Which workplace demographic drinks the best beer?

I find the poll and post a little mis-matched. The poll is kind of rehashing the what do you do for a living thread that gets bumped now and again, and the post is a "what do you think" question. In my case, I am in the food/bev business but on the engineering side of things, so I am a combination of blue and white collar depending on the day. I am well-educated both by experience and formal schooling, and am fortunate enough to live a comfortable lifestyle mainly thanks to my wife being smart with our money. I'd probably be living in a cave if left to my own devices.

I would hope that beer serves it's purpose and crosses all boundaries, but in the context of the question and given the recent discussions about prices it is pretty easy to see how that may not be the case. I abhor the concept of the "beer snob" and have a really hard time accepting any form of "elitism", but I can also see how it has/is/might be happening. The rising cost of beer is, unfortunately, going to drive some sort of stratification.

In that context, I think the discussion is relevant. Even though I can pretty much buy whatever beer I might want, I have not purchased many lately because the price is simply too high. While the "tipping" point is pretty arbitrary for me, there is a price level where my brain says the value proposition no longer exists.

At the end of the day, it is about where someone chooses to spend their money. Thankfully, there is a wide spectrum of beer available for those who choose to drink it, but when you come down to it beer is an expendable indulgence.

 

At work, we routinely have fridges jammed with Heady, SOS, Foam and the like. There are always local kegs on premises. Right now we have two Stone Corral beers on tap. I think it's the nexus of being a software professional in the beverage industry in Vermont. A perfect storm for a workplace demographic that drinks the best beer.

 

I can only imagine the number of job applicants.

 

I don't think he means "while at work".

 

I think a lot has to do with were you are in life. When I was younger and in college I drank as cheap as I could, it was a cost/volume thing back then. As I got a little older and into a good job I began my switch to better beer choice and more "Craft" styles. I don't necessarily believe a sector drinks different than another, it has to do with your likes, your habits, etc. I can go out and drink a $20 bottle then the next day a 6 pack of Coors, it is just where I am, what I am doing, etc. I know a lot of people who can afford any beer they want and drink nothing but cheap stuff, so I believe its all about your likes, a lot of people don't like heavy beer.
Cheers.

 

I know a good number as well and yes, it's simply a taste preference. Some have moved into craft though and found they rather like Blue Moon.

 

I totally agree. I would think that most people can access craft beer at any level. There is a lot of very good beer out there at a very fair price. I think the deciding factor in the end is just what a person enjoys etc. I also think a lot has to do with age, most young people drink the Macro guys because that is what their buddies drink or what is offered to them. I honestly don't see craft as a demographic item, maybe I am just wrong but I really don't.
Cheers

 

The stumbling block is defining "best beer"
I am a cask beer enthusiast and generally do not bother with bottled or canned beer and NEVER with kegged. The best beer is fresh and goes down singing hymns, inviting another and another. It is better because of the ambience of the pub.
Others might see things differently but the biggest non sequitur is that the best beer is so-called "craft"

 

The first answer to come to mind would be the professional/BA demographic since they generally have more disposable income, but I believe the food/beverage industry folks would win. With the connections they can make, products they get to sample/try, and industry events they get to go to, they get their hands on a lot of high quality beers.

 

Seeing how Professional, BA/BS degree or higher office jobber has gotten 62% of the vote it looks like BA's have a pretty good opinion of themselves!

 

Most of the craft beer "snobs" that I know are college educated (BS/MS level). Most PhDs I know aren't into craft beer.

 

Proud to say I don't have a beard.

 

Whatever career allows you enough free time and money to wait in lines during the week and weekends.

 

The people I have met that drink the best beer the most consistently, don't work. Aren't retired either. Do with that what you will but hardcore craft beer folk on the whole aren't fiscally responsible.

Met a bunch that are charging themselves poor. It's sad but better them than me.

 

Well, if you have disposable income, what better way to dispose of it than on good craft beer???

 

Overseas military.

Have you heard of beer from this place called Germany?

 

Is that a suburb of Belgium?

 

Brewers

 

The majority of my good friends are tradesmen (electricians, a carpenter, and a few welders) and every one of them drinks Budweiser (or similar beers).

Not exactly the largest sample to cast judgement with, but I think it's helpful in illustrating that the spread of "good beer" drinkers vs. "bad beer" drinkers is too wide to encompass any one group.

 

Right, but they all pull in 6 figures .