Are Beer Nerds Ruining Craft Beer?

The Batsards!

 

But what of the dreaded " Beer Nerd-tickers" ?

Not to be confused with the "Beer-ticking Nerds" or, even rarer, those who tick "Beer Nerds" -

--- "There's another one, Charley! Over by the juke box. Write him down!"
--- "I got him, I got him! As soon as he walked in, comparing the taplist on his phone to the one on the wall."​

 

I always say ... "Better a beer nurd ticker than a beer turd nicker" !

 

Last time I was in Cantillon, some U.S. beer nerds were behind me on the self-guided tour. One of them pulled out a capped test tube and a pocket knife and carved out a chunk of wood from a roof beam in order to "try to cultivate the yeast back home." Nearly ruined the whole tour for me. That was a number of years ago. I hate to think what it is like now.

 

I enjoy drinking and sharing beer with friends. I don't over think it, just sit back and relax.

 

You are right.

 

I enjoy having friends over to try new beer.

 

That was a good article. There is absolutely an element that hates newcomers. They will talk down to them and discourage them from getting into good beer. It's a small problem, but it is definitely a real problem.

 

Then let the begging begin!

Three to four days of continuous prostration with regular periods of abject grovelling and at least two self-inflicted incidences of defenestration should suffice. At that time, I will entertain your differing.

 

There are some things about 'beer nerd' culture I don't necessarily get. Like, how Beer Advocate ratings seem to value look and taste equally, when I feel like taste should trump all the other ratings. And the reviews often contain terminology that isn't immediately obvious what it means or why it's important. (Like, I didn't understand the big deal about lacing until somebody mentioned that lacing usually signifies quality of ingredients). Beer nerd culture judges beer on a lot of specific things that may not be relatable to outsiders. And it focuses the most on kinds of beers you have to acquire the taste for before you can really enjoy them.

That's not a problem, since that's just what people who are really into beer get from beer, but it can make newcomers a little bit frustrated sometimes.

It can make me not want to review beers, because other reviews will be like 'Has a malty aroma of hops, citrus and banana, great mouthfeel that lingers', and mine would be like 'The beer tasted good!'

 

So because I drink a lime-a-Rita or seven when it's 110° out, I'm not allowed a black Tuesday or Citra when they drop? Thanks for letting me know. And here I thought it was the beer poachers and mules making it bad for everyone.

 

"So try to keep it fun, keep it inviting, and keep in mind, at one point, everyone knew nothing about beer."

That's all you need to take from this

 

I love craft beer. I appreciate that we might be living in the greatest beer era in history. It is awesome that 98% of the beer I cosume is made in this country. Beer dork, snob, nerd.... We all are beer enthusiast and want to have other people understand that beer can be so much more than they realize.

 

No, craft beer is ruining beer nerds.

 

Yea the article sucks. You'd think they'd stop for a second and think "but wait, isn't it all the "beer nerds" that are making all this craft beer anyway?" It's really just a dialogue written by someone who doesn't want to look further than the surface, like when he repeatedly says "unconstructive" criticism... last time I checked, words like "astringent", "fusel alcohols", and "not appropriate to the style" all have objective meanings when used the right way.

Haters are everywhere, they're never going to stop and are probably actually multiplying themselves as we speak. That's life, the easiest thing to do is ignore it.

 

Craft beer is just starting to grow out in Alberta. Sometimes people get a little bit turned off when a pretentious beer geek insults their decision instead of helping them discover good beer. Not ruining it, but I think some beer nerds alienate people, which I hate to see in an emerging market.

 

What is wrong or trending wrong in craft beer? It tastes good, it is easier to find and is getting cheaper. With more breweries popping up, consumers are going to gravitate toward the better product creating competition to make the best product. More competition means a better product.

 

they haven't ruined craft beer, but they've certainly commoditized it. It has become more important to say you've had "x" beer than it has to actually appreciate "x" beer

 

Ok so the first half of the article was a swerving trainwreck. But there was an important point that showed up. I am a beer nerd, and an aficionado. I am also pretty damned serious about it. I judge and brew, and I write and teach about it. I am not, however, a beer snob. I never will be. I love good beer and want others to love it too. So I will introduce them to it or talk to them about it in the most inviting and inclusive manner possible. It is and always has been, after all, the most inclusive of beverages. If I am at a party and am offered Bushweizer, I will drink Bushweizer. I will not be rude, I will not be dismissive. I will always be respectful and not push my opinions where they are not wanted.

I admit I have spent a great deal of time and effort learning a ridiculous amount about beer, and I will always use my knowledge, such as it is, to harpoon beer snobs and help people who want to try new things and learn.