The Beer Trend We Should've Ignored According To Anthony Bourdain

Beer culture and discourse

A decade ago, the archetypal "beer snob" emerged—often a millennial hipster who would never be seen enjoying a mainstream, low-quality brew. They frequented online forums that, at their best, sparked meaningful discussions and, at their worst, devolved into self-righteous diatribes. Many were frustrated by the craft beer movement, as it threatened the traditional American dive bar scene, which was filled with affordable, classic beers. The old-timers resisted being told they were serving beer incorrectly, and outsiders were often blamed for transforming lively nightlife into a more reserved dining experience focused on craft beers and IPAs.

Anthony Bourdain once likened the note-taking craft beer enthusiasts of San Francisco to aliens from "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," implying that bars should be spaces for social interaction and emotional connection rather than drink analysis. In an interview with Thrillist, he remarked, "You know, I haven't bothered to walk ten blocks to the microbrewery where they're brewing some f****** Mumford and Sons IPA."

Food serves as a unifying element of culture. It's natural for individuals to carve out their own subcultures within the culinary landscape, and beer lovers play a role in this. They shine a light on breweries across the U.S. and celebrate beverages that might otherwise go unnoticed in mainstream media. While it's perfectly fine to have strong opinions and a passion for beer, nothing leaves a worse impression than disrespect. After all, the best beer is simply a cold beer.