Beer- drawing good people.

You haven't met me yet.

 

Hard to find someone I don't like at the local watering hole-amazingly diverse group. Students, professionals, retirees, and a lot in-between. And lots of cool women in beer--esp that last two-three years.

It's the few jerks/bad apples that get a bit more press than they deserve that turn some folks off--heck with 'em.

 

Obviously you haven't been to a limited bottle release, a CBS tapping or any other high profile event.

You will come across the douche bags. Don't let them ruin it for you.

 

I'd agree, 90% of the people I run into in beer stores or bars are good people. Every hobby has its assholes but for the most part craft beer people are great.

 

I have always enjoyed the people I meet while having a craft beer. I stumbled onto British and Irish Pub cultures a very long time ago and I am very pleased to see some of that emerging in the various tap rooms around the area. Good time to be drinking beer and plenty of good people to be drinking it with.

 

Craft beer is 90% all around great people and about 10% douche canoes but that 10% are god tier douche canoes who can single handedly ruin or detract from a good time for the rest of us.

 

Most people are good, beer or not. I'm from a different geologic era, but humans just kinda remain the same.

 

You obviously haven't received a resealed KBBS or Assassin bottle in a trade yet! Though, to be sure, that's more of the exception than the rule.

 

I felt that way when I got into homebrewing, a few D-bags but for the most part, pretty solid folks...I'm getting a little tired of the hipster crowd, but that phase may pass...any fans of Showtime's Shameless? They spoofed that stereotype in the last few episodes

 

My experience mirrors yours exactly.

 

For the most part, and vast majority, its been a real nice treat. Lately though, I don't know if infiltration is the right word, or cockiness just building after years of festering/building up on certain people. But I feel less inclined now more than ever to get into a convo with a random stranger.

Too many travelers, tickers, picture takers who want to mind their own business yet share it with the world on the intrawebs. There is certainly an anti social aspect that comes with "collecting" just about anything in life. So I try to mind my own business most of the time now.. I over hear all sorts of brewery names from all over the country and want to be "nosy". Maybe it's my approach at overhearing stuff. But in the old days (2010 lol), it felt like we were going against the norm of BMC, and more of a family of collectors. Now it feels all too selfish.

 

that's one of the big reasons i love visiting breweries.

people my age (under 25), 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and all sorts of attire. and it's a relaxed atmosphere where people chat and BS. it's hard to describe, it's professional yet the employees are laid back and the atmosphere is relaxed and fun.

while shopping i almost never talk to anyone. guys look so serious who work there and shop there. yet i know i do too, as someone with a full beard who doesn't constantly smile. i wouldn't mind BSing with someone in the store but it never seems like the right time.

at only 23 i've seen a few things in life. all i can say is, what a time to be alive. beer is flourishing, presidential race is WILD, and the world in general is still crazy.

 

Great to here this and I agree that most I have met through beer related adventures are very likable! Not a coincidence!

 

Not to sound like a beer snob, but the high price of craft tends to filter out those drinking beer in quantity. I expect that a lower percentage of volume drinkers are into craft than volume drinkers into macro. This leaves a greater percentage of craft drinkers that are enthusiasts treating craft as a hobby, therefore socializing more with those also into craft. Craft beer enthusiasts are like car enthusiasts who buy better, faster and more expensive cars since they are into quality and they socialize with other car enthusiasts, where a vast majority buy cars as transportation so don't socialize around the enjoyment of them. That said, there are douche canoes with money to spend on craft.

 

+1 for I think this is just largely the case for society as whole, irrespective of beer.

 

Oh yeah, like the guy that bought 50+ bottles of Parabajava with a slew of mules and then tried to sell them for 3x the price all over the Internet?

Seriously though, most beer people are cool. But there are a few scumbags here and there.

 

Even in the most elitist / hipster of craft beer joints, its still not nearly as bad as the people you'd encounter at most any average vineyard/winery tasting on a Saturday afternoon.

 

Have you been banned from the brew pub for criticizing the beer? hahahah

 

The base group of individuals that truly enjoy good beer is still rather small and rather passionate. This is a common bond we share. Combined with the paradox of beer, as a deeply individual experience yet a social connector, this hobby naturally brings people together on common ground to share their unique experience. We want to share, and beer helps us do just that. It helps us express our humanity.