Your cart is currently empty!
Steven Coulson
Steven has been drinking beers, wines and spirits for decades and has a propensity to go about them at length after a few drinks.
Latest Posts
- 57/m: Love beer, but it doesn’t love me as much anymore
- No Stupid Questions Wednesday – ask anything about beer
- Does anyone else get treated like a beer snob for ordering literally anything that isn’t a macro lager?
- Is there a polite way to refuse a beer that’s being served in the wrong glassware without making everyone at the table uncomfortable?
- # What’s the most pretentious thing you’ve ever said about beer that you secretly didn’t understand yourself?
Categories
Tags
Social Links
Bridging the Beer Gap: How to Share Craft Beer Enthusiasm Without Sounding Pretentious
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where your friends are planning a casual get-together, and their idea of beer is a mass-produced 30-pack? You’re not alone! Many beer enthusiasts face a common challenge: how to convey the distinctions between regular beer and craft beer without coming off as a snob.
My friends often gather and enthusiastically declare, “Let’s get beer!” But what follows rarely excites the palate—a bargain brand, likely costing less than your lunch. When we’re out to dinner, the ordering process is even more streamlined; they simply point to the menu and say, “I’ll have a beer,” as if there’s only one type available.
During our last hangout, I decided to introduce them to some quality craft selections. However, I noticed that after just one polite sip from my carefully chosen brews, they reverted to their comforting yet bland staples. It can be disheartening to witness the vibrant world of craft beer go unnoticed, especially when you want to share that experience with them.
It seems that the moment I dive into topics like hops or the brewing process, I can hear mental alarms going off. I’m met with glazed expressions that suggest my friends are preparing for an onslaught of what they perceive to be a “craft beer lecture.”
Yet, I can’t bring myself to accept that a can of Miller High Life holds the same weight as a complex Belgian tripel. There’s such a rich tapestry of flavors and aromas in the craft beer realm, yet so many are content with what seems like a watered-down version of the experience.
So, how can you navigate these conversations without alienating your friends or sounding overly refined? Here are some strategies:
-
Lead by Example: Instead of acting as a beer critic, bring a variety of craft beers to your gatherings and encourage tastings. Frame it as a fun experience rather than a lesson.
-
Use Relatable Language: When discussing flavors, avoid technical jargon. Instead, describe the taste using familiar references, appealing to your friends’ existing preferences could help bridge the gap.
-
Create a “Beer Flight” Experience: Instead of overwhelming them with a single craft beer, set up a tasting flight with small samples. It’s a low-pressure way for everyone to explore different styles while keeping it social and fun.
-
**Focus on Enjoyment