Beer Geeks vs. Beer Snobs?

[Cider123]

I think Im a beer dork maybe. I still drink free miller lights for Friday poker and I like drinking games. I tried to read some brewing books but whet cross eyed half way through each. I read RA Salvatore (drizzt). hunger games, game of thrones, hobbit, and 100's of other books no one has heard of. I am still trying to like sours but I'm not there yet. I love drinking session beers so I can drink multiple types and still be able to walk. I currently drink a lot of pale ales and IPAs but will try anything. I have been brewing for just over one year. Who am I.


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Yes, I am a Beer Dork also. I bore my friends with irrelevant beer information, and start sentences with words like, "Technically..." I am very annoying.

 

[drksky]

I'm not seeing the relevance.

Nor do I. I live within a few miles of my parents and most of the rest of my family. We also vacation together every summer at a lake house because we enjoy each others' company.

Growing up doesn't mean saying "@%^# you mom & dad!"

 

[Zamial]

The thing I love about these Geek vs. Snob type threads is that on HBT they are almost always one sided. We all MAKE beer and have varying degrees of passion and knowledge about the subject. When someone has something poor to convey about a BMC product here on HBT (Don't worry it's coming.) they are instantly lumped in as a "Beer Snob".

What happens when the situation is reversed??? Well, I have 1st hand knowledge of EXACTLY how it is. I have witnessed many a loyal Bud Light drinker openly put down every beer on tap in a craft brewery, claim that "they don't get to drink tonight" and things much, much worse than what is said here on HBT about BMC products straight to the brewers face. A group of friends that has a BL drinker amongst them will often be swayed to not go to a brew pub if BL is not available so the group goes to a bar that has BL instead. (Support your local craft breweries!) So what are these people? Sounds an awful lot like a "Beer Snob" to me but try telling them they are one!

I have come to the conclusion that if someone wants to drink ice cold watered down diabetic horse urine from a frosted mug they should be fully allowed to.

I only drink craft beer that is not owned or partially owned by BMC and homebrew. When someone offers me a BMC product or 1/2 craft, I polity decline. If they push me or talk trash about what I am drinking, I feel no reason to hold back and let them have "both barrels".

Personally I could give a rats rear end what people think of me or want to group me as. I am all done taking a Geek/Snob view on the matter because it is an illusion.

 

[drainbamage]

I once saw geekery (towards any subject) described as an excessive level of interest and enthusiasm about the subject. It doesn't even have to be traditionally geeky/nerdy stuff; I think the people who can recite 30 years of sports statistics are geeks in their own right.

Beer drinker: "Yeah, I'll have whatever you've got."
Beer geek: "Oh wow, that's one of my favorite IPAs ever! Did you know they use 5 varieties of hops in the dry-hop? It's even better since they started adding Mosaic last year."
Beer snob: "Ugh, Sam Adams? Do you serve anything that isn't a macro?"

edit: and I must need new glasses. where a lot of you are seeing only black & white on the subject, I see a lot of grey area. I won't make fun of someone for their beer choice until they make comment on mine. we all have different tastes. but I won't waste my time or taste buds on things I don't like just to be polite.

Exactly. That's an important distinction to make. There isn't anything wrong with defending your choice in beer, but walking into a party and declaring, "yuck, peewater all around? Where do you keep the stuff that doesn't suck?" isn't going to earn you any friends.

 

[drainbamage]

The thing I love about these Geek vs. Snob type threads is that on HBT they are almost always one sided. We all MAKE beer and have varying degrees of passion and knowledge about the subject. When someone has something poor to convey about a BMC product here on HBT (Don't worry it's coming.) they are instantly lumped in as a "Beer Snob".

What happens when the situation is reversed??? Well, I have 1st hand knowledge of EXACTLY how it is. I have witnessed many a loyal Bud Light drinker openly put down every beer on tap in a craft brewery, claim that "they don't get to drink tonight" and things much, much worse than what is said here on HBT about BMC products straight to the brewers face. A group of friends that has a BL drinker amongst them will often be swayed to not go to a brew pub if BL is not available so the group goes to a bar that has BL instead. (Support your local craft breweries!) So what are these people? Sounds an awful lot like a "Beer Snob" to me but try telling them they are one!

I have one of those friends. He drinks Miller Lite exclusively and complains if he goes somewhere that doesn't have it. To his credit, he has at least tried a couple of my HBs, but wasn't impressed and hasn't finished an entire bottle yet. He'll occasionally give me some crap (in good nature, of course) about my liking "weird beers" and I'll tell him back that he's the beer snob because he only drinks one beer.

 

[bajaedition]

Love the reverse beer snob discussion

I have a friend who is a miller light drinker, and that is all he will drink, just refuses anything else.
I do not call him a snob, just has a idiosyncrasy I can not for the life of me to understand

bottom line is some peole like steaks well done, some like rare and some medium rare, do we judge guys on that?
Maybe anyone in this discussion trying to define a beer snob is the snob?

I love beer, drink what is put in front of me. It may not be my favorite but it is not buttermilk also.

 

[bethebrew]

I have one of those friends. He drinks Miller Lite exclusively and complains if he goes somewhere that doesn't have it. To his credit, he has at least tried a couple of my HBs, but wasn't impressed and hasn't finished an entire bottle yet. He'll occasionally give me some crap (in good nature, of course) about my liking "weird beers" and I'll tell him back that he's the beer snob because he only drinks one beer.

I used to have a friend like that. Miller Lite flat drunk. Thinks my award winning HB is barely drinkable as he smugly chugs that swill.

Does that make me a beer snob, or just not willing to hang out with idiots?

 

[BreezyBrew]

Geeks are enthusiasts, snobs will only drink what they like and won't drink out side of the glass.

 

[Billy-Klubb]

I once saw geekery (towards any subject) described as an excessive level of interest and enthusiasm about the subject. It doesn't even have to be traditionally geeky/nerdy stuff; I think the people who can recite 30 years of sports statistics are geeks in their own right.

Beer drinker: "Yeah, I'll have whatever you've got."
Beer geek: "Oh wow, that's one of my favorite IPAs ever! Did you know they use 5 varieties of hops in the dry-hop? It's even better since they started adding Mosaic last year."
Beer snob: "Ugh, Sam Adams? Do you serve anything that isn't a macro?"



Exactly. That's an important distinction to make. There isn't anything wrong with defending your choice in beer, but walking into a party and declaring, "yuck, peewater all around? Where do you keep the stuff that doesn't suck?" isn't going to earn you any friends.

where there is a problem, there is usually an easy solution. I bring my own beer (either HB or store bought) to parties. it usually solves the problem until some a-hole spouts off.:rockin:

 

[SeeMont]

One is a drink with a vast history. Brewed with care and passion using good ingredients by people who want to make a good product to be enjoyed and savored. The other is an alcohol delivery system that the producers spends vast abouts of capital telling people how good it is. So I guess my job is to expose people about the choices there are and let them make a informed decision.

 

[edecambra]

Love the reverse beer snob discussion

I have a friend who is a miller light drinker, and that is all he will drink, just refuses anything else.
I do not call him a snob, just has a idiosyncrasy I can not for the life of me to understand

bottom line is some peole like steaks well done, some like rare and some medium rare, do we judge guys on that?
Maybe anyone in this discussion trying to define a beer snob is the snob?

I love beer, drink what is put in front of me. It may not be my favorite but it is not buttermilk also.

Hell yeah, anything past med rare is burnt!

 

[flars]

Beer Geeks would read this thread. Beer Snobs already know.

 

[Wynne-R]

I’m going to introduce a new term: “beer redneck”. It is the opposite of ‘beer snob’. I suppose the opposite of “beer geek” is ‘beer dum-ass’.

A few years ago I went to a party with co-workers. There was a keg of Miller Lite. I brought Guinness Stout and made it available to all. I contributed to the keg, even though I didn’t drink it. I didn’t touch their mixed drinks or food. Yet I got blowback for not drinking their stupid Miller Lite.

It makes me proud to be a beer snob.

BTW, the worst criticism I had of their beer choice, when asked, was “I don’t care for it”.

Beer rednecks will be the death of me. I see a scenario where I’m sitting in a bar, drinking something not yellow and fizzy. A big burly fake cowboy saunters up. He has an ornamental Stetson. His boots have never been off of pavement, just like his shiny pickup truck. He drawls “Gimme a Currs Laht”. I giggle, I’m dead.

Worth it.

 

[max384]

Or, Beer Geeks care about what they drink, Beer Snobs care about what you drink.

LOVE this description! In fact, I think it's sig-worthy! Mind if I borrow it (giving you credit, of course)?

I hate beer snobs. Beer geeks I get along with.

 

[unionrdr]

I’m going to introduce a new term: “beer redneck”. It is the opposite of ‘beer snob’. I suppose the opposite of “beer geek” is ‘beer dum-ass’.

A few years ago I went to a party with co-workers. There was a keg of Miller Lite. I brought Guinness Stout and made it available to all. I contributed to the keg, even though I didn’t drink it. I didn’t touch their mixed drinks or food. Yet I got blowback for not drinking their stupid Miller Lite.

It makes me proud to be a beer snob.

BTW, the worst criticism I had of their beer choice, when asked, was “I don’t care for it”.

Beer rednecks will be the death of me. I see a scenario where I’m sitting in a bar, drinking something not yellow and fizzy. A big burly fake cowboy saunters up. He has an ornamental Stetson. His boots have never been off of pavement, just like his shiny pickup truck. He drawls “Gimme a Currs Laht”. I giggle, I’m dead.

Worth it.

We used to call those types drug store cowbys. Fakers shouldn't judge what you drink if they can't even get real with who they're not.

 

[danok1]

In this, I side with Robert B. Parker's Spenser:

"The worst beer I had was wonderful."
(Assuming it's not skunked or otherwise "damaged">)

-Dan

 

[jglazer]

Personally, I think a beer snob is someone who would say something derogatory towards a beer they don't like (like most people on this forum they target numerous BMC beers) and a beer geek is someone who understands the full spectrum of quality in beers and uses more critical language when analyzing a beer. That's not to say a beer snob doesn't understand and appreciate the full spectrum, but they are snobbish and use unnecessary comparisons with some beers when they shouldn't.

Of course this question is subjective so we all could argue till our heart's content. If I may push some buttons, a lot of people in this very post are beer snobs to me.

 

[cmack7]

I tend to agree with jglazer. In short, a "beer snob" seems to derive pleasure from speaking negatively about "lesser" brews, while a "beer geek" enjoys discussing and appreciating the positives of all beer, not that I would classify myself or anyone else as either, largely because I feel the whole concept of requiring a title to prove you enjoy beer is a bit ridiculous. I may be new to brewing, but I assure you I am not new to beer, and although cracking a 6 pack of some new microbrew that hit all the right notes is a deeply satisfying experience, an ice cold Old Style on a 90 degree July afternoon at the company picnic is just as satisfying in its own way. I don't want anyone to take this the wrong way as I think this a great forum filled with knowledgeable people with quality advice, but there definitely seems to be a lot of arrogance here as well, especially towards those who admit they don't mind the occasional "piss water."

 

[unionrdr]

BMC's have their place to me. I get a hankerin' for the old days,when me,pop & my brothers went hunting or fishing together. Building parts of the house, yard work,workin' on cars...whatever. I grew up on commercial lagers that aren't around anymore,or the recipies have changed. I guess it would be accurate to say that's what drives me to them sometimes.
Not to mention,my original reason for starting home brewing. On the 28th,I'm going to break in my new fermenter with version 4 of my Hopped & Confused hybrid lager. I've always wanted to get that "real beer flavor" that those old brands had when I was growing up. I really want to try & duplicate those flavors locked in my head. That's why I always go back to them,or try new craft lagers to see what's up nowadays. To my surprise,the Kona Longboard Island Lager comes pretty close to my Hybrid Lager,version 3. Now if I could just get a recipe from the big guys from the old days!...:rockin:

 

[MarathonMurse]

The Professor is a geek. Thurston Howell III is a snob.

Beer geek professor might manage to ferment a bitchin coconut brew. Beer snob Thurston Howell would turn his nose up at it for lack of hops and/or because everyone else on the island likes it.

 

[barnaclebob]

Beer snobs post in the thread below about how they think they are better than their friends that like BMC.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f14/funny-things-youve-overheard-about-beer-346883/

 

[MaxStout]

Beer snob: Someone who looks down on, or otherwise criticizes, others who don't drink what he/she likes.

Beer geek: Someone who doesn't care what others drink.

 

[Billy-Klubb]

Personally, I think a beer snob is someone who would say something derogatory towards a beer they don't like (like most people on this forum they target numerous BMC beers) and a beer geek is someone who understands the full spectrum of quality in beers and uses more critical language when analyzing a beer. That's not to say a beer snob doesn't understand and appreciate the full spectrum, but they are snobbish and use unnecessary comparisons with some beers when they shouldn't.

Of course this question is subjective so we all could argue till our heart's content. If I may push some buttons, a lot of people in this very post are beer snobs to me.

please, please, please, PLEASE tell me I'm one of them!

Beer snobs post in the thread below about how they think they are better than their friends that like BMC.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f14/funny-things-youve-overheard-about-beer-346883/

you must have been reading my posts. stalker.



for many of you, BMC & their super mega ultra golden 6394 lights have a time & place. well, happy birthday. some of us are quite opposite. I don't care how difficult it is to brew ("no where to hide your flaws"), it still lacks flavor & tastes horrible to me and many others. if we're snobs because we don't want to drink it, then that's what we are. I've said it a million times & I'll probably say a million times more: personal taste is a hell of a thing.

 

[jglazer]

haha its not about not wanting to drink BMC beers, its just the way one acts and expresses themselves about their preferences. also, no one said being a snob is a bad thing, its really just a label and a poor one at that. snobs can be described as someone who is passionate about their beer preferences and is willing to express them however they so choose

 

[Darwin18]

I'll echo jglazer above. It's not about whether you think BMC beers taste good or not, it's how you treat those who do. Do you go to a party where BMC is being served and tell everyone drinking it that they're sheeple who are sucking at the teat of big business or do you graciously accept the beer that you're given and thank the host? There is a time and place for educating people about good beer.

 

[rmart28]

A beer geek is someone who knows and practices the correct process of brewing. A snob is someone that has no idea what it takes to make beer but wants to put themselves on a beer pedestal. Commonly the common American beers are not good, but rather cheap beer pong tools.

Just my opinion.


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[Billy-Klubb]

haha its not about not wanting to drink BMC beers, its just the way one acts and expresses themselves about their preferences. also, no one said being a snob is a bad thing, its really just a label and a poor one at that. snobs can be described as someone who is passionate about their beer preferences and is willing to express them however they so choose

I'll echo jglazer above. It's not about whether you think BMC beers taste good or not, it's how you treat those who do. Do you go to a party where BMC is being served and tell everyone drinking it that they're sheeple who are sucking at the teat of big business or do you graciously accept the beer that you're given and thank the host? There is a time and place for educating people about good beer.

as I have stated before, I will not waste my time drinking beer I don't like and I won't make comment until some a-hole makes comment on what I'm drinking. the whole idea is not a black & white issue.

say I'm having a party & only serving a RIS I made to a bunch of BMC drinkers. none of them wants to drink it. what a bunch of floccin' beer snobs!

 

[Drizzt]

IMHO beer snobs negatively and verbally judges others beer geeks offer opinions when asked. Beer dorks like me just want to learn and drink and have fun.


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[Wynne-R]

Embrace your inner snobbery. You know you want to. You don’t have to be a butthead to be a snob. I know my beer is better than yours, but I’m not rude enough to point it out.

Similarly, there’s a big difference between being knowledgeable and being a know-it-all. Keep an open mind and don’t be one of those people that won’t shut up.

 

[Thirdthorpe]

A beer snob thinks beer quality is determined by price, a beer geek actually knows what makes a quality brew.