newell456
Well-Known Member
I’ve seen a lot of Bud light bashing (or light American Beer bashing) in general on this site and among home brewers in general, and although I understand it, I think that it’s counter productive among non homebrewers and the people that drink bud light and other beer-like substances. As homebrewers, we all have friends that think it’s cool that we homebrew and mention that when introducing us to others, say, at the bar. You’ve probably met a few people that say something about you not liking bud light or even a few that immediately see us as snobs. I know I have, and it’s because they have met a few beer snobs before. If someone hands me a bud light, I don’t call it piss water. I say, "thanks" (it's free beer.) When I'm talking to people about homebrewing, say at a bar, they ask what I think about American Light Beers, and I tell them the truth: that I appreciate any beer and that these beers are some of the hardest to reproduce because they're so delicate. I leave out the stuff I dislike. I've had this conversation a lot in a local bar that has a lot of beers on tap, and I usually will drink a BL with them and explain the different characteristics (not many, though). I also explain that it's a lager, and that I don't do lagers for various reasons. You'd be surprised how much BL drinkers can get interested in other beers once you don't insult their beer of choice and tell them what you can appreciate about it. If you did insult their beer, they are more likely to get defensive. If this peaks their interest, the conversation then moves to other beer styles, which I explain in comparison to what they're use to (this has more hops, malty character, etc). Then I suggest we try a microbrew ale with a lighter body that's not too hoppy (more approachable for Light beer drinkers) and I mention how the beer differs. Beer, in general, is an acquired taste. Since I made an effort to appreciate their beer of choice, they usually return the favor and try to appreciate something new. Had I started out with “bud light sucks” I doubt they would try another beer, and if they did, they’d probably find things they disliked about it rather than things that they liked about it. I’ve converted a few BL drinkers to ale drinkers, or at least to people that can appreciate a good ale from time to time. And I like sitting down at the bar and not being thought of as a snob.
You'll inevitably run into people that will never appreciate anything but a mass produced, American beer. My stepdad is like this, and he makes no apologies, since this is America and he'll drink what he damn-well pleases.
You'll inevitably run into people that will never appreciate anything but a mass produced, American beer. My stepdad is like this, and he makes no apologies, since this is America and he'll drink what he damn-well pleases.
