All Beers Are Not Created Equal

My wife and I recently visited San Antonio. San Antonio is one of our favorite cities in Texas and in the US, and we know this because we took a survey in our family and discovered that it was the favorite. Now really, who does such things? 

I sometimes feel the same way in the beer world.  Beer has, over the past decade or so, developed what some may call "snobs."  After Prohibition, the beer world was dominated by the major breweries in the United States, namely Anheuser Busch, Miller, and Schlitz.  They were the ones who had the capital and distribution capabilities to resume making and getting beer out to the common man.

Since then, micro-breweries have been springing up and the popularity of home brewing, myself included, has increased exponentially (which means a lot).  Along with the blessing of bountiful brews from which to choose, however, is the curse of beer "snobbery."  You come along side a guy at the beer store, and he asks, in a friendly way, what you are looking for.  You respond by saying something like, "Oh, something I haven't tried before."  And that sets in motion responses that you need a companion piece of some kind to decipher the language the guy is speaking.

"Ah, you should try the ______ ale.  It is a classic British ale brewed in the oldest brewery in ____ and is great for the season, blending the grains that leaves a nutty taste upon entry and the coffees as they travel down the palate until the sugars become evident at the back of the throat.  The hops provide a level of bite that gently awakens the senses to enjoy this aromatic and tasteful blend of ...."  You get the idea.

Who talks like that? And why?

This site will be dedicated to the fact that all beers are not created equal.  It will also be dedicated to the fact that people, in general, don't need advanced degrees in brewing and distilling to enjoy a fine frothy beverage. It will also provide one man's opinion in simple and understanding phrases such as, "I liked it," or "Worth trying," or "Great to have with pizza during a football game," and even, for beers I don't like, trying to be polite about it.  Those may read like, "Wasn't for me," or "Try one and tell me I'm wrong."

As for me and my house, we shall not talk in terms and phrases on this site, ever, that lose meaning in translation for the average person because quite honestly, there are more of us average people than there are others.

First reviews coming soon:  Christmas Ales
Shortly after:  Winter lagers or ales
After that:  Bowl season - does it have to be bland?

Enjoy and remember, there is an entirely new world out there in the arena of craft brews, so take your time and enjoy.