The Art of Beer Talk: Confessions of a Craft Beer Enthusiast

In the world of craft beer, it’s not uncommon to find ourselves caught in the whirlwind of industry jargon and sophisticated terminology. Just recently, I attended a bottle share where a particularly unique barrel-aged sour was unveiled. Eager to contribute to the conversation, I found myself spouting some rather lofty phrases. I declared, with utmost seriousness, my appreciation for the “characteristic brett interacting with the oak tannins to create beautiful phenolic compounds.”

Here’s the kicker: I had no real grasp on what a phenolic compound actually is! In that moment, I realized I had blended some wine lingo with half-remembered snippets from brewing podcasts, hoping to sound knowledgeable.

To my surprise, everyone around me nodded along enthusiastically, as if I had just revealed the secrets of the universe. Fueled by the unintended affirmation, I continued my charade, adding insight about the beer “expressing local terroir through indigenous microflora.” At that point, I was simply stitching together phrases I thought sounded impressive.

Reflecting on my experience, I recall a similar incident where I raved about a beer’s “mouthfeel complexity.” In truth, I was just trying to articulate that it tasted thick. It struck me how often we find ourselves navigating the treacherous waters of craft beer vocabulary, sometimes spouting complete nonsense that sounds sophisticated but ultimately lacks substance.

Are we all just echoing phrases we’ve picked up along the way, hoping not to be called out? It’s a strange phenomenon, one that raises the question: How many of us are guilty of pretending to understand the nuances of beer when, in reality, we’re just enjoying the experience?

So here’s to all of us beer enthusiasts — may we learn to embrace our genuine appreciation for craft beer, regardless of our vocabulary. After all, it’s the joy of tasting and exploring that truly matters. Have you had a similar experience? Share your stories below!