I was just in my local Safeway buying beer to consume on this hot afternoon. Given that I have a fridge full of homebrew, and a pretty good stock of random craft brew 22’s in the house, I was on a quick run to pick up some easy-drinking brews that go well in the anomalous 90-degree heat that we’re currently experiencing in the greater Seattle area. Per my wife’s request, I scooped up a pack of Corona Light, which of course reminds her of our wedding in Mexico, and is a favorite go-to on summer days. For myself, I had a hard time picking out what I wanted, and eventually conceded with a sampler pack of Red Hook. Yeah, yeah… it’s not an adventurous choice, but I just wanted a case of beer that I knew I could enjoy in the heat. That’s the short version of the story.
Here’s the other version.
I arrived in the beer aisle, and began perusing the selection. Given that the thermostat is topping 90, the beer section was pretty well-picked over. I didn’t want anything too heavy (or too expensive) so I steered away from some of the pricier and thicker choices. As you can imagine, I was dodging other shoppers, and as I was looking for the Corona Light, I shimmied past a flat cart of various beers and a talkative woman with an Anheuser Busch shirt on. I had seen her corner a handful of other customers and pester them into buying the Bud Light that she had just put on the shelf, and I was determined not to fall victim to her ploy. I grabbed the Corona, and again skirted her cart. As I went in for the case of Red Hook, I heard a shrill voice say “Hey! That’s not my beer!” I turned to see her motioning to the package of Corona in my hand. I glanced at her cart – which was filled with Budweiser and their associated products – and nodded. “That’s right, not to be rude, but I don’t like that stuff.” I motioned to the Corona, “This is for my wife.”
She paused for a moment, gave me a once-over, and then said the most offensive thing I heard today: “Yeah… no offense, but you DID look like a COORS LIGHT fan.”
I was stunned. You corner me in the beer aisle, where I am clearly avoiding the macro-brews in favor of the craft beer section, and accuse me of being a fan of Coors Light. Offense taken. Offense taken BIG TIME.
So I retorted with the following: “No offense, but I don’t like shitty beer.”
She looked at me. “Are you saying Bud is shitty?”
“Yes.”
She stared for a moment longer. “Oh,” – as if she had just experienced an epiphany – “You’re a beer snob.”
“Yes, absolutely.”
“Well you could buy Shocktop… I deliver that one.”
“I don’t like Shocktop.”
“Me neither. You could get that Red Hook you had your hand on.”
I put it down. “Look, I’m probably going to get the Red Hook. I know that big beer distributes it for them, but it’s a consistent beer.”
She looked quizzical. “What’s big beer?”
I pointed at the red A birthing a full-grown eagle on her shirt. “That’s big beer… you should watch Beer Wars.”
“Really? Beer Wars? What’s that?”
“A documentary about the beer industry.” I picked up my cases and moved to go.
“Really? Oooh, I LOVE documentaries! They make me feel smart when I watch them!”
I smiled, and turned to leave. “Good. See you later.”
“Thanks for the recommendation!”
I hope it works.
Love, Food & Beer 