Exclusive craft beer events: liminoid spaces of performative craft consumption

ABSTRACT

The specialized market of craft beer is today both vast and supportive enough for exclusive craft beer events characterized by a limited number of admissions and the high status of participating breweries. Such events offer craft beer enthusiasts a convenient, yet regulated social and physical environment for both personal and collective performances. This article uses the Copenhagen Beer Celebration (2012–2016) as a case to define their “nature” and “function” within the spectrum of food and beverage festivals through the identification and discussion of various material and immaterial aspects that constitute characteristic practice of these events. In addition, the properties of the event venue as a liminoid space for this kind of performativity is shown to be essential for the building of both individual and collective identity as craft beer aficionados. The practice of beer tasting and evaluation, identified here as craft consumption, enables the learning of the essential chores or, at least, their visible manifestations through careful observation, mimicking, and, most importantly, repetitious conduct. Thus, these events enhance cohesion within the craft beer community through a joint practice developing strong and positive relationships between people with different backgrounds, but sharing a common passion.

KEYWORDS:

• Craft beer
• aficionado
• craft consumption
• material culture
• liminoid
• cooperation
• ritual
• practice
• event

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

J. Ikäheimo

J. Ikäheimo works as a lecturer in archeology and supervises the museum studies minor at the University of Oulu. While his dissertation (2003) focused on ceramic cooking pots produced in Roman Africa, his current research topics include neo-relics in contemporary society, the early medieval period in Northern Finland and the heritagisation of popular music. As a self-taught beer aficionado, he is also interested in the material culture and sociology of craft beer.