This article about the nature of criticism on the British Film Institute website and a general navel-gazing mood have prompted us to think about, er… thinking about beer.
In recent months, we’ve spoken to people who consider ‘tasting’ to be a ludicrous pretension. We have also heard from those who see that as a ‘moronic, Luddite point of view’ (Mark Dorber), and think tasting/thinking/talking about beer are essential to its health.
We’ve spoken to brewers who believe beer deserves ‘reverence’ (Alastair Hook), and ought to be regarded as a ‘sensory product’ just as wine has been for many years (Sean Franklin); while others exhibit outright disdain for writing, rating and other forms of commentary on beer.
So, what is the correct amount to think about beer? We don’t know, and of course the question is slightly tongue-in-cheek, but here, at least, is an attempt to understand the spectrum:
We’ve been at every point on that list at one time or another, though we abandoned ‘not thinking’ for good the day we started a beer blog.
