The Craft Beer Dilemma: Navigating Conversations About Your Choices

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where simply ordering an interesting beer leads to an uncomfortable reaction from friends or coworkers? Recently, I experienced just that during a dinner outing with colleagues. When it came time to order drinks, I casually opted for the house IPA, expecting nothing more than a refreshing sip. Instead, I was met with a chorus of remarks suggesting I was suddenly transformed into a “craft beer aficionado.”

One coworker, who took it upon himself to enlighten me, lamented, “I don’t need all those fancy flavors; I just want a normal beer that tastes like beer.” Ironically, he then proceeded to order a Stella Artois, crowning it as a “sophisticated choice” simply because it was imported. It was quite the moment of irony to witness—while I was merely seeking a beer with character, he was paying a premium for a lager that was, in essence, just as mainstream as the beers he derided.

As we engaged in this banter, I found myself trying to debunk the myth that hops and various flavor profiles are somehow pretentious or unusual. To him, anything beyond Bud Light seemed excessive, while he failed to recognize that the extra few bucks he spent on his “European lager” didn’t equate to better quality—just a different name on the label.

Navigating these conversations can be tricky. How does one defend their beer preferences without sounding elitist or snobbish? The truth is, I had no agenda; I simply desired something with a vibrant taste profile. Yet, it seems that in some circles, ordering an IPA or anything beyond macro lagers gets you labeled as one of those “craft beer people” who might as well be sipping on a concoction of Pine Sol and citrus peels.

If you’ve ever felt the need to justify your choice of brew to those who consider a Corona with lime as the peak of exotic drinking, you are not alone. So how do you handle these moments gracefully? Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Stay Laid Back: Approach the conversation without an air of superiority. Relate your recommendations to personal taste rather than a hierarchy of beer quality.

2. Invite Curiosity: Share what you love about certain flavors or brewing techniques. This may spark genuine interest rather than defensiveness.

3. Find Common Ground: