Just an aside

After reviewing (and thorougly enjoying) my pint of South Island IPA last night, a woman and her husband stepped up to the bar next to me.  The husband ordered a Pale Ale and then the following conversation between the woman and the bartender ensued.

Woman:  Do you have anything like Corona?
Bartender:  Ummm, no.  We don't have anything like Corona.
Woman:  [visibly flustered, body language changes to closed] Well what do you have that's light?
Bartender:  [smiling and in a nice warm tone]  We have Solid Gold, that's our extra Pale Ale.
Woman:  [begins shifting her weight on her feet, now slightly irritated]  So you don't have anything like Corona.  Something, like, with a lime?
Bartender:  [still smiling] No.
Woman:  Well, then let me try the Solid Gold and the lightest dark beer you have

[The Bartender leaves to get the samples, returns with one light and one dark]

Bartender:  Here you go, ma'am, our Solid Gold and our Oatmeal Stout.
Woman:  [scoffing]  Uh, I'll have the Solid Gold.  That other one is just too dark.  I already know I won't like it.  [Turns to her husband]  I don't know why they don't just have something like Corona with a lime.

I had to laugh.  I talked with the bartender after the incident and we laughed about it.  It made me think though, being an aspiring brewer with bigger dreams than my kitchen can hold, that I should hope to have customers like that some day.  Maybe I can take the time to educate them and bring them on board the craft beer train. 

I was once like her (before I was baptised in water infused with hops, malt and yeast) and skeptical.  I think there's still a big market in customers just like her, waiting to be tapped.  So patience is truly a virtue with people like this.  Kudo's to the bartender for getting the product in her hand and telling her how it is not too hoppy and clean in the finish.  Great sell.  Another point too for not apologizing for not having something like Corona.  You do have to have a standard and most craft brewers set themselves above that.

She also shared with me another favorite question she receives.  "Do you have domestic beer here".  Now that's laughable!  I said, "I don't know how much more domestic you can get.  You brew it in the next room!"

[1960's sit com laugh track.  Camera pulls out and fades]

Respect beer.  Drink only the exceptional.

-Mike