tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72277889156220824.post5777530755522151186..comments2024-03-29T06:20:02.855+00:00Comments on Are You Tasting the Pith?: EBBC2012 #2 - The Circle-Jerk Of InfluenceZakAveryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01794154105596597019noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72277889156220824.post-1216928622665182042012-06-03T16:48:00.261+01:002012-06-03T16:48:00.261+01:00I'm not sure I agree with the whole "free...I'm not sure I agree with the whole "free beer tastes better" line. I've given very honest feedback to brewers whose beers have been badly brewed and/or poorly bottled, and those were free samples. And I also know quite a few people in the business who stock the output of sub-standard breweries because they hit a certain price, and are always available. Sometimes expediency gets the better of people.Zak Averyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10650929798289995172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72277889156220824.post-62666638797329872342012-06-03T08:22:41.166+01:002012-06-03T08:22:41.166+01:00True, but as we know free beer tastes better and i...True, but as we know free beer tastes better and is sure to influence what you say. I can remember all the glowing reports about the 'classic' White Shield, when as far as I was concerned it was still in its sweet brown gloop phase. <br /><br />Still, I'd never say no to free beer myself.Edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13844169940650659196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72277889156220824.post-58202158479424053412012-06-02T22:14:39.101+01:002012-06-02T22:14:39.101+01:00As I say above to Phil, everyone has their limit. ...As I say above to Phil, everyone has their limit. And of course, accepting sponsorship isn't the same as being obliged to write a puff piece, or saying things you don't believe - you can still say that something's crap if you truly believe it is.Zak Averyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10650929798289995172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72277889156220824.post-21236038643167344802012-06-02T22:12:06.238+01:002012-06-02T22:12:06.238+01:00I honestly think it's horses for courses. As I...I honestly think it's horses for courses. As I said at the conference, I've accepted hospitality, written some reports about my experiences, and then been sniped at for it. I honestly don't mind, and I satnd by pretty much everything I've said. Everyone has their own line, and they are all in different places.<br /><br />Conversely, not everything that I do and say is via the medium of this blog - the craft beer world isn't just about blogging and tweeting, however much it sometimes feels like that.Zak Averyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10650929798289995172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72277889156220824.post-30505572468285253622012-06-02T12:02:49.275+01:002012-06-02T12:02:49.275+01:00I was put off the first European beer bloggers con...I was put off the first European beer bloggers conferenece by the fact that for quite a while the agenda for the only contained things like 'thank the sponsors' and 'go to our sponsors tasting session/meal'. That Molson Coors were prepared to pay for the tickets this year actually made it more appealing - at least you didn't have to pay to sell out! Mind you I still didn't go.Edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13844169940650659196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72277889156220824.post-23771238251230882212012-06-02T10:37:03.666+01:002012-06-02T10:37:03.666+01:00I'm still chuckling at the Ormskrk Baron chequ...I'm still chuckling at the Ormskrk Baron cheque now..<br /><br />I personally took a lot from those sessions, in fact those where we all interacted as a discussion group were definitely the most interesting and at times informative. We may not have all agreed but certainly had food for thought. <br /><br />On the "circle jerk" everyone there had a fair share of freebies corporate or otherwise and I'll happily wear my PU shirt away from the event for example. I was their guest and they treated me exceptionally well but I'd hope I'd remain subjective should I ever have to review their beers in future. <br /><br />My big bugbear isn't about accepting a free beer, I will and have done so but will always try to be honest & give honest views, it's about openly asking outright, "give me some beer & I'll write a review", thumbs down from me.Filrdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03193228391167385203noreply@blogger.com