How To Rate Wrongly

Several things I've read recently have spurred this post. One a Facebook group rant (h/t Jason Sykes) and one a post by fellow blogger, Jonas Schaffer at arkansasbeerblog.

What is a bad beer? (Pandora's box, standby) I am of the notion/subset/feeling that unless a beer is infected, light-struck, over-aged, or just generally giving 'Off-Flavors' that it isn't BAD.
Now, before we get too far into this, let me give you my explanation, my go to story:

Budweiser (amirite?) Evil Empire that they are, surely employs a team of quality control agents, tasters, and neophytes. Sorry, where'd that last one come from? Anyhow. They clearly are making the beer they are choosing to make, i.e. they know what is leaving the factory, how it tastes, how it is received, and so on. They, on whatever scale you employ, are making 'good' beer. It is beer that is not infected, and while mostly a shadow of lie of a deceitful concept; it still qualifies as beer.
Now here is where I have to eat crow that has eaten humble pie, I have to admit something GOOD about them.
Ready?
They make the most consistent beer. EVER. Brewed at multiple locations in numbers we can't even fathom--it all tastes (not really, but you get the picture) the SAME.
The pale yellow color, the watery look, the lack of lacing, the distinct ability to have zero aroma, the palate cleansing properties that make it a great Dark Lord to Cantillon transition: ALWAYS THE SAME.
To me, that is good, dare I say great. Do I drink that swill? Of course not, I prefer flavor, but their model, their profitability, their consistency, must be respected.
I know many craft brewers who would love to have the the lack of conscience, I mean, ability to put out beer to hit the same numbers, the same attenuation, the same efficiency EVERY TIME.

As Sam Galgione (Dogfish Head) once famously said, "They (Anhueser Busch) spill more beer every year than I could possibly make."

So that brings me back to this: What is bad beer? Or a better question: What is GOOD beer?
For me:

• I want a well crafted beer. Period. I am less concerned with scale, as long as it is done well.
•  I like certain styles above others, and certain groupings within styles above the style as a whole sometimes.
• I like to try all types of beer, if for no other reason than to keep my palate guessing, to keep it fresh.
• I enjoy hard to get beers, and special releases, but I'll admit, cost does play a factor as well. Especially for everyday type beers.
• I like when I get surprised by just how good a beer is.
• I enjoy finding a beer I know I make a 'Gateway Beer' for non-craft drinkers.
• I like beers for a season.
• I get tired of drinking beers just for a season.
• I like the hunt, the travel for a beer.
• I like the 'share-ability' that comes with beers. 

And last but most important,

• I like the passion that all people have for beer. 

And that brings me to back to the beginning. I hate all things pumpkin, always have. Pie, candles, teas, coffees, decorating, Charlie Brown (not really, I love you CB!), and definitely pumpkin beer. 

So what?

I am completely happy for you degenerates who love that stuff. It leaves more beer on the shelves for me this time of year. And when it comes to rating these types of beers, I try to rate based on style, not my palate. It would not be fair to a world class rated beer to have an outlier like myself voting on something I already knew I didn't like.

I mean, it'd be like rating Dark Lord a 1 star. Right, Matt? Love ya buddy.

If I drink a 90 rated pumpkin...or a pilsner (is there a 90 rated pilsner?) I am going to shift my focus from what I personally prefer, to what that beer should taste like, what it should be, how it should measure up. If they fit that first criteria (not infected, et al) then I try to just be fair. Or just not even rate it. 

Raters, this part is for you. Stop picking fights with people who have rated your favorite beer below the level you deem acceptable. It's their mouth, fer cryin' out loud. Its a bad look for us geeks/nerd/enthusiasts who just want to bring more people over from the dark side. Healthy debate always encouraged though. Of course.

So, there's my say. If you're rating a beer, please, at some level, keep those of us in mind who have not had a chance to have it. Don't skew it completely. 

You never know, your crazy, off base rating may be the only one I'll see and then when I miss out on a great beer, I'll blame you for the rest of my life. FOR-EV-ER.

As always, 

Cheers,

Chris

Moby Dick at Year's End

Well, Happy New Year's Eve all. Tomorrow starts a new year, and all that that entails. It has been a good year from a beer perspective with the craft beer industry gobbling up more and more market share. It still seems like a drop in the bucket, but I bet the big boys hear that thumping.
I want to thank you all for reading this, it has been a good thing for me to write again, and to see a hobby blossom into something just a little bit bigger. What that is yet, I am not sure, but time will tell. Until then, micro reviews of craft brews.

Review #50

Narwhal Imperial Stout  ABV: 10.2%
Sierra Nevada  Chico, CA  12 oz bottle poured into short snifter

A - Pours a deep ruby black with some gorgeous light transmission when held up. The small, tan head is full of spotty bubbles, large and small. It dies quickly, but the lacing is very strong.

N - A hard licorice, currant undertone beneath the familiar coffee and roast malt notes. A touch of smokiness, and a hint of vanilla round out this pleasant aroma

T - A very mild taste with similar flavors to the nose. There is a raisin flavor that wasn't here before, and some chocolate with a bit of old leather. Not a huge fan of raisins (I don't like them at all) but it works here. It coats the palate and lingers, the woody notes of the dark malts coming forward from roasting. Wisps of hops dance at the edges, but never fully emerge as a player. Some alcohol heat; the slight burn, but not bad, more in the nose as you drink it. Very mild, and easy drinking for a big stout.

M - Very rich in flavor, but medium bodied overall, considering the style as a whole.

Special treat - The last couple of ounces, warmed from the hour in the snifter, got split evenly over a scoop of peppermint ice cream. The minty candy pieces danced like lighting bugs in the dark brew and the cream blended well with the vanilla notes from the oak, bringing them forward. A real treat, if you're into trying beer floats.

O - As mentioned, a very easy, mild stout, especially when the 10.2% ABV is there. This isn't a big, presentation 22 ounce stout, but it is one you could buy a couple 4 packs of and enjoy all winter long. Its like that favorite blanket, or often worn sweatshirt that you just know you 'll come back to again and again. And that is probably one of the best things I can say for this, from one of my favorite breweries. Sierra Nevada constantly produces beers--whether year round, or special releases--that you know you can return to again and again and constantly be welcomed; and that, my friends, is a special thing.

Happy New Year

Chris