The Art of Pretentious Beer Talk: Have You Been There?

Last weekend, I attended a local bottle share, excited to explore some unique brews and connect with fellow enthusiasts. As the bottles were being uncorked and the chatter grew louder, one particular beer—a barrel-aged sour—caught my attention. In a spontaneous moment of inspiration (or perhaps overconfidence), I found myself proclaiming my admiration for how the “characteristic brett interacts with the oak tannins to create some beautiful phenolic compounds.”

Here’s the catch: I had absolutely no clue what “phenolic compounds” actually are. I think I was subconsciously merging terms I’d heard on wine podcasts with a few snatched phrases from brewing discussions. To my surprise, the crowd nodded along, as if I had just unveiled a profound insight about the intricacies of the beer. Encouraged by their reactions, I boldly ventured further and mentioned how the brew was “expressing local terroir through indigenous microflora.”

In hindsight, I chuckle at my attempt to sound knowledgeable. Just last month, I confidently described another beer’s “mouthfeel complexity,” when I really meant to convey that it simply had a thick texture. It dawned on me that I was engaging in what could only be described as craft beer mad libs—stringing together buzzwords and jargon in a way that might fool some, but only served to highlight my own uncertainty.

It seems like in the world of craft beer, many of us fall into the trap of echoing phrases we’ve heard, hoping to blend in with the seasoned connoisseurs. Have you ever found yourself in a similar predicament, trying to navigate the sophisticated lingo of craft beer while feeling like an imposter? Let’s share our experiences and perhaps create a more authentic dialogue around the beers we love. Cheers!