The Art of Pretentious Beer Talk: When Do We Cross the Line?

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending a bottle share, a gathering where craft beer enthusiasts share and discuss various brews. It was an enjoyable experience, filled with great company and, of course, exquisite beers. However, amidst the flavorful brews, an amusing moment occurred that made me ponder the extent of our beer jargon.

As one participant opened a barrel-aged sour, I felt a surge of confidence—perhaps even a bit of bravado—compelled by the ambiance of the room. I launched into a spirited explanation, claiming that I “truly appreciated the characteristic brett interacting with the oak tannins to create some beautiful phenolic compounds.” In that moment, I realized I had ventured into territory I didn’t fully grasp. The term ‘phenolic compounds’? It was merely a jumble of wine terminology and snippets from brewing podcasts I’d half-listened to in the past.

What added hilarity to my faux pas was the enraptured response from those around me. Heads nodded in agreement, as though I had imparted some profound wisdom. Fueled by the collective approval, I doubled down, commenting on the beer’s ability to “express local terroir through indigenous microflora.” I could almost feel the pretension in the air—an unintentional performance of craft beer Mad Libs.

Not too long ago, I found myself discussing a beer’s “mouthfeel complexity,” when, in reality, I was merely trying to express that it tasted rather thick. It dawned on me that, more often than not, many of us might be echoing phrases we’ve overheard, hoping no one will catch our lack of understanding.

So, I pose this question to fellow beer enthusiasts: Do you sometimes feel that the language surrounding craft beer can get a bit out of hand? Are we, perhaps, engaging in a collective game of pretending to be connoisseurs, all while hoping to avoid being called out on our less-than-robust knowledge? Let’s embrace the joy of beer in its simplest form and engage in conversations that celebrate our love for it—regardless of how we articulate it! Cheers!