So I spent the last ten years of my legal drinking years not drinking beer. I tried it way back when and hated it. Mind you, it was Bud and Miller and the like. It was just gross. Then about a year ago, I tried my first true craft beer. It was Hoptimus from the New Albanian. Loved it! From then on, I was into the craft world. So all of my friends drink, and 80% of the time it is watered down piss. They and I both know that I have become a beer snob. I'm not going to drink just anything. I'd rather just drink water than drink loads of crappy calories. What's the point? The situation now is that I get asked why I won't drink a beer when we go out to certain bars. Well, in my opinion, what's on tap at said bars sucks and I'm not paying $5 for it. That's why. Some of my friends say that I have become too much of a snob when it prevents me from drinking. Me, on the other hand, I am of the opinion that I spent ten years of my life not drinking that piss water and why would I start now just because I appreciate good craft beer? Where is the logic in that? Do they just not understand or are they just considering beer to be beer? I have had countless tastings at my place trying to educate but it seems there are still some who would just drink anything. I'm perfectly happy not drinking at all unless it's something I do or may like. Am I crazy?
No, sounds like your friends just don't understand that people can choose to not drink things they choose not to. It's very simple. You don't drink things you don't like.
Usually if I'm at a bar that doesn't have a beer that interests me, I can find a decent bourbon or scotch to enjoy. And I am pretty picky...
I get where you're coming from, and fortunately for me this is almost never an issue. I don't think I've ever been in a bar that didn't at the very least have Sam Adams. Plus, at the very least, there's almost always wine or liquor available. That said, sometimes the situation just weighs heavier than my general preference towards a certain beverage. I've been plenty of places where I didn't really care for the food or the music or some of the people, either, but because I was with friends I could say "What the hell," and have a better time overall for it. Do I generally enjoy fake poutine made out cheap gravy mix and mozzarella cheese? No. But with the right people, and maybe after a few drinks, it can be the best thing.
If I went to a bar and all the beer they had was Bud and Miller I would probably drink a rum and coke or a good whiskey. That's if I was set to drink. But if they had Pabst?! GAME ON!
Choosing not to drink/eat things that you don't like is not snobby. No one will get mad at you because you refuse to drink milk when it is past the best by date and no one will get mad if you refuse to eat raw chicken or moldy bread or drink flat coca-cola. If people don't like that fact that you refuse to drink overpriced beer that you do not enjoy then you need to probably get new friends. IMO, they are 100% in the wrong to question whether or not you drink beer you don't like. Who the hell do they think they are to tell you what you should drink even if you don't like it. WTF, get new friends.
Just have a cocktail. That's the point of a bar. More than just beer available there. I'm sure you could have a decent bourbon or gin and tonic for $5. The world of social drinking is bigger than craft beer.
This. The bar closest to my house is probably the only one in Portland that doesn't have at least a couple craft beer handles, so when my GF wants to go there for a snack I usually just get a vodka/soda or something. I don't want to spend money on something I'm not going to enjoy, whether it's beer, food, movies, etc, so why would I order a Bud simply because it's the only beer? Let your friends drink what they like, and when you find yourself in a bar with less than stellar options you can use it as a excuse to branch out and try a spirit or cocktail you've never had before.
