Comments on: The Problem With Tasters

By: py0

py0 — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 11:55:47 +0000

I think once they had tasted a couple the barman could have said “If you are interested in trying our full range, can I interest you in purchasing a tasting tray, all for only £4?”.

I sometime ask for a taste of some unknown beer, but its a bit of a waste of time really seeing as I don’t recall every saying anything other than “oh yes thats nice I’ll have a pint please”. I’m unfortunately too polite to say “No actually I’ll have something else that was foul – what about that one?”.

By: BeerViking

BeerViking — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 08:04:36 +0000

Except that it sounds a bit more like the Craft Beer Twats…

Hey, is it time for another feud already? (-;

By: Tyson

Tyson — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 19:29:01 +0000

Nothing wrong with asking for tasters, but I think two is about the limit. That, by the way, is between the group. If the barperson did waste a pint of beer in tasters, then that sounds like he was giving a good measure to all of the group. Now that is wrong.

By: Ian Worden

Ian Worden — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 22:50:59 +0000

I just didn’t want to give the impression that the Wellington is one of those pubs that are festooned with notices saying what you can and cannot do (like a place in East London with closely typed A4 sheets setting out their ‘Childern and Dogs’ policy). Most of the posters at the Wellington are for local events (beer festivals, whatever) but they have adapted some Sheffield Licence Watch ‘Challenge 21′ signs to ‘Challenge 60′, on the basis as I understand it that we seem to be going that way so they might as well be ahead of the game….

I really hope that it just turns out to be a nice piece of humour.

By: Phil

Phil — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 16:32:21 +0000

the Wellington also had signs announcing a “Challenge 60″ policy. I've thought about it, I've slept on it, I've given up and googled it... nothing. A what policy?

By: Ian Worden

Ian Worden — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:37:22 +0000

I visited the Wellington in Sheffield (the one near Kelham Island) earlier this year and they had a prominent sign saying “Our tasters are called halves”. I got the impression that they’ve had too many scroungers (they usually have about 12 beers on including some brewed out the back).

I’ve had so many pints that changed character as they warmed up in the bar that I don’t think a taster is a good guide anyway.

Incidentally, but off the subject, the Wellington also had signs announcing a “Challenge 60″ policy.

By: Reluctant Scooper

Reluctant Scooper — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 11:32:58 +0000

I don’t ask for tasters at the bar in the same way that I don’t ask for tasters at the cheesemongers. If one is *offered*, that’s a different story.

By: Meer For Beer

Meer For Beer — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 10:15:35 +0000

I was firmer (but very polite) when I went up

TO be honest unless a beer is super expensive as Zos says order a half, most I have paid for a half is about £6. But I knew the brewery and knew the bar kept excellent quality beer so I don’t mind spending the money.

By: Sid Boggle

Sid Boggle — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 07:43:34 +0000

Sounds like utopia, Nuttie…

Will only ask for a taste if the beer is stupidly expensive, or if the brewery has suspect hoppiness credentials, btw…

By: Tandleman

Tandleman — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 06:36:40 +0000

As an experienced bar person, I wouldn’t have let the tasting situation get out of hand in the first place, but having done so, simple. You tell the customers to take their time and let you know when they have decided. Then you serve other customers. Lots of them.

I think asking for more than two tasters is dodgy and you always have to take into account the needs of other customers by not blocking the bar. That applies in other scenarios too.

At GBBF I offer samples when people are unsure, but I use my judgement too. If the bar is chokka, I don’t ,or just leave a quick splash of one they might like and move on

On the other hand it is fun and educational if you have time. Whatever happened to common sense?