Controversial Beer Opinions Thread

I think adding a few ounces of Lagunitas IPA to my margaritas is the best thing I’ve ever done..

 

It's not evidence, and there are a number of points where I flat-out take issue, but it's a fairly interesting read...
https://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/there-are-almost-no-black-people-brewing-craft-beer-heres-why

I have a principled objection to identifying broad, contemporaneous groups as either victims or oppressors. For my own part, alI I can think to do is resolve not to knowingly be part of the problem - if there is a problem and whatever the problem might be. Beyond that, I simply have a limited capacity for self-loathing and flagellation.

 

(I've never been a fan of the thrillist, but I'll take a look)

I thought craft beer was an easy club to join-

you like beer? ..... you're in!

However, as a middle-aged, heterosexual white male with friends in all of the referenced demographics my perspective may be off.

 

I hate boss pours, too. You need room for head. Not to mention that you don't want to accidentally spill it, either.

 

I know the boss pour is mostly a joke, although you see it a lot on Instagram these days. I'll pour maybe half a 16oz can now at most into a glass, less if it's a big stout or barleywine. Much better for aroma, keeps the remaining liquid colder or warms up what's in the glass faster as needed.

 

We are arguing for more Black People to be craft beer drinkers and brewers, and of course it is a problem. It is our responsibility to make sure that people of all races, creeds, professions, etc are proportionally represented in all hobbies. This is important so we can enjoy our hobbies without worrying if there are people in other places not enjoying it proportionally to the size of their general population.

However, wanting more Black Folks to be brewers sounds racist to me.. Brewing commercially is hot, wet, dirty, sometimes stinky, frustrating very hard work with long irregular hours and lousy pay. What other motive than racism could there be to want more Black People to be beer brewers?

And of course Gay people may be underrepresented in our community. Many people feel they are. Sadly, we have no hard statistics, due to Gay people look and act (with exception) like all the rest of us, even though they are 8 - 10% of the gen. population. So we need to set up interview booths at all beer stores, taverns, and tap rooms, and make self identifying sexuality mandatory before being allowed to buy beer. This way we can find out if Gays are under represented in our community. And if they are we can figure out ways to force more of them to like craft beer.

 

a great brewer friend once told me "no beer benefits from aging".

 

If Goose Island IPA is the end result of Big Beers contribution I'll pass.

 

Malt Liquor is one of the three most complex styles.

 

People who follow beer "rules" are fools for not exploring beer to its fullest:

• Not all beers are best fresh
• Not every beer tastes better in a glass (most do, but not all)
• Some beers do taste better warmer or cooler than their serving temperature
• Hazy IPA's can be way too green when they are fresh out of the tanks
• Some kettle sours are way better than traditional sours
• There are better pilsners out there that PU
• Pasteurization helps keep beer fresh, it doesn't hurt it
• What the brewer intended sometimes means what marketing wants
• Lines for beer are BS, except when they are not
• Verticals are stupid, but I collect them anyway
• Glitter beer is a fun gimmick that hurts nobody
• Shaker pints are just fine, get over it
• Clear beer used to be cool and proper, now hazy beer is cool and proper, who cares just enjoy the taste
• Beer trading is a great way to make your beers more expensive
• The secondary market is designed for tools who like to overpay for beer
• None of the above really matters, enjoy beer and do it on your own terms!

 

Bismarck is reputed to have said "fools say they learn from their mistakes. I profit from mine"

 

Nice set of rules there no-rules-boy

 

Well, sure, that's because...

 

As others have said, I don't actually know if there's a problem. But, ironically, the fact that some people here get so dismissive and defensive at the mere mention of the issue perhaps suggests that there is one.

Obviously nobody is saying that breweries have "no blacks" policies or that the the line at Treehouse is full of Klansmen. Equally obviously, those sorts of overt and extreme examples are not the only forms of bias that can play a role in everyday life.

 

Zack Lee

 

In a traditional sense I totally agree. I'd say mixed fermentation beers are a potential exception. I *personally* like most of them fresh, but a pretty strong case can be made for lambics, brett beers, and anything using bacteria (pedio, lacto, etc.) can change for the better via aging. They're a pretty small % of beer being sold and the ones that age well are an even smaller % of that. Plus, it's also just an opinion, too

 

Still waiting to hear what it might be.

 

I'd modify that statement just a bit to say that it's everyone's responsibility to ensure only that it's a possibility this can happen. It's not possible to ensure that people of any given demographic will want to participate in a proportional level in any given hobby, craft beer or otherwise, no matter how welcoming the hobby is made to be. Craft beer suffers from the unintentional exclusion that many other pursuits (golf, skiing, et al) do - that most of society does - because of cultural and personal inertia ("eh, that's just the way it is"). That inertia is what needs to be altered.

 

New Belgium Juicy Haze Voodoo Ranger was better, give it a try if you haven't!

 

As a condition of permitting, every brewer should be required to brew a diversified portfolio of at least six different IPA's and two DIPA's of which at least half shall be New England-style hazy juice-bombs.