The higher meaning of cheap beer

In this corner we have Stephen Beaumont, pointing out to us the affordable pleasures of beer. (Noted earlier in the day.)

brewhouseIn this corner we have Mike Seate of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review telling us that Beer snobs forget the true meaning of beer. He writes about how expensive beer he finds beer in some Pittsburgh bars and about how pretentious he views the drinkers who pay that price.

I was writing about Stephen’s post when Loren’s note about Seate’s column arrived. A few hours later when I returned to write about that topic it I saw that everybody has something to say.

– The comments at Beer Advocate had more than doubled.

– Jay Brooks weighed in, admitting “I should be ignoring what he’s saying but I can’t. The bait is there and I took it.”

Alan McLeod focused on another different bit of the colmun, writing:

So, given the concerns, is there something to the column Mike Seate wrote? Is it perhaps the case that we do not like as beer nerds to look at ourselves as beer nerds but some sort of evangelists surrounded by fools or at least the unheeding doomed? If so, what does that mean for our understanding of the meaning of what we beer nerds are doing?

Whew! Alan, that’s a bit of self analysis I need an expensive beer or to in my belly to undertake.

So with all these conversations going on I’m picking just one to comment on – or not.

Back to the headline: “Beer snobs forget the true meaning of beer.” Then Mr. Seate’s conclusion that “beer is supposed to be a workingman’s drink” and that he’ll be drinking on the cheap.

So the true meaning of beer is that it is something “working class people” drink and thus it must be cheap?

That’s too silly to comment on.

Quick additions on 1/19: Quite well said by Stephen Beaumont, and a solid discussion at the Burgundian Babble Belt.

6 thoughts on “The higher meaning of cheap beer”

  1. What the writer doesn’t realize is he just crapped on all the local brewers making all those EXPENSIVE beers when in the end…those brewers probably make less $ than him! No doubt they make less than the mega-corporate giant brewers that supply Mr. Seate with his cheaper, styrofoam worthy choice.

    Ugh!

    I’ll be in Pittsburgh in a month. Damned if I won’t be dropping plenty of coin on expensive, local brew. Maybe I’ll even try out that styrofoam cup option?!?! Nah…

    Cheers!

  2. Don’t you think there is something to the idea that beer nerds/geeks may be keeping people from joining their “club”?

  3. Yes, a fair point.

    We do ourselves a disservice if we give those ready to adventure on to new beer flavors the imrpession they need to know some secret handshake to enjoy them.

    One of the things beer should have going for it is how accessible it is. A friendly drink.

    One reason it’s accessible is that you can sample the best beers in the world at a reasonable price. Even if you are a working stiff.

  4. OK, by mentioning the secret handshake you have broken secret club rule 31.2(b) which means you have to have 3 PBR from a Styrofoam cup this weekend. I trust this shall be a lesson to us all.

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