Curse of the reverse beer snob.

[Brewdepest]

We're all here because we appreciate good brews. Yes, there are some of us, or perhaps we know some who aren't members here, who are beligerent and overbearing with their love of better beer - and let's face it, that's annoying. Yes, I understand that we should support the little guy and not the huge megacongloms, and I know that the more people who drink good stuff, the easier it will be for me to enjoy it at my favorite establishments. But nobody likes someone who crams any opinion, be it philosophical, religious, political, or, in this case, beer-related, down their throats.
However, I've noticed an equally irritating creature - the reverse beer snob. Those who sneer with contempt at those of us pretentious enough to enjoy actually tasting what we put in our faces. Those who have some sort of incomprehensible air of superiority because they're a "simple man, who likes a simple beer." The jerk-offs who are actually offended when you show up with your own six pack instead of swallowing that piss-yellow liquid from their kegger out of a styrofoam cup.
And even stranger, the worst reverse snobs argue over which schwill is better - and they will scream over the superiority of Michelob over Miller Lite!

Do any of you guys know what I'm talking about? Have you witnessed these twits? How do you deal with them?

[ray m]

Jesus Christ, Brewdepest, what brought this on? I do have to agree with you, though, about the existence of the beer snob that you refer to. And I will agree with you further that it is, indeed, extremely annoying (the-only-opinion-that-matters-is-mine, and-I-am-better-than-you attitude). I can't say though, that I have ever had contact with the "reverse" beer snob. I can tell you that the way that I deal with the regular beer snob is to simply ignore them and walk away. I am at a point in my life where I simply do not have the time or desire to waste my time listening to these jerk-offs banter. So, I ignore them and walk away. I refuse to play these idiots' games and get reeled into a one-sided argument where I know damn well that my opinions are going in one ear and out the other. I have better things to do, and I am not going to get suckered into getting my blood pressure up and trying to hammer home a point about good ale to someone who, in reality, really could care less what I think.

[fuji6100]

How do you deal with them?

If usually offer some of my quality brew. After they turn it down, I just shrug and think to myself "good, I didn't want to part with it anyway."

I've taken some light hearted teasing about bringing my own 6-pack to a kegger, but i've never really had any hostility from them. I don't down their beer... i just don't drink any of it.

[S.F.B.]

Originally posted by Brewdepest
Do any of you guys know what I'm talking about? Have you witnessed these twits? How do you deal with them?

Yes I know what you're talking about. I have witnessed them and their arguments. The way I have dealt with it is this:

Walk into a party carrying a 6 of my beer. Take a ration of $h!t from the host about his beer not being good enough for me. Tell him that life is too short to drink beer I don't enjoy. I appreciate him throwing a party and inviting me but I prefer to drink what I brought. Take even more $h!t about me being a beer snob. Kindly thank the host again and go home to enjoy my evening with my beer.

[steveh]

Originally posted by fuji6100
I don't down their beer... i just don't drink any of it.

That's usually my behavior, I never approach anyone (unless it's a friend) about the beer they're drinking, I usually get approached by that reverse snob, "Oh, you're one of *them,* MGD's not good enough for you?" Whereupon I usually tell them that I don't like MGD, have they ever tried what *I'm* dinking? Of course they haven't and mumble on about yuppy, trendy drinks - but I'm usually ignoring them by that point.

I'm vocal in my beer opinion here because we're all here to talk about beer - it's the release I don't get at my local, and can usually only get at brew-pubs and beer bars where people like good beer and like talking about it.

Beer snob? Probably, if prompted. But I back it with fact and experience. Life's too short to drink bad beer.

S.

S.F.B., I never have any of that kind of trouble at parties - my friends and co-workers know that I drink "strange and obscure" beers, in fact - many of them do too. So when I'm invited to a party, everyone wants to see what I'm drinking.

[hops99]

You know, reading your post made me think of a commercial that I just saw the other day. It's for Coors and/or Coors Light, and it actually states several times that "Real Men drink Real Beer". Uh huh. That pisses me off more than anything - whether it be the big brewers or the "simple man" jackass you described - when the premeditated defense against craft beer is to pull the "real men" or "simple men" or whatever to drink Bud/Miller/Coors. It really is ignorance, fear of the unknown, or cursing the darkness, as I like to say.

I usually defend the larger craft brewers (Sam Adams, NB's Fat Tire, etc.) on this great site, because in my mind those who are successful shouldn't be penalized for becoming popular. I also like to support the regional brewers, even those who brew pseudo-craft beer, and sometimes adjunct lagers (Yuengling, Straub, and Point come to mind). I will, however, be the first in line to rail against the big three, if for no other reason than to protest their shameful business tactics.

In the end, other than the big three in my mind, drink whatever you like, whatever makes you happy - and most importantly, be open-minded and tolerant of others, whether it's a huge hop and malt orgy of an IPA, or a subtle lager.

OK, I'll get off my pedestal now...

[bigmf]

I've run across the reverse beer-snob, but then I live in a semi-rural community in the west. Noone ever seems too mean spirited about it, but I have gotten comments about drinking a man's beer instead of that foamy black stuff (Guinness). Of course sometimes I have to drink plain old macros if I end up at certain of the bars in town with friends. So... I guess it depends on where you live and eho you interact with.

M

[Fast_Eddy]

I have on occassion run into the reverser and more than once I've won. I nearly always manage to talk them into trying my beer(straight from my glass - few people have cooties) - but one sip is not enough you have to have two good pulls on it. The first taste, I explain, is to get your bearings. The second taste is to really taste the beer. On the second taste I usually point out something about the beer like "notice the bitter on the end" or "can you taste all of that malt?" - that kind of thing. I've converted at least a couple of guys that way. Most are just like "Oh yeah, but I really don't like that taste of "X""(X is bitter or hops or alcohol or fruity or etc).

Funny thing is, later on, many of them will at least partially defend you drinking it, in my experience, because now they know something about it.

[Herb Ninja]

. Those who have some sort of incomprehensible air of superiority because they're a "simple man, who likes a simple beer."

Yea, ive seen the reverese beer snob. People that get offended when you don't drink their heineken or budweiser, "What our beer isn't good enough for you?" Damn straight its not! Now ill be in the corner drinking something that I don't have to aquire the skill of choking down, more mass produced piss for you, arn't cha happy... :D Id rather hang out with a total beer snob then the opposite, at least were gonna be drinking good beer if any at all.

[chazwicke]

Great topic Brewdepest! I know very well I am guilty of being a snob. My friends and family all know that my life has been a quest for good beer and that it is my compulsion. Many bring me beers they find when they travel. Lots ask my opinion about which beer to serve when they are planning a party. All know not to bring crap into my house. And most drink good beer themselves. I know it might seem hard to believe based on my postings on this board, but I do try not to pontificate or preach to my associates and family. They all accept me as an ultra beer nerd and not a beer nazi (I hope!). I think I know the reverse types but have not run into one in a long while. My beer discussions of late have been in the beer store comparing notes with other shoppers about which beers we have tried and which we would recommend to each other.

[wortchillergoal]

I have not had too many ecounters with a mean reverse snob. Some of my hockey buddies would give me agood natured ribbing about bringing a glass to drink out of instead of the bottle. Some of these guys have started down the path to better beer,

I did get a good I told you so once. I was telling this group how different shaped glasses can affect the taste of beer. I told them some styles were meant to be had in certain glassware. They laughed at me. That week, a beer writer for our paper did a story about matching your beer to the right glass. They no longer question my statements about beer. They probably should, but I am not going to tell them.

[Luther]

I enjoy the brewing and drinking what I brew...other peoples opinions don't bother me.

I rarely buy beer anymore..only when I mess up and run out of my stuff.

I feel that people who limit themselves to one beer forever are missing a lot in the world as far as experiencing various things.

[hopjack13]

i have a few people in mind here....my uncle wont touch my beer...well sometimes i can get him to sip it and tell me how nasty he thinks it is ,but he won't put me down about my beer. the people i keep company with respect me and my choices , if they didn't i wouldn't keep them around me. but they usually don't ridicule me. my brother in law loves his bud light, never ridicules me about what i drink so i guess he's the better man, and im the snob , cuz i always give him a hard time. but latley he's been diggin on the hef from widmer , im starting him with baby steps here, he's a potential convert.
okay im babbling here, i've found the best way to deal with a reverse beer snob is to crush them with knowledge! ask them if they even really know what beer is and how it's made, what adjuncts are, the history of beer. lagers are fairly new to the beer family, so how he hell do they know what real beer is if they don't even know what their drinking? ask them if they even know what makes a lager a lager..eg what the differance between lagers and ales...ect. knowledge is power!!!

[jlttb]

Originally posted by Brewdepest
Those who have some sort of incomprehensible air of superiority because they're a "simple man, who likes a simple beer." The jerk-offs who are actually offended when you show up with your own six pack instead of swallowing that piss-yellow liquid from their kegger out of a styrofoam cup.
IMHO, the responsibility of the host of a party is to have more than enough decent beer for everyone. So if I have a party, I make sure there's more than enough Sam, Bass, whatever for everyone.
The guests' job is to show up with something different-- unusual or rare or expensive-- but only in small batches-- a six or so.
If I'm really friends with someone, and they have a keg of Bud, I'm good for the party-- but I'll bring something better. And I'm never the only person that winds up drinking my six-pack....

[steveh]

Originally posted by hops99
You know, reading your post made me think of a commercial that I just saw the other day. It's for Coors and/or Coors Light, and it actually states several times that "Real Men drink Real Beer". Uh huh. That pisses me off more than anything

Oh yeah, that's rich!

For example: Here, "big man," try this on for size - what is it? It's Sierra Nevada Big Foot, it's called a Barley Wine. What? Little too much for you? Here, wash it down with this Spaten Optimator -- oh, I'm sorry, you can't taste your Colorado Kool-Aid any more? You mean you *could* taste it before?

Puh - lease. "Real beer."

S.

[Fast_Eddy]

Originally posted by steveh
Oh yeah, that's rich!

For example: Here, "big man," try this on for size - what is it? It's Sierra Nevada Big Foot, it's called a Barley Wine. What? Little too much for you? Here, wash it down with this Spaten Optimator -- oh, I'm sorry, you can't taste your Colorado Kool-Aid any more? You mean you *could* taste it before?

Puh - lease. "Real beer."

S.

Hehe - I never thought of giving barley wine to swill drinkers. It's both a funny and malevolent idea.

[Brownbeard]

I have never come accross the reverse snob. I guess the people I hang out with, even the staunchest swill drinkers, never really care what someone else is drinking. I have found that most swill drinkers are not so into beer that they feel the need to defend their beer. They are not drinking beer for posterity sake, just to catch a buzz. I will usually take a sixer to a party, but when it is done, I almost always drink what is offered at the party. I have a friend who is a sales manager for a Bud distributor. When I go to her house, I am welcome to bring my own beer, because I know she will have nothing but AB products. I don't blame her, it is her job. Since it came out, she has made it a point to have Michelob Amber Boch on hand when I come over. I know most here don't like it, but for a night of partying, I don't mind it. Most of my firends prefer to dring good beer anymore, but for a night of wild partying, there is often cheap beer there. Lately, we have been able to get 12 packs of SN Pale Ale here for $10. There has been a lot of that going around. Most often the "cheap" beer at our parties is Labatte's Blue, or Leinekugel's. Either one I will drink in excess.

[threecb]

I don't run into the reverse beer snob that takes a vehement stand against micros. I occasionally get a bit of a ribbing, mostly from my brother, when I show up with my own, but most people I know expect it from me. I have a couple of freinds that "drink the lowest common denominator". When they come over my house, they bring the good stuff. When they go to other friends, it's macros.

Personally, I choose not to do that, but my circle of friends has a pretty tolerable co-existence.

[Brewdepest]

I guess my local might be why I see some semi-beligerent reverse snobs. I never give anyone crap for what they drink until they make a poke at me - and it's almost always just playful ribbing.
However, it seems like I can't go to my favorite liquor without some body, be it redneck or ghettofabulous frat boy, sneering at me as I fork out five bucks for one bottle when he's getting a sixer for half of that. To some people around here, drinking a non-Macro associates you with being a "hippie," which is a word that is spoken with the same inflection and venom as the "n" word in Southern Indiana.
It's not that I have some pretentious idea of superiority for what I drink. I'll defend the virtues of Pabst till the death - and I know to some on here that's blasphemy. In fact, to most reverse-beer snobs that's blasphemy, too.
If you're sucking down an MGD, how can you knock someone for chugging for a Schlitz?
That's another weird part of it - the arguments I've seen the reverse snobs have when comparing macros. Coors vs. Bud. Bud vs. Miller. Miller vs. Michelob. Everyone vs. Busch, even Bud people, which confuses me. It IS Budweiser owned! I don't even want to discuss those wacky Lite vs. original arguments I witness as a child between the adults of my home town. "Great taste vs. less filling?" At that age, I couldn't even comprehend what "less filling" meant.

[beerbastard]

I am most definitely a certifiable beer snob when it comes to what I drink and what people drink in my house. That being said I firmly belive that there is a place for all styles including the American standards. If you want to drink that rice pop go right ahead; doesn't bother me.

What I do have a problem with however, are breweries and brewpubs that claim to, or appear to put out products that should fall in the craft brewing category and really put out kegs of crap!

Imagine being a first timer that picks up something that calls itself an Abbey Double and what you get is infected or not even close to the real style. That's what pisses me off. Don't pretend to offer a superior product and then put out crap!

I think I need a beer.

[hopjack13]

i think i'll join you

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by beerbastard
[
What I do have a problem with however, are breweries and brewpubs that claim to, or appear to put out products that should fall in the craft brewing category and really put out kegs of crap!

. [/B]

I agree with this. Many brewpubs put out very generic beers to appeal to the same people who are drinking the macros. Maybe no adjuncts but certainly not a lot of taste either. Most of these brewpubs are more restraunts with a brewery gimmick. I have even been to some brewpubs that serve draught macro beer right along side their own beers. Whats up with that? I have no problem with brewpubs having "Guest taps" but selling the swill and even allowing it to compete with their own beers? Wierd!

I have also been in brewpubs where the wait staff was severely uneducated about their own beers.

[Kiltlifter]

I haven't run into one yet ... hope I never do. What I have encountered though is people calling me "hardcore" for bringing my own glassware. I attended a beer festival held in conjuction with a mountain bike race in Leavenworth, WA this past summer. I knew from previous experience that all they had for cups was plastic. I just think that beer tastes better out of glass so I made sure to bring my own.

I do try to get friends to try something different that "cheap" beer but I hope that I don't come across as a beer snob. In the end, drink what you choose to ... only I won't be drinking macros if I have a choice.

[hopjack13]

wow!! what a fantastic idea! im going to start bringing my own glasswear to microfests!

[jsmurphy]

[i]Originally posted by chazwicke
I have also been in brewpubs where the wait staff was severely uneducated about their own beers. [/B]

I hear you. I like to test them by pretending to know nothing about a certain beer and some of the explanations I get are damn comical, which is a shame really.

[GunNut76]

Never really have run into a reverse, but my family is the closest I think I'll come. They all grew up on farms and the prefered beer there is Old Mil. I am going to get them tho! Going up to Canada next summer and gonna bring up some barleywine and a 1.095 big beer that I came up with. Gonna watch those old guys get bombed! HA HA HA HA HA!!!:D

[hopjack13]

Originally posted by jsmurphy
I hear you. I like to test them by pretending to know nothing about a certain beer and some of the explanations I get are damn comical, which is a shame really.

sounds funny though, i once aked about a karl struass beer at one of their thingys and she said "it's a dark beer".....ooookay :rolleyes:

hey murph what happend to lucky baldwins?

[chazwicke]

How about when you ask the server what beers they have and they go through the whole list of macros and never even mention their own beer.

[hopjack13]

yeah they always start out with...."we have bud,miller,coors,coors lite" wtf would i be at a brew pub for if i just wanted a macro?
at the riverside brewing co.(who's beer is just half ass okay)
if you order a bud they ring this loud bell behind the bar to which you will get boo'd by most of the customers.

[chazwicke]

I think that is a good reward for ording bud. But If I owned a brewpub, I would only serve my own and perhaps other brewpub guest beers.( And of course any casks I could bring in from the UK.)

[hopjack13]

cask beer.....from the uk??? out here in socal your dreaming.
most people don't even know what cask is. there are two place's out here that serve cask that i know of and they're both in brea, b.j.'s and taps thats becuase they're always competing with one another . but the beer sits for weeks before they put on a new one, how long will beer last in a firkin once it's cracked?

[threecb]

Originally posted by chazwicke
How about when you ask the server what beers they have and they go through the whole list of macros and never even mention their own beer.


alarm bells go off in my head when this happens!

("our beer sucks!" "our beer sucks!")

[jsmurphy]

Originally posted by hopjack13
hey murph what happend to lucky baldwins? [/B]

What do you mean?:confused:

[steveh]

Originally posted by hopjack13
at the riverside brewing co.(who's beer is just half ass okay)
if you order a bud they ring this loud bell behind the bar to which you will get boo'd by most of the customers.

I LIKE it!!

I'm gonna suggest that at my local brew-pubs! I hate seeing a table full'a Miller Lites when there's so much better to be had!

S.

[steveh]

Originally posted by hopjack13
how long will beer last in a firkin once it's cracked?

The local joint I was telling you about, over at Annoncements and Feedback, can't seem to keep a cask on long enough to see if it gets old!

BTW, the name of the place? The Firkin. ;)

S.

[davesarman]

Here's an approach I've used a few times with some success when dealing with "reverse beer snobs" (beer dunces? beer Cletus?) Most of them are die hard defenders of thier macro beers, and usually they are also believers in the "keep it local" theory when spending money, i.e. they will buy their hardware from the local hardware store instead of Home Depot, they buy their bathroom stuff from the local drug store instead of Wal-Mart. So I use this and tell them, I know you don't like the beer I do, but why not buy a beer that's brewed locally and keep your money in the area. I live near Minneapolis, so I can alway tell them, why not try a Grain Belt or a Schmidt? There's no possible way these beers could offend you, plus your helping the blue collar workers at the local breweries, plus the farmers in the MN, WI, ND area who grow the barley and the workers at the malt houses in MN and WI...that has actually worked a few times and it's at least gotten their firm grip off the bottle of Lite. Then maybe since they've drank another brand, they are willing to try other styles...baby steps here, but it's worth it. You can't be condecending and if they refuse, don't give them a hard time. The next time they are at the bar (either with or without you) they might try it. I've seen it work.

[hopjack13]

Originally posted by jsmurphy
What do you mean?:confused:

the socal gathering on the 16th.... didn't see you there....? of course im not sure i met everyone that was there..

The local joint I was telling you about, over at Annoncements and Feedback, can't seem to keep a cask on long enough to see if it gets old!

i don't know....california is
*supposed* to be the trend setter for the rest of the nation but when it comes to beer i think were last in line.

[fuji6100]

when it comes to beer i think were last in line.

Try getting good beer in Georgia. Most good micros don't ship to us because demand is too low. We only have a handfull of microbreweries, and they are all based in Atlanta amidst the hustle, bustle, traffic, and aggrivation of the city.

Even beer brewed in Atlanta isn't sold around here (Augusta, a mere 140 miles due East of Atlanta) so if I want something brewed at Red Brick or Dogwood I pretty much have to go to Atlanta to get it.

[ron]

I know these people. They live in my neighborhood. They're everywhere and they expect that you'll drink anything handed to you, whether in a foam cup, bottle, or (ick) can.

I no longer take a bunch of crap from friends, family, nor in-laws, because they know that I am not going to change my tastes.

My uncle Csaba makes his own beer and wine, so he loves the stuff I bring around. We often compare recipes and he always has something with which to surprise me.

One of my best friends was a diehard A-B man, until I took him to Schlafly's Tap Room for an Imperial. He's been a homebrewer since.

My in-laws are all drinkers of A-B, Natural Lite, et. al. However, they now respect my refusal to settle for less tasteful beer. I can usually count on a six-pack of Bass whenever they know I'm coming.

My wife was a strict Bud Lite drinker, until I offered her a drink from my Grolsch. She has never drank another A-B product.

For the rest of them, I have devised a pretty simple formula.

When I am asked, "What, our beer's not good enough for you?"

I respond, simply, "No, it isn't."

This usually raises a few eyebrows and sometimes gets me a mean stare, but no fights have yet ensued. I always offer the individual a pull off my own. Some will try it, some won't.

Of those who will at least try it, about half will start his own journey into the realm of beer with flavor and body.

For those other poor souls stuck in American Mass-Produced Beer Hell, oh well. It's their choice and if my choice makes me a beer snob, so be it.

[chazwicke]

I like your tactic Ron. And welcome to the board.

[Brownbeard]

I would rather drink most American mass produced beer than Grolsch. Flavor is nice, but not when it is the flavor of a skunk's ass.

[hops99]

Ron, you mentioned the Tap Room in St. Louis. Do you live in that area? I've always thought Schlafly's beers are underrated - and their "Hop in the City" festival every September is top notch.

BTW, Welcome aboard!

[BluesHarp]

Originally posted by steveh
Oh yeah, that's rich!

For example: Here, "big man," try this on for size - what is it? It's Sierra Nevada Big Foot, it's called a Barley Wine. What? Little too much for you? Here, wash it down with this Spaten Optimator -- oh, I'm sorry, you can't taste your Colorado Kool-Aid any more? You mean you *could* taste it before?

Puh - lease. "Real beer."

S.


Beautiful.....:D

I know guys that swear by "ice" beers because "they're higher in alcohol, really pack a punch, get ya drunk faster" ...might as well just suck back some vodka, save even more time.

My father-in-law drinks Miller Lite...won't touch that "bitter sh!!" that I drink. The funny part is, he rants if someone gives him a Lite that's not ice cold because "warm beer tastes like p!$$"...No, warm MILLER tastes like...well, you know. I've actually witnessed him putting ice cubes in his lite because it wasn't cold enough; kind of like using milk as an ice cream topping.

Most of my friends and close relatives (the ones I drink with) like real beer, those that don't are always curious to see what I am drinking; live and let live....

While I'm at it...if a brew pub brings me a frosted mug, I know I won't be there long....

[steveh]

Originally posted by BluesHarp
While I'm at it...if a brew pub brings me a frosted mug, I know I won't be there long....

The Ram in Wheeling, IL (there's one in Schaumburg too - I think you passed on that one) did that to me! I asked them what was up with it and the 'tender says, "We do that all the time, everyone wants their beer cold." I told her that you couldn't taste beer when it was cold and she gave me that confused, tilted head look. :/

Their beer was unimpressive anyway, I haven't been back since.

I love it when you get "that look" from a 'tender in a bar when you ask for a NON chilled glass. Oh yeah, I've seen the ice in the Lite move - cracks me up.

S.

[threecb]

Originally posted by BluesHarp
While I'm at it...if a brew pub brings me a frosted mug, I know I won't be there long....

Even worse, when you're in any place that gives you a frosted mug/glass, and after you finish, they give you a new fresh frosted mug, like they're doing you a favor. Um, just use the one I got to the right temperature, please...

[ron]

Originally posted by hops99
Ron, you mentioned the Tap Room in St. Louis. Do you live in that area? I've always thought Schlafly's beers are underrated - and their "Hop in the City" festival every September is top notch.

BTW, Welcome aboard!

I live near St. Louis and used to work within a few blocks of the Tap Room. It's an awesome little place and their beers are terrific. Two thumbs up! The festival is always fun, as is Strassenfest.

Thanks for the welcome.

Brownbeard: As for Grolsch, I like it and my wife likes it. She drinks it much more often than I, but it's a good beer.

[Brownbeard]

Every time I have ever bought a Grolsch, I have the same opinion, skunky. I am not a macro drinker, I will never turn down a bud if it is the only beer there. Grolsch is one of the few beers that I really won't drink if I can help it. Heinekin is the same way, they have that nasty green bottle flavor.

[Brewdepest]

Heinekin - the beer that's fooled everyone at least once.

[BluesHarp]

Originally posted by threecb
Even worse, when you're in any place that gives you a frosted mug/glass, and after you finish, they give you a new fresh frosted mug, like they're doing you a favor. Um, just use the one I got to the right temperature, please...

I've done that...and got the strange tilted head look Steveh mentioned.
I like going into a brew pub and finding out the brewmaster is the guy sitting next to me having a pint!

[threecb]

Originally posted by BluesHarp
I like going into a brew pub and finding out the brewmaster is the guy sitting next to me having a pint!

Yeah, but only if he's excited that a beer geek wants to talk about his craft. Sometimes I feel like they're thinking "I'm not in the mood to talk shop..."

But that doesn't happen often...

[Richard English]

One of the nice things about the USA is that people in the service industries seem to like to provide service. That's not always the case, you understand.

When I was in New England a while ago the hotel bar had bottled Sam Smiths. However, when I asked for one the lady beind the bar said she couldn't let me have a chilled glass as she'd run out of them. She was surprised when I told her it didn't matter and even more surprised when I asked her to take some bottles out of the freezer for me so I could let them warm up to a decent temperature.

However, from then on until the day I left, without my ever having to ask, she made sure that there was a cool (not frozen) bottle waiting for me ready to drink straight away. I wonder what her friends thought when she told them about the mad Limey who liked his beer "warm"!

[steveh]

Originally posted by Richard English
I wonder what her friends thought when she told them about the mad Limey who liked his beer "warm"!

Richard, don't you know that you were just perpetuating a stereotype that we all grew up believing over here?

That is, until we either visited England, or had an English beer served in the proper way - then we all discovered just what we'd been missing!

S.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by Richard English


When I was in New England a while ago the hotel bar had bottled Sam Smiths. However, when I asked for one the lady beind the bar said she couldn't let me have a chilled glass as she'd run out of them. She was surprised when I told her it didn't matter and even more surprised when I asked her to take some bottles out of the freezer for me so I could let them warm up to a decent temperature.


Richard, you could have just had her stick your beer in the microwave! THAT would have gotten it warmed up in no time! :D

I am perpetually amazed at how good cask conditioned beer tastes, and at room temperature to boot. I guess I know why everyone in the US who drinks macrobrew likes it as cold as can be....

[wortchillergoal]

When I go out I always ask for a room tempature glass. If they bring a chilled one, I make them correxct the mistake.

I also have trained a bartender. When she see me comes in, she pulls my a couple of my beers out of the ice to warm up while I take the first one cold.

[hops99]

Yeah, that's REALLY frustrating to get frozen glasses in beer bars - but I think it's inexcusable to get frozen glasses at brewpubs. It's happened to me a few times, and every time the brewpub's beers (after warming above 33 F...) have been typically undrinkable. It's one of the tell-tale signs to me that a brewpub/brewery tasting room is a place to avoid.

[chazwicke]

Maybe we should start a new thread that asks for the names of mediocre brewpubs. Ones that have fair beer or should be avoided. I have seen a thread on a British beer board entitled Places to Avoid. It is with regard to pubs. They do not like pubs with big screen tvs, loud bands, too much smoking, no smoking sections, and especially improperly handled beer!

[fretlessman71]

I, for one, would PREFER a pub with not just a no smoking section, but a no smoking POLICY. But that's a topic for another board entirely, I suppose....

[b3s]

well, i prefer to be able to smoke in a pub...but what really get's my goat is loud music during football games!

[Richard English]

All pubs in the J D Wetherspoon chain have a non-smoking area so that those who wish to drink in a smoke-free environment can do so and those who wish to indulge their nicotine habit are free to do so without inconveniencing others.

JDW also have a "no-music" policy and thus their bar staff cannot inflict their own choice of pop music on their hapless customers!

JDW is now the fastest-growing and profitable pub chain in the UK, simply by adopting some logical, customer-friendly, policies.

And incidentally, all JDW pubs will have a range of Real Ales at very reasonable prices.

Whereas they are not to everyone's taste, Wetherspoon's pubs are a welcome oasis in any town that has no good local boozers.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Richard English
And incidentally, all JDW pubs will have a range of Real Ales at very reasonable prices.

That's what I was waiting to hear! I wonder if they're flirting with any ideas to expand their franchise? Say...across the big pond?

S.

[hops99]

Great Lakes in Cleveland is 100% smoke-free - I believe it's the only brewpub I've been to in the country that has elected (i.e. not been forced) to do so. It's wonderful. You can actually TASTE the beer without choking on clouds of cigarette smoke, and their beer is world-class!

[ron]

Originally posted by hops99
Great Lakes in Cleveland is 100% smoke-free - I believe it's the only brewpub I've been to in the country that has elected (i.e. not been forced) to do so. It's wonderful. You can actually TASTE the beer without choking on clouds of cigarette smoke, and their beer is world-class!

Do they still make that outstanding Hefeweizen? I had some of their beer with a fellow from Montreal while we were laid over up there. Good stuff!

[chazwicke]

I like the idea of no TV, no pinball, video games, or no music. I like to be able to talk without having to shout over Loud music or TV. It is also not my preference to watch sports at a pub. People can get really riled up and be disruptive. I Think that belongs in a sports bar and not a pub. While I am not a smoker I dont mind being around those who do. I prefer not to but smoke would not keep me out of a pub. My most important criteria is of course good beer and I am willing to tolerate a fair amount of the above for it.

[Richard English]

JDW have moved across the water. But so far, only to Ireland. Give them time...!

[Stodbrew]

Being a brewer in a brewpub, my beers are already served far too cold, because, unfortunately, thats what my clientele wants. On occasion, I will catch my bartenders putting glasses in the fridge. Then it gets ugly. I go into my little spiel about cold affecting the flavor, and so on. I tell them if, god forbid, someone wants a chilled glass, to roll it around in the ice for a little while, but, under no circumstances are our glasses to be chilled. I think by now, they've got the picture. I put a cask conditioned ale on every Wednesday night, served at the proper cellar temp. and that keeps both my real ale fans, and me happy.

Steve

[steveh]

Where's your pub Steve (and yet another Steve to add to our growing list - Steve's For Good Beer!)?

S.

[chazwicke]

Which Brewpub do you call home?

[Stodbrew]

Steveh-

My pub is in the Bay Area. Sunnyvale, Ca to be exact. It's about 30-40 miles south of San Fransisco. I like the Steve's for good beer idea!

Cheers,

Steve

[hopjack13]

what's the name? if i ever get up that way i'll check it out.
i am in riverside...about 50 miles west of L.A. you guys are more beer orientated up that way i think and to the south there is san diego who's is beer orientated as well ...im just stuck in the middle , lingering sadly in beer limbo...

[fidcastro]

Originally posted by hops99
Great Lakes in Cleveland is 100% smoke-free - I believe it's the only brewpub I've been to in the country that has elected (i.e. not been forced) to do so. It's wonderful. You can actually TASTE the beer without choking on clouds of cigarette smoke, and their beer is world-class!

Damn, that makes me even more excited. I haven't been there since 2000, and I get to go in a week and a half...

By the way, did they make the Nosferatu this year? I was hoping to get some, but I'm probably going to be too late, even if they did make some.:(

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by Stodbrew
Steveh-

My pub is in the Bay Area. Sunnyvale, Ca to be exact. It's about 30-40 miles south of San Fransisco. I like the Steve's for good beer idea!

Cheers,

Steve

I was born in Mountain View, and spent the first 5 years of my life in Fremont! Very cool that you're so close!

[chazwicke]

I once drank in a brewpub in Fremont. Brewpub on the Green. Iwonder if it is still there.

[Stodbrew]

I feel kind of bad because I feel like I'm just advertising the brewery, but, here goes. It's called Stoddard's Brewhouse & Eatery. So, Hopjack, by all means, come on by and I'd be happy to have a pint (several) with you.

Chazwicke- Unfortunately, Brewpub on the Green closed several years ago, but there is a newish brewpub there called Jack's, and the beers are very good.

Steve

[hopjack13]

Originally posted by Stodbrew
Hopjack, by all means, come on by and I'd be happy to have a pint (several) with you.

well several is what i had in mind! ;)
probably won't make it up there any time soon, but i'll let you know when im on my way!
cheers

[watermelonman]

Hah, I just escaped Riverside. The Brew Co was reasonable. Too bad one of their waitresses stole a computer from me (she was my roommate for a few months).

Originally posted by hopjack13
yeah they always start out with...."we have bud,miller,coors,coors lite" wtf would i be at a brew pub for if i just wanted a macro?
at the riverside brewing co.(who's beer is just half ass okay)
if you order a bud they ring this loud bell behind the bar to which you will get boo'd by most of the customers.

[hopjack13]

well welcome aboard watermelonman!
escaped riverside? i was always quite fond of it.

Too bad one of their waitresses stole a computer from me well thats why your not suppose to take them home with you! ;)

[watermelonman]

Originally posted by hopjack13
well welcome aboard watermelonman!
escaped riverside? i was always quite fond of it.

well thats why your not suppose to take them home with you! ;)

Well, I was going to school there, so I suppose it was more like escaping UCR than the actual town. None the less, I'm glad to be home again (SF area).

[mike.reece]

whats this about beer snobs. i thought drinking real ale made us all equal

[chazwicke]

It does, It does! Now we're all snobs or the reverse.:D

[fretlessman71]

Some people only drink what they THINK is beer, however... This concept gives rise to the phrase "All beer drinkers are equal... but some are more equal than others." ;)

Really, though, if you like to drink it, it's fine with me. I'm going to do everything in my power to get you to come over to the dark side, but if it's not for you, then that's fine. Beer is to be enjoyed first and foremost, and argued over by the snobs only. If you're not a snob, consider it a blessing, and enjoy whatever you're drinking.

[ZSK]

I think people should drink whatever beer they like. Including the "BIG THREE". Why drink smoething that to you at least, tastes like pisswater? I also believe we who have discovered how GOOD beer really can be, owe it to our less traveled friends to enlighten them. So, let them drink Bud Light if they like that stuff. (Good slug poison in the flower beds) But be ready to present them with a good transition beer (Sam Adams Lager) etc. Soon, we'll have another convert to good beer. Just be ready with the homebrew, because in my experience, you will have trouble keeping up with demand.

[chazwicke]

Welcome to the board ZSK.

[ZSK]

Thanks Chazwicke. Been here before, just haven't been back for awhile. Besides, the topic was too good to pass up!

[unkle bik]

There those on both sides of this fence.

Some who think "if you ain't drinkin Bud, you ain't shoodus."
Then there are those who think, " I have 3 bottles of Ole Swillerator Organic Barley wine I am saving for that special occassion."

Personally, I could give a rat's ass about either one of these opinions.
This beer is going down my throat, not your's.

What's one man's trash, is another man's treasure.