Why do we call ourselves beer geeks or beer nerds?

What about "Beer Evangelist" for all of us who wear beer-stained robes and drive Buick Regal station wagons?

 

No. Geeks applied to sideshows where the performer would bite the head off a live chicken. Browning was working that territory.

 

Because alcoholic carries a very negative connotation.

 

That would be me

 

I agree that a lot of the terms like snob or connoisseur make you sound like a pretentious alcoholic, but once I had someone call me on it, and thinking on my feet, I said, "I'm really more of a beer scholar...". I think that term fits me pretty well, as while I'm over 550 on Untappd, I'm always trying to learn more about beer, breweries, related histories, etc., not to mention, trying any style I can find and making comparisons.

I also treat the subject like religion or politics - I'm happy to talk at length about it if asked or if I can determine interest and introduce people to something new, but I don't run around trying to convert people to "my way" or convince them that I'm "right" somehow and they're drinking ditch water. Some people are perfectly happy with a cheap macro, aren't adventurous enough to try craft, and ignorance is bliss. More of the good stuff left for me.

 

Speak for yourself.

 

Got it, I'm a Pinhead.

 

I like "enthusiast" as the best descriptor, but I'm ok with the more self-deprecating "beer nerd" because I'll be the first to admit I can be OCD about craft beer. I rationalize it - a lot of people are OCD about something, why not beer?

 

Nebbie is more of a" Beer *********" the younger and fresher the better, beer speaking only of course

 

"I saw a bunch of people hanging out in front of the store waiting in line for a video game to be released. Then I remembered you do the same thing for beer"

Geek? Nerd? If the shoe fits....

 

Because I'm a nerd in all other facets of life; I'd be posing if I tried to call myself anything else...

 

Ill settle being a "Drunk that Likes Nice Things!"

 

I think of a 'geek' as someone who obsesses over something, and a 'nerd' as someone who delves so deeply into something that they try to absorb every facet of knowledge about something.

Applying that to some of us that champion a specific brewery or style, or simply 'tick' like there's no tomorrow, or some of us that know when the first post-Prohibition brewery started selling alcohol legally again, or can recite every neighboring state's ABV cap, I'd say yeah, the two descriptors are pretty accurate.

And, yeah, I wear glasses.

I'll accept either of the terms. No shame!

 

Take a look at some of the topic threads on these forums and tell me if "connoisseur" is really the accurate term for the participants in these discussions. (I'm including myself, by the way)

We are what we are!

 

I call myself many beer-related names because "wino" was already taken.

 

I'm not a beer geek. I'm a geek who likes beer.

 

To be a "geek" about something seems way less douchey than a lot of terms. For example. I'm on a trip with my wife this week for her work. I went to a high class, craft beer/wine bar. Everyone there is dressed in business casual except me. I look like I'm homeless compared to these people. Well, I'm just in this city because of my wife so all I have is shorts and t shirts...and this place is within stumbling distance of my hotel.

So, the pretty bartender, wearing all black, makeup done to the T, etc. says do you want a beer or do you need help picking out something? She scowls at me. The douches next to me at the bar with their manicured douche beards and Banana Republic sport coats are glaring at me. I leaned in and said, "ma'am."' She said, "yes." I said, "sweetie, I'll have that Mikeller Texas Ranger." She looked at me with her head tilted. I said, "honey, I'm a beer geek." She said, "thank god. At least someone besides the bartenders know what they're talking about. I'm tired of giving out samples of everything and trying to explain what Brett is to guys who just stare at me like they're staring at a wall."

If I would have told her I was a connoisseur I bet she would have rolled her eyes. I would have if I were her. I would probably make fun of someone who told me in all seriousness they were a connoisseur of anything.

The point is saying you are a geek about anything is the least offensive, least douchey, least self righteous thing you can say when describing yourself. Everyone hates labels. Boo hoo. You're posting about f$$king beer on an Internet forum and trying to find ways to beat around the bush describing your obsession. Hello! You're a beer geek. I'm a beer geek.

If you want to be a douche and tell me I'm drinking out of the wrong glass or explain to me how many more beers you have had than me because that makes you feel good about yourself. Well, you are a connoisseur my friend. AKA douche or snob.

 

Because this thread.

 

How about 'Person who enjoys a variety of beers from smaller breweries'?

 

Beer has always been the "common man's drink" regardless of how complex the tastes have become; and I think that terms like geek, nerd or the like has just enough of a deprecating ring to it to align ourselves with other common men and women who genuinely enjoy the same. Terms like connoisseur, aficionado or any other expert terms all carry an elitist aura to them and is out of character of the intent of beer. At the end of the day, I'm guess I'm ok simply being a beer nut of some kind.