Why do you write beer reviews?

I'm starting to review beers now so I can remember which ones i have had. And to at least have notes to compare batches from year to year, and to compare fresh vs cellared.

 

This.

 

Being selfish I like to get something back for my time. Writing reviews helps me accomplish that.

I learn more about how and why I enjoy a particular beer (or not). This makes it easier to pick from beers on tap or pick up something at a bottle shop.

Also, since reviewing does improve my memory for what I liked about some beers and not others, it saves me money as I'm less likely to buy a repeat beer of something I've reviewed and thought was just OK.

Finally, I have a record I can refer back to months or even years later that helps save me money when I'm deciding which case of beer to buy (many beers in PA are sold by the case only and, unlike some people who hang out on this stie, my memory isn't perfect. Sometimes it misleads me).

 

I review to keep track of what I've drank and to keep perspective. I like to see if what I experience in a beer is on par with what others have to say. It's also a good way for me to go back and see wat I liked vs. what I didn't.

 

I consider it a continuing journal of my craft beer journey. It's always fun to go back and see what ive had and compare beers of the same style.

 

I get a ton of great information from Beer Advocate, and like to think that in some small way, I'm giving back. Did a handful of reviews when I first joined, decided I was crap at it, and stopped. Recently got back into reviewing. (I still may be crap at it ) I do need to review more places though.

 

I started writing beer reviews for a number of reasons: to keep a database of my opinions for my own personal reference, to help out the community and because, dammit, my opinion matters!

That said, I'm not even sure when I last wrote a full review on the site. The "Had" feature has really diminished my own personal need to write reviews. I'm also not going to lie, the lack of a Beer Advocate app and the ever-growing community of Untappd have also diminished my desire to write full reviews. I find that I can almost always capture my thoughts on a beer in 140 characters. If I could write short reviews on BA, I would write more.

 

Why contribute ?

Sometimes it's to "Write" some Wrongs. Also, because WE ARE Beer Advocate - we take from the site and we give back.

 

I write reviews, because I'm usually too drunk to remember if I liked a beer or not. This way, I can go back and see what I thought of it.


* Disclaimer: I've yet to actually write a review.

 

So I can remember which beers to put on my naughty list. My little spreadsheet has saved me from more than a few repurchases.

 

These days I only write a review for the purpose of adding a beer to the database.

Reviewing is harder than just marking a "had" and my Grandma always told me, "If something seems difficult and you don't want to do it, you should probably just do something else."

 

I confine my reviews mainly to beers that haven't had a lot of attention in order to give some feedback to other BAs. For example, I don't think SNPA needs my review to be the 6232nd review on BA, but it might be helpful for another BA to read a review of Cellar Rats IPA since it only has 35 posts.

 

I don't. I find that writing down a description is too distracting and I often would waste energy picking out individual flavors and aromas instead of enjoying the beer as a whole. Drinking a beer is a sensory experience and I'd prefer not to bring my stupid brain into the mix. Plus it is frequently a social experience as well, and I don't want to sit there writing notes in a little book or trying fruitlessly to remember my every perception at a later time.

 

I used to write reviews just to keep track. With the "had" feature I have cut down drastically on my reviews

 

agreed. I do wish that there was an "in between" where you could give sub-scores without 250 characters of text... Either over all, or essay. seems that the 'tween would have benefits, and get more data than currently collecting.

 

I do it to keep a list of the beers I like or have a strong opinion about, I share the reviews with friends and family. They seem to enjoy reading them.

 

The more I drink, the less I care to review.

 

I only review when I'm in the mood to do so or when I find that a certain beer really makes an impression on me.. I haven't reviewed much because I feel like I'd become way too repetitive. Certain beers stand out more than others (bad or good) so I review them.

 

I like to write in general, and critiquing a beer makes me feel like I know shit.

Other than that, I like having a log of what I've had, what I liked and didn't, and when I have something really good I like to recommend it. I recommend almost everything.

 

I do not. Yet. A good number of the reviews are quite well considered and expressed. I imagine the first time is a bit daunting to adequatley describe a beer experience worthy of a savvy advocates time, much less their consideration. That said, i do appreciate the efforts and benefit from your expertise. Cheers.