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zeg · 01-24-2013, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpatrickv

I agree with basically everything except 4.....If somebody doesnt like my beer, I appreciate feedback and a reason for it. I enjoy criticism, and you are in the wrong hobby if you can't handle it.

There's a difference between criticism and telling someone, "This is crap." There are tactful, constructive ways to deliver criticism, and when you're responding to something you've been given, that's the time to be appreciative. I don't expect someone to fawn over every beer I make, heck, sometimes I know in advance that there are flaws, but even if it's bad, I'd expect something along the lines of, "Thanks for the beer, but it tastes bitter and astringent, I'm having trouble finishing it."

DrunkleJon · 01-24-2013, 02:39 PM

I approach these rules differently.

I keep a couple juice glasses near my kegerator for sampling before pulling a whole glass. I warn that homemade beer is different and they may not like it. If they do like it, they can pull pints freely. When I bottle, I will pop one, and pour two half glasses, one for me, one for them showing how it is done so they have a sample and see how to do it properly. If they don't like it I will add it to my glass or drink it.

I warn them of the yeast/gas concequences when I pour to encourage them to do it properly.

If I give bottles, usually I do not care to have them back, but request they rinse them after pouring. Have never had a problem.

I warn about the ABV/strength, but most people I would share with are old enough to not drink to get drunk so it rarely happens where someone has too much. With the people that are drinking fast or heavily I warn them again and usually take them outside for them to get fresh air (remember, you can always cut people off).

I ask for critiques and say I am not offended if they do not like something, though most people lie saying they like it more than they do, I mean, how can you improve your process if you do not know your faults. And everyone knows that people tend to get rose colored glasses (or beer goggles) towards things they make themselves, or alternatively are way too critical of their own creations. By asking for honesty I do not offer take home bottles to people who were actually just trying to be nice as often.

Homebrewing is different enough that you really have to realize that someone else even trying it is a streach and adventurous. Do not be offended by the BMC fans not liking your brews. If you are that sensitivem do not share until you have perfected your craft or relaxed a bit. Heck, bottle in coronitas bottles for samplers and do not give the tall boy option to guests who have not yet had your brews.

RDWHAHB

dpatrickv · 01-24-2013, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeg

There's a difference between criticism and telling someone, "This is crap." There are tactful, constructive ways to deliver criticism, and when you're responding to something you've been given, that's the time to be appreciative. I don't expect someone to fawn over every beer I make, heck, sometimes I know in advance that there are flaws, but even if it's bad, I'd expect something along the lines of, "Thanks for the beer, but it tastes bitter and astringent, I'm having trouble finishing it."

Oh I completely agree, if somebody doesn't liek it I prefer to get real feedback and not just "this sucks".

SledgeH · 01-24-2013, 03:31 PM

Wow, what sort of ungrateful friends do you have!? Anytime I've offered my beer (be it at home or when I take it somewhere else), I run into only one problem, running out. Maybe I've just got a much more broad pipeline and start new HB drinkers on cream ales instead of IPAs but come on.

JimRausch · 01-24-2013, 04:17 PM

I may have made up a new acronym: FWTEFF
Friends Who Trade Empties For Fulls

40watt · 01-24-2013, 04:27 PM

One rule. Keep your **** together well enough to keep from puking someplace inconvenient (like carpet) or breaking my glasses.

Also, part b is a suggestion. If my kids are awake try to avoid being used by me as an example of an idiot that doesn't know how to drink. Though I occasionally could benefit from such an example.

hunter_la5 · 01-24-2013, 04:48 PM

Rule: Return all of my bottles, clean and intact!

I had a buddy back in college who wanted some homemade beer, so I made a batch for him and gave him a box of 24 bottles. (I kept the rest). My one stipulation was that he clean and return all of the bottles as they are kind of expensive and I did not have a lot of money.

He got about halfway through the box before he remembered he wasn't supposed to be throwing them in the garbage, and the dozen or so I got back were all either dirty or chipped. Thanks, guy.

This is part of the reason I switched to kegging....

**KurtB** · 01-24-2013, 04:53 PM

My only "rule" is that if you want some to take home, bring back the empty growler/bottles from the last time.

I have never really enforced the "rule", but I have been known to make a few sarcastic/smartass comments towards friends that forget to bring back the empties.

Of course, generally sarcastic/smartass comments are the norm for me and my friends, regardless of the topic. My wife keeps reminding us that we are all just a bunch of smartasses getting drunk in the garage. To which I take offense as nobody is getting drunk in my garage. It the "man cave" possibly, but never in the garage.

**BBL_Brewer** · 01-24-2013, 04:57 PM

90% of the people around here don't like ale. They would much prefer an ice cold commercial lager, which is fine. Those kind of people will usually take a sip and then say "Oh I don't like dark beer." or "That's too bitter." I just ignore that. For those that do like ale, I get acutal feedback about my beer and that I pay attention to. Bottom line is that you are going to get a lot of negative feedback about your beer even if it's good. Those people would say the same thing about a good commercial example, so don't get offended.

Bottles - definitely - please rinse them out before you bring them back. That's just common courtesy. You wouldn't bring a dinner dish back to someone dirty and moldy.

Wasting beer - You pour it you drink it. I keep sample cups by the taps as well.

Will you make me a batch? - No, but you are more than welcome to come over and brew up a batch on my rig. No one ever does.

skibikejunkie · 01-24-2013, 05:01 PM

If people don't like my beer, I look at what they choose to drink instead. If it's Michelob Ultra or shots of Jaeger, I'm not offended. So far the correlation between people who like good craft beer and people who like my beer is 100%. Frankly, I want to hear negative feedback from people who know what they are talking about so I know how to brew better. That's one of the reasons I joined a homebrew club.

Which is not to say every batch is awesome. I just tend not to share the stuff that doesn't turn out how I want it to.