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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.
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- What’s your favourite thing to do while drinking alone?
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The Unspoken Truths of Craft Beer Appreciation: Have You Ever Faked Your Expertise?
In the vibrant world of craft beer, enthusiasts often tout their in-depth knowledge, yet behind this facade lies a reality many can relate to: the pressure to sound knowledgeable, even when we might not fully grasp the terminology.
Recently, during a bottle share event, I found myself confronted with a barrel-aged sour that sparked a rather embarrassing moment of pretentiousness. Without hesitation, I boldly declared my admiration for how the “characteristic brett interacted with the oak tannins to create some beautiful phenolic compounds.” The catch? I had no real understanding of what phenolic compounds even were. It seemed I had merged some wine jargon I’d heard with snippets from a brewing podcast, hoping it would suffice.
To my surprise, the crowd nodded in appreciation as if I had revealed a profound insight. Caught in a whirlwind of enthusiasm, I continued by stating that the beer “expresses local terroir through indigenous microflora.” It felt momentarily impressive, but deep down, I feared I was just stringing together buzzwords.
Reflecting on my recent experiences, I recalled a previous occasion where I described a beer’s “mouthfeel complexity,” a term I used when I simply meant to convey that it tasted thick. It was then I realized that I was engaging in craft beer “mad libs,” filled with phrases and concepts I didn’t fully understand.
This revelation led me to ponder: How often do we engage in a similar struggle? Are we all, at some point, just echoing phrases we’ve heard from more seasoned aficionados, praying that we won’t be called out for our lack of expertise?
If you’ve ever found yourself in a similar position—using complex beer jargon that sounds insightful yet feels hollow—you’re not alone. The world of beer appreciation can sometimes feel intimidating, but it’s essential to remember that the joy of sharing and discovering new flavors is what ultimately connects us as enthusiasts. Let’s lift the veil on pretentiousness and celebrate the beauty of honesty in our craft beer journeys.