Hipster Beer: What's In Their Glasses?

Hipsters have been associated with a variety of beers over the years, from Pabst Blue Ribbon to Modelo. But what makes a beer hipster? Is it the beer itself, or the people drinking it? With craft beer posting double-digit growth and the lines between big beer and craft beer blurring, the answer may lie in the ever-changing nature of hipster culture itself.

Hipsters and craft beer

The relationship between hipsters and craft beer is a complex and often misunderstood one. Some people view hipsters as a threat to the craft beer culture, blaming them for "ruining" it or making it less accessible. However, this perception may be exaggerated, and it's important to recognise that hipsters, like any other group, contribute to the diversity and evolution of the craft beer community.

The Perceived Threat of Hipsters

It is a common belief that hipsters are everywhere, flocking to the latest trendy spots and claiming to like something just to be "ironic". This perception has led to a sense of fear among craft beer enthusiasts that hipsters will somehow ruin the craft beer scene. Some worry that hipsters don't genuinely appreciate craft beer and are only interested in it for the sake of trendiness or irony. This concern is particularly prevalent in the online comment sections of craft beer articles, where complaints about "beer hipsters" taking over are common.

The Evolution of Hipster Beer Choices

Over the years, different beers have been labelled as "hipster beers". Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR), with its quirky history and affordable price point, was once considered the quintessential hipster beer. However, its popularity among hipsters has waned, and they have moved on to other options. The search for the next "hipster beer" has led to speculation and diverse opinions, with some suggesting Narragansett, an old brand from Rhode Island, while others mention Miller High Life or even craft beers like Kelso Pilsner. This diversity in choices may not be new, as the "Hipster Handbook" from 2003 acknowledged a range of preferences among hipsters, including imports, microbrews, and even Zima.

The Positive Impact of Hipsters

Despite the negative perceptions, hipsters play a crucial role in the craft beer community. Their desire for unique and independent options drives the constant evolution of new beers and the growth of craft breweries. Hipsters' boredom with mainstream offerings encourages brewers to experiment and innovate, resulting in an ever-changing landscape of craft beers. Additionally, hipsters' willingness to try different beers, including craft beers, helps to challenge the dominance of mass-produced beers and supports small and independent brewers.

While the term "hipster" is often used as a label for anyone deemed odd or trying too hard to be unique, it's important to recognise that hipsters are a diverse group with varying tastes. Their interest in craft beer should not be seen as a threat but rather as a contribution to the richness and advancement of the craft beer community. The perception of hipsters "ruining" craft beer may be more of a reflection of personal biases and the fear of change than an accurate representation of their impact on the craft beer culture.

Modelo: the new king of hipster beer

Hipsters have long been associated with craft beer, but in recent years, a new contender has emerged as the beverage of choice for this demographic: Modelo. Once a beer favoured by Mexican cooks after long shifts, it has now become the go-to for millennials and Gen X-ers seeking something exotic and slightly offbeat.

A Shift in Taste

For years, the hipster beer of choice was Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR). However, with PBR's popularity waning, a new king has emerged: Modelo. Founded in Mexico City in 1925, Modelo is a big-time foreign beer brand, co-owned by international drink giant Anheuser-Busch InBev. Despite its mainstream status, Modelo has become a favourite among hipsters, who appreciate its cheap price, decent taste, and air of foreign mystique.

The Rise of Modelo

Modelo's rise to the top of the hipster beer ranks can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, it ticks the boxes for hipsters seeking a beer that is affordable but not bottom-shelf, and slightly offbeat without being too unconventional. Secondly, its growing popularity among Latinos in the United States, who appreciate its familiarity and taste, has also contributed to its success. This surge in consumers familiar with international brands has helped make Modelo the fastest-growing beer in America.

Hipster Appeal

So, what is it about Modelo that appeals to hipsters? For one, it offers a sense of exoticism and cultural appropriation that hipsters tend to enjoy. It also has a certain legacy and authenticity, having existed long before it became a trend. Additionally, its affordable price point and mainstream yet slightly aberrant status make it an ideal choice for millennials seeking low-risk experimentation.

The Future of Hipster Beer

While Modelo currently reigns supreme as the hipster beer of choice, its popularity may eventually lead to its downfall. As with all trends, the favour of hipsters is fickle, and what is cool today may fade away tomorrow. However, with a strong parent company and a growing Latino consumer base, Modelo's dominance in the beer market is likely to persist for the foreseeable future.

So, if you're a hipster looking to stay ahead of the curve, you might want to start exploring other options. But for now, Modelo remains the king of hipster beers.

Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR)

Pabst Blue Ribbon, or PBR, has been a go-to hipster beer for quite some time. It's quite the brand coup for a beer whose blue ribbon came not from a prize, but from its manufacturer, who literally tied blue ribbons around the bottles in the 1880s. PBR's popularity grew over 20% in 2009, but has slowed to around 4% in 2014. This can be attributed to factors such as bars hiking up prices and brand fatigue.

PBR's rise to becoming the hipster beer of choice was due to a variety of reasons. Firstly, it was relatively cheap, but not the cheapest option available. This allowed drinkers to save money under the veil of irony. Secondly, it had a weird and uncool image that set it apart from other low-shelf brands. This image of being trashy, yet almost funny, made it stand out from other beers. Lastly, it had a sense of foreign mystique, as it was founded in Mexico City in 1925, giving it a slight tinge of exoticism.

PBR's marketing strategy also played a crucial role in its popularity among hipsters. With limited marketing budgets, the brand targeted young, urban markets and aggressively courted alternative culture. They sponsored bike messenger races, DJ contests, and turned down high-profile partnerships that were off-brand, such as with Kid Rock. This helped PBR cultivate a countercultural image that resonated with hipsters.

However, PBR's reign as the hipster beer of choice didn't last forever. With the landscape changing dramatically, craft beer began posting double-digit growth, and the lines between big beer and craft beer became blurrier with each buyout. Additionally, the definition of a hipster evolved, and their preferences changed. Today, hipsters might be just as likely to drink craft beer or mass-produced beer, depending on their individual tastes and preferences.

Hipsters, hopheads, and beer snobs

Craft beer is no longer just a drink, it's a symbol of counterculture, and with its growing popularity, it was only a matter of time before it became associated with hipsters. But what is it about craft beer that appeals to this particular demographic? And is it fair to blame hipsters for "ruining" craft beer?

Firstly, let's address the elephant in the room: Pabst Blue Ribbon, or PBR for short. For a while, PBR was the go-to hipster beer. It was cheap, it was trashy, and it had an uncool image that set it apart from other brands. However, its time in the spotlight was short-lived. As articles in the New York Post, Outside, and Time declared, PBR was no longer "cool". So, what happened?

The rise and fall of PBR can be attributed to several factors. One theory suggests that it was a result of "brand fatigue". Another possibility is that bars hiked up prices, making it less accessible to the hipster crowd. Whatever the reason, the search for the next "hipster beer" began, and a variety of contenders emerged, including Narragansett, Miller High Life, and Modelo.

So, what makes a beer "hipster"? Is it more hipster to drink craft beer or mass beer? The answer seems to be: it doesn't matter. Hipsters will drink anything from craft beers to mass-produced lagers, as long as it's a little bit ironic and has that air of non-conformity. Take Modelo, for example. It's a big-time foreign beer brand, co-owned by an international drink giant. It's not an underdog by any means, yet it has become a favourite among hipsters. Why? Because it's slightly different, it's foreign, and it's cheap (but not too cheap).

Now, let's talk about hopheads and beer snobs. Hopheads are those who love their beers hoppy and bitter. They are often blamed for forcing brewers to add more and more hops to craft beers, but the truth is, brewers want to make beers that they like and that others will enjoy too. As for beer snobs, they are the ones who are proud of their particular tastes and hold their beers to incredibly high standards. While they may not be the most fun drinking buddies, they do serve a purpose. They refuse to settle for dirty glassware or mediocre beer, ensuring that bars and restaurants step up their game.

In conclusion, while the terms "hipster", "hophead", and "beer snob" may be thrown around as insults, these characters are not necessarily ruining the craft beer scene. They are simply individuals with strong preferences, and their passion for beer, in all its varied forms, has helped propel the community forward, making it the most advanced beer culture in the world.

Beers that make you look cool

Pabst Blue Ribbon

Pabst Blue Ribbon, or PBR, has long been considered a hipster beer. Its popularity is waning, but it's still a go-to for many. PBR lacks the marketing budget of bigger beers, and its manufacturers turned down a high-profile partnership with Kid Rock in a bid to maintain its alternative image. It's cheap, but not too cheap, and its weird, tragically uncool image sets it apart from other brands.

Modelo

Modelo is the new king of hipster beers. It's old, it's cheap, it tastes good, and it has a foreign mystique. It's also not too popular, which is ideal for millennials who actively seek a slight non-conformity rooted in conformity. It's become the beer of choice in many hipster enclaves, and its popularity is spreading from the Mexican-American community to the wider market.

Craft Beer

Craft beer is a symbol of the counterculture and a departure from the status quo. It's also extremely popular with millennials, so it's no surprise that it's become a hipster favourite.

Narragansett

Narragansett is a 125-year-old brand from Rhode Island that has returned to its original recipe after years of selling a watered-down version. It's the cheapest of the top four fastest-growing beers in Brooklyn and is on the menu at many trendsetting places. However, its popularity is still largely confined to New England.

Heineken

Heineken has done a good job of becoming as ubiquitous as American macrobrews while maintaining its cachet.

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