... “elitist” or “weird” or some other derisive epithet because of your discriminating taste, and how do you respond? Maybe it doesn’t happen quite as often since craft has been mainstream for a good while. But depending on the social setting, it can be a real thing. A common one is when we’ve gone to a party without our own stock (sometimes it’s not a BYOB situation), and then go through the ritual of opening one cooler after another to find the worst possible AAL’s and gawd-awful seltzers. And the coolers always seem to be on some kind of “stage,” so we’ve got an audience watching. When we pull something from the water or soft-drink cooler, and if we’re known by other party-goers to be a regular drinker, there’s a chance we’ll hear that incredulous remark: “What, not good enough for you? Are you some kind of beer snob?” It never bothered me the handful of times I was “put on the spot” – at least in the eyes of the questioner. I’d laugh it off and confirm, “Oh yeah, I’m very particular.” (And then be silently tortured for the next few hours thinking about what I could be quaffing.) I’m betting our crew of BA legends has some good stories, even if we have to turn on the way, way back machine. So how 'bout it? Who’s been in that situation when someone, for whatever reason, took issue with your good taste, and how did you set them straight, roll with the punches, help them see the light or ...?
Usually I’m the one who uses the term “beer snob”. It’s a pretty accurate of what I am, so why not embrace it?
For the most part, I don't associate with people who drink macro swill. However, if someone I'm around is impolite enough to comment on my preference for craft beer, I simply tell them "life's too short to drink bad beer." Drink what you like, but don't try to shame me because I prefer drinking something that has some flavor.
It has never come up. Most people who I know accept me for who I am, and what I like. I reciprocate the same courtesy to them.
People whether friends or family have long labeled me weird anyway. It certainly has worsened when I started taking photos of my beers in the purpose to share them on a "beer site". Not snobbish to drink good beers, as people that drink St Emilion or Gewurztraminer don’t get called that. Anyway, when you’re deep down into a hobby you can often be pedantic about it. Just read BeerAdvocate and you’ll get a hint.
Right on. If I bring my own to a gathering where it’s not clear whether BYOB is cool, I say upfront: “I’m a beer snob (or geek). I like to leave the popular stuff for others to enjoy.”
I also label myself a beer snob. But I’m not above choking down an AAL without making a face. I’m happy my friends are starting to try new beers when I’m around, though.
If you think less of me because I'm a beer snob, I probably already don't spend much time around you, so I probably won't notice or care. If you want to get in my face about it, I'll walk away and remember.
Shunning an entire group of people for their choice of drink is real dedication to beer snobbery. Props
I've never been called a beer snob by anyone twice. More often I get confusion about what craft is, and the related subtleties. Many people equate craft to home-brewing. Sometimes they're confused that I spend tens or hundreds on a beer, when they buy bulk beer for a buck or two apiece. Their only concern is how many pennies to get a buzz. They also don't understand why I would buy a growler or bomber of a beer - why wouldn't I buy a smaller beer? They don't understand that if you want to try a specific beer, you have to deal with whatever size they come in. They also don't understand the concepts of one-off beers, styles, limited availability beers, limited distribution areas, or seasonal beers. They can buy any macro they want, often anywhere in the US, 24 hours a day, and they all taste same same same.
I don’t shun them, I just don't tend to associate with them. I'm an older curmudgeon at this stage of my life, and most of my friends are willing to put up with my idiosyncrasies. My unwillingness to tolerate crappy, macro swill is one of those idiosyncrasies.
People don’t say it to me, but I know they think it. related, but not quite the same, but my wife used to go crazy when I would complain at every restaurant that the beer menu was no good
I would definitely qualify as a beer snob in the same sense. I won’t buy or order or generally drink macro-lagers
Ive never really been called a beer snob. Moreso I’ve had the side eye towards me and comments to me for buying a $30 single bottle ,same if i buy singles that $6 per can, sometimes cashiers think its marked wrong or must be a really good beer.
Yes, I would get puzzled looks at business dinners and the like when I’d ask what beers were available and the server would tick off a list of 7 or 8 macros and I’d reply, “iced tea.”
If somebody called me a beer snob I would correct them and say I am a beer aficionado. And then hand them a can of Yuengling Lord Chesterfield and we will ‘clink’ those beers. Cheers!
I was called "beer snob" years ago and then I got old. I don't have many friends left and thankfully the few do enjoy a beer. I don't know anyone who drinks Bud or Miller, etc regularly and if offered, I'd pass. So yeah, I'm a beer snob.
That's why i bring my own Been kicked out of restaurants before cuz they noticed my beer under the table( usually a bba impy) and won't take a corkage fee. NOT gonna pay 9 dollars for a shitty "mexican" or guatemalan beer .
One time I was at an Applebees, and I asked our waitress for the tap list. She comes back, having proudly memorized the tap handles, and uttered the usual macro brands, and then said "Lagunitas". Intrigued, I asked which Lagunitas. She looked at me with tilted-head confusion and asked what I meant. I foolishly entertained the idea of explaining that craft breweries often have dozens or hundreds of different beers, but instead said "I'll take a Diet Coke". Clearly a lot of people believe Budweiser, Coors, and Miller are a specific beer, though they certainly know about lite versions. They extend this expectation to craft. This speaks to ignorance of craft, snobbery optional.
Yeah, there have been many times I refused to drink because of crap beer selection. I usually get so irritated that I forget I can usually say “Bulleit, two fingers neat.”
