Who Qualifies for Beer Geek Status?

Beer Geek is Everyone

by Nicole Kasten

Over time many people have attempted to define the identity of a Beer Geek. Several people have been successful with their definitions, but defining an ever changing lifestyle requires occasional updates.  Variations of Beer Geek include, Beer Nerd, Beer Snob and anything that indicates a significant appreciation of beer.  Subsets of Beer Geek can be Hop Head, Lager Life, Hazer, Crafter or just about any term a drinker wants to use as an identity.  We will focus on the broad, current definition and inclusion of Beer Geek.

From Urban Dictionary starting in 2008, to Sam Calagione (Dogfish Head/Sam Adams) posting on BeerAdvocate his difference between Beer Geek and Beer Snob in 2012, to Beervana’s self denial and validation of new subcultures in 2016, many have defined Beer Geek or tried to drill it down. Today, craft beer is mainstream and some people simply can’t stand being mainstream. Long term Beer Geeks create and name subcultures either for that exclusive feeling or to attempt to maintain their status as, “been around the block.” There is no requirement for a Beer Geek to know or enjoy all styles of beer.  You can identify as a Beer Geek with none, one or several subcategories. 

In the past, you had to go out of your way to get a Beer Geek title. Some of the actions could have been standing in line for a new beer release, trading beer that is not widely distributed, knowing what an IBU is, claiming friendship with a brewer, logging beers drank on apps, going to a beer festival or home brewing. There is no exhaustive list of how to be a Beer Geek because buying beer is about all it takes now. At least a dozen times I have overheard people say a version of, “you aren’t a Beer Geek if you buy beer at the grocery store.” In 2021 that is not only a ridiculous statement, it is the type of Beer Snob statement that turns people off. 

Eliminating Beer Snobbery will create a more inclusive industry and allow more people access to great beer.  

We all benefit when more people drink more beer.  With increased demand, brewers become more creative and innovative and more beer gets made and sent to market. Anyone who tries to eliminate people from Beer Geek status is just a snob. Several years ago, it felt like a Beer Geek knew every other Beer Geek in their area. You went to the same events, drank at the same bars, and stood in the same lines. As craft beer became more accessible and styles and flavors expanded, more people found a beer they liked and they kept trying more. In the current market, there are people that drink exclusively craft beer and you will never meet them. There is good beer almost everywhere in 2021. 

Take this short quiz to see who can be a Beer Geek.

Which of the following statements is true? One correct answer

1. I am a Beer Geek, I go to every beer festival.

2. I am a Beer Geek, I know a good mocha, strawberry sour beer when I taste one.

3. I am a Beer Geek, I have had the same growler for 22 years and I fill it every month.

4. I am a Beer Geek, I buy local beer at Trader Joe’s.

5. All of the above.

Which of the following statements is true? One correct answer

1. You aren’t a Beer Geek, you haven’t been doing it long enough.

2. You aren’t a Beer Geek, you only have like 300 check ins on Untapped.

3. You aren’t a Beer Geek, you just come in the bottle shop, buy some year around stuff and leave.

4. You aren’t a Beer Geek, you didn’t even know that XYZ Brewery had two locations.

5. You aren’t a Beer Geek, you only like dark beers.

6. All of the above statements are Gatekeeping and made by people that don’t make the rules.

Below are a few contemporary ways to be a Beer Geek. Identify as a Beer Geek or not, just don’t tell someone else what the definition is because it can be broad, narrow, specific, or obscure.  Raise your beer in whatever container it is in, pint glass, bottle, can, or plastic sippy cup and toast to great beer being more accessible than ever. Cheers to all who drink great beer!

Buy a case of Ecliptic Brewing’’s Starburst at Costco, have Baerlic Beer delivered to you, attend a a beer fest scheduled for later in the year like, Brews for New Avenues, drink a pint outside at The BeerMongers, get crowlers filled at Upright Brewing on Saturdays, put a six pack of Sunriver Brewing’s Rippin in your cart, post a photo of your beer online, buy a beer because you really like the label, stand in line at Great Notion NW, drive to Reuben’s Brewing, be a member of Little Beast Beer Guardians of Funk, score a six pack of Boneyard Beer’s RPM from a convenience store, buy whatever craft beer is on sale at any place that is selling it, enjoy the beer and you are a Beer Geek...if you want to identify as one.