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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 Beer Preferences: The Craft Beer Conundrum
Recently, I found myself in a rather amusing yet frustrating situation during a dinner outing with coworkers. As the server approached our table, I confidently ordered the house IPA, thinking nothing of it. However, what followed was a rather unexpected reaction that made me feel like I’d just announced my intention to pair a gourmet wine with a simple chicken sandwich.
The reactions were varied, but one gentleman quickly chimed in with a dismissive attitude toward my choice, asserting that he didn’t fancy “all those fancy flavors.” Instead, he opted for a Stella Artois, proclaiming it as a superior choice simply because it was imported. The irony was not lost on me; here I was enjoying a local craft beer with unique flavors, while he considered his “classic” lager as a mark of sophistication.
It’s amusing how some people equate ordering anything beyond a macro lager with being a beer elitist. I found myself in a position where I felt compelled to explain the intricacies of hops and craft brewing, all while he was adamant that anything aside from a Bud Light exuded pretentiousness. It was hard not to chuckle at the fact that he was paying a premium for a beer that, in terms of flavor, hardly surpassed his idea of everyday drinking.
This encounter has me pondering the dynamics of beer preferences and how they often invite unnecessary scrutiny. Why is it that some individuals regard a simple desire for flavorful brews as a snobbish behavior? It feels like we’ve entered a realm where ordering an IPA is akin to showing off a rare vintage, all while some folks think of Corona with a lime as adventurous.
For those who share a passion for craft beers, how do you handle these conversations without coming off as a snob? It’s important to express our appreciation for complex flavors without alienating those who prefer the simpler brews. After all, the world of beer is vast and varied, and there’s room for every palate.
Have you ever found yourself defending your beer choices in a similar manner? How do you navigate these amusing yet perplexing discussions?