Comments on: What if Robert Parker were a beer writer?

By: Blair

Blair — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:35:26 +0000

I think it would be hard for anyone in the industry not to form some sort of ties with wine maker or brewer within their industry. I do not see it as a conflict of interest if you as long as still rate that persons product as you would any sample.

What I see as a bigger problem is the Robert Parker effect on wines. His scores can be the difference between life or death for some wineries. There are now a lot wineries that produce their wines to fit Parker’s palliate and I think that is a shame. There are now less wines staying true to their wines by producing terrior driven wines that are a snap shot of that vintage.

In the beer world there is no real equal to Parker. Redhook is not going to go out of business because they got a C at Rate Beer. The perceived complexity of wine and general mystique about wine that is used as a marketing tool by the wine industry made people like Parker. I am glad that the beer industry seeks to educate the masses and does it in an inclusive way that prevents this problem in the beer world.

By: E.S. Delia

E.S. Delia — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:54:14 +0000

Full disclosure is key when it comes to these types of situations. If there is a relationship between writer (or mere “blogger”) and brewer, then knowing that information up front helps the reader make up their own mind. No harm, no foul.

However, it also goes back to the context of drinking a beer – another thing for the author to offer and the reader to consider. It may taste much better at the press junket with colleagues or at the bar with friends than alone in your own home.

By: Pivní Filosof

Pivní Filosof — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:09:14 +0000

I don’t see anything wrong with wine, beer, younameit writers being friends with people working in the industry they happen to review. As long as the relationship is of genuine friendship, that is.
So, let’s say I am a beer reviewer that happens to be friends with some head brewer and I have to review the latest product from said brewery. Let’s say I didn’t like that beer and I write an appropriate review of it. If our friendship is true I know my friend will not take the bad review personally and will accept it as any other critisism from a friend.
I don’t see the ethics conflict in such context

By: Arthur

Arthur — Wed, 27 May 2009 04:32:56 +0000

Thanks for the mention and the link to my wine-writing-ethics piece.
The funny thing is that the post saw a huge number of readers, just not that many commenters. To this day, the piece keeps getting hits.
I talked about this disparity between views and comments with a number of people and all I can chalk it up to is the fact that I put the (rather lengthy) piece together with a calm, even and respectful tone, avoiding sensationalism and inflammatory comments.
People care about this, I just don’t think they are inclined to speak up when the discussion is intelligent, informed and even-keeled (rather than full of accusations and polarizing hyperbole).
I wouldn’t categorize my questions as “leading” though. They get at a very real element of the wine writing culture.