Beer People and Wine People

I've been a wine drinker for many years and have participated on numerous wine related internet wine forums over the past 20 years. I'm not much of a beer drinker, but something struck me reading this board about what I perceive as a basic distinction between these two groups.

Wine people seem to be much more accepting of the differences in individual palates. Even when someone starts to discuss wines that don't have a load of appeal for "serious" wine lovers, there is a general acceptance for the differences in palates. Seldom, if ever, do you get snarky remarks like "I can't believe you drink/enjoy that swill from Gallo or Chuck Shaw or whatever". OTOH, if someone was to post here that they enjoyed a Bud at the picnic they would more than likely be criticized, ridiculed or snarked. At least here, beer enthusiasts seem "less tolerant" of palate preferences.

I doubt one group is more enthusiastic about their beverage of choice than the other, and was wondering (assuming my flimsy observation is correct) what account for the differences in the two groups.

[Robin Garr]

I doubt one group is more enthusiastic about their beverage of choice than the other, and was wondering (assuming my flimsy observation is correct) what account for the differences in the two groups.

I think that is a very good question, and I think I have a very good answer, founded in having moderated wine (and beer) forums since 1985: There is a long and unpleasant tradition of wine enthusiasts being wealthy, prissy snobs. Modern wine "geeks" don't want to be associated with this image, so we go out of our way not to make a public show of disdain of other people's wine choices.

Beer geeks, moving upward from an image at the other demographic extreme, are at pains to declare their independence from beer's rednecky-NASCAR image, so they embrace the snob.

In both cases, I think the veneer is thin. If you don't think there's any snobbery left in the world of wine, head over to my wine forums, where snobbery is discouraged, and post in praise of, say, White Zinfandel. I think you'll get some reactions. Or even worse, head for eRobertParker or the Wine Speculator forums and speak in celebration of anything not ratified by their priesthood. Yeah, the snob thing is still there, it's just a little less obvious.

How many active, local forum members derive their income from wine making? How many from brewing craft beer?

(Them damn wine people spit too)

How would you characterize Diet Mountain Dew people?

How many active, local forum members derive their income from wine making? How many from brewing craft beer?

(Them damn wine people spit too)

David-
Wine makers actively participate on a number of the forums I've mentioned, and most are, at least in print, fairly accepting.

How would you characterize Diet Mountain Dew people?

I have no experience with "those people".

How would you characterize Diet Mountain Dew people?

We once were barefoot, carried shotguns and rarely shaved. Now we ride skateboards and rarely shave.

I've been a wine drinker for many years and have participated on numerous wine related internet wine forums over the past 20 years. I'm not much of a beer drinker, but something struck me reading this board about what I perceive as a basic distinction between these two groups.

Wine people seem to be much more accepting of the differences in individual palates. Even when someone starts to discuss wines that don't have a load of appeal for "serious" wine lovers, there is a general acceptance for the differences in palates. Seldom, if ever, do you get snarky remarks like "I can't believe you drink/enjoy that swill from Gallo or Chuck Shaw or whatever". OTOH, if someone was to post here that they enjoyed a Bud at the picnic they would more than likely be criticized, ridiculed or snarked. At least here, beer enthusiasts seem "less tolerant" of palate preferences.

I doubt one group is more enthusiastic about their beverage of choice than the other, and was wondering (assuming my flimsy observation is correct) what account for the differences in the two groups.

I disagree with your assertion as it pertains to real life. It may be true on this board, but hotbytes is not a microcosm of the real world.

If anything, I have noticed that wine drinkers, in the past as well as presently, will look for any reason to condescend toward beer drinkers. Obviously this does not apply to all wine drinkers.

I will agree that anybody who judges someone else's personal tastes as "wrong" or unrefined, as it pertains to beer, wine, or barbecue, is probably a jerk.

Let the record show that I enjoy wine, but am admittedly ignorant of its nuances.

I feel that I am knowledgeable about beer and that it is every bit as "good" a beverage, but again, I am biased.

Of course, as an unrefined brute with no shirtsleeves, I may not be beer's best ambassador.

How many active, local forum members derive their income from wine making? How many from brewing craft beer?

(Them damn wine people spit too)

David-
Wine makers actively participate on a number of the forums I've mentioned, and most are, at least in print, fairly accepting.

Oh sorry. My reference is for this forum only. I don't participate in any others.

How would you characterize Diet Mountain Dew people?

We once were barefoot, carried shotguns and rarely shaved. Now we ride skateboards and rarely shave.

You forgot tats. Now lots of tats.

If anything, I have noticed that wine drinkers, in the past as well as presently, will look for any reason to condescend toward beer drinkers. Obviously this does not apply to all wine drinkers.

That may be true, but it is a slightly different observation, that has escaped my attention. I may need to focus more.

I will agree that anybody who judges someone else's personal tastes as "wrong" or unrefined, as it pertains to beer, wine, or barbecue, is probably a jerk.

On this we generally agree.

Take care.

What about bourbon-wine-beer people?

What's up with those freaks?

I really like Diet Mountain Dew . . . tats . . . not so much.

Turns out Adele is a "not North American Beer" person.

Do you think wine folks would still be so accepting if I were to order a glass of finer Cabernet, made slushy style?