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By Adan Teeter
For a lot of us, it’s been nearly impossible not to develop a genuine appreciation for craft beer and everything it offers, in a market overflowing with quality options that are increasingly affordable, alongside limited releases that feel like actual treasure.
But in a market this full of options, it’s also dangerously easy to turn into a beer snob — the kind of person others start actively avoiding at the bar.
That’s why we put together a few small reminders to help you stay on the right side of the line and remember why you started enjoying beer in the first place.
1. Losing your mind over glassware
Yes, you’re absolutely right that glassware can have a dramatic impact on how you experience your beer, but if the bar doesn’t have that special IPA glass for the West Coast you just ordered, take a deep breath and move on.
Not every bar has the capacity or the storage space to stock specific glassware for every single beer they pour, especially given how frequently many places rotate their tap lists.
So you might not get exactly the Instagram-worthy experience you were picturing, but there’s really no point in making a scene about it.
Going forward, if glassware matters that much to you, buy the right glass yourself and enjoy that beer at home where you can obsess in peace.
2. Being an out-of-control hop head
IPAs are still the holy grail when it comes to craft beer popularity, and that’s not changing anytime soon.
But don’t expect everyone around you to know every hop variety in existence and exactly how each one is used at different stages of the brewing process.
It’s great that you’ve put in the time to learn all of that, but don’t make other people feel bad about something that simply isn’t as important to them. Relax, be cool, and enjoy the round.
3. Quizzing your bartender
Unless you’re at an ultra-exclusive craft beer bar where you’re paying a premium to be served by a certified beer sommelier, there’s a pretty good chance you know a bit more about a couple of the beers on tap than the person pouring them.
So what? If you know so much, congratulations, but that’s no reason to put the bartender through a pop quiz. Just drink your beer and let them do their job.
4. Refusing to drink beers acquired by big companies
You know exactly who you are: the person who now refuses to touch Lagunitas or Goose Island because they “sold out.”
You’re also the person who says Sierra Nevada is fine, for a brewery that’s basically gone industrial at this point.
This is the exact same attitude as the indie music snob who stops listening to a band the moment they sign to a major label and start getting radio play.
Nobody likes a music snob, so why would being a beer snob be any different?
5. Bringing up your Cicerone certification
Congratulations, you keep learning about something you’re passionate about, which is basically what every professional in every field does.
Your effort is genuinely appreciated, but once you’ve earned a certification, you don’t need to announce it to everyone, everywhere, every single time you’re sharing a beer.
It’s especially grating if you do it at a volume carefully calibrated so the bartender can hear you.
6. Thinking you were there first
Remember the music snob comparison? Yeah, same behavior, different drink.
It’s genuinely cool that you were into the craft scene before it blew up, but nobody likes being used as a prop in someone else’s superiority argument.
You didn’t invent anything.
7. Refusing to drink macro beer
Are you ordering water because the only beer available is a Miller Lite? Seriously? And please skip the bit where Miller Lite and water are basically the same thing.
A Miller Lite at least has some alcohol in it, which your friends will desperately need to get through an entire night of your commentary.
8. Pouring beers down the drain
Sure, every now and then you’ll come across a beer whose quality issues are real enough to make you want to stop drinking it and set it aside.
That’s very different from theatrically dumping a beer down the drain simply because it didn’t meet your personal standards.
9. Playing the style police
Beer is a drink for enjoyment, and it doesn’t need to be dissected and analyzed every time you open one, wherever you happen to be. If you’ve finally tracked down that elusive beer you’ve been chasing, open your mind and actually enjoy it.
Your friends are honestly tired of listening to you debate whether a beer is too hoppy for its style, or the carbonation is too soft, or the finish is shorter than you expected.
Sit down, drink up, and enjoy your damn beer.
Frequently asked questions
1. What exactly makes someone a beer snob?
A beer snob is someone who lets their knowledge and preferences get in the way of actually enjoying beer with other people. The telltale signs include refusing to drink anything that isn’t craft, lecturing bartenders, dismissing brands that got acquired, and analyzing every sip out loud whether anyone asked or not.
2. Is it wrong to have high standards when it comes to beer?
Not at all. Having preferences and knowing what you like is part of what makes craft beer culture interesting. The problem isn’t the knowledge, it’s how you use it. Sharing enthusiasm is welcome; making others feel judged for their choices is not.
3. Can you drink craft beer without becoming a snob?
Absolutely. The key is keeping the focus on enjoyment rather than status. Drink what you like, share recommendations when people actually ask for them, and remember that beer is supposed to be social. The moment it becomes a way to show off, you’ve crossed the line.
4. Is a Cicerone certification worth it if you’re not a professional?
It can be, if your goal is genuinely learning more about beer. The Cicerone program covers brewing, service, flavors, and pairing in real depth. Just remember: the point is to deepen your appreciation, not to earn bragging rights at the bar.
We recommend
- What yeasts and bacteria are used to brew sour beers
- The Reinheitsgebot: Germany’s beer purity law and its 500-year history
