We want your opinion: Letters or Numbers?
Posted Dec 18, 2009 in Beer, Beer Awards, Beer Pairings, Beer and Health, Coming Soon
As we approach the third anniversary of the humble storefront next week, we want you to be part of some changes to the store. (And I’ve opened the comments today, because I’m sick and need you to think for me.)
Last week on Twitter (@bruisinales), we asked a simple question: Which ratings system to you prefer, letters or numbers? In this completely unscientific poll in which a total 21 tweeps replied or sent Direct Messages, 19 said they preferred numbers stating that numbers gave a more accurate representation; the other two said they preferred letters, stating the letters give “wiggle-room.” It’s interesting to note these two very different responses also split down the lines of their respective territories. Most went with “numbers” and many were West Coast buddies, the locale of RateBeer; and the two that said “letters” were from the Boston area, home to BeerAdvocate.
We ask, because we’re updating our shelf talkers. And we know what we prefer, but what do you prefer? Which is more helpful while you shop, letters or numbers? This store is your store, so help me decide. And thank you all for the collective brain!
Letters = Grades. We are all familiar with Grades.
I like the BA system of letters & numbers. The real issue is, you guys only carry about 5 beers I don’t want to drink – the rest is ALL good. What I’d prefer is two sentences from ya’ll on what it tastes like and what it pairs with!
I’m a BA…so I like letters. Since that is the rating system that I refer to, having it in front of me in the store, as opposed to looking it up on BA on my BlackBerry, is convenient.
Pssst, Dan, you’re not allowed to add your own third option.
I don’t mind either when going into stores. I usually don’t pay attention to them, but can see how they could be helpful for people who do not know beer.
But something I hate is how everything is in the 6-10 range, or everything is a B or better. 5 and C are average. There are a lot of average beers. That is not bad. To me I would not place an “A” on a DFH 60 min IPA (B range) or a guinness (c; it is an average stout) but many places do. Ratings are a personal taste, and tough to do for a store, but please do not forget what is really average (Bud and Miller Light/Lite are not the average beer) when making the ratings.
Anywho, best of luck. (I like Letters)
I prefer numbers, but I only use ratings as a very loose guide. If 100 people tried a beer and 90 thought it was average (or worse), I probably won’t go out of my way to find it. My big problem is that most of the ratings lump all of the styles together. Are there really hundreds of beers better than the best pilsner? And yes, I know RB has both, but the big numbers lump everything together. The style % is a tiny number.