Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

FAQ / Help Topics

Before reaching out, please check out the following resources:

• General
• Your Account (including email issues)
• Forums
• Beers
• Trading
• Places
• Events
• Industry
• Academics / Developers (looking to use our data?)

Still need help?

• Drop me a DM (preferred, if you're logged in)
  
• Email me: todd@beeradvocate.com

Thanks.

 

General

Read: About BeerAdvocate

Who owns BeerAdvocate?
Next Glass is the parent company of BeerAdvocate.

Where is BeerAdvocate located?
In your heart.

How many employees do you have?
Currently, Next Glass employs over 100 staff who are based around the globe. BeerAdvocate also works with dozens of volunteer users to help moderate the site.

Are you hiring?
Check here: https://www.nextglass.co/careers

Do you have an app?
Not at this time.

 

Your Account

Why can't I create an account?
We have a very strict rules in place to help thwart spammers that analyzes usernames, emails, and IP addresses. If for some reason your attempt to create an account is failing, please try using a different username, email, or network (like your home network versus your mobile phone) to sign up with.

If you're a spammer, we'll eventually find and destroy your attempts. So, don't bother signing up. Thanks!

Why can't I log in?
Ensure that your username/email and password (case-sensitive) are correctly entered, or try asking for a password reminder from the log in page. See: "How can I reset my password?" below.

How can I change my password?
For logged in users only: https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/account/security

If you're logged in and can't remember your current password, please log out and then reset your password (see below).

How can I reset my password?
For logged out users only: https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/lost-password/

Important: You'll need to ensure that you have access to the email that's associated with your account (see below). Without access, you won't be able to reset your password.

How do I update my email?
Why am I not receiving emails?
Why is the site saying my email isn't valid?
What if I no longer have access to the email associated with my account?
Read: Resolving Email Issues

How can I make my account more secure?
Read: How to Secure Your Account

Where can I update my account information and preferences?
Hover over your username located in the upper right navigation. You'll see options there.

Can I change my username?
Only Society members are allowed to change their username. Doing so won't impact your contributions. https://www.beeradvocate.com/society/

Why is my time zone set to London? How can I change my time zone?
We use UTC (or Coordinated Universal Time) as the default for all new accounts, but you can change your time zone under your account preferences. This will automagically adjust your view of displayed times on reviews, forum posts, etc.

Why aren't my stats updating?
Some user stats are updated hourly or daily based on stat and the last time you were active.

What's Karma? How do I accrue points?
Read: BeerAdvocate Karma, Explained

Why do I have zero Karma points?
Occasionally we make tweaks to the system that require points to be reset. If you previously had points, don't worry, they're not lost and will be recalculated soon. And if you had any user group promotions based on points, you'll eventually regain those too.

Can I disable site notices?
You can dismiss individual notices as they appear, but you can't disable them or opt-out.

What are profile posts and how can I post and manage them?
Read: Profile Posts, Explained

How do I unsubscribe from your emails?
Read: Unsubscribe from BeerAdvocate Emails

 

Forums

Read: Code of Conduct

How do I post a new thread in the forums?

• Get familiar with our various forums: https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/
• Search for similar posts. If any exist, reply to them vs starting a new thread.
• Otherwise, click on the forum you feel best fits your post.
• Click the "Post New Thread" button.
• Ensure that your thread title and message is clear. This will make it easier for others to find, understand, and encourage more participation.

How do I reply to a thread?

• Click the reply link within the specific post that you'd like to reply to. This will auto-quote the post that you're replying to. If you just want to reply to the thread in general, clear the quoted content.
• You many also quote multiple posts by using the +Quote feature, followed by the Insert Quotes feature.
• If you're replying simply because you agree with another user's post, use the Like feature instead.

Why can't I post?

• Your posting privileges may have been temporarily suspended and will return after a period of time. Reasons: invalid email or breaking our Terms of Use.
• You might be trying to post in a forum that doesn't allow it.

How do I post an image in the forum?
We're not in the image hosting business, so you'll need to use a service to store your images. This involves signing up for an image storage service or social media platform that allows hotlinking to your image. That is, a service that allows you to embed images from their services to be displayed on another site.

• Ensure that the image is shared publicly and copy the direct link to the image; don't include any other code.
• Use the "Image" button in the posting toolbar, paste the link, and submit.
• Provided all of the above is correct, your image will now be embedded when you submit your post.

It's highly recommend that you use "More Options..." to "Preview" your post to ensure that it's working before posting.

Also, check out: Guide for adding pictures to the forums and database

How do I post a video in the forum?
Only YouTube and Vimeo are supported and will embed automatically if you include a valid link in the text of your post.

How do I post or embed other media types?
Other than hotlinking to images and listed video formats, embedding media is currently disabled.

How do I edit or delete my post?
You have a 15 minute window to edit your post, its title if your the original poster (OP), or delete it if you made a mistake. After this the links to edit will disappear. Use the Report link if you require further assistance.

What was my post moderated / removed?
Please refer to our Terms of Use and Code of Conduct.

Why are some links *blocked* in posts?
For various reasons, we've decided to not allow links to certain websites. Meaning links will be blocked. Attempts to work around may result removal of content and restrictions on your account.

Why am I not receiving Forum Alerts?
Read: Forum Alerts

What's New Beer Sunday?
Read: New Beer Sunday, Explained

 

Beers

How do I add a beer?
Read: How to Add beers on BeerAdvocate

Why is <insert beer name> listed as retired?
There are many reasons why a beer gets retired.

• Brewers discontinue beers.
• Breweries close.
• A mistake was made. (See below for reporting updates.)

Retired beers are no longer ranked and will not appear on Top Rated lists.

How do I upload a photo?
Read: How to Upload Beer & Place Photos

How do I report an update?
See the "Update This Beer" link/dropdown menu at the top of the beer page (you must be logged in) and select "Report an Update." Please complete the form and provide as much information as possible before submitting.

How do I add notes?
See above.

Why doesn't Gots work? Why can't I add more?
Gots were designed to keep track of the beers in your cellar or fridge and max out at 500 (as noted on your Gots page). Some traders also find it useful.

If you're looking to track the beers that you've tried, please rate/review the beers.

 

Trading

Where are the trading forums?
Why does it say "insufficient privileges" when I try to post a trade?
You need to join our Trading community and agree to its terms. (See below.)

How do I trade?
Read: How to Get Started with Beer Trading

What are the rules?
Read: Beer Trading Rules & Tips

Is there a place to view what beers have traded for in the past?
Visit: Completed Trades

Is there a way to leave feedback on completed trades?
Read: Beer Trading Feedback System, Explained

What happens if someone fails to trade?
Read: How to Create a Bad Trader Thread

Why have my trading privileges been pulled?
This occurs under two circumstances:

1. You've failed to follow our rules and your access has been revoked. This may occur temporarily or permanently depending on the warning and your warning history (see your profile page). Don't contact us. Take your lumps and move on.
2. We've reset accounts and you must join Trading again.

How do I leave the trading area?
There's a button on the main Trading and Your Trading pages sidebar (Beer Trading Stats block) that'll allow you to leave. You can always join again.

 

Places

How do I add a place?
Once you've ensured that the place doesn't already exist, select Places > Add a Place and complete the form.

Why can't I rate certain places?
Ratings are disabled for places that are breweries only. We allow their beers to do the talking instead. But you can use the report feature if the place is more than just a brewery.

How do I upload a photo?
Read: How to Upload Beer & Place Photos

How do I report an update?
See the "Update This Place" link/dropdown menu at the top of the beer page (you must be logged in) and select "Report an Update." Please complete the form and provide as much information as possible before submitting.

How do I report that a place has closed?
How do I add notes?
See above.

 

Events

Read: About BeerAdvocate Fests

How do I add an event?
Our events calendar is currently disabled.

Can I post my event in your forums?
No. Forums are for discussing topics, not spamming events.

How do I let people know about my event?
Contact us about advertising opportunities.

 

Industry

We encourage beer industry professionals to participate on BeerAdvocate and engage our users in a helpful manner, however, there are some obvious differences when posting as bias and the urge to promote comes to play.

Can I reference your ratings?
Yes, so long as credit is given to the source (BeerAdvocate) and they're in no way altered. A link back would be cool, too.

Can I use your forums to promote my business?
Soliciting our users with your goods or services will not be tolerated. Some examples:

• Posting press releases.
• Promoting events outside of the Events section.
• Urging users to visit your business, website, social media channel, app, or Kickstarter.
• Having others spam for you.

Instead, consider advertising with us. Email us for options.

Can I rate my beers or place?
Rating and reviewing your own place or beers, or competitors, or paying others to do so, is not allowed and illegal under FTC guidelines. Doing so will result in removal of all content, account banning, and possible further action, without warning.

How do I claim our page?
This feature isn't available.

How do I update to our listing?
Locate "Update This Beer/Place" link/dropdown menu at the top of the page (you must be logged in) and select "Report an Update." Please complete the form and provide as much information as possible before submitting.

Do you have shelf talkers?
Yes. You'll find a link to print them on most beer pages (if you're logged in). Currently we only offer the ability to print one at a time.

 

Academics / Developers

Can I post a survey for my project?
We don't allow the solicitation of our users.

Can I obtain or use your content/data for my project?
We don't authorize obtaining, scraping, storing, using, distributing, or publishing our content/data in any form.

Do you have a public application programming interface (API)?
Not at this time, but it's something we're exploring.