Think small.
Hello again everyone, I thought I’d discuss a topic that deserves greater appreciation: Subtlety, balance and everyday drinkability.
At the risk of aging myself, somewhat, I’d like to return to a time when craft beer was beginning to flourish in the US of A, and with that advent, a new discussion board launched called BEER ADVOCATE (1996). I was excited and captivated by the arrival of a site that united beer nerds such as myself and provided information, user reviews of not only brews but craft-centric establishments as well; a clear sign that craft beer was growing and here to stay. (Top tip: Never travel without consulting BAs “PLACES” pages for the best spots to visit for killer local beer experiences – I’ve cultivated every trip I’ve ever taken with the help of the BA community – a fantastic resource).
As beer enthusiasts, we all have our preferences (to say nothing of our perception of quality). Styles of course, but also alcohol content too. I’ve always enjoyed an evening centered around a beer experience involving multiple pints and the primary reason I favor session brews. But there’s more to that story – I came of drinking age at a time when “craft beer” in America meant only imported brews (aging myself example #2), predominantly lagers and especially Pilsners. They represented a great leap forward in taste and complexity compared to the macro brews available domestically. Of course things have thankfully exploded here since and as a domestic micro-industry we feature world-class examples of virtually every style of beer. But the template was cast and my palate still favors lower ABV and subtle brews (certainly not exclusively mind you, we’ll get into IPAs in my next column).
So while I enjoyed the resource of reading other’s opinions on BA it did perplex me to find on average, lower-ABV and more subtle brews were generally not reviewed favorably, while stronger, more aggressive, outrageous and rule-bending brews commanded respect and a much higher rating. On one hand I appreciated the latent desire for flavor, experimentation and quality, yet was also disoriented by the fact that the majority of these beers didn’t represent a day-in-and-day-out beer that could be enjoyed casually. Beer is many things to many people, but sometimes you just want a pure and simple beer, and there can certainly be grace, depth and skill in such offerings, sometimes even more than in a more exaggerated recipe.
Perhaps you perused the recent “Worst Rated Beers Of the World” (Read it Here). Yes most certainly deserved their place in the ranking of shame, but maybe some were unfairly cast – we all have our “guilty pleasures”, but I offer if something provides pleasure why not celebrate that too under the banner of a “place and time” experience, and maybe even lose the guilt? Well above and beyond the “Worst Beers” list, there are countless modern craft-brews I greatly enjoy that somehow elude the appreciation of an audience seemingly fixated on exaggerated approach (based on online reviews). This is no criticism of BA or other aggregate rating sites as they only post a consolidation of user reviews, but perhaps some reviewers could be more generous or open-minded, or bow out from reviewing altogether if a style is not in their wheelhouse to begin with?
I suppose my message is don’t be afraid to think small. Think balanced. Think easy. And of course think big, brash and outrageous too.
Ultimately: think for yourself.
Until next time! – Rich
Rich Buceta
Founder & Chief Creative Officer
rich@singlecut.com
