Old-School Beer Reviews vs Modern Interactive Tastings
BeerAdvocate has been a pillar of the beer community since 1996, known as the go-to resource for beer reviews and ratings with a vast database (8+ million reviews of 400,000 beers!). It's a place where "beer geeks" exchange detailed tasting notes and discuss brews on forums.
But in an age where beer enthusiasts crave faster, more social experiences, BeerAdvocate's traditional approach can feel dated. Tasteparty brings those tastings to life with real-time engagement. If you've relied on BeerAdvocate for reviews or community, discover how Tasteparty can complement and improve your beer tasting gatherings.
See how interactive tastings compare to traditional reviews
| Feature | Tasteparty | BeerAdvocate |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Origin | Modern web app (2020s) — built for interactive tastings | Established website (founded 1996) — forums & reviews |
| Purpose | ✅ Hosting live tasting events with group scoring and fun reveals | Archive of beer reviews & ratings; community forums for discussion |
| Participation Style | ✅ Interactive & Real-Time: Everyone rates together, instant results | Asynchronous & Detailed: Individual reviews posted after tasting |
| Technical Ease | ✅ Easy access: No downloads; join via QR code in seconds | 🔶 Web-focused: Primarily a website; app introduced late |
| Audience | ✅ Inclusive for novices & experts at events | Caters to dedicated enthusiasts ("beer geeks") |
| Social Aspect | ✅ In-person socializing; sparks group discussion during tasting | Online community; forum discussions separate from tasting moment |
| Data/Content | Light-weight ratings, live group analytics, event summaries | ✅ Deep well of user-generated content (8M+ reviews) |
| Beverages Covered | ✅ Multi-category: beer, wine, spirits, coffee — you name it | Beer-centric (some cider/mead); wine/spirits not included |
| Cost | ✅ Free for small groups; affordable plans for larger events | ✅ Free to use (ad-supported) |
BeerAdvocate is a treasure trove of beer knowledge and reviews — great for research and deep dives. Tasteparty is all about the experience of tasting beer together in the moment. It transforms how beer enthusiasts interact, making tastings engaging and accessible to all, beyond the hardcore reviewers.
BeerAdvocate made its name on detailed, often exhaustive beer reviews by enthusiasts. Reading and writing those reviews is valuable, but it's a solitary task. Tasteparty shifts the focus to real-time engagement. Rather than laboring over a paragraph-long review, you and your friends can quickly score each beer as you taste, and see the group's consensus instantly.
Let's face it — BeerAdvocate's community, while awesome, can be intimidating. Newcomers might worry their tasting notes aren't "expert" enough. With Tasteparty, there's no pressure to perform literary critique. The interface is user-friendly: you rate on sliders for the qualities you taste. Everyone from a certified beer judge to a friend who "just likes IPAs" can join in and have fun.
On BeerAdvocate, if you host a bottle share and everyone writes their thoughts later on the forum, you might read those reviews days or weeks after. With Tasteparty, as soon as each beer is sampled, you're getting feedback. The group's rating appears in real time, and you can reveal the winner of the night right there. It turns a tasting into an event.
Many BeerAdvocate folks still use notebooks or printed score sheets at tastings, then later transpose notes online. Tasteparty eliminates that clunky step. It's all digital and instant, but without forcing an "all-in-one" app barrier. Guests scan a QR code and rate through a mobile web page — super simple. Spend more time sipping and discussing, less time scribbling.
You don't have to abandon BeerAdvocate to love Tasteparty. In fact, they complement each other. You might discover a new stout's rating on BeerAdvocate and bring that bottle to a tasting. Then use Tasteparty to see what your group thinks compared to the online consensus. With Tasteparty you live the review together, rather than just reading it individually.
BeerAdvocate did launch a "Beers by BeerAdvocate" app in 2019, but its core usage remains web-based and text-heavy. Tasteparty was born in the mobile era — it's snappy, works on any device, and feels as modern as any social app. You won't fight clunky interfaces or page reloads; it's designed for speed and ease during events.
If you've ever attended a BeerAdvocate meetup or any traditional beer tasting, you know the drill: taste, jot notes, later discuss or post online. Tasteparty supercharges this.
Imagine your next brewery tasting event: instead of silent note-taking, you have people cheering as scores come in. The host can display a live scoreboard on a screen — suddenly tasting feels like a fun competition. It's engaging for attendees in a way static reviews can't match. Even the quiet ones in the group light up when they see their personal favorite climb (or drop) on the leaderboard.
For breweries and beer festivals, Tasteparty can be a game-changer too. BeerAdvocate ratings and awards come well after the event; Tasteparty gives you feedback immediately. You could run a "People's Choice" tasting at a festival and announce the winner on the spot, all through Tasteparty's voting system.
BeerAdvocate remains an excellent resource before and after events — you might research beers on it beforehand, and perhaps post a detailed review of the winner afterward if you're so inclined. But the core experience of the tasting — the smiles, surprises, and social buzz — is something Tasteparty uniquely delivers.
BeerAdvocate has united beer geeks for decades around shared knowledge. Tasteparty unites people around the shared experience of tasting. If you're someone who loves the craft beer world — whether you pride yourself on your BeerAdvocate scorecard or you're just getting into IPAs — Tasteparty will make your appreciation for beer even more enjoyable.
Bring your beer community into the interactive era. Host a Tasteparty session at your next gathering and see the difference it makes. No more waiting for forum replies or combing through long reviews — you'll create memories right there with your friends, pint in hand.
Take your beer gatherings from informative to unforgettable.
✓ Free for small groups • ✓ No credit card required • ✓ Setup in 2 minutes