How much is our taste or opinion of a craft beer affected by what friends and/or the craft beer community at large thinks? What beer do you love that no one else seems to appreciate? Or what beer do you say “no thanks” to that everyone can’t get enough of?

I find myself wondering sometimes when I’ve had an extremely popular beer, but haven’t been all that wowed, is it me? Am I missing something here? Was there too much hype? If we really want to dive further into this, is it really only “good” if a large portion of the craft beer community says it is or is our own opinion and taste enough?

My short answer is, no. I'm 100% positive that I am not missing anything. 

In fact, I think it is great to go against the grain. By going against the grain, I don't mean being a constant contrarian. You know, like that twenty-something guy who constantly argues about how he likes the music of Zeppelin or Hendrix because he thinks it makes him unique. Darn hippies. But I digress.

None of us is immune to multiple sources of persuasion whether they be pure marketing speak or the well-founded opinions of a friend. Avoiding it takes critical thinking that is sometimes difficult to apply. Tell me you're not predisposed to rate a “rare” barleywine higher after you paid $18+ for the bomber and spent two months trying to locate it. We NEED that beer to be good. We really don't want to find out we blew $18+ bucks on a crappy beer.

Worse, buying into the hype can actually hinder your beer journey. If the beer you buy needs to score above, say, an 85 on Rate Beer, or get at least a 3.8 on Untappd before you''ll drink it, I guarantee you're missing out on a lot of great beer. 

Why? Who gets to tell you what great beer is? I sure don't. I'm happy to tell you what great beer is to me, but don't come looking to me to tell you what great beer is to you. There is a gigantic difference between helping someone explore beer and telling someone what their experience should be with any particular beer. 

One of the best parts about beer is that we can gather 'round the barstool or at a friend’s house and enjoy a good debate about the "best" beer and both be right. Like what you like, seek out something new wherever you go, and enjoy the journey.

Chris Brooks, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Beer Consultant - Fleming Island

Follow me on Twitter @abcbeerchrisb