Are you a beer lover or a beer snob? All beer has it’s own place and time; and yes some are better than others. But I for one choose to enjoy them all for what they are. A beer isn’t bad because of its style or purpose. A beer is bad only because of how it’s handled, stored or if it is infected.
Some will put forth that a beer is bad because it doesn’t meet their own idea of what the beer in front of them should taste like. That becomes personal preference and has nothing to do with how good or bad the beer itself is. The reason why we are lucky to have so many different breweries to choose from is directly related to the choices the brewer makes when writing a recipe. If all beers were made the same we’d have one brewery. That takes all the fun out of it.
The classification of an IPA holds a wide spectrum of individual differences. Wheat beers also have so many differences that the style is mind-boggling. The amount of hops and what kind(s) are used greatly changes the taste and aroma. As well as the type of malt and Ph balance of the water have taste and mouth feel effects. Even when a home brewer is trying to create a clone, the beer comes out close but never exact. Those differences should be enjoyed not scoffed at.
Mass-market beers also have their spot for the beer lover. A pilsner of any kind is a great way to refresh or even switch to as you drink more then one beer. Porter is a personal favorite, but can be a little much on a hot day. Barely wines should be savored and depending on the alcohol content you may only want one, or two.
The beers you’ll find in a craft brewer’s man cave fridge may surprise you. Even the most prolific brewer will crack a can of a Pabst or bottle of Czechvar. Being critical of all beer that is yellow and fizzy steals away one of the most painstakingly made styles on earth. A well-made lager takes longer to make and shows it’s impurities more so then ales.
The next time you want to show off to your friends that aren’t big craft beer drinks don’t be so quick to put down what they lift up. Instead learn more about the lager styles and bring some well-crafted lagers that they might not have tried. Some of the older brands of American pilsners have more flavor then their commercial counterparts. Most of the “Big Name” beers have been lightened up throughout the years to appeal to a wider base. There are also craft breweries that make excellent lagers as well.
Detroit Beer Company and Atwater Block Brewery, both out of Detroit make wonderful lagers. But don’t just stop there; check out what your local beer store or beer bar has in the cooler. You might be amazed at what the lighter side of beer has to offer. Above all else never stop trying new beers from different breweries and remember that each beer has a spot for the true beer lover.
