Comments on: Beer Vs. Wine: A Love Hate Relationship?

By: beer_scientist

beer_scientist — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:10:52 +0000

My pecking order is certainly beer, whiskey, then wine…but I love a good tannic full bodied red or crisp Asti. The funny thing is that being an equal opportunity drinker will ultimately help your beer palate.

By: Simply Beer

Simply Beer — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:02:47 +0000

I love wine, almost as much as Whiskey, Scotch, & Tequila, which I love almost as much as beer.

With these, Wine, Whiskey, and Beer, I’m not going to waste my time with something I don’t like. I’m an equal opportunity drinker as long as it is good. I’m not well versed in the Grapes and Techniques of wine or the distilling process of whiskey, but I can appreciate them. (don’t tell anyone but I actually have a wine of the month from my favorite CA winery).

I dunno. I guess some people are just will to listen more and try new things with an open mind then others….

By: nate

nate — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:41:35 +0000

@BigTex: I too have been quite incendiary towards winos in the past, but have come to appreciate them more, as well as their love for drinking a quality beverage. I still find myself trying to convert them though; as they try to convert me.

@beer_scientist: I think your right. Once a wine guy learns that beer is actually a craft, they can appreciate it. I guess a wine guy who only knows keystone ice would look shamefully at beer, just like the beer guy who knows nothing but boone’s farms.

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Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:48:32 +0000

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By: beer_scientist

beer_scientist — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:45:48 +0000

I find it particularly interesting when beers use grapes, wine casks, and yeasts in it. That type of symbiosis should exist with the drinkers. In my experience, a wine enthusiast who knows the slightest bit about beer respects the beer enthusiast (and vice versa). I do think some of the tension is well founded. Think about it, beer tends to be wines ugly cousin. That being the case, some people’s position on the matter is like all over reactions. It over-corrects the case. But the pendulum still belongs in the middle.

When I worked at Crown liquors, I talked many people into buying a $10-15 bottle of beer by pointing out that they were getting the same size bottle and same (or more) ABV as the Riesling they were buying. Personally, I think wine is still king in it’s perceived value but beer ought to be its queen, rather than a mad duke trying to take the crown.

By: Big Tex

Big Tex — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:23:48 +0000

Good post. I admit, I don’t know much about wine. In fact, I’ve been known to make assertions about wine that some wine connoisseurs would make about beer. It’s probably unfair of me, and I suspect that stems from my knowledge (or lack thereof). Over time, I’ve noticed that my palate has changed with respect to wine and I know can actually enjoy a deep, red merlot. Dry wines used to be anathema in my book, but now, not so much. I suppose it’s about being exposed to better quality products, as it is with craft beer: better ingredients used with greater care usually leads to a superior product.

By: Nate

Nate — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:52:33 +0000

@Jim. that sums it up well for me too. I mentioned in my article that the notion that beer is low brow and wine is sophisticated needs to be combatted…that’s why you don’t find a fancy beer at a fancy restaurant. This is a HUGE source of animosity, in my opinion. Refreshing to see a wine guy admit it too (asimov).

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:40:50 +0000

I was hooked on craft beer the moment I took my first sip of a “real” beer (a Chimay Red). I immediately wanted to know more about what was in it and where I could find other well-crafted brews. It was an epiphany for me.

I’ve tried lots of wine, but I’ve never had a similar experience. But that’s just me.

I used to look down on wine enthusiasts as poseur snobs until I tasted that Chimay Red. After that moment I understood just how exciting trying new beverages can be. Wine still isn’t my thing, but I’ve grown up in my opinions about those who are passionate about it.

I think as craft beers continue to gain popularity, beer will become more respected. I actually don’t care what people think, but it would be nice to find some rare and premium beers on the wine list at a fancy restaurant. Stella just isn’t cutting it!

PS – Thanks for the link!

By: nate

nate — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:24:48 +0000

Yeah, actually my christmas beer that is in secondary fermentation (abv17%) uses Brett and a belgian trappist yeast strain. I had in mind some of my wine loving friends as I chose those strains.

There are quite a few sours whose strong acidity and vinegary qualities are very reminiscent of wine.

Great point!

By: cbjerrisgaard

cbjerrisgaard — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:01:50 +0000

If you really want to show hardcore wine drinkers the light I suggest stocking up on Belgian brews and showing off the crazyness those people do with yeast. I’ve shown my share of vino heads what’s up with a nice glass of Orval.