Take a break from CRAFT?

I am still trying to fix the drastic imbalance caused by my love of Budweiser in the 70's. So, no.

 

There is no shame. Drink what you like.

Over the past year I've gotten into exploring some of the classic imported "macro/industrial" pilsners. There some really good ones that won't break the bank and actually have some real hop flavor, which American AALs seem to have forgotten. In my opinion, DAB Dortmunder Export or DAB Dark are great and compete with BMC on price. Pilsner Urquell and Staropramen are nice affordable Czech pilsners.

It may be still be craft, but Sierra Nevada's prices always make me happy.

 

Always keep some PBR or Miller Lite in the fridge.

 

I have not taken a break from drinking, but have taken a break on trading, chasing the latest and greatest and stopped fretting about what is in my cellar and what is not.

 

Yes.

The past few months I haven't had a whole lot of beer, and when I have, it's seemingly been Labatt.

 

I'm currently on a quasi-break from craft (but really almost all beer) since I'm working with a personal trainer to try and get in better shape. It hurts to see the amount of beer just sitting in my fridge saying "Come on, you can do it, one won't hurt!" but I'm staying as strong as possible.

I actually picked up a 12 pack of Bud Select 55 to see if it was a workable option, it's workable and can temporarily replace normal Bud Select if I want beer flavor, but I'm not catching a buzz at sub 4%. Of course, my personal trainer is a teetotaler and I work in the beer business surrounded by beer every day (I'm cheating hard next Tuesday when I have a dinner and tasting session with a bunch of craft brewmasters).

One of the many benefits of macro beer is that I can be confident that whatever the calories/carbs printed on the side of the can say, I can be pretty confident that is what I'm putting in my body. I'm aware there are other...workable craft options like SN Nooner (161 calories), but seeing how hard it is to burn those calories on an elliptical, I just drink a diet coke and curse the world.

 

Not to drink swill, no. I'd rather not drink than drink a bunch of macro AALs. And since I usually only have a beer or two a night, it isn't like craft beer needs to break my bank account. Now, I have periodically taken a break from craft beer for two or three months when bored, and a somewhat longer stretch once for medical reasons. But no, I have never and will never take a break from craft so that I can choke down some Genny or Budweiser.

 

I really wish I could take a break, I say I will sometimes, but it doesn't seem to work...

 

I've done it more with coffee than beer. Especially since I'm doing cold brew during summer, damn you NC heat. But when times get tough I'll get some narragansett and it's enjoyable enough with food. I dont drink it by itself.

 

No.
I just never find myself in the mood to settle for something just for the exercise of it.
I mean, if I am in the mood for a pilsner or some kind of light lager, I always always have the opportunity to grab something that fits that bill from either my local brewery or a Sierra Nevada type.

I am not elitist or too stuck up to drink a free beer offered to me. But I will never use my own money to purchase something that probably has a better option right next to it on the shelf or fridge.

IDK, i guess i never find myself in a situation nor do I feel pressured to buy
bud, miller, coors, etc..

 

Man we need to have a talk. If you cant fit ONE 200-300 calorie beer into your daily macros.... lol

I stay in really good shape and some days I have 700 calories worth of beer. You just have to monitor your macronutrients closely and stay on your workout routine.

 

Saying "taking a break from craft beer" indicates that you drink a beer solely because its called a craft beer and not because of taste. I choose a beer because either I believe it will taste good or because I've never had it before and I'm open to try any beer at least once. Options are sometimes limited either by availability or by budget.

I won't snub a macro beer if that's all that's available, I won't enjoy it as much as a craft beer but certainly some macro beers are not horrible (I prefer to support small local breweries and will avoid macro beers more on that concept). Budget always comes into play unless you have unlimited resources. If I could I'd be buying $20-$30 beers every time I went to my local bottle shop because there are so many good beers out there (I could probably live off of Allagash's rotating, seasonal and one off beers alone but paying $14-30 per beer isn't feasible). Taste and budget are always conflicting. If at some point my budget brought me down to the point where I can't purchase beer that I truly enjoy I'd probably reduce my beer consumption because its just wouldn't be that enjoyable anymore and I'd be drinking solely to get drunk. I'd rather drink a six pack of beer I love every week than a case of something that I don't so I'd probably limit my budget in that way prior to sacrificing quality.

 

The first beer isn't the problem, but the first beer makes the second beer so much easier. After the second beer....well...there is that one thing in the fridge you've been eyeing...

The other challenge is that if I'm drinking 200-300 calories worth of beer, that's an extra pound every two weeks I could be cutting. If I went back to my old usual 4-5 beers in a session/night, I'm easily at that 700-1000 calories and that's 1/3rd pound I don't have to run off. I despise pretty much every form of exercise I try, so that's a strong motivator.

What I've been telling myself I was going to do is start a daily workout (instead of the current 2-3 days a week) and then enjoy more beer, but I haven't quite gotten there yet.

 

Their IPL and Oktoberfest were pretty good.

 

I understand! LOL

There is certainly validity in your argument! After two beers, those tortilla chips and salsa in the pantry look mighty mighty fine!

Its all about doing what is sustainable for you. Everyone's approach will be slightly different.

 

I would rather just have water if the heat was what was making me switch to something different so no. never.
Water tastes better than yellow fizzy macro stuff.

 

I completely agree. DAB Export is tasty yet quite affordable, same with Perla Chmielowa. Heck, I even had a Dos Equis Amber (draft) a few days ago which was decent.

 

i often take a step back and enjoy beer that is more drinkable. not macro, but certainly lower ABV beers. I think drinkability is one of the most underappreciated aspects of rating and judging a beer.