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Steven Coulson
Steven has been drinking beers, wines and spirits for decades and has a propensity to go about them at length after a few drinks.
Latest Posts
- 57/m: Love beer, but it doesn’t love me as much anymore
- No Stupid Questions Wednesday – ask anything about beer
- Does anyone else get treated like a beer snob for ordering literally anything that isn’t a macro lager?
- Is there a polite way to refuse a beer that’s being served in the wrong glassware without making everyone at the table uncomfortable?
- # What’s the most pretentious thing you’ve ever said about beer that you secretly didn’t understand yourself?
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Navigating the Craft Beer Conversation: How to Share Your Passion without Sounding Pretentious
If you’ve ever found yourself surrounded by friends who equate “beer” with a 30-pack of mass-produced lager, you know how frustrating it can be to convey the artistry of craft beer without coming off as a snob. It’s a common scenario for beer enthusiasts; your friends gather for a casual hangout, only to overlook the vast world of flavors and brewing techniques that craft beer has to offer.
You might have experienced a moment similar to mine: you bring a carefully selected craft beer to share, only to watch your friends politely sip before returning to their go-to choice of economical brews. The moment you mention anything about hops, fermentation, or the nuances of brewing, you can practically see their eyes glaze over as they mentally prepare for what they presume to be a lecture on craft beer.
This often leaves you wondering how to communicate your appreciation for craft beer without alienating your friends. So, how do you introduce the diverse, exciting world of craft brewing to a group that seems set in their ways?
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Start with Flavor: Rather than diving into technical jargon, focus on the flavors they might enjoy. Ask them what types of flavors they like in food or drinks. Discuss how craft beers can complement those preferences, such as a fruity IPA or a rich stout, without sounding overly analytical.
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Encourage Exploration: Suggest a casual taste test at your next get-together. Bring a variety of craft beers and provide a brief overview of what makes each one unique. This encourages your friends to expand their palates without feeling pressured.
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Use Analogies: Compare the experience of drinking craft beer to discovering new cuisines. Just as someone might not compare a gourmet taco to a standard fast-food option, you can illustrate that not all beers abide by the same standards.
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Avoid Technicality: While you might be passionate about brewing processes or hop varieties, steer clear of conversations laden with technical terms. Keep the dialogue fun and relatable; it’s more about enjoyment than education.
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Find Common Ground: Many craft breweries have created accessible and approachable options that mimic the flavors of popular mainstream beers. Highlight these similarities to help bridge the gap and pique their curiosity.
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Lead by Example: Sometimes the best way to inspire change is to be a walking advertisement of enthusiasm. Consistently bring unique beers to gatherings, and over