Stephen Nelson
Imperial Stout. Contemporary Gose. Mixed Fermentation Table Sour. Double Dry-Hopped India Pale Ale. Triple-Foot Bathtub Saison. What does it all mean? Granted, the last one is made up but seriously, all the terminology can be overwhelming. Craft beer is an amazing, adventurous albeit intimidating world. Ever feel like a fish out of water when trying to decide on a brew? Or maybe you just turn right around when you walk into a tasting room and see all the beers served in wine glasses? Well, you’re definitely not the only one.
The Disconnect
Craft beer is a phenomenon, gaining traction in recent years. It doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. Folks looking for creative outlets, alternatives to the norm or simply wanting to be their own bosses have took it upon themselves to cultivate a world where there are no restrictions. They’ve found no reason not to do something daring. The problem here is everyone else may not be so daring. Maybe familiar things make people happy. This is where the disconnect between some beer drinkers and the craft beer world starts.
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A Personal Passion
Beer fans who aren’t so familiar with craft beer have inevitably been brought to a tasting or on a brewery tour by a friend. This friend is likely eyeballs deep in the craft world. They might think just because you like beer, then you’ll love the local, fresh stuff. Maybe they’ve reached out on their own and ended up be dragged around breweries on foot by some pedantic know-it-all. Meanwhile kicking themselves that they paid too much for the service. Who wants to spend their hard earned money on an industry that is unwelcoming and looks down their nose at you?
The thing is, the people who truly care about making good beer also care about the people enjoying the fruits of their labour. Most craft breweries were started out of passion, an unbridled need to create something. Most aren’t big money makers, most don’t even have the capacity to brew enough to do more than just cover costs and pay employees. The brewers, book keepers, tap room staff and brewery tour guides aren’t interested in what the snobs have to say. They want to offer a piece of themselves to anyone willing to take a chance on what they are doing.
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Tell Them What You Want, What You Really Really Want
So next time you think about how the world of craft beer isn’t for you because they don’t offer what you want, think about what you want from them. If you are a fan of crisp, American style lager beer, then tell the person in the tap room thats what you love. They will happily offer the closest thing they have. Maybe you’re into refreshing European pilsners. Your server, I imagine, would love to recommend the local equivalent. Remember, these beers exist for the enjoyment of many. Not just the enjoyment of the few who regurgitate buzz words and scoff at the rest of us lager enjoying simpletons.
Read more:
- Raise a Glass to Michele Bosc
- Cocktail Hour: The Old Fashioned
- Pairing Chinese Food with Wine
