How do you refer to a preference for imported beer?

Question

I have several relatives who like expensive, imported beer. As a gift for them, I bought six 6-packs of nice beer and will give each relative a six pack containing one each of the 6 types. The hope is they will have a chance to try a beer or two they might not otherwise have tried. Since I don't know anything about such beers, I made a list by asking bar tenders to tell me what varities are popular these days.

In the course of buying these beers, I have found myself at a loss to describe just what belongs in this category. I understand the concept of "fine" wines and/or liquors, but when it comes to beer, I really don't have a clue. Clearly there is more to it then "expensive" beers or "imported" beers and I suspect my relatives might be insulted if I used either of those terms to refer to their beer preferences.

Even as I write this question I can hear people saying, "What is your problem?" But they don't know my family. It seems they fall into two camps. In the one camp are the folks for whom I am buying this beer. And the other camp is made up of folks who accuse the first group of being snobs who are just trying to show off with their beer brand choices. This causes a fair degree of defensiveness in the first group. I don't want to insult anyone, I just want to give a gift that my relatives might enjoy.

Can anyone out there identify with this and tell me a safe, noninsulting way to refer to my relatives' beer preference?

Any help, thoughts, insights will be welcomed without judgment.

Answer 1

Beer



I believe you answered it already. "Can anyone out there identify with this and tell me a safe, noninsulting way to refer to my relatives' beer preference?' The last word being key, it is a beer preference. You might add aficionado/connoisseurs if that works. In another turn of events some people and myself included call themselves beer-snobs. A snob acts as such so it does not apply to people that simple prefer flavors in the foods or beverages that they consume. It is an outward attitude of defiance and superiority. Myself and friends use it as a means to defy those that cannot accept a different set of standards for preference and we use it much in the same way an African American might use the "N" word. Does this encapsulate your beer loving side of the family? Tell them all to relax and have a beer.

Answer 2

Try microbrew, or small production brewery beer, something like that.



I owned several large liquor stores for years and people always used the term - boutique beer.



good lcuk, great idea.

Answer 3

Just refer to them as 'imports and microbrews'

Answer 4

get some eastern european beer really nice and should be cheap. its imported,cheap and high %