The Art of Pretension in Craft Beer Appreciation: Confessions of a Novice

Craft beer culture is a fascinating blend of passion, creativity, and, let’s be honest, a fair amount of pretension. Last weekend, at a local bottle share, I found myself drifting deeper into the realm of craft beer vocabulary than I ever intended. As a unique sour was poured from a barrel, I felt an irresistible urge to comment on it. With an air of confidence, I proclaimed how much I “truly appreciated the characteristic Brett interacting with the oak tannins to create some beautiful phenolic compounds.”

The truth? I couldn’t tell you what phenolic compounds are to save my life. I had simply amalgamated a few wine terms with fragments from a brewing podcast I vaguely remembered. To my surprise, the group responded with approving nods, as if I’d delivered a profound insight. Encouraged by their reaction, I even added something about the beer “expressing local terroir through indigenous microflora.”

Reflecting on those moments, I chuckle at how frequently we might find ourselves trapped in a cycle of pretentious jargon. Just last month, I caught myself lauding a beer for its “mouthfeel complexity,” but in reality, I only meant to convey that it had a rich and thick texture.

It’s both amusing and a bit alarming to think that sometimes we’re not just enjoying the craft but are also trying to keep up appearances within the community. We often slip into a pattern of echoing buzzwords we’ve heard, hoping nobody will call us out for our ignorance.

So, I’m curious—do others of you feel similarly? How many of us are navigating this intricate world of craft beer with a cocktail of enthusiasm and a sprinkling of pretense? Let’s raise a glass to honesty and perhaps a little less jargon in our beer conversations!