Good read. There seems to be a lot of this type of article roaming the internet these days. Must be a result of the ever-growing population of beer sno--uh, I mean, beer enthusiasts.

I can tell you first hand that although many of us who consider ourselves as beer enthusiasts are often viewed as beer snobs by many people. Why? Because many of us selectively support beer makers based on their size while being a goliath in the industy is perceived as having no soul. We bash the big corporate beer makers becaue they are easy targets, yet make millions in beer sales because people love their beer. I'm no a BMC fan, nor am I a hater. If someone's favorite beverage of choice is Bud Light, then that's awesome. It's a well made product, and anyone who says otherwise is clueless about beer (notice I didn't say tasty...lol). The point being is that many of us look down on the BMC crowd as tasteless and unknowledgeable, just as beer snobs (and wine snobs as I found out this weekend as I told someone that I really enjoyed a sweet moscato) that if you don't like a certain kind of beer or a certain brewer...you have no taste. That to me is being a snob...being on the receiving end of disdain for something you find enjoyment in. I have no problem being critical of the goliaths when they make "craft" beer and it turns out like crap. But I will also praise them when they make a decent beer.

quote: Originally posted by Stoutlover72 I can tell you first hand that although many of us who consider ourselves as beer enthusiasts are often viewed as beer snobs by many people. Why? Because many of us selectively support beer makers based on their size while being a goliath in the industy is perceived as having no soul. We bash the big corporate beer makers becaue they are easy targets, yet make millions in beer sales because people love their beer. I'm no a BMC fan, nor am I a hater. If someone's favorite beverage of choice is Bud Light, then that's awesome. It's a well made product, and anyone who says otherwise is clueless about beer (notice I didn't say tasty...lol). The point being is that many of us look down on the BMC crowd as tasteless and unknowledgeable, just as beer snobs (and wine snobs as I found out this weekend as I told someone that I really enjoyed a sweet moscato) that if you don't like a certain kind of beer or a certain brewer...you have no taste. That to me is being a snob...being on the receiving end of disdain for something you find enjoyment in. I have no problem being critical of the goliaths when they make "craft" beer and it turns out like crap. But I will also praise them when they make a decent beer.

Chops is not Chopz

Schnobs, shlobs. Give me another beer. No not that one. Dont even think of handing me one in a silver and blue can. That one. The one with the fancier label. No, not mcsorely's. The one with a paragraph on the label and the hand drawn art. Does it have a twist off? No?... Good. Yeah I know it has gunk it the bottom, its suppose to.

I came across this neat article that talks about what it means to be a "Beer Enthusiast" from a beer enthusiast's perspective. The title of the article is How I Became A Beer Surfer by Fred Eckhardt [url]http://allaboutbeer.com/live-beer/people/beer-enthusiast/2011/11/how-i-became-a-beer-surfer/1[/url] I enjoy his writing because he does a good jargon jiggle with the hobby title "Beer Enthusiast." He writes, as a beer enthusiast, Are you an expert? A connoisseur(he says, No!)? A guru? A leader? A drunk? A surfer? Eckhardt will stick with "beer enthusiast!" My favorite line of his? "For me, moderation fades in the presence of chocolate and beer (or ice cream and beer) and I’ve never met a beer festival that I didn’t immediately fall in love with." Chocolate and beer....a man after my heart. [:I] He also ends the article by giving recognition to Michael Jackson. I believe you will enjoy the read. Thanks for the feedback everyone. And, Stoutlover72, You Rock![8D]

quote: Originally posted by Stoutlover72 I can tell you first hand that although many of us who consider ourselves as beer enthusiasts are often viewed as beer snobs by many people.

Most of my friends know of my affection for good beer and also know that I prefer a local craft beer when I can get it to the likes of BMC. As one put it (and I rather like it) "he's a connoisseur of fine beer". I often remind them that to have had as many different beers as I have, many very good, that I had to have had some really bad ones, too. They also know that if I'm sticking my hand in their cooler, I'll drink whetever I pull out and never check up; they like that I'll drink an Old Milwaukee Light and never bat an eye. And honestly, after some heavy yard work, mowing or general labor, I'm usually as happy with a straight-up Coors or PBR as I would be with anything else. It's interesting how perceptions work. Oh - I just noticed that this is my 3500th forum post - thanks, to all for making my time hear worthwhile!

quote: Originally posted by jlozier ...Even our friends think we are snobs because we are curious people.