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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?
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Bridging the Gap: How to Discuss the Craft Beer Difference with Friends
Navigating the intricacies of craft beer can sometimes feel like an uphill battle, especially when your friends favor the same old brews over more unique selections. If you’ve found yourself in situations where your friends casually refer to any beer as simply “beer,” it can be a challenge to share your appreciation for craft selections without coming across as pretentious.
Imagine this: your friends eagerly suggest a gathering and, upon arrival, they unveil a bulk pack of generic beer that costs less than a trip to the coffee shop. Or perhaps, during dinner, they casually point to the menu and proclaim, “I’ll have a beer,” as if there weren’t a vast variety of choices awaiting them. Your desire to introduce them to something different can seem disheartening, especially when you’ve made the effort to bring along a well-crafted brew, only to watch it be met with polite sips before they revert to their mundane choices.
When you attempt to share the nuances of hops, brewing techniques, and the rich tapestry of flavors found in craft beer, you might notice your friends diverting their attention—perhaps they perceive your knowledge as a looming lecture. This common scenario can leave you questioning whether you should abandon your passion altogether or continue advocating for craft beer appreciation.
But let’s be clear: craft beer and mass-produced options are not interchangeable. Miller High Life and a well-crafted Belgian tripel represent two disparate worlds of flavor and experience. The art of brewing extends far beyond mere carbonation and adjuncts; it includes a variety of ingredients and methods that result in an astonishing array of tastes.
So, how can you bring your friends along on this journey without sounding snobbish? Here are some strategies:
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Start Simple: Frame the conversation around your own experiences with craft beer rather than positioning it as a lecture. Share what drew you to craft options and the joy you find in exploring flavors.
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Invite Tasting Sessions: Plan casual gatherings that center around tasting different types of beer. This interactive experience can open doors to conversations about flavor profiles without feeling forced.
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Use Humor: Light-hearted comparisons can break the ice. You might jokingly say, “There’s a whole world beyond beer-flavored water!” while encouraging others to try something new.
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Find Common Ground: Instead of focusing solely on the distinctions, highlight the elements of craft beer that align with your friends’