Taking a break from ticking?

I don't really drink consistently on the weekdays, but I general like to keep new beers to the weekends and something like a mirror pond on the weekdays. Though I will always try for something new if available

 

It always goes back and forth for me, naturally. There's not always a new beer being released that I really want to try, or something that I've had that's worth trading. At that point, I usually look for something on the shelf that I haven't had that I think I may like, or something that I really enjoy that's fresh. When I do have stuff to trade though, you bet I'll be looking for new beer

 

Life is seasons. It will most likely come back around. Are you happy? If yes, there's nothing wrong. If no, you're a predator that misses the hunt. My vote: enjoy the season for what it is. And in the meantime...cheers!

 

Move here & that option won't be such a quandary after a while...

 

I used to actively hunt top/good beers to make sure I could tick them. Now that I've been around the block a time or two, I usually try a brew and in my head think, "this tastes a lot like X". Once I had the realization that I was doing this most of the time, it hit me that I shouldn't be hunting as hard as I was.

I will always try a beer that I haven't had over one that I have had if given the opportunity (bar, restaurant, etc.) but the old standbys are seeing fridge space more and more as time goes on.

 

HERESY! Anything new is, by definition better than anything which came before, therefore, must be tried!

Or is it?!

Sorry, more than a little bit buzzed tonight...

 

"Ticking" serves its purpose when you are developing and refining your tastes. Anything after that seems to a dick measuring contest more often than not.

I have had enough beers to know what styles and breweries I should probably avoid. If I see something new I am interested I will certainly drink it. Most nights I am completely content drinking Two Hearted or another old favorite. I really don't care that you have drank more unique beers than me, I have drank more Two Hearted than you, so I win.

 

Like several have said...drink what and when you like...everything else will buff out.

I tend to be OCD when I'n not being ADD so I always take everything I'm into overboard...sports, food, music, beer...everything! As long as it isn't hurting you or your family the fast lane can be a rush...however just like you, it is hard to keep up that pace 24/7 and I also catch myself in cruise control. Neither is better than the other, they are just part of the process/stages of life. Enjoy them both for what they are and you will be happy regardless of the speed you are cruising...cheers!

 

Ages & Stages

 

Same with beer trading, sometime you trade away known great beer and what you get back may be new and current, but it's not worth trading for twice. And it is expensive. New beers that are ltd are becoming insta whalez, even if it's for a short time. I'm most definitely slowing down, and with the summer coming in hot I really slow down.

 

I absolutely take breaks from craft beer, and when I do I go completely cold turkey. Sometimes I'll have 3-4 beers a week (my max), and sometimes I'll have none in a week. I do this for a couple of reasons:

1. Craft beers, while amazing, is still alcohol and can become addicting if you have any kind of "addiction" qualities, which alcoholism runs in my family. My parents we're raised in a very alcohol abusive household growing up, thankfully they were smart to not to ever become that once my brother and I were born like their parents were. However, that gene still runs in the blood line, so it's important to remember that.

2. Craft beers are full of empty calories, it does nothing for you in terms of health. I love having a few beers a week (2-3), but to remain health contentious I have to ration. I weighed 285 6-years ago, and I'm down to 177, so there is no way I'm risking that again.

3. Money. It's freaking expensive to drink awesome beers!

 

I live in Kansas, so after trying over 700 different beers, the only thing left to try are styles I don't like such as sours or barley wines, etc. I still find new seasonals every now and then so I try those. I used to try everything new no matter what, but now I just keep to the styles I enjoy. So yeah, it kind of feels like a hiatus anyway.

 

I still like trying all the new stuff, but certain breweries & styles I approach with caution. I haven't really given up on any style, but have given up on plenty of breweries.

 

Isn't the purpose of trying a bunch of different beers to discover something that you like. It seems like you've found a handful of go to beers. It should be viewed as a success.

 

I'm glad it is no longer required to write a full review, although I still do reviews about 2/3rds of the time. Other times, I'll just enter an overall rating when I want to kick back and relax. It's simple and easy to do on my phone when I just want to enjoy a new brew. Sometimes, if I have it again, I'll go back and do a full review. Keeping track of the beers I've tried is useful. With so many over the years, I can't always remember exactly how much, or little, I liked an obscure beer; so being able to look up my ratings/reviews improves my ordering when presented with a tap list.

 

I blend my approach I think. In the beginning all I wanted were new beers, and they were all new! Now, I have more of a handle on what I like. I've slowed down. I let some beers go knowing something else will come along. I've also have been more into drinking local beer, and we have 2 amazing breweries so why not support them. The reality is, you'll never try them all.

 

I can't say I like ticking myself. I'm not saying that I do not do it, however, as I am always looking for that hidden gem, but I don't like it. Sometimes I just get the attitude that I am going to just drink what I like, and go home with some Duvel, Orval, Two Hearted Ale, Hop Stoopid, or any other of my favorites. I don't miss the disappointment of buying a sixer and not liking it very much. (looking at you Flying Dog, Rogue and Du Claw )

 

I gave up ticking for a number of months a few years back. I probably missed out on about 300 reviews in that time period. I don't think I would take another break unless something drastic happened.

 

Excellent points. Since so many beers are average and so few are stellar, then almost by definition the serial ticker is a self-admitted mediocre beer drinker. I'll join you in the frequent enjoyment of Bell's Two-Hearted instead.