Home Brewer V.S. Snobby food Critic.....we won

[WhiskeySix]

PWNED!! :rockin:

I'm wondering if the "what Belgians think of their own beer" is similar to what Australians think of Fosters.
I remember chatting with a guy in my World of Warcraft guild whose wife is an Aussie (and they're planning a move there soon) who told me that Fosters "isn't just that popular" (respected) in Australia.

I spent a week or so in Freemantle, Western Australia while in the Marine Corps. Me and a buddy walked in to a liquor store and grabbed some Foster's. The owner of the store stopped us and said " Fosters? That's piss beer Yanks. Why do you think we send it all to your country?" We ended up drinking a lot of local brew at the many brew pubs and a bunch of Dogbolter from Matilda Bay Brewery in Freo.

 

[EoinMag]

That's what you claim, but your original story says otherwise.



Sorry, but that's just being a complete and total *******. I only see flexing of beer knowledge muscles here on your part.

I personally think questioning him about the Belgians was a legitimate inquiry to further your knowledge of the subject. That he didn't know why the beer wasn't regarded highly there doesn't make his assertion wrong. He gave you an interesting tidbit of information that you are now following up on.

I was not privy to the entire conversation so maybe what actually happened isn't how I am interpreting it. But it sounds to me like your feelings were hurt over an assertion that may or may not be true and had no bearing on how the beer tasted or paired with the dish, and you lashed out over it by trying to one-up the guy at every opportunity.

+1 total *******, the customer is never a *******, you think that and show it, you're in the wrong business.
You can think he's a ******* but you tried and succeeded at beating him at his own game, cept, you lost.

I'd have fired your ass.

 

[Malatesta]

+1 total *******, the customer is never a *******, you think that and show it, you're in the wrong business.
You can think he's a ******* but you tried and succeeded at beating him at his own game, cept, you lost.

I'd have fired your ass.

Except if you had read the thread, the food critic was enjoying a complimentary meal. He was not a customer. I've worked my fair share in customer oriented business and the customers that account for 90% of my headaches only give me 15% of my business. I ditch bad customers as soon as I can.

 

[EoinMag]

Except if you had read the thread, the food critic was enjoying a complimentary meal. He was not a customer. I've worked my fair share in customer oriented business and the customers that account for 90% of my headaches only give me 15% of my business. I ditch bad customers as soon as I can.

Customer is customer, that's a crappy attitude to have to be honest.

 

[petep1980]

I hate getting in beer conversations because I always end up saying stuff which is over people's heads and I'm sure I sound like a *******.

I especially hate the "ohh you homebrew, how exactly do you make beer?" Then you're stuck giving a filibuster to someone who was just being polite.

 

[passedpawn]

I hate getting in beer conversations because I always end up saying stuff which is over people's heads and I'm sure I sound like a *******.

I especially hate the "ohh you homebrew, how exactly do you make beer?" Then you're stuck giving a filibuster to someone who was just being polite.

So true (and well stated).

 

[Reno_eNVy]

I hate getting in beer conversations because I always end up saying stuff which is over people's heads and I'm sure I sound like a *******.

I especially hate the "ohh you homebrew, how exactly do you make beer?" Then you're stuck giving a filibuster to someone who was just being polite.

So true. My sister is mechanically/electronically/everything disabled and she once asked me to explain how I made beer. So after getting past mashing, enzymes and temperatures I'm thinking to myself, "Stop... what are you doing, she has no idea what you're talking about. She probably forgot everything you said already. You are full of suck!" but now it's on to the boil.....

 

[mullenite]

So if my friend buys me dinner I'm not a customer and my opinion doesn't matter?

 

[joekerr1]

I would really have to ask how many of you have actually worked the food service industry and know what it is actually like to deal with same said people night after night. Yes the customer is always right but at some point event the most level headed person will lose their cool once in a while.

And it is really hard to judge what is written on the internet and what happens in a conversation. You don't get all nuances and tones that are used in a conversation that happens.

 

[SpanishCastleAle]

I would really have to ask how many of you have actually worked the food service industry and know what it is actually like to deal with same said people night after night. Yes the customer is always right but at some point event the most level headed person will lose their cool once in a while.

And it is really hard to judge what is written on the internet and what happens in a conversation. You don't get all nuances and tones that are used in a conversation that happens.

I did for many years and you're right that there are some people that are just impossible to deal with. And with some, as soon as you give an inch they smell blood and want the world. But most aren't 'impossible' and the 'food critic' in the OP certainly never even came close to that. Even with the vast majority of 'difficult' customers the best thing to do is to just grin and bear it.

For me (a little bit of a temper, not too bad); the easiest way was to keep thinking; "You don't have what it takes to piss me off." Then no matter what they do they can't piss you off.

 

[mullenite]

I would really have to ask how many of you have actually worked the food service industry and know what it is actually like to deal with same said people night after night. Yes the customer is always right but at some point event the most level headed person will lose their cool once in a while.

And it is really hard to judge what is written on the internet and what happens in a conversation. You don't get all nuances and tones that are used in a conversation that happens.

I did for several years and still work in the service industry.

 

[carnevoodoo]

I hate getting in beer conversations because I always end up saying stuff which is over people's heads and I'm sure I sound like a *******.

I especially hate the "ohh you homebrew, how exactly do you make beer?" Then you're stuck giving a filibuster to someone who was just being polite.

My 5 cent answer:

"You steep grain to get out the sugar, you boil what you get from that, add hops, cool it down, add yeast and wait."

Anyone who wants to know more can ask. Anyone who was being polite gets a sentence. And really, I like talking about brewing so much that I don't always mind the glazed over eyes when I'm rambling. I do this to my girlfriend a lot.

 

[trailblazer]

you say you were nice to him the entire time? I know that i can talk crap to people with a smile on my face and though i think im being nice they can see through my bs. I've done the whole customer service thing and delt with alot of rude customers and tried to control myself but if i was in your shoes i would have done the same thing. Some people just need to be shut down every once in a while when they get to high and mighty.

 

[Ragutis]

A real food critic would not be asking for a free meal. I photograph food at restaurants 1-2 times a week for the paper I work for, and I've never taken a free meal even when the restauranteurs offer. It's just unprofessional.

 

[EoinMag]

I would really have to ask how many of you have actually worked the food service industry and know what it is actually like to deal with same said people night after night. Yes the customer is always right but at some point event the most level headed person will lose their cool once in a while.

And it is really hard to judge what is written on the internet and what happens in a conversation. You don't get all nuances and tones that are used in a conversation that happens.

15 years.....Bars, kitchen and serving......the OP said all we need to know, spent time trying to show up someone elses knowledge and acting the *******, he said it all in the thread title...nuances my butt.


I never lost the cool like that with a customer and the difficult ones were the challenges to get a high tip off of, that was how I worked it.

 

[Pilgarlic]

If one chooses to express himself by exhibiting what he considers to be a high level of professionalism and maximize the extent to which he curries favor with the customer, regardless, that's fine. OP chose to express himself differently. Probably knew that if he pushed it too far there might be employment consequences, and heeded that risk. It appears that his willingness to sacrifice the customer's comfort to a bit of pride makes the service professionals uncomfortable. Too bad. YOU choose to live to your standards. Others aren't obligated to... even other service "professionals", so long as they are prepared to manage and live with the consequences of their actions. OP apparently was and is. And don't tell me that anyone unwilling to accept and live up to some higher standard of performance shouldn't be serving. He accepts the job, the customer, the challenges on HIS terms, and is free to deal with them as HE chooses, regardless of what choices you may make for yourself.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

If one chooses to express himself by exhibiting what he considers to be a high level of professionalism and maximize the extent to which he curries favor with the customer, regardless, that's fine. OP chose to express himself differently. Probably knew that if he pushed it too far there might be employment consequences, and heeded that risk. It appears that his willingness to sacrifice the customer's comfort to a bit of pride makes the service professionals uncomfortable. Too bad. YOU choose to live to your standards. Others aren't obligated to... even other service "professionals", so long as they are prepared to manage and live with the consequences of their actions. OP apparently was and is. And don't tell me that anyone unwilling to accept and live up to some higher standard of performance shouldn't be serving. He accepts the job, the customer, the challenges on HIS terms, and is free to deal with them as HE chooses, regardless of what choices you may make for yourself.

Very good point. And a lot of the time it depends on where you go for your service and, thus, what you expect to receive. Here's a nice contrast:

A) SWMBO manages one of the nicer and busier restaurants downtown; the food is stellar and well thought out and there's a great beer selection. But I always hear of all the horrible, self-centered, uppity, WASP, Eurotrash, etc etc etc people she has to deal with... and she has to keep a smile on her face the whole time. I can think of one time in the three years she has worked there that they ever threw someone out.

B) Anybody ever been to a Dick's Last Resort? I believe they started in San Diego but there's one in Vegas now. I love this place!!! Essentially the hosts/servers/bar-tenders are either rude or treat you like an inconvenience to their day and the fun is being a jerk back. Food is basic but pretty good but the "service" is just awesome. Not for everybody (watch out for the fat guy who'll give girls dances for their birthdays) but if you have an open sense of humor you'll appreciate it.

 

[millsware]

I was in Brussels last year and really there was no single beer that was preferred by the locals. Jupiler was here and there and the "big" Belgian beers (Hoegaarden, Chimay, Duvel, Leffe and Delirium Tremens) were out in full force too. Here's a picture I took at a gas station in Belgium:

Also, 4 pack of Chimay for 6 Euros..... I'm living in the wrong country.

Things you don't see in the US: Chimay on the bottom shelf.

 

[EoinMag]

If one chooses to express himself by exhibiting what he considers to be a high level of professionalism and maximize the extent to which he curries favor with the customer, regardless, that's fine. OP chose to express himself differently. Probably knew that if he pushed it too far there might be employment consequences, and heeded that risk. It appears that his willingness to sacrifice the customer's comfort to a bit of pride makes the service professionals uncomfortable. Too bad. YOU choose to live to your standards. Others aren't obligated to... even other service "professionals", so long as they are prepared to manage and live with the consequences of their actions. OP apparently was and is. And don't tell me that anyone unwilling to accept and live up to some higher standard of performance shouldn't be serving. He accepts the job, the customer, the challenges on HIS terms, and is free to deal with them as HE chooses, regardless of what choices you may make for yourself.

OP chose to be an ******, end of. If I expected a professional and got that crap I'd not be back again.
I appreciate that the brewer in you possibly thinks what he did was cool, it wasn't...anyway you dice it, when someone goes into his place for service they don't choose to listen to that crap, even if they are boorish, he want's to be an ass he should go to their place of work and pay them for the privilege, not the other way around.

I see you think it's about opinions......

 

[Drumhaggart]

...he want's to be an ass he should go to their place of work and pay them for the privilege, not the other way around.

Perhaps you missed the fact that the guy was a free-loader; he wasn't paying for his meal.

If I expected a professional and got that crap I'd not be back again.

Hmmm... non-paying, make-believe "food critic" fails to return to cadge another free meal?

Sounds like a win for the restaurant.

 

[EoinMag]

Perhaps you missed the fact that the guy was a free-loader; he wasn't paying for his meal.



Hmmm... non-paying, make-believe "food critic" fails to return to cadge another free meal?

Sounds like a win for the restaurant.

Maybe you missed the "anyway you dice it" bit.

 

[Drumhaggart]

Maybe you missed the "anyway you dice it" bit.

I didn't miss it.

I just interpreted it as your personal opinion.

Evidently I "dice it" differently than you do.

 

[Blindnil]

I grew up in Antwerp and the two major pilsners are jupiler and Maes Pils. These were the most common. The most popular Belgian Pale was De Koninck and still is (In Antwerp at least, where its made). Duvel is also very popular in bars. As far as the others, I think Belgians just like what they like individually and since they live in such a saturated market of both quality and run of the mill beers there isn't much debating or comparing individual tastes. As far as the critic scoffing at the idea that Belgians don't like St Bernardus- he may not have seen people drinking it at restaurants but one snobby food critic's off hand observation does not make him an expert on the average Belgian's palate. generally you will find the average Belgian very appreciative and proud of their rich beer culture, but you won't find too many snobs or heated debate about beer. "Hey dude, you want a pintje?" " 'Nah, grab me a bolleke." This is probably the extent of beer snobbery in Belgium.

 

[lowtones84]

Chimay and Duvel in a gas station...Looks like I know where I want to move.

 

[prrriiide]

Or just ignore it. You can't control other people's arrogance or stupidity, but you can be better than them. "Whooping someone's as5" just brings you down to their level.

The problem is - and I know this from years in the food industry - if you don't slap someone like that down at the first sign of arrogance or one-uppishness, it will only get worse the longer they are there and the more drinks they consume. You hammer 'em early and they don't make your life hell later. It isn't "stooping to their level." It's putting them on notice that you have no intention of putting up with their crap all evening.

 

[bwomp313]

zombie thread?

 

[stamandster]

Never mess with a homebrewer! When beer styles are on the line!

New favorite quote! Good on yeah!