Its cool to be a beer snob... NOT!

So here are some observations from a beer aficionado concerning self-proclaimed and otherwise beer snobs.

First let me state that I am not a beer snob. I love good beer and have drank more beer, more types of beer, and truly experienced more beer than 99.99% of the population. I lost count somewhere after the 2,500 mark when I left college. Needless to say, I was way into great beer before getting into homebrewing. This is one of the main reasons I find it so comical to read "My homebrew is way better than commercial beer." It isn't. But that is a whole different blog topic.

Today I will expound on the beer snob. Who is a beer snob exactly? Well we will use some stereotypes, but as with many stereotypes (not all) this one is about 99.9% accurate.
In general:
1. A beer snob is one who knows just enough about beer to make them dangerous and offensive to 90% of the beer drinking world.
2. They are not very knowledgeable and have a fairly limited view of beer as a whole.
3. They use beer as a way to belittle others.
4. They homebrew, and think their beer is awesome. Or they haven't homebrewed and think it is all hot garbage. Generally not in the middle.

There are other attributes but this list will suffice.

Now let us look into a recent encounter I had with a beer snob....

Recently, I was at a small beer tasting put on by a local high end liquor store. It is a biweekly thing and I am in semi-regular attendance. Normally they are great get togethers of about 3-8 people all talking causally and without airs about some beer. The tasting are normally between 2-8 beers of a certain style or from a particular brewery and discounts are given on those beers to attendees. This particular tasting was a comparison between Rodenbach Original and Grand Cru.

So I arrived a bit late and walk up. I see a regular guy (actually a member here) who is really nice and I enjoy talking with and meeting up with occasionally. We exchange hellos and I introduce myself to the group at large. Two guys are really jovial and normal, then there is a guy standing there with his wife. Oh boy. It takes about 3 seconds to recognize a beer snob and I had an absolute prize specimen standing before me...

Refusing a chair, he is standing crossed arms looking superior and giving his beer an all-knowing swirl. I say to myself, "Self, maybe he is a nice guy, give him a chance." So the tasting then began proper.

I take my sample of Original (which I have had about a million times, it is a pretty regular beer for me in the summer), and give it my taste. Simple, elegant, fruity, finishes with tang, light on the palate. Overall a very nice beer with a pleasing personality and the history to back it up. Great!

The guy in the corners reaction... This beer is watery, I don't like it. He then begins to expound about some incredible beers he had at his homebrew club meeting recently. Now luckily he mentioned the club name so I didn't have to divulge that I brew and give him a reason to drill me with 21 Q's about everything. The club he belongs to is the poster child for everything I dislike about homebrewing and the beer world in general. In short they are all like him.

Long story short he is making all these claims and through out names of local brewers who he has met with. I am sitting there like, I know those guys and have hung out with all of them dip wad... Then he comes to his triumphant grand finale, he tried this great beer from Japan that was aged in Sake barrels. There is nothing like it and it is the best beer he has ever had. But unfortunately, you can't get it anywhere and he can't remember the name. I am thinking to myself, "Self, this guy is as big a d-bag as you first guessed. He is talking about Hitachino Nest Soji or one of there other beers. They have several of those beers here in the store right now." But what is the point of saying that?

Whatever. Next sample goes around and I am pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy the grand cru. Normally it is too sweet for my palate but today it tastes great. Cherries, dark fruit, a zing of vinegar. Perfect.

Snob: "This tastes way too sweet and syrupy." The host says, "It has pleasant notes of cherries (I agree) and a good kick. Maybe not for everyone, but I feel it is well done and a good bottle to share. It reminds me of a Lambic."
Snob: "Lambics aren't sweet. Oh, unless you are talking about fruit added ones... ."

gag.

This guy is obviously an idiot and really thinks his poo doesn't stink. Wow.

The rest of the tasting follows. We get into a discussion about Oktoberfests. At which point snob claims it is impossible to get your hands on O-fest beers (we are standing in a store that literally stocks close to 20), and claims he would much rather have an alt beer for Oktoberfest time. (Although, of course those are impossible to get (again many in the store) so he brews his own which are better anyway.)

This kind of thing continues happening and it is just ridiculous. Typical snob.

So if you are thinking about acting like a snob in public here are some things to consider.
1. Unless you REALLY know your stuff, assume someone in the room knows more than you.
2. Even if you do know your stuff, never talk down to people or try to seem impressive.
3. If you really have the knowledge you think you do people will recognize it and ask you questions if they are curious about something.
4. BMC drinkers are not diseased. Treat them with respect and try to get them interested in other stuff, or not. Don't be a dick, it makes the rest of us look bad.

Really there is zero upside to being a snob. People who know more than you think you are an idiot and obtuse (which you are). And people who know less than you think you are a dick, annoying, belittling, and many other nasty descriptors and combinations thereof.

So please, for the love of God, do not be a snob. Be nice, try to learn because you never know everything, be open minded, and help people who don't know as much as you, don't try to impress them with your snobbery or asshattedness.

I guess this was a bit of a rant. But I have always wanted to put my snob opinion in writing so here you have a good real life example.

Cheers, and have a good day being nice to people and enjoying good beer!

Justin