[desigooner]

<< When drinking beer, keep it classy. You can flush your reputation and any respect you’ve earned down the toilet by ordering a PBR or Keystone Light. Amstel Light is usually a safe choice. >> One could flush their reputation by ordering a PBR but not by Amstel Light? You can't be serious with your advice with stuff like this.

[scrumper]

The advice isn't about beer snobbery, it's about fitting in. The author is spot on with his recommendations.

Amstel Light is an extremely common and perfectly respectable choice for the mid-ranking employees of my clients and partners when I take them out to a bar. (Senior decision makers generally get a dinner where it's wine and scotch all round.) Natty light, PBR and Keystone are not acceptable and will lead to comments, raised eyebrows and a sense that you don't quite belong.

Edit: It is, of course, all about branding and not a bit about the beer. Amstel has made themselves 'premium'; PBR did the opposite. If you're a connoisseur, as your profile says, then you can avoid the issue altogether by ordering a good craft beer. That's still keeping it classy. You'll just need to exercise more.

[gazrogers]

If you're only drinking because everyone else is drinking you're a sheep. People who would seriously judge you by what you do or don't drink are not worth knowing.

[scrumper]

The original article, this thread and my comment are all in the context of business functions. Specifically, taking clients out and attending conferences. You may not like your clients, but, at times, you are obligated to spend time with them in order to advance or retain your employment.

Nobody is saying you have to drink light beer, just that if you're going to drink light beer, pick one that isn't associated with daytime drinking rednecks and frat houses.

[rpsw]

We are talking about your employers and co-workers here, not your peer group. "Not worth knowing" is probably a bad attitude to have in these circumstances.

[ryandvm]

I define success in life as not having to worry about shit like this.

[thwest]

I totally agree. Amstel Light is obviously in the same category as Keystone and PBR. Adjunct light beers are adjunct light beers. Something without rice in it would be a good start.

[easytiger]

I dunno, If i saw someone drinking Budweiser I'd be quite judgmental.

ahem, in all seriousness, in my part of the world Drinking is a huge part of the working and business culture. Does that apply in the US too? I work with some partners who pride themselves on getting you the most drunk they can

[pc86]

It does, but not as much as most every other culture. I've worked places where 2/3 or more of the employees would go out drinking 2+ nights a week and others where you'd think everyone was a recovering alcoholic.

I'd imagine positions that require a lot of networking and personal contacts (sales, Executive positions) would have more of this than your regular Joe grunt programmer.

[easytiger]

Yea. In the UK this week I have 4 work related drink orientated engagements. Poor liver.