Your cart is currently empty!
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?
Categories
Tags
Social Links
Understanding the Difference: Craft Beer vs. Regular Beer
As the craft brewing movement continues to gain momentum, many of us have learned to appreciate the nuances of beer beyond the standard options available. However, conveying the distinction between “beer” and “craft beer” to friends who may not have the same enthusiasm can be a bit of a challenge. If you’ve found yourself in a situation where your friends casually refer to beer in a generalized manner, you might be wondering how to navigate this conversation without coming across as pretentious.
Picture this: you’re gathered with friends, and the plan is to enjoy a few drinks. When they excitedly announce they’re heading out to grab “some beer,” they return with a 30-pack of something very budget-friendly. Meanwhile, you might have brought along a carefully selected craft beer, only to watch everyone sip politely before returning to their familiar favorites. It’s not uncommon to sense a collective disengagement as soon as you introduce terms like “hops” or discuss brewing processes.
So, how do you appreciate craft beer without seeming like a snob? Here are some friendly strategies to bridge that gap and maybe even pique their interest:
-
Start with a Conversation: Rather than diving into a detailed explanation, ask about their beer preferences. This can help you understand what they enjoy and shape the discussion from there. You might say, “What’s your favorite beer? Have you ever tried something different?”
-
Share the Experience: Organize tastings where you can sample a variety of beers together. Approaching it as a fun adventure rather than a lecture can make your friends more receptive. You could frame it as, “Let’s explore some interesting new flavors together!”
-
Highlight the Fun Facts: Share interesting tidbits about craft beer that don’t sound like a lecture. For example, you could talk about unique brewing ingredients or share a funny story about a local brewery. Engaging them with stories can often be more captivating than discussing technical aspects.
-
Encourage Experimentation: Suggest pairing craft beers with certain foods or occasions. You could explain, “I found this amazing IPA that goes perfectly with spicy food—want to give it a try next time?”
-
Respect Their Preferences: Sometimes, it’s important to acknowledge that some people simply prefer the taste of mainstream options. It’s okay to enjoy different beer styles and respect individual preferences without feeling the need to compare.
If you