I can't recall it happening in recent years. Did have a co-worker say "Oh, you like those beers with a particular flavor" once. It felt more like he was calling me a beer pervert than a beer snob.
At a similar type of place, a while back: Me: "What's on tap?" Bartender: rattles off the names of a lot macro breweries and one craft brewery. Me: "What kind of beer is the (craft brewery)?" Her: "It's an ale." Me: "Oh yeah, what kind?" Her much more slowly: "It's...an...ale." I ordered it and kept my mouth.
I’ve had to try my best to figure out what beer they’re actually talking about so I can look it up on Untappd. If I get it close enough I can usually figure it once I have one. I think people think that makes me a beer snob.
I never ever complain when given a beer randomly. That's what a fool does. I embrace the beer love. Might not be what I like but acting like a sweaty little paper cut is the business for someone else other than me. I love beer and generosity.
A decade or so ago at a backyard party, about the time Lagunitas was selling bombers of Olde Gnarlywine for $4 a bomber, when asked about why I drink craft beer, I remember saying, "I like the taste explosion in my mouth." It sounded better in my head than after I said it. I immediately realized how it sounded and we all laughed. Fast forward after having had hundreds and hundreds of hop bombs, pallet wreckers, adjunct-laced high gravity imperial stouts and the like, and thoroughly enjoying every drop of said nectars of the gods--yeah I'm a beer snob, I have come to enjoy the subtler flavors of the low alcohol nectars as well. When your personal experience of any common product elevates it to the realm of the spiritual I think you are a connoisseur, or in plain speak, a snob. Where many fellows simply see yellow, I see various shades of gold. Where they are simply happy with 'a cold one'--and there's nothing wrong with that at all, I like something with depth of flavor. I've had plenty of 'well-respected members of society' express sincere admiration at my pursuit of a deeper and more nuanced experience of life. So, label me a connoisseur or snob. *Shrug* Guilty as charged!
Many experiences I have had are similar to others mentioned previously. As with many cases, there seems to be an aspect of "reading the room" that we beer snobs should (and I feel generally do) play into. I have a group of friends that almost expect me to bring off-brand beers to try. I have others that quietly tolerate it (and I mean that in the sense that they really don't care that I bring my own). And I have situations that I'm gonna drink what I am offered and be happy with it. As with others, I wear the title of "beer snob" with a certain level of pride. I can understand where it comes from, but can also talk to the topic if someone is actually willing to participate in a conversation - which often anyone who is willing to openly state such a feeling to me is open to. Either they know me or are "beer curious" and we can go down a road... which might be a dead end, but is at least a conversation.
Many of my friends are used to me saying “I’ve never had that one, so I’ll try it.” While they order their same old same old. But if they aren’t willing to try it, they do often ask what it’s like. Even if my friends are trying new beers or not, they’re comfortable enough to occasionally ask about the beers I try. So I have good friends.
I'd consider it a badge of honor if someone referred to me as a beer snob. I would reply that I'm not just a beer snob, but I'm a wine snob, a bourbon snob, a cheese snob, and a chocolate snob as well. (I'm not, really. Well, perhaps the wine. And the bourbon. Maybe the cheese a little bit. And I do read the ingredients list on the chocolate box...) My sister and I went to a local chicken-wings place in Columbus when I was back home for a visit. I asked the server what beers they had on tap. She started reading them off: "Bud blah blah Coors blah blah Miller blah blah Dogfish..." "Wait. What was that last one?" "Dogfish." "I'll have that." I didn't even ask which one. I knew it'd be 60 Minute. That was the same sister who liked to tell people I drank "those weird beers." Like Dos Equis.
To be honest I haven't heard this term used in a very long time. The times have certainly changed, local craft is almost common place, especially local breweries. Years ago yea, "oh your a beer snob..." was pretty common, but now, this thread is the first time I've seen this term in years. What I find more annoying now is each and every beer manger trying to tell me which beers are so great and amazing. If anyone has seen the Parks and Rec episode when Ron Swanson is in Lowes you know exactly what I'm talking about... Though I just politely smile and be kind
I'm not sure what is said behind my back, but I embrace it when the Trader Joe's staff starts asking me about their beer offerings.
Never. My thoughts exactly. I haven’t heard the term beer snob in a long, long time. Craft is mainstream now. All the people calling us snobs 20 years ago are now drinking hazies, ha.
I like this exchange. Why? Mostly because like many have said, I don't know what people say behind my back, nor do I care, but I do what I like and if people choose to label me, then so be it. As long as it doesn't take anything away from anyone else's experience, why should they care? What I choose to drink should be the LEAST of anyone's worries about me.
I don't remember anyone referring me to as a beer snob. When I have had discussions with folks about beer they are mostly curious that there are others out there than Bud Light or Coors, etc. The only times might have been when cashing out at a liquor store and commenting about the high price of a $10 bomber of beer, when they wouldn't bat an eye at someone dropping $40 or so on a bottle of fine wine.
This hits so true. Especially the part about the beer manager. I will always be polite and listen, though, as occasionally they do have something that I am interested in and might otherwise have missed.
Snob never. Aficionado, enthusiast or similar phrases yes. In the tech industry there’s a lot of beer people and/or people passionate about specific food/drink niches so most of the time it’s hardly unusual. I think some is the attitude you put out there. If someone tells me they love good beer too and they drink kona and blue moon I won’t go and shit on what they like.
