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Jim Gaffigan makes the case for beer that tastes like beer

Jim Gaffigan on beer
Jim Gaffigan on beer 02:08

Our contributor Jim Gaffigan knows what he likes ... and would like you to know all about it:

I like beer.  This may not surprise you by looking at me; I am an overweight American male in my early 40s. Alright, late 40s.

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Jim Gaffigan, who is definitely not in his early 40s. CBS News

Alright, let's just say I'm an overweight American male who likes beer. Not just any beer. I like a quality beer that can help me forget that I'm … well, not in my early 40s.

A beer preference is personal.  At family reunions my brothers will always make fun of me for liking "fancy beer."  "Jimmy and his fancy beer."  As far as I can tell, what makes my beer preference "fancy" to my brothers is that it requires a bottle opener, but I'm aware my beer palette is anything but complex.

Now, it seems every city, town and hamlet I visit has its own beer made by locals: Specialty beers, microbrews, craft beers made by community artisans. And I have to tell you, without exception, they're all bad. 

I'm not exaggerating! No, I don't care how creative the cute beer name is that has to do with local folklore.  I don't care how beautiful the hand-drawn label is of a cactus wrestling a penguin.  

The main problem is, well, they don't taste like beer. I guess I'm a traditionalist. I don't want a beer that tastes like chocolate or oranges or avocados. I want a beer that taste like … I don't know, beer

How did we lose our way?  Are we that bored with beer?  I don't know about you, but I'm tired of fielding questions for waitstaff like, "How hoppy do you like your beer?"  "I don't know – how many hops are in a good-tasting beer?"

Recently I had a bartender try to sell me on a beer that had "a Jolly Rancher kick to it." 

Oh, America … what happened? 

      
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Story produced by Sara Kugel.

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