The author of a recent post about Sunset Beer Co. for KCET.org brings up a point about the learning curve that accompanies enjoying craft beer, and calls out the scene for “knowledge-hoarding [and] latent bullying.” The author excepts Sunset Beer Co from this behavior, saying “everyone in a Sunset Beer t-shirt is unfailingly kind,” but we are curious if you think their assessment of craft beer bars overflowing with snobby beer-hipsters is accurate, or if it is a gross misrepresentation of the current craft beer climate in Los Angeles.

Here is the full quotation from the post:

Sitting down with a glass from the tap, this should be an intimidating experience, with drinkier-than-thou guys looking over their pints at you with equal parts amusement and disdain. Yet, despite the range of options and dogmatic specificity that comes with craft beer, everyone in a Sunset Beer t-shirt is unfailingly kind. There is none of the knowledge-hoarding or latent bullying that often accompanies a learning curve.

Does this match your experiences at any craft beer bar, store, or beery restaurant?

Our experience, admittedly from higher-up the learning curve than the author may have been representing, has always been one of being welcomed and met with an eagerness to teach and share by stewards of the craft beer scene. From bartenders and servers at the most esteemed craft beer restaurants and bars, to the other drinkers at festivals, to brewers and craft beer professionals we have, nearly without exception, experienced a warmness and genuine desire to spread the word of craft beer.

Are the authors statements just insecurities and expectations of snobbery, or have we just managed to avoid these more negative encounters?

We want to hear about your experiences with beer snobbery at bars, shops, and restaurants in the comment!

• Source: KCET.org -Let Sunset Beer Company Guide You Home