Sharing is Caring: Introducing Friends to Craft Beer

Those of us who love beer are always talking about the taste, smell and the passion we have over a well-made delicious brew.  The many beer blogs and website are all about educating the masses about new brewery openings, tapping parties, tastes of different styles of beer, and more. However, how do we educate those who don't read our blogs, who don't go to our websites, who are not already lovers of craft beer?

We all know there are the stubborn beer drinkers, sticking to the same kind time and time again. There are the anti-beer drinkers, who think all beer tastes disgusting and wouldn't want to have anything to do with it. Then there are the curious beer drinkers, who aren't sure what they like, if they'd like anything at all. How do we educate and share the amazingness of craft beer to our friends? 

Yesterday I was able to take my friend, who thankfully is the curious beer drinker type, to Bier Brewery's taproom. This was her first time in any taproom and she has only been into drinking beer for a little over a year. I call her - my beer padawan. I've introduced her to the holiday beers from Schlafly -- their Pumpkin Ale and Christmas Ale. I have brought her growlers of Thr3e Wisemen's Mount Crumpet Christmas Ale and their Hubbard and Craven's Porter, but yesterday was a big step in her beer education.  

I know I've mentioned time and time again the awesomeness that is Bier Brewery, but as a starter place for someone learning more about their beer tastes, it is a perfect place to start. These are why:

1. You can always go down the line with what is on tap. Bier Brewery wants you to try all they have available. Also up on the taproom board is ABV, IBU, SRM information of all the styles and cards are available on the bar detailing the spices, hops and brew styles. 
2. The environment is casual and you can usually catch Corbin or Darren in the front room and actually talk to someone who brewed the beer. 
3. The location is convenient. It is not downtown. It is easy to get to. 
4. The line always has a variety of styles. 
1. For example this week is :
• Sessie
• Special K Kolsch
• Weizengoot
• Belgian Red
• Belgian Dark Strong
• John's Porter
• Winter Porter
• PDG Pale
• Calpyso IPA

From start to finish I was able to walk my friend through each style. She already knew that she liked hefeweizen style beer so the Weizengoot was sold, but she ended up liking the majority of the line-up and understanding the hoppy bitter taste towards the end.  Not only did I educate her, but in return my friend already mentioned how her boyfriend would like Sessie.  The beer pay it forward chart has begun!

I posted the question out to our friends on twitter and received two suggestions so far as to how to educate our friends on craft beer. One way was to make dinner and do food and beer pairing parties and another was not giving them an option for anything else. 

So I'll post the question again here.. How do you educate your friends on craft beer? Business is growing and more beer is brewing, but the support is still needed for these breweries to grow.  When was the last time you took a friend to a taproom? Brought a growler to a party? Did a 6 pack mix up? 

If you need some help, some other great taprooms to visit are at Sun King and Flat 12. They offer you samples without cost. So there is no excuse for anyone to not visit!

Let's get our friends in 2012 to drink more craft beer.

Cheers!
- Kathleen