What’s In a Name?
It’s no secret that I love craft beer; I love it so much I entirely switched careers and haven’t looked back. While my career in beer has had its ups and downs, it’s ingrained in my daily life (and I don’t mean I drink it every day!).
I’m always reading, researching and reaching out to beer drinkers everywhere in a variety of methods. During my beer journey, I’ve read lots of articles about terminology when it comes to craft beer drinkers – beer snobs, nerds, enthusiasts, geeks, connoisseurs and so on. This has led me to wonder, “If I had to label myself, what would I call myself and why?” Please take note that by no means are my definitions backed up by any linguistic data or hard cold facts; just my humble opinion and interpretations of these terms. The term beer snob can have a negative connotation but it also has a flip side. It could mean that as a beer drinker, you know what you like, can be picky about beer styles, and boast about your extensive knowledge base and like to show it off in front of those who may not know as much. Depending on your personality, this type of snobbery could be viewed in a condescending light by others. Some beer snobs just know a lot, work in the industry, and also like to enlighten those (without making them feel stupid) who are willing to listen to their favorite subject. True to the traditional terms we all know, nerds and geeks are what they are. They love beer, talking about it, get together, share their rare finds (known as bottle shares) and can go back and forth for hours praising the glory of their favorite nectar. 
They go to brew fests in groups, talk to brewers and brewery staff, and ask questions. If a brew fest has information tables, they’ll go to each one and want to learn and share. Some nerds and geeks will talk your ear off if you let them, whether you’re interested or not. If the terms nerd or geek are a turnoff for you even though you know you’re one, then just use “beer enthusiast.” I’m not going to lie; I’m a nerd in general – a Trekkie (yes I’ve been to a Star Trek convention), a freak for Les Miserables (the original with Colm Wilkinson), and yes, a beer nerd too.
Beer connoisseurs are those who have either gone to school to places like UC Davis or Florida International University and have taken classes with Dr. Barry Gump or have gone through the stages of the Cicerone program (cicerone.org). According to their website, “The Cicerone Certification Program certifies and educates beer professionals in order to elevate the beer experience for consumers.” The highest level in their program is Master Cicerone, akin to a wine sommelier. There are also o
nline certificate programs and courses such as th e University of Vermont’s “The Business of Craft Beer Professional Certificate” (learn.uvm.edu/program/business-of-craft-beer/) and the University of Oklahoma’s “Chemistry of Beer” course (janux.ou.edu/course.chem4970.html). I’d like to think of myself as a beer educator, but by no means would I call myself a connoisseur. So how would I label myself? First and foremost, a beer educator. As a former brand ambassador for a brewery, I was always speaking with customers about different beer styles and the particular beers I was pouring. As a former professor of Spanish, the educator part will always be in me, no matter the subject. As a beer writer (researcher and historian too), I like to educate the public about the wonderful world of craft beer. Am I a beer snob? Yes and no. I know what I like and don’t like and enjoy brewpubs and other establishments with a fine selection of craft beer. 
However, I do NOT judge others of their beer choices. If someone enjoys a beer that most snobs frown upon, I raise my glass to them and still say cheers since they know what they like. I recently represented the women’s craft beer group I founded (which is all about beer education) at a meeting of home brewers. When I mentioned a macrobrewery that yes, does have the funds to buy up microbreweries and churns out some lackluster stuff for the masses, I received very loud “BOO’s” just mentioning them. To me, those are beer snobs in the worst way – to boo me, cut me off and not even let me finish my sentence. That’s not the snob I want to be or am or ever will be.
