Working class people and beer

Expensive beerWhen I read stories about beer and when I talk to brewers and brewery types I have I have this little list of personal hot button topics. (It’s me; you may not care.)

One is what’s local about beer and does it matter? Another is the danger that beer could become an elitist drink ala some wine. I won’t bore you with all of them.

Tomorrow a link about local. Today I suggest you read Pubs and Class from Boak and Bailey. Interesting on many levels, including why people would go to pubs, the importance of community, etc., and comments that certainly add to the conversation.

But don’t overlook item No. 1: “It costs too much.” Goodness knows I’ve typed enough words here explaining why I think you should be willing to pay “more” for beer. Defining “more” being the challenge, of course.

The fact is that the price of beer, again depending on how you define “more,” makes a difference to many drinkers. And you are being a snob if you discount that.

 

2 thoughts on “Working class people and beer”

  1. Well this working class hop snob just sold every last Euro hops outta the yard and is celebrating with Gouden Carolus (which I havn’t seen in a very long time), Leffe Blonde, and the ever present homebrews with the NM hops. You don’t want to know what I paid for the Gouden Carolus, it didn’t matter, it’s been a mark for me for a long time, I can’t believe I found a couple 4packs here in NM. You also don’t want to know what I’ve spent to be local with the local hops either.

    Beer passion. Ya know what ya like, you’ll get there. Priceless.

  2. And you are being a snob if you discount that.

    This is an issue that irritates me, too, mainly because I know a lot of people in the beer industry, and a more unpretentious group you will not find. Making beer is definitely a working-class act, and to dismiss it as elite is to be ignorant about the people, product, and process. I think people who discount this are being snobs of a different kind. Presumptions about things we don’t know is bad from both directions.

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