I hate having to serve my beer to "civilians."

[Marius]

I have many friends that think every beer is great, so I just give my beers to those guys. They always say it's great.

 

[EvilTOJ]

Whenever I bring homebrew to a party, I always tell people "You won't hurt my feelings if you don't like this. I know not everyone likes real beer. If you drink it and tell me you like it I'll be forcing you to drink more, so you'd better be telling the truth!" It must be a Portland thing because I've always had honest feedback, and most of the time it's positive (to the point where they drink all my ******* beer and I didn't get any!)


And wine snobs suck.

 

[Edcculus]

You know, I have mixed feelings about this. Like I just stated in another thread, I've grown a great appreciation for beer. Its historical significance, the multitude of styles, flavors, smells that can't be accomplished with any other beverage.

I've gotten to the point that I take my beer with me places no matter what. I encourage people to try it, even just a little sip. I'm not expert brewer, but I do think most of what I produce is on par with almost anything you can buy in the store. If I can get the idea into peoples head that beer can be a lot more than a fizzy yellow drink, I've done my job.

 

[JesseRC]

I dont know man, I'm here in SA Texas and finding friends that share the same taste is hard. I dont care what they drink , but geez it would be nice to share my homebrew with someone who doesnt care for BMC. My brother likes stouts , but that's it.

 

[farmbrewernw]

Most of the people I hang out with these days don't seem to need an explanation of beers, it must be a west coast thing I think more people have been exposed to craft beer over here.

 

[StunnedMonkey]

If I can get the idea into peoples head that beer can be a lot more than a fizzy yellow drink, I've done my job.

I guess my issue is that I don't see it as my job to forcibly educate those who are uninterested. Now I'll talk beer all day with someone who really wants to, but that wasn't the case here. These people didn't give a crap, and that's OK. They weren't interested in hearing some doorknob (me) rambling on about beer styles and why their personal tastes supposedly were unsophisticated. As it ended I was just a dude that brewed undrinkable beverages, as opposed to a condescending a-hole that brewed undrinkable beverages.

 

[Edcculus]

I guess my issue is that I don't see it as my job to forcibly educate those who are uninterested. Now I'll talk beer all day with someone who really wants to, but that wasn't the case here. These people didn't give a crap, and that's OK. They weren't interested in hearing some doorknob (me) rambling on about beer styles and why their personal tastes supposedly were unsophisticated. As it ended I was just a dude that brewed undrinkable beverages, as opposed to a condescending a-hole that brewed undrinkable beverages.

Yea, now that I think about it, I completely understand where you are coming from. Its one thing to bring beer to events with family, friends or work. Most of those people want to hear what I have to say. I'd be pressed not to punch a bunch of wine snobs in the neck. Its not that your beer is bad, its just that they are wine snobs. Not even a 20 year old oak aged slightly soured 11% Barleywine with all of its complexity would turn them.

 

[StunnedMonkey]

Its not that your beer is bad, its just that they are wine snobs.

Well, to clarify again, they actually weren't "wine snobs." This was just a group of couples who happened to be associated with the bride/groom/and/or/host who were tasting various wines to help choose some for the reception. Some were more wine savvy than others, but none were pretentious blowhards or anything. They were decent people. I just didn't relish having to display my wares under those circumstances to an uninterested audience.

And anyway, how do you know my beer isn't bad? It might well taste like something out of Two Girls and One Cup or something.

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

IMO, the first and most important part about offering your homebrew to others is to uinderstand that it is most likely not as good as commercial beer. A little reality really helps when putting your beer out there. 80% of people won't give a crap that you slaved to make it, they will just taste bad beer.

I generally preface my beer with, "this beer is a ___. It generally tastes like ____ and is similar to ______ beer you might have heard of. I am getting better, but this isn't the best beer in the world. Here are somethings to taste for and to notice. My feelings will not be hurt if you do not like it. Please don't take more if you don't want it."

I find that a little self deprication goes a long way. If people feel like you are putting them on the spot it will never be fun. Just go easy and let people try it, and understand that your beer is not God's gift to your friends. It is homebrew.

That said, I really never have the dumb beer drinker problem. We kicked 5 kegs of homebrew last night at my annual Oktoberfest party. I think that the realistic setting up of expectations really helps.

 

[Edcculus]

And anyway, how do you know my beer isn't bad? It might well taste like something out of Two Girls and One Cup or something.

ha, well I guess I don't. I wouldn't expect your wife to ask you to serve it to others if it was craptastic though.