How to educate the uninformed

[beerloin]

I have a question that maybe all of you can assist with -

This weekend, I had a few people over to help brew. It so happened that I was also kegging a prior batch, so they got to see the entire process from finish to start (becasue we kegged first!).

After we were done kegging, I bring them over to the fridge where I pour them samples of an Irish Red, Nut Brown, and Pale Ale.
After the sip of the pale ale, the person responds "yea, I like this, it is sort of like bud". That made me cringe! Obviously, the taste is not like bud - not only does it have 2oz of hops used in the boil - it was also dry hopped - it isn't made with rice - and its an ale. I guess the only thing that is close to it is the color.

So here is the question - when someone says something like that to you - what is the best (appropriate) way to respond?

Cheers

 

[gcdowd]

Keep a few buds in the fridge then give them one after so they can compare. I bet they'd notice the difference then....

 

[JoePro]

Politely inform them that while, in fact, the beer you served him has a drink-ability that compares highly to beers he may find in the store, the ingredients and processes that you used to make that beer highly differ from how Budweiser brews their light beers.

Tell him that it's a completely separate style. Explain that BMC beers are 90% light american lagers, and you've brewed an American Pale (Or European Pale depending on hops/specialty malts).

The only way these folks who don't know as much about beer to learn about beer is if we take the torch and educate. Chances are the first beers we had were all BMC. We moved on because we craved something better. They will too!

 

[Bierliebhaber]

Tell them, "Well, if you like that, here are some other craft beers you might like..." That way you've just introduced them to a whole new world they may not have considered before. It may sting a bit, but you'll be making the world a better place. Perhaps Drifter would be one they could go nuts over.

 

[Mongrel]

Say, "thanks" and keep some Bud on hand for when he comes over in the future.

 

[Skarekrough]

Keep a keg of "crap beer" around. I usually do this with whatever the LHBS has the canned stuff on sale for under $20. Last batch I did was a Wheat....not too out of hand flavor-wise but it has enough to be enjoyed and consumed.

After the party the keg gets taken out and stashed into the back room until the next event.

 

[seabass07]

A corney keg to the back of the head would do the trick.

 

[BBKing]

A corney keg to the back of the head would do the trick.

This....

 

[IrregularPulse]

Ask him what he finds similar between the two because they are completely different styles. Then you might get a better answer as to what he meant. His experience with beer may be BMC and Guinness. So to him, yes, your pale ale was closer to bud than it was Guinness, so that was the descriptor that best fit.

 

[makomachine]

I'd use it as a prompt to pour some 4 oz tasters of different styles, including BMC, and let them develop their palate. Keep in mind that the average light lager drinker isn't accustomed to the subtleties (or not so subtle differences) of the various styles of beer. These are acquired by most of us through the exploration of this hobby, much like wine drinkers, and you've got them on the right track!

 

[KevinM]

I'd use it as a prompt to pour some 4 oz tasters of different styles, including BMC, and let them develop their palate. Keep in mind that the average light lager drinker isn't accustomed to the subtleties (or not so subtle differences) of the various styles of beer. These are acquired by most of us through the exploration of this hobby, much like wine drinkers, and you've got them on the right track!

Definately this if possible. I'd probably go through the explanation of what the differences between BMC and the particular beer is at the same time though.

 

[TheMan]

You should keep some BMC on hand for incidents like this. He will be able to taste the difference side by side.

I'll echo Makomachine and say that this is how I learned about wine. The only difference I used to be able to make was Red or White. However, after multiple tastings side by side I can now appreciate it differently and tell the difference. Same applies here.

 

[pdxal]

Thank him for the compliment, then ask him what he found similar.
I think a lot of people have tried "homebrew" that was horrible, and many would say that producing a beer like a commercial brewery does would be a good thing.
Then, proceed with the tasting and see what they like and start to, without being pushy or preachy, educate them about beer a little more than they are familiar with.

 

[KFH]

I'd use it as a prompt to pour some 4 oz tasters of different styles, including BMC, and let them develop their palate. Keep in mind that the average light lager drinker isn't accustomed to the subtleties (or not so subtle differences) of the various styles of beer. These are acquired by most of us through the exploration of this hobby, much like wine drinkers, and you've got them on the right track!

I have to agree. Most people compare beers to either BMC (which they're used to) or something like Guinness (because they think it's the polar opposite of BMC) because they don't have anything else to compare it to.

If you've got the time and cash, hold a small beer tasting with a variety of styles to help them understand what craft beer can be.

 

[phenry]

Thank him for the compliment, then ask him what he found similar.
I think a lot of people have tried "homebrew" that was horrible, and many would say that producing a beer like a commercial brewery does would be a good thing.
Then, proceed with the tasting and see what they like and start to, without being pushy or preachy, educate them about beer a little more than they are familiar with.

Yeah, one of my friends said that Kirkland (Costco beer) is what good homebrew tastes like. I had a hard time not laughing, but I told him that good homebrew was like any good craft beer.

He still didn't believe that somebody can make the equivalent of SNPA in their garage with plastic buckets, propane burners, and water coolers, but next time I see him he's having a try of some of my better homebrews.

But back on topic: I'd be flattered if somebody said my beer tasted like Bud. They spend millions on their equipment and process, and what do we have invested? A couple hundred? (thousand for you lucky guys)

 

[Grizzlybrew]

Tell them, "Well, if you like that, here are some other craft beers you might like..." That way you've just introduced them to a whole new world they may not have considered before. It may sting a bit, but you'll be making the world a better place. Perhaps Drifter would be one they could go nuts over.

I'd use it as a prompt to pour some 4 oz tasters of different styles, including BMC, and let them develop their palate. Keep in mind that the average light lager drinker isn't accustomed to the subtleties (or not so subtle differences) of the various styles of beer. These are acquired by most of us through the exploration of this hobby, much like wine drinkers, and you've got them on the right track!

I think these are probably the best responses to encourage those people to keep drinking good beer. If you shut them down or make them feel stupid, you've relegated them to a life of flavorless brews.

I believe it was Dr. Charlie Bamforth that said something along the lines of, "you know, most people actually do have good taste whe nthey're exposed to it". I love the thought of that.

Remember, BMC drinkers are often ignorant, not stupid...

 

[beerloin]

Ask him what he finds similar between the two because they are completely different styles. Then you might get a better answer as to what he meant. His experience with beer may be BMC and Guinness. So to him, yes, your pale ale was closer to bud than it was Guinness, so that was the descriptor that best fit.

It is interesting that you say this because i also got the comment that night from someone else who said they don't want to drink the nut brown because it is a darker beer, and darker beers are so heavy... like guinness...

I try to tell them that guinness is one of the lightest beers out there (it must be the bubbles)

 

[nefarious_1_]

Quickly respond: "Really? I don't think so at all. In fact, Budweiser is a Lager and what you're tasting right now is an Ale. Lagers are fermented much differently... (explanation starts)"

I would say offer them a Bud after that, but would never have something so horrid on hand.

 

[cmoon]

I'm sure I would have been a jerk about it, but I think a lot of people are right in interpreting what your friend said as a compliment. Obviously most people haven't worked at appreciating beer. 'Budweizer' might represent the experience of a cold drink on a hot day, and might be the best thing he could have said. Like so many have said here, consider it an opportunity (they didn't spit your beer out) to expose your friends to other styles of beer and maybe even a little bit about why your homebrew is different.

I loved the idea about having some bud on hand for comparison. What I've found is that in general people love beer tastings. Trying bud along with 3 or 4 other styles might really open their eyes. You don't have to say Bud is crap. I think it will become apparent to them; especially if you homebrew some light american lager yourself and let them try it side-by-side. Of course, if you don't like light american lager, don't do it!

Edit: Actually if you're trying to push your friends toward appreciating beer, just getting them to have their beer in glasses and smelling them would be a huge step. Drinking beer out of bottles/cans pretty much cuts off 2/3rds of the sensory experience because you don't have your nose IN the beer.

 

[count_dookie]

So here is the question - when someone says something like that to you - what is the best (appropriate) way to respond?

Cheers

I would ask if they liked said beer they are comparing it to. While most people on here would compare a weak flavorless beer to bud many people enjoy it and think that it is the pinnacle of beer. If he is part of the latter group then take it as a high compliment and bring him more. If he is part of the former group pee on him.

Just my 2 cents

 

[JKoravos]

Say, "thanks" and keep some Bud on hand for when he comes over in the future.

Yup. That's my tack.

I had the exact situation occur last night, well maybe a little better. I gave the Dad of one of my daughters friends a cream ale and he said it was kind of like Sam Adams. I already knew he was going to make a weak comparison since he asked for a Bud Light, but it's better than going from Pale Ale to Bud.

Next time I'll have to chill down those cans of BL that have been sitting in my basement for the last few years. He'll be happy with his BL and I'll be happy not talking beer with someone who knows nothing of beer.

 

[Horace]

Your job is not to educate, spend your time finding smarter friends.

 

[JoePro]

Your job is not to educate, spend your time finding smarter friends.

Worst advice thus far. Beer appreciation and intellect have nothing in common.

 

[edb23]

alot of my friends were BMC drinkers before i introduced them to homebrew. Lots of times, stuff like IPA's gets called like guiness and lighter beers like bud because like everybody said that's their only reference, and for many of us homebrewers it was our only reference point at some time too. I've started convincing my friends to chip in and let me buy a few six packs of commercial craft beers for everyone to try so they can sample and compare different stuff, and also had a few home brew samplings. the result was that now five of my six closest friends all brew as well, which sort of makes life a little more fun.

 

[Scooby_Brew]

A corney keg to the back of the head would do the trick.

I like his way of thinking
+1.

 

[40watt]

I'd go in the kitchen and grab a handful of rice. In the other hand some nice malted barley. Hold em in front of his face, and say, smell this. That is your difference.

 

[Bierliebhaber]

alot of my friends were BMC drinkers before i introduced them to homebrew. Lots of times, stuff like IPA's gets called like guiness and lighter beers like bud because like everybody said that's their only reference, and for many of us homebrewers it was our only reference point at some time too. I've started convincing my friends to chip in and let me buy a few six packs of commercial craft beers for everyone to try so they can sample and compare different stuff, and also had a few home brew samplings. the result was that now five of my six closest friends all brew as well, which sort of makes life a little more fun.

It's not just BMCers, my brother loves a GOOD beer, but would never go near an IPA because he just assumed he didn't like hoppy beers. Then I brewed an IIPA for him and he loved it. I had to explain afterwards that what he probably didn't like were bitter-bombs not well-hopped beers. Now, IPAs are one of his preferred styles. Many people, even beer lovers, can have assumptions about what good beer is and what they do and don't like.

 

[Brandonovich]

I would have looked him dead in the eye and said "I feel a hate crime coming on". After that, nothing but a blur of karate chops and flying death kicks to the throat.

 

[Tinga]

It's not just BMCers, my brother loves a GOOD beer, but would never go near an IPA because he just assumed he didn't like hoppy beers. Then I brewed an IIPA for him and he loved it. I had to explain afterwards that what he probably didn't like were bitter-bombs not well-hopped beers. Now, IPAs are one of his preferred styles. Many people, even beer lovers, can have assumptions about what good beer is and what they do and don't like.

my girlfriends parents were up visiting us one weekend and they like blue moon and i guess its better than bud in some aspects. my girlfriends father told me he didn't like hoppy beers. he tried my two hearted I ordered at dinner and my hopslam I ordered at the bar later. He liked them both. haha

 

[makomachine]

Amazing how many people associate craft beer and hop centric brews...in this forum. If its not an IPA, its not 'good' beer. To me that's just as short sided as the masses. I love many styles of beer and would never 'educate' anyone to not like any beer - it's about showing them the many styles and that they have alternatives. That said, if you like 'beer' it's common to migrate away from light lagers as a preference, but I'd never tell someone they were wrong for doing so. Just my 3 cents...