The Art of Beer Talk: When Pretentiousness Meets Confusion

Have you ever found yourself in a conversation about beer, spouting terms and phrases that you thought sounded impressive but left you scratching your head? If so, you’re not alone! Recently, I attended a bottle share that turned into a perfect illustration of this phenomenon.

During the gathering, someone uncorked a barrel-aged sour ale, and without a second thought, I jumped into a monologue about how I “truly appreciated the characteristic brett interacting with the oak tannins to create some beautiful phenolic compounds.” Let me be honest—I haven’t the faintest clue what phenolic compounds really are. I think I merely strung together some terms lifted from wine discussions and snippets I’d half-remembered from a brewing podcast.

To my surprise, everyone nodded along, as though I had imparted some sage wisdom. Encouraged by their reactions, I took it a step further and mentioned the beer “expressing local terroir through indigenous microflora.” I could practically feel the pretentiousness radiating off my words!

Reflecting on past experiences, I recalled a moment not long ago when I found myself describing a beer’s “mouthfeel complexity.” In reality, I was simply trying to say it tasted rich and thick—clearly, my choice of words wasn’t exactly on point.

Looking back, I realize how often we get caught in this craft beer vernacular, playing a game of “beer mad libs.” Many of us are likely just repeating phrases we’ve heard, hoping no one will notice we’re more mimic than expert. It leaves me wondering: do others share this experience? Are we all slightly lost in the labyrinth of beer jargon, pretending to be connoisseurs in a world that sometimes feels better suited for the professionals?

Next time you’re in a similar situation, remember: it’s perfectly okay to appreciate beer without the need for elaborate language. Cheers to enjoying the simple pleasures of craft beer!