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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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The Craft Beer Conundrum: Navigating Perceptions in the Beer World
Have you ever felt the heat of judgment for simply choosing a drink that isn’t a macro lager? Recently, I experienced this firsthand during a dinner outing with colleagues. When the server approached our table for drink orders, I opted for their house IPA, a selection that quickly drew the attention—and somewhat derisive comments—of my peers.
As soon as I placed my order, one coworker looked at me as if I had just requested an extravagant wine pairing for my meal. He remarked, “Wow, you’re really into that craft beer stuff,” with a tone that suggested I was flaunting some pretentious preference. Another individual chimed in, claiming that he preferred a “normal beer” taste and decided on a Stella Artois, touting its “imported” status as a mark of sophistication.
This left me in a position where I felt compelled to defend my choice, attempting to explain the world of hops and the nuances that come with craft brewing. It’s baffling how some individuals perceive anything outside of a Bud Light as overly complex or pretentious. Meanwhile, the “premium European lager” he ordered had more in common with mass-produced beers than he seemed willing to acknowledge—yet he felt content with his choice simply because of its European label.
It’s disheartening when a basic appreciation for flavor or uniqueness in beer ends up being dismissed as snobbery. After all, isn’t everyone entitled to their taste without it being labeled as pretentious? I simply wanted a beer with depth and character, not a statement piece to showcase my supposed connoisseurship.
If you’ve ever found yourself defending your beer choices to someone who regards a lime in a Corona as adventurous, you’re not alone. How do you navigate these discussions and express your love for craft beer without coming across as the stereotypical beer snob? I’m interested to hear your stories and experiences—how do you handle it when your passion for flavorful brews is met with skepticism?