Navigating the Craft Beer Conversation: A Personal Experience

In the vast world of beer enthusiasts, there seems to be an ongoing divide between those who enjoy craft brews and those who stick to the tried-and-true macro lagers. Recently, I found myself in a rather amusing situation that perfectly highlights this divide during a dinner outing with colleagues.

Last week, as we settled in at the restaurant, I was met with a familiar inquiry from the server: “What would you like to drink?” My choice? Their house IPA—a decision rooted in a desire for flavor over familiarity. Little did I know, this innocent order would cue a cascade of reactions, akin to proclaiming some controversial opinion over dinner.

As soon as I placed my order, I was met with a bemused reaction. One of my coworkers leaned in and remarked, “Wow, you’re really into that craft beer stuff, huh?” It felt as though I had just proposed an extravagant wine pairing for my meal instead of simply opting for a hoppy ale. Then came the inevitable commentary from another colleague, who opined that he didn’t require “all those fancy flavors” and preferred “a normal beer that tastes like beer.” The irony? He promptly ordered a Stella Artois—marked as “imported” and, in his eyes, far more sophisticated than my local brewery IPA.

I found myself trying to explain the intricacies of hops, emphasizing that they aren’t a bizarre addition meant to confuse the palate. Yet, for some reason, my attempt at conversation was met with skepticism. To him, anything beyond a Bud Light seemed unnecessarily pretentious. All the while, he was paying a premium price for a European lager that, truth be told, resembled a corn syrup-laden macro brew more than it did any craft beer.

What I truly yearned for was a simple acknowledgment of personal taste—not a debate over my choice of beverage. But somehow, in the eyes of some, simply reaching for an IPA means claiming allegiance to an exclusive club of so-called beer snobs.

Has anyone else found themselves in similar situations? How does one navigate these conversations without sounding elitist, especially when all you want is to enjoy a beer that actually possesses flavor? It’s amusing to consider, but it seems that for some, even a basic IPA can provoke defensiveness, as if ordering it makes you one of those “craft beer people” who absurdly revel in flavors reminiscent of household cleaners and exotic fruits