Defending Your Beer Preferences: Craft Beer Conversations

If you’ve ever found yourself the subject of bemusement for simply opting for a craft beer over a mainstream lager, you’re certainly not alone. I had an experience recently while dining with colleagues that brought this to light in a rather amusing way.

During a dinner outing, when the server approached to take drink orders, I confidently asked for the house IPA. To my surprise, my choice elicited a reaction as if I had just requested a rare vintage wine to accompany my meal. “Wow, you’re really into that craft beer stuff,” one of my coworkers remarked, almost with a hint of condescension, as if I’d proclaimed my love for abstract art or modern dance.

It quickly became apparent that my enthusiasm for craft beer was being perceived as snobbish. A colleague sitting across from me piped up, claiming he was perfectly content with “normal beer” that didn’t have the complexity of craft brews. Ironically, he ended up ordering a Stella Artois, declaring it superior simply because it was imported. This raised the question: does something become more sophisticated simply through its origin?

Attempting to engage in a light-hearted explanation, I found myself caught in a defensive stance. In his mind, any beer outside of the Bud Light realm was a presumptuous choice. Meanwhile, he was sipping on a “premium European lager” that was not only pricier but arguably no different in taste from the mass-produced lagers we’d grown accustomed to in the U.S.

So, how do you navigate these conversations without coming off as a beer snob? The reality is that my preference for hops and unique flavors comes from a desire for enjoyment, not a need to appear superior. It’s about exploring the craft and appreciating the diversity of flavors that beer aficionados have come to cherish.

Have you ever had to justify your drink choices to someone convinced a lime-wedge on Corona represents adventure? Share your tales in the comments below. It’s time we embrace our passion for flavorful brews without the judgment that all things beyond macro beers are pretentious. Cheers to understanding and appreciating the wonderful world of craft beer!