Why i Love RateBeer

This is a blog i probably should have written a long time ago, but spurred on by #RateBevGate here it is.

Those of you that know me, probably think it's that addiction I have, you know the one, that has the clue in the name. Yeah that Ratting addiction, and don't get me wrong, that's part of it. It's the Reason I joined (before it became an addiction) but that not the BIG reason the big reason is the Community.

Ratebeer is more than just rating beers, there place information, interesting stats, and FORUMS. Its these forums that have built the best online community I have been part of.

So at the Risk of a bit of Dick waving, I'm just gonna list a whole load of cool things that ive experienced being part of that community.


I've made  many good friends on ratebeer, these are people i call friends not just acquaintances.

Through ratebeer this group of friends are here in Edinburgh as well as in  England, US, Denmark.



But as well as  these friends i've made
acquaintances that i keep in touch with through Ratebeer, Facebook and Twitter.

 I (and my Family) have stayed at several ratebeerians houses, and had ratebeerians stay with me,  I've held tasting with people traveling in Edinburgh, and been invited to people house to have tastings while traveling.

I have given away  beer, and had beer given to me. One Texan, left 30 bottles with me (after attending a tasting) and refused to take any money despite my best efforts.

I've been driven (along with the whole family and another local Ratebeerian)  from Orlando to Tampa and all-round the brewpubs and then back to the hotel by a Raterbeerian, i'd never met. TWICE (well obviously the 2nd time i had met him)

All this based on the friendship we had built up via Ratebeer plus I've had another Ratebeerian drive 2 hours each way to trade beer with me when my side trip got cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

I've met so many people at Festivals, and attended gatherings across Europe with other Ratebeerians, Being Shown the Highlights of Pilsen and Rome by locals who knew all the right places and people.

I've had brewers contact me asking how I got their beer, and being delighted that their beer had got as far as Edinburgh, Ive been introduced to brewers by other ratebeerians and had brewers share rare beer with me.

On a Trip to Three Floyds Dark Lord Day, I had over a dozen people seek me out in the crowd to share a special beer they had brought to share specially with me.

I've shared rooms in hotels with guys i've never met. Which oddly is a lot more fun than it sounds and not even a little sordid.

So in short, I've made friends, been places and tried so many beers I would never have had a chance to try if it wasn't for Rate Beer.

There's no place else like it.


It's been a part of my Life for Over 10 Years and despite recent developments i hope it can continue to bring me many more years of joy.