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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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Navigating Beer Preferences: Defending Your Taste Without Being a Snob
Have you ever found yourself on the receiving end of raised eyebrows simply for opting for a craft beer over a mainstream lager? A recent dining experience of mine left me pondering this phenomenon, and I’m curious to know if others share similar experiences.
Last week, while out with a few colleagues, I decided to try the house IPA when the server took our drink orders. Almost instantly, I was met with surprise and the familiar commentary on my seemingly niche preference. One gentleman remarked, “Wow, you’re really into that craft beer stuff,” as though I had just made a grand proclamation of exclusivity. Meanwhile, another colleague, adamant about sticking to what he deemed a “normal beer,” ordered a Stella Artois, suggesting that its “imported” status made it a classier choice compared to my local brewery’s IPA.
As I attempted to convey that hops are not some obscure or extravagant ingredient, my colleague remained convinced that anything beyond a Bud Light is overly pretentious. It became amusing yet frustrating to witness him paying a couple of dollars more for a beer that ultimately shared similarities with those mass-produced varieties he criticized.
Navigating these conversations can be tricky. How do you share your appreciation for a well-crafted beer without coming across as a snob? My intention was never to make a statement; I simply sought a beverage with a bit more depth and flavor. Yet, it appears that ordering an IPA these days can transform you into the stereotype of a craft beer enthusiast, complete with assumptions about taste preferences.
I’m sure I’m not alone in facing skepticism for my beer choices. Have you ever found yourself justifying your love for craft brews to someone who considers a lime-wedge adorned Corona to be exotic? If you have tips for handling these discussions gracefully, I’d love to hear them. Let’s share our experiences and navigate the waters of beer preferences together without the need for defense—or snobbery!