I think we all can agree that snobbery is synonymous with hipsterdom.
I’ve recently found a point of convergence between two very unlikely groups of people that both share that intimate love of the self-righteous.
Beer snobs are those types that buy a $10 beer, take a sip, and metaphorically throw it in the bartender’s face just because this year’s Pliny the Younger was “overhopped.”
They’re a proud type, those beer snobs, and they increasingly resemble our hipster friends.
In fact, I’ve heard there can be crossover. Meet Beerster. He’s between the ages of 19 and 30, wears a backward Blazers flat-bill and circulation-prohibiting jeans and can be seen sitting in a dark corner of any overpriced bar sipping on the most avant-garde beer on tap.
There’s no discretion when he decides to down 10 Russian Imperials, proving he’s no poser, but a real man’s beer drinker.
“Beer is an acquired taste, as are beer snobs,” said professed beer snob Chris Sandoval.
Evidently, the knowledge needed to be a beer snob isn’t something one can obtain from a book; it takes time and effort to do all that drinking. Snobs’ palates must be carefully attuned to the nuances of each beer style, lest they make an ass out of themselves and misname a beer — that would be truly unthinkable.
“That type of beer snob also shows a tendency to pretend to like any beer they think they are ‘supposed’ to like,” said TheBeerSnob.com blogger Scott Andrews.
“One of the most common entry-level beer snob mistakes is simply mistaking an ale or lighter craft brew for a lager,” Sandoval said. “You can also tell a lot about a beer snob by the way they spell draught.”
It’s difficult for me to understand this sort of drivel, but apparently this is a lifestyle brand that’s been around for the last decade or so and is a growing demographic.
“They really push the ‘snob’ part of the beer snob title,” Andrews said. “They are the people who show up to a party, wedding, social event, etc., and loudly deride the beer offerings, because none of the offered beers were brewed with rare hops and by Belgian monks wearing horsehair loincloths.”
There is a serious infestation of hipster beer snobs in the Northwest.
With the Northwest naturally being the homeland for hipsters and with Portland being a microbrew mecca for beer lovers, it only makes sense that the two would converge at some point. It’s unfortunate for normal people residing in Oregon, especially those who appreciate having a nice beer with dinner or with a close friend, that they would have to deal with the likes of people in constant battle with one another to prove their palates’ worth.
Something that’s truly aggravating about beer snobs is their unashamed and scathing analysis of every single beer they taste. Talk about taking the beauty out of the experience. How can you even begin to enjoy the overpriced beer that you’re sipping when Beerster over there has to let the world know that Amnesia Brewing’s Copacetic IPA was much too citrus-y for his delicate palate and maybe next time they’d ease up on the Cascade hops. Jesus Christ, shoot me now. Granted, for some, taking beer to the professional level analysis is part of the job, but even Andrews concedes that when he’s relaxing, the analysis aspect is surpassed by the sheer enjoyment of the moment.
“Every time you drink a beer it becomes a whole process, and after a while you really need a break,” he said.
I love beer. I love good beer with a passion, but there’s nothing more intolerable than sitting at the bar with some know-it-all wearing Toms and sticking their nose up at a freshly poured Pabst. Oh yeah, didn’t you hear the frats are drinking that shit now?
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Beersters ruining the microbrew culture
Daily Emerald
April 28, 2010
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