If you’re the type of person that notices everything that’s a little different at your local watering hole, you’ve no doubt noticed a change as to what is on tap behind the bar. Where once you saw some of the biggest beer companies on the planet, you now see some slightly obscure craft beer offerings. As you’ve processed these changes, you’ve probably asked yourself one important question – what is craft beer?
The truth is that the answer to that question is incredibly complex. There’s no real way to answer that question, and it’s this inherent evasiveness that perhaps gives craft beer its mystique. That said, even if you can’t quite pin down an exact definition of what craft beer is, you can get a better idea of what it brings to the table if you compare it with the complexities that go hand-in-hand with making wine.
OK, wine fanatics. Before you flip out, understand that this article is for you. If you enjoy wine, from the making of it to the pairing of it with different foods and everything in between, you have taken some time to get to know the intricate details of wine. There’s a refinement to enjoying wine, which is why you ‘enjoy’ it rather than ‘drink’ it. The same can be said of craft beer.
It’s not the same type of stuff you do handstands on kegs for. You take the time to really taste every ingredient. Now, this all seems well and good, but for some, it can be downright snobby, and if we’re being honest, these folks are right. Enjoying a good wine or beer is about simply enjoying a product derived from someone’s personal passion to create something inspiring and beautiful.
So, wine lovers, here’s a basic guide for understanding craft beer not only as a beverage but also as a convivial elixir for the masses:
Find A Place Nearby – You don’t have to go far to find a bar, restaurant, or even a movie theater that serves great craft beers. Find somewhere you feel comfortable & be prepared to learn.
Ask A Lot of Questions – One thing people shy away from in life is asking questions when they don’t know something. Stop that. The only way you’ll learn anything is by inquiring about it.
Go Out and Taste – Be willing to try new things. You can even use the flavor profiles of beers you’re familiar with to find beers that aren’t too ‘out there’.
Give Flavors More Than One Chance – Even if you don’t take to something at first, give it a chance later. You might be surprised by the way your taste buds adapt to flavors in beer. Remember the first time you tried beer? Most people are put off and recall the bitterness. That’s not the case anymore, which means you can’t count something out after only one taste.
Craft beer, like wine, is complicated & beautiful. That said, it’s also to be enjoyed with friends and family, as well as those who appreciate the hard work and dedication it takes to making a truly great product. It can be a little intimidating to venture out and try something that strays from the flavors you’ve grown up knowing, but isn’t that what makes life so interesting?