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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 the Craft Beer Divide: When Ordering a Local IPA Makes You Seem Like a Snob
In the world of dining, it can be quite surprising how our drink orders can spark judgments or preconceived notions about our tastes. Recently, I found myself at dinner with colleagues, and when it came time to make my selection, I opted for the house IPA. What followed was an unexpected reaction that left me scratching my head.
“Wow, you’re really into that craft beer stuff,” one of my coworkers remarked as if I had unveiled a rare vintage from my personal cellar. It was as though my simple choice of a flavorful, locally brewed IPA had somehow elevated me to the status of a beer connoisseur. Amidst the hubbub, another coworker chimed in with a disdainful critique, asserting his preference for “normal beer that tastes like beer” before ordering a Stella, which he believed signified sophistication simply for being imported.
As I attempted to clarify that hops are not some exotic ingredient designed to elevate a drink to pretentious heights, I was met with skepticism. To my surprise, there was a perception that anything outside of the macro lagers was somehow a statement of superiority – a notion that I found quite baffling. After all, he was paying a premium for a beverage that bore striking similarities to the mass-produced beers he was so fond of; what was truly so “normal” about that?
This experience raises a pertinent question: how do we engage in these discussions without unintentionally coming off as elitist beer aficionados? Simply put, I was not trying to make a bold statement with my choice; I was merely seeking a drink with a bit of character and taste. Yet, the act of ordering an IPA or any craft beer often invites scrutiny and assumptions about our preferences.
Do you find yourself in similar situations, having to defend your love for craft beer to those who see a lime-topped Corona as adventurous? If so, you’re not alone. The divide between craft beer lovers and macro lager enthusiasts can be wide, but perhaps the key lies in approaching such conversations with a sense of humor and openness. After all, beer, whether craft or mainstream, is meant to be enjoyed.
Let’s raise our glasses—may we all find the courage to embrace our unique tastes without feeling the need to justify them!