Without doubt the internet has made the world a smaller place. This is also true when it comes to the beer industry. I have been able to try beers that I would never have even heard of nevermind tried.
Nevertheless the internet can have a negative effect on beer too. Recently I have had first hand experience of negative posts on sites like Beeradvocate.com. Whilst I realise that the world cannot be positive all the time, in my opinion it is better to offer constructive critisism or say nothing at all really. Ive seen lots of comments such as 'I do not like this beer or the people who make it', this just winds me up. Personally I would rather see comments like' I thought it was a little on the peppery side' or 'I thought the alcohol was a little too much' . At least this way brewers can take on board what people like and what they do not like. It is much more difficult for them to do this when people just say 'I dont like this beer'.
It is very easy to sit behind a keyboard and type out harsh and hateful comments. It is however much more contructive to give some real feedback rather than just ranting. I admit I do not spend a great deal of time on sites like Beer Advocate as I tend to find, like YouTube, they attract people who are just out to bitch about things and not to engage in a constructive conversation.
Slanging matches do not help anyone and in fact usually make the poster look a bit of an amature. I therefore do not know whether it is best to encourage fellow bloggers to get on Beeradvocate.com and raise the standard of disucussuion or tell them to stay away and leave them to it! Any thoughts?
Junk food, junk statistics
1 day ago
Interesting thought. I read Beer Advocate and Rate Beer but don't rate myself or comment - I do find inspiration for posts in what I read there. I prefer RB as I find BA discussions quickly deteriorate into a dick measuring contest of whos had the rarest beers.
ReplyDeleteAny positive contribution should be encouraged, I think. General negativity with constructive points just doesn't help anyone.
Couldnt agree more really. The only reason I find myself getting drawn into conversation is when someone says something I disagree with totally. Which is a lot of the time! Hence why I am now tending to stay away.
ReplyDeleteI admit though, similarly to you I do tend to find some inspiration for posts on these sites
I'm the same, read both RB and BA but never comment. I'm not interested in the ins and outs of which beer is better than which, taste is subjective (not to mention how it's kept, poured, delivered to the glass) and there is so much more to enjoying a beer than one taste - the company, the moment and the memories (yeah, I'm a sucker for all that).
ReplyDeleteIt's sad to see the negative comments towards Protzy on beer pages recently too. He made a mistake, get over it. When the shoe is on the other foot and all that...