The Art of Pretentious Beer Talk: Have You Ever Said Too Much?

Last weekend’s bottle share provided not only a delightful array of unique brews but also a perfect setting for indulging in some craft beer banter. As one of the attendees cracked open an intriguing barrel-aged sour, I found myself swept up in the moment, declaring how I “truly appreciated the characteristic brett interacting with the oak tannins to create beautiful phenolic compounds.”

Now, let’s be honest—I had absolutely no clue what phenolic compounds were. I had taken a mash-up of wine jargon and some vague memory from a brewing podcast, throwing it into the conversation without a second thought. To my surprise, everyone around me nodded along, as if I had just delivered a groundbreaking insight.

Feeling encouraged by the nods of approval, I further complicated my statement with a comment about the beer expressing “local terroir through indigenous microflora.” At that point, I might as well have been speaking a different language, as my grasp on the topic was tenuous at best.

Just last month, during another casual tasting, I found myself describing a beer’s “mouthfeel complexity,” when in reality, I simply meant that it felt thick. It dawned on me how often we may rely on terminology that sounds sophisticated, yet lacks true understanding.

Many of us, it seems, slip into this pretentious language, often parroting phrases we’ve overheard, all in hopes of fitting in with the craft beer culture. It’s worth asking: Are we all just playing a version of craft beer mad libs? Do you ever feel like you’re saying too much and hoping no one calls your bluff?

In this thriving community of enthusiastic beer lovers, let’s remember to enjoy the journey of tasting and sharing without getting too caught up in the jargon. Cheers to being genuine, whether we’re eloquently dissecting flavors or simply enjoying a good brew!