Don’t be that person - Let’s Lift Up Maryland’s Craft Beer Community, Not Tear It Down
Recently, I found myself in a relatively heated online discussion on REDDIT with a so called local craft beer enthusiast who was quick to call out one of our local breweries and label their beers "absolute garbage." I was even more disappointed by the fact that I received little to no support in the discussion, and was even downvoted for my respectful responses. It got me thinking about how these kinds of negative comments affect our Maryland craft brewing community. As fans and supporters of local brewers, we have a big role in shaping how others view our community and industry, especially younger generations who are new to the local craft brewing scene here in MD. And with that, I strongly feel that we have the responsibility to lift it up, not bring down our local community. Here’s why focusing on positives, or even choosing not to comment at all, is better for our community.
Craft beer isn't just about a drink in your pint glass. It's about community, creativity, and supporting local businesses. Maryland breweries put in long hours, experiment with recipes, and often make significant financial sacrifices to bring us unique, high-quality beers. When we criticize a brewery harshly online, it doesn't just harm that business. It sends a message that could discourage new brewers from even starting up, reduce people’s interest in trying that local business, and even affect jobs in the community. Many amazing people in Maryland rely on our industry to thrive and grow to support their businesses and put food on the table. Tap houses, pubs, breweries, liquor stores, distributors, bartenders, waitresses, local bands….the reach is further than we can fathom. They all rely on us, and we can do better. We need to do better.
As someone who literally started a social drinking group with the slogan, ‘If You Brew It, We’ll Review It”, I feel there is nothing wrong with giving reviews and feedback for beers, and sharing our experiences at local breweries. But there’s a difference between constructive criticism and tearing something down. Saying something like, "I prefer their IPA over their stout," or "This beer isn’t quite my taste, but I can see what they're going for," can be helpful. It shares your personal opinion without damaging the brewery's reputation. Not every beer is going to hit the mark for everyone. If I walked into Sapwood Cellars for the first time and had a beer that just didn’t do it for me, and went online posting, “OMG! All of their beers are garbage!” I would look like an absolute fool. Not only are they one of the best breweries in town, they have a reputation for having some of the most unique and wonderful recipes in the state. But just because a lot of us already in the community know that, not everyone does. That one post will reach hundreds of online followers that are not familiar with our great community and that specific spot. That post just started a very slippery slope. We now have hundreds of people spreading the word that Sapwood Cellars is serving up some of the worst beers around. If we don’t have anything constructive to say, maybe it’s best to skip commenting. After all, personal taste varies, and a beer you might not enjoy could be someone else’s new favorite.
Maryland’s craft beer scene is full of unique flavors and brewers who constantly push the boundaries. Let's celebrate those achievements! That is one of the reasons I like to publish our monthly Top 5 Brew Reviews. To celebrate what people in our group loved and took time out of their day to post about. When a brewery tries something new, nails a classic style, or introduces a seasonal beer, sharing our excitement builds buzz. People in the community notice, and that kind of support can drive more people to check out these amazing local breweries.
If we want to see more breweries in Maryland, more collaborations, and more interesting beers, it’s up to us to create a supportive environment. Each positive word helps grow our community and ensures our craft beer scene continues to thrive.
We’re all in this together. We want our local breweries to succeed, not just for us as fans, but for the people who work hard behind the scenes to bring us our favorite brews. Instead of focusing on what a particular beer “isn’t,” let’s talk about what we love, what we’d like to see more of, and what makes Maryland’s craft beer unique. By focusing on the positives and helping each other grow, we’re building a better, stronger community for all Maryland beer lovers. Cheers!
