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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
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- 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 Introduce Your Friends to Craft Beer Without Coming Off as Snobby
Navigating the world of beer can sometimes feel like walking a tightrope, especially when your friends have a different perception of what a good brew actually is. If you’ve ever found yourself in a situation where your pals casually mention “grabbing a beer,” only to show up with a cheap case, you know exactly what I mean.
The Dilemma
Imagine this: you’re out with friends, and while they confidently order a “beer” from the menu, you realize they might not even recognize the variety of flavors and craftsmanship available in the world of brewing. Your latest get-together involved sharing some carefully selected craft brews, only to watch as everyone quickly returned to their familiar choices after a single sip. It’s disheartening, isn’t it?
The moment you start discussing the intricacies of hops or the subtleties of different brewing techniques, you notice your friends’ eyes glazing over, signaling they’ve switched to “defense mode.” You can’t help but wonder—how can you share your passion for craft beer and its rich variety without sounding pretentious?
Finding Common Ground
First, it’s crucial to acknowledge that not everyone will share your enthusiasm for craft beer right away, and that’s perfectly okay. Here are a few strategies you might consider to gently introduce them to the vast and exciting world of brews without coming across as a know-it-all:
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Start with Familiarity: Choose craft beers that have flavors or profiles similar to what they typically enjoy. If they love lagers, perhaps introduce them to a well-crafted pilsner or a session ale.
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Explore Together: Organize a tasting session where everyone can experiment with different styles in a laid-back environment. This approach can foster a sense of curiosity while keeping the mood light.
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Storytelling is Key: Share interesting stories or fun facts about the beers you’re trying, rather than diving directly into technical details about brewing processes. People tend to engage more with narratives that bring the beer to life.
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Emphasize Enjoyment, Not Judgment: Instead of framing the discussion around what they should be drinking, focus on the enjoyment of exploring new flavors together. Encourage them to describe what they like or dislike about different brews.
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Lead by Example: Continue to bring unique craft beers to social gatherings. Over time, as they see