I am still training my taste buds to notice the subtleties involved in reviewing. I feel like reviewing is a little bit of responsibility, as some BA's do reference them. It's onlyseems fair to want to be able to do a decent job of it.

 

I write full review when home and on computer. I can't do much with texting on my phone so when sampling in public I tick.

I write for my own memory of what's good/bad and why I felt that way (80%), 10% to help others and 10% to amuse my beer nerd friends with occassionally funny comments.

 

I like to think I have a pretty good palate by this point, so I like to share my opinions with people to help steer them toward what I believe are better beers. I also review for my own benefit by exercising my writing abilities, which are important to me to maintain. All of this is practice for a blog I plan on starting as well.

 

This sums up my feelings pretty well. I refuse to rate beer without reviewing it because I need to explain why I like something or why I don't. There are many times that I've altered my rating up or down mid-review as I described flavors and aromas. I feel I owe it to myself, anyone looking at the beer's profile and, especially, the brewer to put as much critical thought into my rating as possible.

It also does improve my palate. It makes me drink more critically and I have noticed a significant improvement in my perception of aroma and taste in the last few months. I hope that this gets to the point that I can eventually name ingredients from aroma and taste to improve my own brewing and maybe someday I'll be at the level that I could be a beer judge for competitions.

As for when: I am trying to review more, but there are unfavorable conditions sometimes. I don't like to review at the bar or with friends. I would rather talk about the beer with the people around me instead of pulling out a pad and pen to write notes. I also feel I should review beer in accordance with best by or after dates. I would no review Stone Enjoy By 12/26/14 next year or my Black Butte Porter now when the label says to cellar until at least June, for example.

 

I only do it when I have the time and the desire, which is quite rare. I enjoy writing reviews but often I just want to relax and enjoy the beer without all the contemplation. Therefore I rarely write reviews. I see no reason to tick or provide just the numerical score as the numbers mean little to me. It's the descriptions that I'm interested in.

 

I don't review because it's too much work and I'm lazy.

I just like to relax and drink.

 

I don't do reviews mainly because I'm usually doing stuff with my friends when I drink and I am still working on being able to pick out all the different flavors in a beer.

 

I compose reviews for the following reasons:
1) Sharpening my senses, forcing me to verbalize what I see, smell and taste
2) Future reference and/or comparison (especially when it comes to seasonal offerings)
3) Elongate the experience (takes me a lot longer to consume a beer when writing about it)
4) Help other BA members decide as to whether the beer is worthy of purchase
5) Exercise my critical writing skills

I never, and will never 'tick' beers because that doesn't help anyone. I was sad when BA afforded that option.

 

Exactly. I do practically all my drinking in pubs in company and the last thing I feel like doing at the time is settling down to make a review.And by the time I get home I've forgotten the detail.
The thought of sitting down at home analysing a bottle of beer is to me the very negation of what beer is all about.

 

I've written very few reviews, and not one in a little while. As my beer tasting and exposure has expanded, I find that a rating is good enough for most beers. I was only reviewing stuff I really loved or stuff I really hated. But there's one thing I've found- ratings are useful to everyone, reviews are useful just for me.

 

I only review beers that really matter and rate based on my opinion.

 

For those who say they don't want to review because it takes "the fun out of it": Let's say you're hanging out with your friends, enjoying some beers. Another friend comes in late, sees what you're drinking, and asks how it is. You tell them it's "pretty good" and then why, basic notes, that sort of thing, so that he gets the picture and decides whether or not he's popping one open or grabbing a different one. This is a review. Write that. No issue whatsoever. There's no need to try too much harder than that unless that's what comes naturally or philosophically to you.

Now, if the problem is laziness...fair enough. Can't really argue with that kind of honesty.

 

What kinds of beers "matter"?