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&amp;quot;Saruman&amp;quot;:2qzil777 wrote: Good to see some things never change though.[/quote:2qzil777] <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->

&amp;quot;TheBeerNut&amp;quot;:13o6hrpr wrote:

&amp;quot;Saruman&amp;quot;:13o6hrpr wrote: Looks like the old meetings were conducted very professionally with note taking and everything.[/quote:13o6hrpr]That all disappeared with Barry: the brewer used to get feedback slips from drinkers. We could bring that back, though if people won't bring bottle openers to tastings, what are the chances of them bringing pens..?
/passive-aggressive

We also limited the styles: that tasting was for wheat beers and IPAs only.[/quote:13o6hrpr]
Yeah, it satisfied some kind of inner anal retentiveness <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->

Actually, from a feedback and comparative point of view, those "controlled" horizontal tasting were good. Each beer was taken in turn, introduced by the brewer (recipe sheets were sometimes handed out) and people would taste and discuss. Then the next beer. The fact a couple of styles were chosen in advance also meant that brewers could brew something for the occasion that they might not otherwise have brewed.

I also felt there was more feedback for the brewer than the later sessions, but then there was a lot more organising to do. Freeform is possibly more fun for all, though, and that's the main aim of regular meets, to get together and have fun <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->

Thetasting slips are here[/url:13o6hrpr], by the way. Other sizes are also available.

&amp;quot;Barry M&amp;quot;:2ph79mto wrote: Yeah, it satisfied some kind of inner anal retentiveness <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->[/quote:2ph79mto]

Also bist du nun bei dein richtige zuhause <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->

(So now you feel right at home <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) -->(in Germany, that is))

Nope! My wife reckons I'm more German than the Germans themselves (in some respects). <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->

&amp;quot;Barry M&amp;quot;:2asab296 wrote: Actually, from a feedback and comparative point of view, those "controlled" horizontal tasting were good. Each beer was taken in turn, introduced by the brewer (recipe sheets were sometimes handed out) and people would taste and discuss. Then the next beer. The fact a couple of styles were chosen in advance also meant that brewers could brew something for the occasion that they might not otherwise have brewed.

I also felt there was more feedback for the brewer than the later sessions, but then there was a lot more organising to do. Freeform is possibly more fun for all, though, and that's the main aim of regular meets, to get together and have fun <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->
[/quote:2asab296]
I've only been to one ICB meetup but the one thing that I did notice was that there didn't seem to be any feedback at all, be it good or bad. Actually, that's all it seemed to be, people would just say that they either liked the beer or not.
Now granted that I didn't really need any opinions on the beer that I brought....I [i:2asab296]knew[/i:2asab296] that it wasn't any good. <!-- s:? --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_confused.gif" alt="" title="Confused" /><!-- s:? --> <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->

Those slips actually look like a great idea. At least it would make you work on the bad points.

There is feedback if it is asked for. Often there is one beer or two that stands out and get a lot of comments and questions.

There is not however feedback on each beer in turn and in the form of notes. At least not any more.

We could always give it a go again and try and make things all official looking and impress the B&C patrons wondering who we are and why we are special enough to be drinking beer we bring in ourselves <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->

I wonder if having the ICB banner held up on the wall behind us be a good or bad thing?