Poll question: Trying new beers
Help us figure this one out. We argue about it constantly. When you try a new beer, what is the impetus behind it? Where do you get your “OMG I HAVE TO TRY THIS BEER” info? Please vote and send your friends (and enemies) here to vote as well!
You can only select one answer, so choose the one you use most often.
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I am torn between self select at bars and self select at grocery. I would do either depending on where I was at any given moment.
I get all of my info from Jim Koch in Sam Adams commercials.
Turns out, they’ve recently had this idea of using brown bottles.
Earth shattering…they’re changing the way people experience beer.
I see a new beer I haven’t seen before, unless it’s a fruit beer i but it, but I am a beergeek.
I don’t try to drink every single beer anymore so here are my rules, kind of a flow chart, though I never really thought about it much before now…
1) If I see a new beer from a brewery I like, I buy it.
2) If I see a new brewery’s beer available, I usually try the one that looks most unique, or approximates one of my favorite styles. (If this does not go well, I usually don’t do #1 again with that brewery, at least not until someone I trust recommends one of this brewery’s beers).
3) I like to ask bartender’s opinions, and if one recommends a beer, I usually try it unless it is Bud Light Golden Wheat, etc.
Also, I always try every single local beer, no matter what I think of the brewery. And I usually retry the ones I didn’t like every now and then, but I work for a brewery and I’m a beergeek like Thomas.
“I don’t always drink beer, but when I do I [don't] drink Dos Equies.”
I usually just randomly pick a six-pack based on my mood. Sometimes though I’ll ask the staff at the store if there is anything new and good. My two favorite “beverage” stores often have people from the breweries come in and do tastings. For the larger craft beers (Rogue, Boston Beer Company – yes they are craft beer, just not artisinal, or Flying Dog) it is usually a local rep or some well-trained distributor. The smaller local breweries often have one of the staff come through the door. This has been the time when I usually really discover something new.
I picked “other” because I usually tell my server/bartender what I like and ask for a recommendation to try something new. I also buy stuff based on the label being funny or having a cool design. And, in the last few years, when in doubt I order the most local option.
Two questions go through my head when I am either self-selecting at a restaurant or grocery store:
1) What am I in the mood for?
**Something cold, wet and cheap –> PBR, yuengling, macrolager etc
**Something complex and enjoyable–> 22oz bottle of a favorite or something new at grocery/package…or if at a bar, whatever the seasonal/local/obscure beer that sounds good
**Something to drink with company–> Usually get an approachable style from a med to large microbrewery. ABC, Sweetwater, Terrapin, Sierra Nevada(huge fan of their Kellerweis which is out now)
2) What am I doing?
**if at the lake, sitting by the pool, or at a NASCAR race…I am not picky and fall into the first category above
**if I plan to enjoy a beer by myself or with a beer-loving friend, I’ll get one from the second category above
**if having friends over for a nice meal, I’ll get special beer if I think they will appreciate it. Otherwise I will just get one from the third category above
**if BBQing and hanging out or throwing a huge party, will also usually get beer from the third category above…mixing in some beer from the first to please the masses. No sense in casting pearls before swine.
I’m with Sam & Travis… I try something new if it catches my eye at bars, restaurants, or the store. I also like to try out a new microbrew I’ve never heard of just for kicks if it sounds like something I’d like.
Hop City is an evil place… In a good way…
Latest “and now for something completely different” faves – Thomas Creek Vanilla Cream Ale, Tommyknocker Maple Ale
I like polls!
If I’m actively seeking out a beer, it’s usually because I’ve read something about it on the web or twitter. That how I found out about you guys. Otherwise, if I’m out in a bar and see something interesting or unfamiliar, I’ll ask about it. Brickstore & the Porter are great for recommendations and tastes.
I’d have to say that i’ve done all those in the past, but i’ve had the most OMG! moments from recommendations of friends.
I find it’s almost an even distribution between the first four choices… which seems to be illustrated with the poll results. No clear runaway (yet).
Blake, you’re right. Which is discouraging from a marketing perspective because it doesn’t give a lot of clear direction on where and how to spend our resources “getting the word out.” On the other hand, it’s great data to have, because it means we also can’t totally skimp on one of these 4 buckets. One thing that might be skewing this poll is the large number of craft beer fanatics that have responded. Not necessarily typical drinkers.
Keep in mind who’s answering this poll – people who are reading your blog or RSS feed, and therefore already getting their info from beer publications… If you’d handed out this poll in a grocery store, I bet it would swing that way. Still, good info!