Navigating the Craft Beer Conundrum: When Your Taste Is Called into Question

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where merely expressing your preference for craft beer raises eyebrows? It’s a sentiment that many enthusiasts can relate to, especially when dining out with friends or coworkers. Recently, I found myself in a similar predicament.

During a dinner outing with some colleagues, I eagerly ordered the house IPA after the server took drink orders. Almost instantly, I felt as though I had committed a social faux pas. One coworker exclaimed, “Wow, you’re really into that craft beer stuff!” as though I had made an extravagant choice rather than simply opting for a drink that offered more than just a bland taste.

This prompted another colleague to chime in about how he doesn’t “need all those fancy flavors” and prefers “a normal beer that tastes like beer.” Ironically, his choice was a Stella Artois—an imported option that he deemed sophisticated solely because of its origin. This prompted me to question whether he considered my local brewery’s IPA pretentious.

As I attempted to explain the nuances of hop flavors and the artistry behind craft brewing, I realized that for some, this was a lost cause. To them, anything outside of the mainstream—such as Bud Light—was seen as overly complex. Meanwhile, this coworker was paying a premium for his “imported lager,” which, in my opinion, was just another macro beer disguised under a European label.

The challenge lies in sharing genuine passion for craft beer without inadvertently coming across as a snob. Simply ordering an IPA should not make one a pretentious beer connoisseur. It seems, however, that venturing away from the norm can lead to uncomfortable conversations, as if crabby comments about flavor preferences are the norm.

If you’re a craft beer aficionado who’s found yourself in similar scenarios, how do you navigate these discussions? Would love to hear how others manage to stand their ground when the seemingly simple act of choosing a flavorful drink invites skepticism or even ridicule. Do any of you also find yourselves defending your choice of a hoppy IPA while peers view a slice of lime in their Corona as an adventurous pick? Let’s share our thoughts!