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Navigating Beer Preferences: Are You a Snob for Choosing Craft?

In today’s craft beer culture, have you ever felt the pressure of being labeled a “beer snob” simply for opting for something beyond a standard macro lager? I recently experienced this firsthand during a dinner outing with colleagues. When the server approached for drink orders, I requested the house IPA—a simple choice, I thought, given the vibrant flavors that come with craft beer.

To my surprise, my request prompted a theatrical reaction, as if I had made a grand statement about my culinary sophistication. One coworker, clearly unimpressed with my choice, remarked that he prefers “normal beer that tastes like beer,” before heading off to order a Stella, which in his mind represented the pinnacle of sophistication simply because it’s “imported.” It felt baffling that he believed choosing a local, flavorful IPA would come across as pretentious, while his choice had all the charm of a mass-produced lager.

As I tried to explain that hops are a natural ingredient, not some exotic add-in, he seemed utterly convinced that anything outside of Bud Light was an affront to simplicity. Ironically, he forked out just a couple of extra dollars for his “premium European lager,” which, to me, tasted eerily similar to that familiar American brew but with a fancy label.

This got me thinking: how can one engage in these discussions around personal beer choices without being dismissed as a snob? It’s frustrating to feel the need to defend a simple desire for richer flavors against those who equate beer enjoyment with familiar brands.

Do any of you find yourselves in a similar position, having to justify your beer selections to friends who consider a lime-studded Corona a culinary adventure? It can be quite a challenge to explain the nuances of craft beers without coming off as pretentious. But in all honesty, there’s no harm in wanting to savor a brew with depth and character.

Cheers to those who appreciate the art of brewing—let’s raise our glasses (of IPA or otherwise) and celebrate our diverse tastes!