Smokers drinking beer

As an ex-smoker I'd say that you are smoking enough that it dulls both the sense of smell and the sense of taste, thereby changing/reducing the flavors you experience. For me, any smoking at all is enough to notice the effect. That’s one of the reasons I quit entirely.

Edit: Remember that even a few smokes a day are enough to leave the aroma of stale smoke detectable on your clothing, furniture and other things in the house.

 

I've smoked about a pack and a half for the last 40 yrs. Let me tell ya. It's a nasty, filthy, disgusting and expensive habit. Don't do it, kids.

 

When I quit smoking some years back I found I tasted and enjoyed beer in a way I never had, nor could. And I still have yet to taste "metal", or "pennies" that a few of the folks I drink with sometimes identify.

 

I was a half-pack a day smoker for about 15 years, sometimes more. I found that after quitting for a few weeks, I could taste SO much more in the beer I was drinking, that I gained a whole new level of appreciation for it that just wasn't possible as a smoker. I've also found that when falling off the wagon, it only takes a few days of smoking a few cigarettes a day for my senses to be dulled again, so I'm quite sure that the amount you smoke is greatly affecting your ability to taste beer.

No hating on smoking, though. I love smoking and miss it just about every day. Sure, it's filthy and disgusting, but a lot of filthy, disgusting things are fun.

 

I used to smoke two cigarettes a day and after I quit I noticed my sense of taste GREATLY improve.

 

I quit 20 years ago after being a smoker for 8 years. I wasn't drinking much craft beer at the time, but I do know that after quitting my taste buds woke up. It was like my sense of taste and smell had been in a coma for 8 years.

 

Are you saying you have never paired a pack of Marlboro with a Chimay?

 

I quit about 2 1/2 yrs ago. I still hang around smokers. I have noticed smokers tend to enjoy stouts more, but fail to notice the subtle things. It seems that drink beers that go with their cigs.
Either way, my smell and taste improved greatly. I now enjoy the fruit traits, roasted malts, and barrel-aged qualities at were absent before.

 

I think you're fooling yourself.

 

I used to enjoy a fine cigar with a couple of killer brews but had to give that up.
Still love the smell of a great cigar just kills me the next day.. Like Clinton said I didnt inhale !!

 

Ahhh, smoking + drinking is one, and possibly the only, thing I miss about smoking. I do feel like I can enjoy the flavor and aroma of beer more fully now, but it's probably all relative.

 

Cigs are LAME, do yourself (& everyone else around you) a favor ..don't do it, simply just not worth it - all around the boards. If you're gonna smoke anything..switch to the occasional Cigar! Much better experience...plus they pair better w/ good beers.
I used to smoke cigarette's, about 2 packs a day, haven't for about 15 yrs..they're beyond Stupid!

Its's also NOT that hard to quit, if I can do it, so can anyone else. It's just like quitting anything..ya just have to Want to, is all. I ran out of them one day, felt too lazy to go get more. Said to myself, "ehh, maybe I'll try quitting this stupid shit"..Boom! Haven't touched one since..gotta have some WillPower though, folks..it's pretty easy, really, & I (did) smoke for a handful of yrs too, so..

Let the Bullsh** begin, I'm sure some Jacka** is gonna try 2 give me crap ovr this post..don't bother. I could really care less, just sayin is all

Plus, you'll feel Much healthier, ALL THE TIME.

PS - I'm Not by any means ragging on the person who started this thread..just my advice to Cigarette smokers in general. Not meant to be "personal" to Anyone here. Smoking's a habit of the Past..get w/ the times! Nicotine "addiction"..pathetic AND an excuse.

 

I smoke on and off but I've never noticed any difference. In fact I know plenty of brewers who smoke who make really good beer, not just home brewers either, you can't be a good chef without tasting your food just like you can't be a good brewer without being able to taste your beer.

To clarify I'm not saying there is no difference. What I'm saying is people are different and different things effect people differently some people aren't affected as much by the smoking. It also likely comes down to what you smoke. Cigar and pipe tobacco are obviously gonna have much bigger impact on your tastbuds than say Virginia slim ultra lights.

Also tobacco has long been paired by connoisseurs with wines and spirits. I have been known to enjoy a BA stout and a cigar before. So I don't think its really cut and dry. I think to know you'll have to quit for a while a see what happens to you rather than taking everyone's word for it.

 

When I quit smoking everything I eat or drank started to taste better even BMC.

 

(My) opinion? Yes, but also the consensus of most everyone nowadays..which is also why you Can't smoke damn near anywhere anymore either (indoors, restaurants, & even bars)

 

I smoke way too many cigarettes every day.. I hate it really, but love to hate it. Not just cigarettes, Marlboro red 100's. (might as well get your money's worth). I live in cigarette country, about 5 minutes from RJR, so I started about 13, way before I ever tried my first beer.. I didn't notice any correlation to taste and cigarettes until they outlawed smoking in bars and restaurants in NC. It's damn true that beer does taste more complex when not smoking, but somehow I still prefer to sit on my porch and smoke than in a bar where you now get ugly looks when you go outside to smoke. I smoked probably 3 cigs last night while drinking a Speedway Stout on the back porch, and wouldn't change a thing. Regular cigarettes compliment dark beers to me, but if I smoke one of my wife's nasty menthols, nothing tastes good for the rest of the day. Obviously you shouldn't smoke, but you probably shouldn't drink 12% beers in 750ml bottles either.. In the world today if you can limit your vices to this, I guess you're doing ok. When I see a how does meth affect your double IPAs thread, then I'll worry.

 

Obesity has outpaced tobacco as a health problem in America.

Lay off the bacon.

My sense of taste improved when I quit smoking, but more significantly for my beer drinking, I suddenly had over eight bucks a day jangling in my pocket that suddenly had no outlet. Suddenly a twelve-dollar sixer didn't seem so preposterous.

 

Thanks for this post, making me appreciate that I have never smoked.
What's with "lay off the bacon"? There's nothing like beer and pork! Everything in moderation (except cigarettes, just say no).