Beer tasting/review logs

[Beaver]

I finally decided to start reviewing beers and tracking the beers I've tried. I looked around for software but didn't find any. I did sign up at:
http://www.beeradvocate.com/
http://ratebeer.com/

I'm also keeping a local DB.

My wife thinks I'm a total dork! I went to a brewpub last night and actually brought in some review sheets I printed out to rate the beers there. I had Coopersmith's (http://coopersmithspub.com/) Anniversary Cherry Ale and the Chicory Stout.

So far I think I like ratebeer a little better. It's a little slower, but I like that you give an overall rating category, that they display what percentile the beer is in, and the fact that you can keep beer wishlists of beers you want to try. Also, beeradvocate wouldn't let me enter in new beers until I get 20 reviews in, so I couldn't enter in my beers from last night. :(

Anyone else do this? What do you use?

[chazwicke]

That is a noble cause Beaver. I tried to keep notes on all the beers I tried many years ago. It is nearly impossible unless you intend to sample only one or two at a sitting. (I do know some fastidious note takers and tasters such as Bob and Ellie Tupper of Hop Pocket Fame. But they are the exception.) The only time I keep a log now is when I travel to the UK and I only keep a list of what I have been drinking with perhaps a comment if something was exemplery or was totally awful. Sometimes I write the name of the pub where I drank the beer as well. I would never be able to keep tasting notes on every beer I try. So here is to you!

[davesarman]

I guess I'm in the "nerd" category. I started keeping a beer tasting log back in 1998. I've rated "almost" every unique beer since then (home tastings only, I rarely do it if I'm out at a restaurant or bar). Then after I get the notes in my computer I print out each beer on it's own page and paste the beer label that I've removed from the bottle and keep them all in a 3 ring binder. I"ve fallen behind as of late, but I still manage to keep up with the note taking. Recently I've tried ratebeer.com and I really like that you can go back and see all your previous reviews, etc. and compare them to other reveiws of the same beer.

[b3s]

i typically don't keep tasting notes (i'll post them online, but i don't keep them) for purchased beer.

however, in my beer recipe spreadsheet, i keep tasting notes for every brew i make and notes one ways to improve the beer.

i also keep a separate worksheet for my buy queue of beers so i don't forget what i was planning on buying.

[chazwicke]

[
i also keep a separate worksheet for my buy queue of beers so i don't forget what i was planning on buying. [/B][/QUOTE]

I have to do that with music I am planning on purchasing. When I read of a certain CD that is about to be released I make a note so I won't forget when I wander into Tower Records. Beer I usually buy based on what is available in my local stores during my weekly trips.

[b3s]

CD's i put on my amazon.com wish list. i like to keep track of beers i'm interested in just in case something new shows up at the local paint store or someone is offering something in beer swaps or during my travels.