How Much Bourbon Talk is Too Much?

[Tony Santana]

( .. . or, if you don't know who the pretentious one is, it's probably you)

A Budweiser ad aired during the Super Bowl that was basically a jab at craft beer drinkers - the stereotyped hipsters, with their fancy mustaches, their flights in different glassware, sniffing their Pumpkin Peach Ale. I've since read more than one article (and corresponding comment section) where the craft beer fans really get their undies in a bunch over this perceived slam. You would think Bud had taken out a national ad insulting their mothers.

I can appreciate a good craft beer and am no particular fan of Bud, but actually thought the ad was pretty amusing. But as I read the commentary from the craft beer geeks (or snobs/nerds/enthusiasts/aficionados, choose your descriptor) - with all their talk of porters, hefeweizens, cask v. bottle conditioning, hop pellets, blah, blah - as a group they struck me as a bit pretentious. Then I thought, oh god, is that me?

I'm generalizing here,but I know as much about bourbon as the craft beer crowd does about their hobby/passion/lifestyle. Most people who know me reasonably well know I like bourbon, so it's obviously a topic I discuss sometimes. Do I talk about it too much? Am I the guy who's pretentious?

I can and do converse on other subjects - sports, movies, music, politics, etc. When I'm with a group of non-bourbon drinkers the topic probably doesn't come up - unless we're drinking, in which case there's a good chance I'm drinking bourbon, in which case someone may ask me about it or I may bring it up on my own. I've known craft beer geeks who occasionally prattle on a bit much on the subject. I'm just trying to be socially self-aware, so I ask you, how much bourbon talk is too much when you're not with fellow enthusiasts?

[squire]

Around your boss or wife's relatives more than a sentence may be too much. Around fellow enthusiasts the subject is bottomless and the boundaries endless.

Of course anyone who calls me pretentious doesn't know how to spell pedantic.

[dcbt]

If I can tell someone is asking just to make conversation I keep it short and simple and then just change the subject as soon as I can. I understand they are just being polite and trying to make connections, but at the same time I feel silly and self-conscious talking about stuff I know isn't interesting to the other party.

[RWBadley]

I have been involved with the craft beer and home brewing since, well now that I think about it nearly 40 years. BJCP judge since '87. Safe to say I know a fair bit about the whole beer thing. Scotch - only the last 30years, Bourbon is new to me at about 20 years. Wouldn't ya know, but after a hard day of judging sometimes not too good home brew beer all I wanted was some good whiskey :cool:

I thought the Bud ad was funny and decent marketing. They kinda know who they are preaching to. Odd- they keep buying up craft brewers and trying to get into the craft niche...

Having said that- any avocation we are involved with (Fishing, Bowling etc...) has the potential to create their eyes glazing over as we wax poetic about the minutiae and relive every nuance of our last experience. Wives especially...

Mostly- I keep it simple and relevant to the knowledge base of the crowd involved. Push the envelope with a fun fact or two then see how it goes. If they ask the right questions then proceed a bit more. In mixed company I usually try to just make it a fun conversation instead of blathering on and on and on and on and on...

Contrast and compare works well too if they don't have a lead palate. I'd rather not waste good booze on somebody that won't really discern the difference or care.

Cheers,

RW

[kjbeggs]

Yeah, if someone just asks me for a recommendation, I don't go into much detail, at most explaining the difference between wheat and rye recipes so they might be able to determine which they prefer.

If they want to know "What's the deal with this Pappy Van Winkle?", then I may talk about other excellent choices that they can actually find.

Now, when my stepson and his buddies come over, class is in session (Only because they are actively trying to learn). Of course, they teach me things too. The stepson knows far more about cigars than I have ever bothered to learn, and his friend (who might as well be a family member) is the "Scotch guy".

[garbanzobean]

I learned a long time ago that niche hobbies are rarely interesting to anyone outside of said hobby. Which is why I post on this forum, to be frank. I can learn from and interact with other enthusiasts and can save my "real life" friends and coworkers the hassle of listening to shit they don't care about.

[Gillman]

On the beer thing, A-B InBev, which makes Budweiser, also brews Goose Island beers, and now Elysian's beers (familiar to many in the northwest), and owns a craft brewery on Long Island, NY as well. So I found it odd they would knock something they sell themselves and its customer base. I guess they would say they were speaking only to the Bud brand and its supporters, but still - lots of people watch the Superbowl. Odd strategy, in my opinion.

As to bourbon, no there is no limit to the conversation. Any topic can be explored in any depth desired and to learn a lot about it, you'll want to do that. This is to be separated from one's audience at specific times. Some may be interested to have their ear bent, some not, and one should always calibrate the discussion so as not to offend the people you are speaking to. That aside, there is always more to learn and learning is power as they say.

Gary

[Tony Santana]

All points well taken. I'm the type who likes to learn about new things, so unfortunately I probably tend to err on the side of providing too much information just because that's my mindset. But I try to be aware of my audience. Personally I would readily listen to someone at a party if they could expound in a coherent fashion on artisanal sausages or the roots of reggae music or how the Interstate highway system was built. For maybe 4-5 minutes. After that I'm probably out of there unless the subject really does fascinate me.

If you've hit a few points, say "I can tell you more if you like" and get no follow up, then you've probably talked too much already.

[tanstaafl2]

I like to blather on until their eyes roll back in there heads! Serves 'em right for not knowing anything about their native spirit...

[Gillman]

Ah Bruce you tell 'em.

Gary

[Richnimrod]

I like to think I gauge my audience pretty carefully, and know how much to dish, and when to change the subject.... But I bet I'm as guilty as anybody of causing the eye-rolls and glazing before I notice it.

But, hey; I DON"T REALLY CARE!!!! If I'm having fun yakking away, it's up the audience not to applaud, right? Come to think of it they never have.... maybe a message in there, eh?

[BigBoldBully]

I tend to try and find a way to be interested in what someone is talking about, even if it seems pretty irrelevant to me at first. So when someone goes on and on about his or her pet topic, then I get a chance to talk and notice almost immediate glazing over, it either makes me nervous or annoys me depending on the situation. Generally, I think if a person does not even try to develop any interest in what you are doing your best to share with them for 30 seconds or a minute, screw 'em. Probably just a rude and/or overly self-centered person.

[bmajazz]

I don't make it a rule to proselytize, but when I've talked about some fairly detailed stuff to non-enthusiasts, they have always told me how interesting it has been. I think it's several factors.. first, there's a lot of misinformation. Second, I come across as someone who knows (and is passionate about) the topic. Third, I present it with clear enthusiasm, but no particular condescension or judgement. People I talk to are fascinated about the concept of dusties.

[GaryT]

I think it is subjective based on the audience. Around folks on this forum, we're free to "geek out" at full throttle. When I'm out with co-workers, and I hear them say "Bourbon has to come from Kentucky", I often don't even try to educate them. Unless they are a bit of a douche already, and it will be fun But I don't get into details with non enthusiasts, unless it really seems like they WANT to know (ie - they're asking questions about my collection, about "why so many bottles, what's different"). Even then, I tread lightly.

[393foureyedfox]

those who know me as an acquantance know i like 'whiskey'. those who know me as a friend know I like 'bourbon'. But only those who really know me well would be able to point you to something Id truly enjoy. for example:

group 1: my 'secret santa' at work gave me two 200ml bottles of Courvosier cognac for a gift

group 2: these people often give me gifts like the recent JB 80 proof rye

group 3: the people give me gifts such as Booker's of HHBIB's

I only talk bourbon if someone asks. same with my cars. I could geek out on either topic and bore most people to tears, but I dont enjoy talking about either unless the interest is reciprocated.

[R-Savage]

I am and still am a beer guy. But I love my bourbon. I go to the Craft Beer Festivals, and I enjoy a really good Beer. The Same can go to Bourbon Loving, Bourbon in the general crowd is Jim Beam or Jack Black. nothing more nothing less. Each to their own I keep pretty quiet. Unless someone asks me what I drink. then I will tell them. Beer, or Bourbon.

[AaronWF]

You just have to be sensitive to your audience's interests. If you're normally a blabber mouth, you will likely talk someone's ear off who just isn't interested. If you want to have a worthwhile conversation, you need to listen as well as speak.

Re: the Bud ad, I found their tone pretentious and their message packaged for idiots. "All you beer snobs who appreciate flavor, go seek out your precious "micro" brews. We'll be over here doing what we do best: getting wasted on an endless supply of suds."

Edited February 6, 2015 by AaronWF

[smokinjoe]

Re: the Bud ad, I found their tone pretentious and their message packaged for idiots. "All you beer snobs who appreciate flavor, go seek out your precious "micro" brews. We'll be over here doing what we do best: getting wasted on an endless supply of suds."

Pretentious, much?

I must be a card carrying "idiot", as I got a few chuckles out of its poking fun at the pretentiousness of the craft beer snob crowd caricature. But, us dolts are easily amused by such things...

[tanstaafl2]

Pretentious, much?

I must be a card carrying "idiot", as I got a few chuckles out of its poking fun at the pretentiousness of the craft beer snob crowd caricature. But, us dolts are easily amused by such things...

That particular commercial had so much impact on me that I didn't recall it at all and had to look it up just to remember it. Then again almost all of them were like that this year (and the past few years).

I still miss the Clydesdales playing football. Now those were good!

[AaronWF]

Pretentious, much?

I must be a card carrying "idiot", as I got a few chuckles out of its poking fun at the pretentiousness of the craft beer snob crowd caricature. But, us dolts are easily amused by such things...

Hot in here or is it just me... :crazy:

Most people I know didn't seem to have the same reaction I had. I get the caricature they were poking fun at. Certainly no shortage of pretension in the beer world, though I rarely pay any attention to it because I'm too busy enjoying my beer... I just didn't appreciate the message I took from them, which was that beer should be about slumming rather than discerning flavor. To my way of thinking, that message assumes your audience is made up of idiots. Not that those who enjoyed the commercial are idiots, just that the company behind the ad insulted its audience.

I'm probably waaaay over-thinking this, just trying to get a handle on my reaction!

I've found my anger towards companies like AB-InBev ramping up of late as I encounter more evidence that their distribution, marketing and pricing serve to promote alcoholism the world over. They profit by exploiting the weakened through insidious practice.

Edited February 6, 2015 by AaronWF

[Gillman]

Joe, surely the craft beer fan is no more pretentious than the bourbon fan. All these activities have no logical limit.

To boot, A-B also sells craft beer. What about respecting that part of its customer base?

I'm starting to wonder if it might have been a genuine mistake, i.e. the ad side didn't know about the recent craft beer purchases (although these go back some years now). Seems hard to believe though.

Gary

Edited February 6, 2015 by Gillman

[smokinjoe]

Joe, surely the craft beer fan is no more pretentious than the bourbon fan.

Gary

Gary, there are "fans", and then there are pretentious snobs. As much as you can poke fun at Joe Sixpack (of course in this Joe's case, that refers to my ripped abs...), you surely can poke fun at the other end of the spectrum and the snooty craft beer snob as depicted in the A-B commercial.

[Tony Santana]

I think it was just playing to their core customers, who probably loved the commercial. Sometimes advertising is about getting a new audience to try your product. Sometimes it's about maintaining your base. Brand recognition. This was the latter. Their goal wasn't to get the avid Pumpkin Peach Ale drinkers to switch to Bud.

[dcbt]

I think it was just playing to their core customers, who probably loved the commercial. Sometimes advertising is about getting a new audience to try your product. Sometimes it's about maintaining your base. Brand recognition. This was the latter. Their goal wasn't to get the avid Pumpkin Peach Ale drinkers to switch to Bud.

Or they were targeting the Coors and Miller drinker to convert to Bud. Either way, the target audience is generally the same.

[Gillman]

I think it was just playing to their core customers, who probably loved the commercial. Sometimes advertising is about getting a new audience to try your product. Sometimes it's about maintaining your base. Brand recognition. This was the latter. Their goal wasn't to get the avid Pumpkin Peach Ale drinkers to switch to Bud.

I know, but they sell Pumpkin Peach ale, via their new unit, Elysian. Do you think Elysian drinkers were impressed by the ad?

Gary