[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.