Craft Beer Radio

Oh, I had to stop right there at around 14 minutes into the show and post. I know, impulse posting is dangerous. But I'll do it anyway.
I rarely say things like this but I think Barley69 (Joe in Rochester, NY) is being a pain. His use of "stupid" was symptomatic enough, and so was his mischaracterization of the BJCP. In fact, after hearing about his comments, I looked at the thread for Episode 108. Clearly, Barley69 was a troll/flamer/flamebaiter/hater. I find it sad that people should feel an urge to "feed the trolls." I understand the urge, I just find it sad.

I'm not angry at anyone, not even Barley69. He was just looking for attention, I would guess. However, I do find it sad that you should spend so much time on the show defending your use of certain terms. Not only is it your show but there is really nothing you said which you should feel ashamed of.
Your descriptors are typically very effective and quite appropriate to the context. The fact that they're your own descriptors makes them more appropriate to the podcast because they demonstrate how open your "tasting mind" is. Even though you occasionally use the BJCP pigeonholes, you're not typically trying to fit these beers into tiny little categories. Sure, you come to a beer with certain expectations, often based on perceived style. But you're describing a broader tasting experience than the style-fitting exercises which some sampling sessions end up sounding like. Competition judging and beer tasting are different experiences which may overlap to a certain extent yet need not be coextensive.
In addition, your use of certain descriptors are often an occasion for you to describe an event or meal which you associate with the beer you're tasting. You're not relying on a set of pseudo-objective guidelines, you're using the power of your subjectivity, actually respecting beer as a culinary experience. In this sense, you're helping your listeners (newbies or oldies) in appreciating beer to its fullest potential.

This is in fact something about the podcast you're doing really well and, to be perfectly honest, I'm just a tad bit tired of hearing you defend yourself during the main show. Not your fault, perfectly understandable. But, seriously guys, you should only change your descriptors if you yourself find them inappropriate, inaccurate, unfitting, or misleading. This is a case where you should be firm. Put your foot down. Don't take abuse from individual listeners. Many of us listen silently most of the time.
Though the aforementioned Troll in Upstate New York referred to the Beer Judge Certification Program (mispelling it once as "BJCB"), it seems unlikely that he should be a certified judge himself. The BJCP style guidelines do include some offputting descriptors, especially for sour ales.
Case in point: "The aroma of these beers is a complex blend from a wide variety of microbiota, often described in the following terms: horsey, horse blanket, sweaty, oaky, hay, and sour. Other aromas that are found in small quantities are: enteric, vinegary and barnyard."
http://www.bjcp.org/styleguide20.html
While I agree that "enteric" sounds more clinical than "poop," I see no reason for two guys doing a beer podcast to refrain from using either "pee" or "urine" as descriptors if they find either (or both) of those terms fitting. And if a beer makes you think of a urinal, a type of rock, or a sewer drain, the fact that you are able to say so in the main show is a positive feature of the podcast.

Better yet: I love your descriptors and have used some of them in my own conversations with fellow brewers/beergeeks. I just love "Man Candy" because I love the flavor and can now perceive it better thanks to you. As it so happens, "cat pee" is one which I've used just this week with a couple of Austin Zealots who perceived the same thing as I did and were happy to be able to "put their fingers on" an aroma type.

Sheesh.

I do know that I've just now "fed a troll," albeit indirectly. And I expect said troll to feel very happy about himself for having been mentioned on the show at such length. But I just had to vent.
I'm not proud of myself. I'm just relieved.
Is "adult diapers" a descriptor? ;-)

Ale-X in Austin
http://enkerli.wordpress.com/

I was a little put back at how much time you spent talking about this whole thing. I don't really have a lot to add that the first post did not mention... In my opinion... Its your show. Take comments as you like, appraise them for any value... And discard as needed.

We probably would have started using the cat-pee analogy more with comments like this... But then again... That would probably be expected!

Is it really that hard to let us know what beer your drinking??? How can I prepare my mind for how my initial impression picks would stand up to your end of the show rankings? (Not really a big deal... Just poking fun!)

Groucho

The Beer Report with Groucho and CHUD... http://www.thebeerreport.com

Greg... you wait till now to talk about getting laid off! Talk about good radio! Let us in! ;) Maybe now that you're all good and jobified again you can talk more about the experience.