haveigotboozeforyou.com

Navigating the Craft Beer Conversation: A Dinner Dilemma

Do you ever feel like you’re being labeled a beer snob for simply ordering a drink that’s not a mainstream lager? It’s an experience many beer enthusiasts can relate to, and I recently encountered it during a dinner outing with colleagues.

Last week, as our server approached the table to take drink orders, I opted for the house IPA. Almost immediately, I could feel the judgment in the air, as if I had declared a penchant for wine pairing with my chicken sandwich. One coworker chimed in with the classic sentiment, “I don’t need all those fancy flavors,” insisting he preferred a ‘normal’ beer that simply tasted like… well, beer. He then proceeded to order a Stella as if that decision elevated him to the ranks of connoisseurship because it was, in his words, “imported.”

As I sat there, I attempted to clarify that hops aren’t some bizarre additive, yet he seemed convinced that any choice outside of Bud Light marked a shift into the realm of pretentiousness. Ironically, he was shelling out a couple of extra dollars for a “premium European lager” that, to my palate, tasted remarkably similar to a heavily corn-sweetened domestic lager.

How do you navigate these conversations without being pegged as a beer snob? I certainly wasn’t trying to make a statement with my drink choice; I merely wanted something that actually had flavor. Yet, for some, choosing an IPA or any craft beer seems to place you into a category of individuals who enjoy the taste of—let’s say—Pine Sol and clementine peels.

Does anyone else find themselves in a position where they must defend their beer preferences to colleagues who consider a Corona with lime to be an exotic beverage? It seems that the world of craft beer continues to draw lines in the sand, even among friends. What are your thoughts on how to handle these interactions gracefully while still enjoying the flavors you love? Share your experiences in the comments!