The Art of Beer Speak: When Pretentiousness Overwhelms Understanding

There’s no denying that the craft beer scene is rich with terminology and complex flavors, but have you ever found yourself in a conversation where you’re nodding along, yet completely lost? Recently, during a bottle share, I experienced what I can only describe as an enlightening moment—one that was simultaneously embarrassing and amusing.

As the host uncorked a barrel-aged sour, I felt the urge to sound knowledgeable. I confidently remarked on how I “truly appreciated the characteristic brett malt interacting with the oak tannins to create some beautiful phenolic compounds.” In all honesty, I had no grasp of what phenolic compounds actually entailed. It seems I had unintentionally fused wine jargon with snippets from a brewing podcast that had lingered in my mind.

What left me feeling even more perplexed was the chorus of affirming nods that followed my grand declaration. It emboldened me to elaborate further, stating something about the beer “expressing local terroir through indigenous microflora.” While it sounded impressive, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was just stringing together craft beer buzzwords without true comprehension.

Adding to my dismay, last month I found myself touting a beer’s “mouthfeel complexity” when in reality, I was simply referring to its thicker viscosity. It became evident that I was engaging in a sort of craft beer mad libs—repeating phrases that I had heard, all while hoping no one would uncover my lack of understanding.

Does any of this resonate with you? It seems we all can fall into the trap of pretentious beer language, often mimicking what others say in an effort to enhance our own knowledge. It would be interesting to hear if you’ve had similar moments of confusion or pretense when discussing your favorite brews. Let’s share our experiences and perhaps simplify the conversation around our beloved beers!