BennyN

Recipes 

So every time I drink at a brewery the server can never answer my usually surface-level questions. For instance, 80-percent of the time they don't even know what kind of hop variety is used.

I'm totally fine with shrugging it off, but have any of you ever asked to have a table-side Q & A with the brewmaster?

Airborneguy

Recipes 

I'm assuming you mean brew pubs. I've never had a problem at an actual brewery, unless they specifically didn't want to tell me something.

At brewpubs, I have run into more than a few waiters/waitresses who knew nothing about the beer they had. I chalk it up to a little harsh reality though: most brewpubs are not going to go out of their way/expense to hire/train waiters/waitresses who know nothing about beer to begin with. In a perfect world, every brewpub would be able to find people for these jobs who have some knowledge of beer, but in reality, those people are probably already bartending and making much more money than waiters.

I've been to almost 75 brewpubs (going to 7 more the first week of December), and I've learned to just read the descriptions given in the menu, and if I really need to know more, I ask the bartender.

__________________
Fermentor(s):
Lagering:
Kegged: Unintentional Sour Brown
Bottled:
Tapped: Midnight Wheat
Up Next: IPA

Reading: 100 Battles

ksbrain

Recipes 

You're expecting too much. The servers are just folks with a job. They're not necessarily people like us, obsessing over every brewing detail.

If you really need to know more than the written descriptions, just ask for a sample.

vinyl_key

Recipes 

I haven't really had that kind of experience before. All of the brewpubs and breweries that I've been to, there has always been someone around to answer intimate questions about the beer if the server isn't able to.

__________________
http://twitter.com/PaulOliver

HItransplant

Recipes 

I feel like there is a big difference in my expectation when I go to a "brew pub," vs. a "brewery." If the place is calling itself a brewery.. the servers should know at least basic information about the beers.

a brew pub, not so much.

that said, I dont know that Id expect the server to know what type of hop is used in a particular beer.. but there is usually someone around who does know.

__________________

bigc3031

Recipes 

I would never expect a server or even a bartender to know anything about how it was made. Kind of like asking the car salesman the torque specs on the intake manifold.

SkinnyShamrock

Recipes 

I have been to brewpubs where the servers knew nothing, and I've been to a brewpub where the bartender was the brewer. Can go either way!

__________________
Jeff, Brewer, Troegs Brewing Company, Harrisburg, PA

"RDWHAHB, right?"
"No, just do it right, damnit!"

passedpawn

Recipes 

Regarding just about everything in life, keep your expectations low. That way you'll never be disappointed.

__________________
Now there's some take delight in the carriages a rolling
and others take delight in the hurling and the bowling
but I take delight in the juice of the barley
and courting pretty fair maids in the morning bright and early

jkarp

Recipes 

Just ask if the brewer is in and if he/she's busy. Never met one that didn't want to talk shop with a homebrewer.

wacko

Recipes 

They should have some info pamphlets for their servers to give out. Their customer base is generally going to be people who are a little more passionate about beer and sometimes very passionate. Potentially the place you visited did and your server didn't even know about it.