Why do we call ourselves beer geeks or beer nerds?

Alternatively, I like to tell people "I AM A BEER GOD"

 

That actually sounds awesome.

 

I'll second "advocate". This site got it right the first time

 

Reading Leviathan Wakes at the moment - i'm with you

 

Its a term of convenience; how else do you explain to someone not into craft that you like this stuff?

"Oh, I'll take a a six pack of this instead of the Bud, I'm a connoisseur."....that wouldnt go over so well.

 

I'm honestly also a bit on the fence about the words "geek" and "nerd". Am I equally a mead "nerd" and a "cuisine geek" because I look good mead, food, cooking and the backgrounds of various cuisines? Am I a fitness "geek" because I work out almost every day and have taken time to educate myself about nutrition?

Maybe it's just me but some of these terms just imply a certain "exclusive" pretense that I feel is just not accurate. I also don't think it's necessary to rely on such labels to explain that you like/are into something particular. I might as well say I'm interested in the beers of various cultures, their brewing process and taste. (I find "craft beer" to be quite a vague term to begin with)

 

Come on... we are posting about beer on a web forum in the middle of the day on a weekday...

GEEK/NERD

 

I'll use the term BeerGeek or BeerNerd when I am racing to put something on Untappd hahaha. I prefer Beer Enthusiast.

 

I'm looking for endorsements.

 

I dunno about the rest of you, but I do it because I wear glasses and have a pocket protector.

Plus, I geek out over beer and was probably considered a geek in general terms long before I became obsessed with beer. And I'm not about to use the term I can't write without an assist from spell-check (connoisseur).

 

Because a connoisseur is an expert and I am not an expert on beer. I don't really call myself a beer geek or nerd either come to think of it. In fact, I don't recall labeling my interest in beer as anything other than something simple like, "I'm really into beer."

 

I love beer. I don't study it and I don't do bottle shares or attend events. I love beer and I drink it at home.

 

Enthusiast for sure. Even when I think I'm being an advocate, I'm really just being enthusiastic...to a flaw sometimes.

Dave: Want a beer?

Sis-in-law: I don't like beer. Wine's fine. Thanks.

Dave: Maybe you just haven't found the beer for you yet. There are so many different styles.

Sis-in-law: Right, no, I'm happy with the wine.

Dave: I understand, but I'm saying that maybe this pinot barrel-aged -

Sis-in-law: DAVE! Fuck off already! I don't like beer!

Dave: ...

Sis-in-law: Sorry, you just go on and on sometimes...

Dave: No I got it. You don't like beer.

Sis-in-law: Thanks for understanding.

Dave: Would you like to try this barley wine?

 

I don't know if I'm so much a beer geek as one who's obsessed with acquiring knowledge. Beer just happens to be a major focus of mine. It's complex and ever-evolving; there will always be something new to keep me engaged. The self-medication is provides is pretty great too

 

This.

And this.

And this.

And this.

I regularly call myself a beer geek. I have no interest in hanging with anyone that calls his/herself a connoisseur. I don't think even the best brewers, beer writers, or Cicerones call themselves connoisseurs. So what makes a person obsessed with drinking beer entitled to label his/herself as such?

 

Definition of geek:

a person who is very interested in and knows a lot about a particular field or activity

 

Connoisseur is really difficult to say when you're drunk. Even harder to spell. I copy/pasted from the OP so I hope he got it right.

 

FWIW, "geek" doesn't have nearly as strong a negative connotation it once had, some people or social groups even see it as a positive descriptor. "Nerd" is generally still seen as being negative, but that perception is changing too. Terms like connoisseur or aficionado are pretentious. If you say you're an advocate or collector few people outside of this online community would probably understand what you mean. EDIT: And I'm not calling myself a beer nut because that term is taken already.

Therefore... I usually tell people that trying different craft beers is a hobby of mine. Calling it a hobby is true and not as potentially confusing and/or negative as other descriptors.

 

Oh how I loathe the term advocate

 

You're only a beer geek if:
You have a bottle opener on your keychain
You have a favorite hop
You know the history of the names IPA and RIS
You can hear the word mouthfeel without immediately thinking of something dirty
You bore the crap out of your BudMillerCoors friends with talk of barrel-aging and dry-hopping

I'm sure there's a zillion more!!!!