You’ll often see websites that offer FAQs (frequently asked questions) for readers to help streamline addressing queries that arise regularly.

Although I get a fair amount of correspondence with some repeated questions, (as well ones I get asked in person at brewpubs), I would not deign to designate any of them “frequent.” So let’s call them OAQs (occasionally asked questions) for the purposes of this week’s column.

When someone takes the time to write to me, I try to always reply. And I’ve noticed certain themes that have cropped up over the 20 years I’ve written this weekly missive. So today I’ve collected a few of them in the hopes of answering some questions that readers might have had, whether they have asked them or not. Let’s dig in:

Why haven’t you reviewed/mentioned/written about (Brewery X)? It’s great!

I certainly understand and appreciate readers’ passion for their latest discovery. And 15 years ago, I might have considered looking into a new venue if there was enough of a buzz about it. But even then, there is kind of an unwritten rule about immediately writing about a new business – at least until it gets its legs under it.

I actually did cover a brand-new brewery once. But it was before I started this column. I was covering the city of Greenfield when The People’s Pint opened up in 1996 and got my boss to let me cover it because a new brewery back then was notable. These days it seems like one opens up every few weeks.

I only have 52 columns a year and so covering every new brewery would be tough.

Why don’t you write negative reviews?

Well, first off, I don’t write reviews at all. I made it clear to my editors when I took this job that I didn’t want to “rate” beers or act like some critic. I wanted this column to be educational, fun, and interesting without resorting to giving out stars or thumbs-ups to beers.

I will sometimes describe elements of a beer and occasionally offer a critique of certain aspects, but I consider taste to be subjective. Just because I like something doesn’t mean you will, and vice-versa. That does not mean there are no bad beers, but again, with only 52 columns each year, I choose not to spend my precious column space on trashing any of them.

What’s the worst beer you’ve ever had?

I usually wouldn’t answer this because, as I just said above, I’m not in the business of trying to slag someone with my subjective opinion. But I have been asked this question a lot. And in this case, I think the target of my negativity can handle it, because 1) I’ve often sang the praises of the main beer made by the same brewery, and 2) it’s owned by a multinational company, so one little snub by me isn’t going to sting anyone that much.

Guinness Kaliber, a non-alcoholic beer, was an experience I didn’t particularly enjoy. Although I rarely leave a beer unfinished, this was one instance where I simply couldn’t. Despite being a non-alcoholic variant, it didn’t sit well with my palette. That said, Guinness has rectified this with their new offering, Guinness 0, which closely resembles their original formula. Cheers to the brand for making amends in the non-alcoholic segment.

Which beer do I enjoy the most?

Whenever faced with this query, my go-to response is usually, “The one you’re ready to offer.” However, adhering to my live-in-the-present approach, this implies I’m referring to a beer in the future. Applying that condition eliminates any beer from the past as well. Thus, the honest answer would likely be “the one I’m currently savoring.”

This was fun for me, so if you have any other questions, send them along to geolenker@yahoo.com and maybe down the road, I will answer some more. Cheers.

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