We all have had that “friendly debate” online that turns sour so quickly. When people only want to tell you their feelings on a matter, and never cares about counter-points. The person who’ll attack you and your opinion outright when you’ve said something that they disagree with.
Well, you all need craft beer.
I have shared beer with a variety of people from all over the world and that’s been a great life experience. Sitting at a table sharing a bottle with someone, it’s easy to agree on a beer’s color is a golden amber, or maybe a viscous black stout, these are objective truths. Truth changes to subjective as each person brings that glass up to taste and smell. One person’s cinnamon notes is another’s medicinal memories, What to me was a beer that was an “over priced pilsner”, I hand to a friend and they declare it as a phenomenal but mild sour.
Understanding the difference in Truth that is perceived (subjective) or verifiable (objective) is critical.
While pouring an IPA, the person who proudly exclaims they will hate it because they dislike hoppy-pine-needle beers is helping no-one, especially not helping themselves. If they refused every IPA after their last bitter disappointment, they would be missing a world of fruity/tropical IPAs or the hazy NEIPAs that are about to eradicate mimosas from the brunch table.
After all my travels and sharing I learned the one true truth. Everyone’s experience of a beer is their own. The same beer shared around a table, can provide a unique experience to everyone drinking it. There is no offense to be had if someone tastes fruity notes, while you taste more malty and bitterness, or if someone rates it 5/5 while you feel it’s 2/5.
Go get a bottle of craft beer, and share, not just the beer, but your opinion in a safe, civil and respectful environment. Understand that the person across the table from you may have a different perspective, you should listen and learn, and the in turn should do the same when you have someone to add to the conversation. Be kind while you discuss each person’s point of view, maybe not just about the beer and you’ll come out a better person, or just about the beer and you’ll learn that there is more out there than a skunked out pilsner or lager.