Jun 20 2016
Beer People Are Good People – There Are Exceptions
A while back now, I posited my truth about the people I’ve met through beer. To a contradictictory reaction of simultaneous praise and mockery.
I freely accept that it is not a universal truth. But it is MY truth.
And I invited others to tell theirs and had one or two rewarding conversations as a result. Conversation and debate is the lifeblood of blogging and all opinions are welcome.
But there are marks that are not to be overstepped. Abuse should not be tolerated.
I am a beer blogger. But I adore music just as much – if not more. I am also overtly political in that I am an avowed Socialist. The s is capitalised deliberately.
The “debate” about “In” or “Out” regarding the EU referendum in the media has been toxic and offensive. This appears to have shifted onto Social Media too, the nearer we get to polling day.
I have recently had reason to “unfriend” two “Beer People” on Facebook due to comments that I found – in order – ignorant/offensive and just downright offensive. I have met neither person physically, but felt that I had shared interests. Not being politically aligned is no reason to not get on – life has too many shades. It’s not all monochrome.
But I do draw lines.
My hashtag remains a truism to me. It is my truth. The people I have actually met on my ongoing beer adventure have been warm, welcoming and generous – both emotionally and with their time, products and effort. Brewers, drinkers, landlords and landladies. All good people.
My love of – and belief in – those people hasn’t altered one iota. Irrespective of their politics.
Beer People are still Good People. But there are exceptions.
June 20, 2016 @ 2:12 pm
It’s a nice sentiment but like any grouping it’s impossible that all beer people will share the same political standpoint or have the same moral outlook, and therefore the term “beer people are good people” is largely meaningless. There is a nasty, shallow-minded Libertarian cohort amongst the Twitter beer community (which I wrote about, link below), although the people I have met/chosen to meet in the real world have been genuinely good, warm people.
http://www.brewgeekery.com/the-politics-of-beer/
June 20, 2016 @ 2:35 pm
Your final point is the point I made at the end. One of the people I disassociated with its what you would describe as a “libertarian” with a fundamentally reactionary isolationist outlook. I can handle that. But he veered off into gratuitous insults.
No need.
That said, the community which I frequent – the Manchester Beer community – is (in my experience) much more inclusive. There will be exceptions, obviously. But I’m yet to encounter them.
June 20, 2016 @ 2:38 pm
By the way. Nice piece. Political bedfellows it would seem.
June 20, 2016 @ 2:47 pm
Aye, I may also have encountered the people you refer to above – and we certainly seem to be on the same page, comrade 😉
June 20, 2016 @ 2:49 pm
Indeed. If you’re ever up north, I’ll buy you a beer.
June 20, 2016 @ 6:35 pm
Likewise if you come to London 👊
June 20, 2016 @ 7:33 pm
I will buy you a pint anytime!
June 20, 2016 @ 7:34 pm
Thank you!
June 22, 2016 @ 4:20 pm
Ooh, ooh, is it me? (Goes to check)