Let’s Talk About Beer:

Beer. Beer isn’t a scary word. It’s happy, it’s casual—everybody loves beer. (OK, I’m sure plenty of people don’t love beer, but just go with it.) What about lager, though? Stout? Porter or IPA? Many people are intimidated by those words and the craft beer culture in general. But do they need to be?

Industry experts on the upcoming SXSWi panel “You Can’t Sit With Us: Craft Beer Subculture” will discuss the ins and outs of today’s craft beer culture as well as the elitist subculture that has crept up in online forums and social media—scaring newcomers away with snobbery and condescension.

Craft Culture:

Austin, Texas, craft beer blogger Chris Sheppard said that while an elitist craft beer subculture does exist online—hiding behind a veil of anonymity—that is not at all what the craft beer community is about.

“While there is this subculture, this minority, it’s not everyone,” Sheppard said. “The majority of people are pretty cool. Sam Calagione, who is the founder of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, said, ‘The great thing about craft beer is it’s 99 percent asshole free.’ And he’s right. But there’s always that 1 percent.”

Craft Camaraderie:

Sheppard said the positive impact that online forums and social media have on the craft beer community far outweighs the negative.

“It’s such a useful tool to get the word out,” Sheppard said. “Messages and events. And some breweries tweet about all of their new releases.

“There are different apps that rate beer as well—the most popular one is called Untappd,” he said. “You can see where your favorite beers are and what your friends are drinking. It’s like the old-school Foursquare, but for beer. You have badges and all that stuff. It’s fun.”

Austin Craft Brewers:

“I love the local beers, and I love the local beer scene.” Sheppard said. “I’ve been in Austin for eight years, and I think there were maybe three breweries when I got here. Now, there’s probably about 20. So, it’s been pretty awesome to witness the growth. The craft beer scene in Austin has really taken off in leaps and bounds.”

Sheppard said you can’t go wrong with any of the craft breweries in Austin and named a few local favorites, including: NXNW Restaurant & Brewery (which is where we were for this interview), Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co., Hops & Grain Craft Brewery, Live Oak Brewing Company, Jester King Brewery, and the always-popular Alamo Drafthouse.

Pick Your Poison:

Sheppard said his favorite beer is always the one that he’s drinking. (Which, when I asked, was NXNW’s Hey Joe Coffee Stout. I had the Hey Joe as well, in case you were wondering, and it was outstanding.)

“I would just say: Try beer. Ask questions,” Sheppard said. “There’s a whole rainbow of flavors out there, and there’s something for everyone’s palate, I think…My advice is just to get out there and try as much beer as you can.”

When, Where & More:

Monday, March 16
5-6 p.m.

Driskill Hotel
Maximilian
604 Brazos St.

More information on Sheppard, his co-panelists, and their upcoming panel can be found here: http://schedule.sxsw.com/2015/events/event_IAP36634.