A little wisdom from the 'Experienced'

I'll offer a part B to that: Slow the fuck down! Don't try to take it all in at once, or even in a few years. It's OK to really get into something for a while, and then move on to something else. Eventually you will hit all of the bases, and hopefully have more than a superficial understanding of them because you took your time.

 

could not agree more with find a "beer buddy" and travel.

 

Ignore the "craft beer community" and just enjoy some good beers.

 

don't give into the hype.

 

Support your local breweries first in my own opinion if you can.

 

Don't buy into the hype, take your time. People go from macros and almost immediately into rare, big, etc almost exclusively. They ignore about 95% of the beer world. Don't view beer as some sort of "hip" hobby or cultist, elistist thing.

 

Though evidence exists suggesting that beer in moderation is good for you, presume that it isn't and that you have to develop other explicitly healthy habits regarding diet and exercise to compensate.

Note: This is best to do while you're young and flexible and your metabolism's still skipping along and whistling a merry tune, so that by the time you're not so young they've become ingrained habits.

 

Never see beer as a compeition or quest to find the ultimate taste experience.There is no such thing as the world's best beer or brewery. Just take the time, stay curious and enjoy yourself.

 

As much as you may want its damn near impossible to get everything and as much as you want. Trying to keep up with every limited release/special is expensive and all consuming. Also accept the fact that you may become a jaded prick.

 

Don't "write off" a beer or a beer style after trying it once and not liking it. It was only after 7 or 8 times of disliking gueze and lambic that I suddenly discovered I actually loved the styles.

 

It's OKAY to not know anything about most of the styles.

It's OKAY to not have had every beer on the Top 100.

It's OKAY to not like a beer that everyone else loves.

It's OKAY to miss a special release or seasonal.

It's OKAY to forget to review a beer you're drinking, especially if you're caught up in its deliciousness.

It's OKAY not to go to every cool even within driving distance.

It's OKAY to buy a beer you love again, even if there's another on the shelf you haven't yet had.

It's OKAY to not have a massive cellar with 10-year-old barleywines or a Bigfoot vertical.

I've had to force myself to realize all of these things recently. Craft beer is such a great hobby, and there is so much knowledge on BA and elsewhere, but you can't do/know/see/buy/taste everything right away. In fact, you can't ever do that. So just relax, take your time, and try not to do other things at the expense of just enjoying the beer in your glass.

 

ISO: Package of tits and orgasms
FT: Dick in a box

 

This news is incredibly disappointing.

 

I will agree with most people in here by saying to travel, but when the budget doesn't cover that - READ and RESEARCH! Though BA is a superior resource to continue to learn about beer, don't be afraid to buy a beer mag, a beer book and talk face to face with people. I haven't been on BA for too long, but I have learned enough that you don't have to go far travel-wise to get the information you want for the beer you want.

 

Homrbrewing. I have been to rare beer releases traded whales and packages of locals shopped around for that hard to find beer and spent way to much at my local beer bars and homebrew has given me the greatest knowledge about beer. That my greatest advice. The best way to appreciate beer culture fine a great friend who you can share experiences such as beer releases tap take overs and brewers dinners....then marry her

 

Chill out and have a Bud if that's all your friends or family have on hand. No need to worry so much about what you're drinking in a social setting.

 

Don't spend ALL your money on beer I have found myself eating bread for a month because I bought too many rare sours!

 

Never stop learning.

 

Don't get caught up in trading. It's really not worth the time and expense. Besides, you live in Pittsburgh and have lots of great locally produced and distributed beers available to you.

 

I find it hilarious every time I see this posted. Everyone realizes you're posting on beeradvocate.com right? And that this website is for reviewing beer, beer trading, talking about beer in the forums, basically everything beer, yet if beer was "just beer" than I suppose those posting this sentiment really wouldn't be here in the first place or don't really believe what they're saying when they say it's "just beer." It is OKAY to completely dive in and see what craft beer has to offer.

I think what they're really saying by this is don't take the ratings & reviews too seriously. Don't go out of your way to HAVE to have certain beers just because of the hype or rating on BA (basically don't idolize it.) It is just beer, and most beer can be replicated if you homebrew.

With that said. It's just beer. Try everything. And if you're able, travel.

Personally I think homebrewing has been the biggest eye-opener for me on the world of craft beer.