Franconian Beer Message Board

Choice
Posted by Jason on 2017-01-17 01:04:05
There has been some recent discussions which have thrown up some somewhat passionate opinions. They have a common theme which I wanted to highlight; choice.

We live in a world where there has never been more opportunities to exercise our right to choose; what food we buy, where we go on holiday, where we live, what lifestyle we lead etc etc. We have a choice whether we drink keg or cask beer (in the UK), Bud Light or a locally brewed beer (in the US) or frequent Faessla or Spezial (in Bamberg).  

The beer world tends to throw up a lot of strong opinions as to what beer is best, what style is best or whether a pub with 100 taps is better than one with 2. Though opinions are great tio share, when it comes down to it we make our own choices. When I walk down Sandstrasse on a Friday night I see hundrreds of people exercising their right to choose where they drink; some choose Schlenkerla, some choose Ambrausianum and yes, some choose Soda Bar. Who am I to critiscise their choice just because I choose a different place to them?

When all is said and done, people have their reasons making their choice, the same way as someone in the US may choose a Bud Light over a 'craft' lager or someone in the UK may choose keg over cask. Too often I find those that appreciate good beer and pubs lord it over the 'ignorant masses' as if they somehow have been afforded a special dispensation to enter a different world that these people cannot reach. It's tantamount to religious superiority somethimes, with the preaching to match (thankfully not on this forum I hasten to add).

Just because 1 person or a 100 people don't like Faessla, it doesn't mean that 1000 other people can't or shouldn't. Watering holes have come in all shapes and sizes for time immemorial for the exact reason that we all like different things. Now if the Sandstrasse became full of Soda Bar type places and we lost the Pizzinis and Rothenschilds etc then that would be impinging our choice and we should be clambering for our pitchforks; but for now let's enjoy making our own choices and the right to do so, as well as our fellow man.  

Embrace it; millions of people can't even choose to drink clean water every day, nevermind which pub to go to.     
 
Followups:
   Choice by John ratcliffe on  2017-01-17 05:57:41
     Choice by Jürgen Wening on  2017-01-18 02:00:15
   Choice by pivnizub on  2017-01-18 03:28:30
       Choice by Mark Andersen on  2017-01-18 04:40:25
   Choice by Barry on  2017-01-19 14:53:54
       Choice by Nick B. on  2017-01-24 08:32:13
         Choice by AndyH on  2017-03-03 08:25:14
     Choice by AndyH on  2017-03-03 08:33:47
     Choice by AndyH on  2017-03-03 08:34:37