The Curious Pretentiousness of Craft Beer Enthusiasts

Craft beer culture is rich with flavor, aroma, and a touch of whimsical jargon that often leaves even seasoned enthusiasts scratching their heads. Recently, while attending a bottle share event, I found myself swept up in the moment and inadvertently slipped into the role of a beer connoisseur. As a barrel-aged sour was poured, I confidently declared my admiration for how “the characteristic brett interacted with the oak tannins to create some exquisite phenolic compounds.”

Here’s the kicker: I have absolutely no clue what phenolic compounds are. I believe I cobbled together some wine terminology with vague memories of a brewing podcast I had listened to. To my surprise, the others around the table nodded appreciatively, as if I’d imparted a great truth. Feeling emboldened, I elaborated by mentioning the beer’s ability to “express local terroir through indigenous microflora.”

In hindsight, it was nothing more than a string of impressive-sounding phrases. Just last month, I caught myself describing a beer’s “mouthfeel complexity” when what I really meant was that it had a notably thick texture.

The reality of the situation dawned on me: I was engaging in a sort of craft beer mad libs, stringing together buzzwords that sound sophisticated but may not hold much meaning, even for myself. It often seems that many of us are echoing phrases we’ve heard from others, hoping to blend in without being called out for our lack of knowledge.

Does anyone else resonate with this experience? Are we genuinely appreciating the intricacies of craft beers, or are we merely performing for the sake of appearance? In the world of craft beer, it seems that sometimes the language can outpace our understanding, and that’s perfectly okay. After all, isn’t enjoying a good beer the ultimate goal?