Sometimes you just need a break from beer

I pick one, usually not socially busy, month each year to go stone cold sober. I'll admit it's harder for me than it should be, but I do feel good about myself. Last year was Sobe-rurary, this year might Abstention-April, since I don't really like Spring beers anyway.

 

I'm in agreement with everyone here. I need to dramatically reduce how much I've been drinking. 3-5 beers a night is a bad idea I've executed for the past month or so. I don't have to drink everything and I don't have to visit every brewery. It's hard but I'm starting to tap the breaks.

 

I take a break most every day between 4:30 & 7PM-then it's whiskey & wine !

 

I try to spend about 30 dollars every two weeks on beer, granted I always go over. I need to get that in control, but I'm a compulsive buyer and when a new release hits..I break.

Other than financially I would like to take a break for a month. Trying to decide if I do that before or after Belgium. Maybe both!

 

Paused the month of January and it reset everything: my palate, my wallet, and my waistline. Definitely worth doing.

 

I've got this issue as well for a lot of the same reasons you all mentioned: trying to clear out the fridge, constantly wanting to try new releases, and beer just tastes good. Homebrewing makes it even worse, because you need to drink your old batches to justify brewing a new batch, and I love brewing new batches!

I feel good about myself if I stay alcohol free one or two days a week. Overall, I try not to get too down on myself, because I think two beers every day is less harmful than 7 per day on the weekends and none during the week. Still, I feel like I need a break sometimes. I think the key to making it easier, at least for me is to stay busy and focus on other things. I tend to drink more when I'm bored or relaxing at home (reading, watching TV) than when I'm doing things like yard work, cooking, golfing, etc.

 

Can't tell you the last time I even went a couple of days without a beer....it's been years. I like trying new stuff, and I'm not opposed to dumping one that I don't like (doesn't happen that often). I'm usually 1/night Monday thru Thursday...more on the weekends, especially during lawn mowing, truck washing season

 

I make it a firm rule to abstain during the hours I sleep.

 

I think breaks are good. Fortunately for me I don't need to make a conscious effort. I lose the urge 2 or 3 times a year and will go anywhere from 2-6 weeks without a drinking.

Being into craft beer can definitely add pressure to the situation though, for me especially, in the fall.

Being one who likes to collect doesn't help. When I look at my inventory/ collection I am usually reminded of Hunter S. Thompson's quote from "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" when he rattles off his crazy list of drugs, beer and liquor and then says...

" Not that we needed all that for the trip, but once you get locked into a serious drug collection, the tendency is to push it as far as you can."

 

Trying to do the no beer Monday - Thursday no drinks thing. I've done it before. It does make that beer on Friday or Saturday much better. And I tend to feel the effects more.

 

Well said. After having children, my consumption has slowed drastically and I no longer have a cellar. When I have beers now, as you said, it has to be worth it. Even after 2 higher ABV beers (8%+) I'm not drunk, but tired and not as useful for the next hour or two.

 

Guess I am in the minority pretty much only drinking the last 3 days of the week barring vacay, special occasion, etc. Makes it pretty easy to appreciate the weekend beers more.
I hear you on the beers-you-need-to-drink stacking up though. Have to have friends over every now and then to make it manageable again. haha.

 

There have been long stretches after big trips (to GABF or to New England) where I had so much over the short period that I had to get back to equilibrium once I got home.

Been trying to ratchet down my consumption and buying as well. Part of my Resolutions for 2017, less tastings, bottles, and festivals. Doing ok so far but can do better.

 

I go plenty of weeks where I keep it to Fri.-Sun. but it isn't a rule for me. I like to have one with dinner sometimes.
I agree that having friends over is a great management tool. I usually stock my fridge with them in mind.

 

I am definitely in the minority in my habits. Part of the reason I have a stockpile is my consumption rate is pretty much one to three beers a week. Often the only beer I have will be for NBS. Yet there are times when I want to take a longer break even though I am a lightweight to begin with and have all these "mini-breaks" already happening.

Every once in a while I can get into having a couple or three a day - vacation, cookout. During work travel its boring hotel rooms and "can't get this at home", so maybe one a day. But it isn't very often. Knowing where I've been with the alcohol thing might be part of it - don't want to go back to the darkness and I know how easy it is to get there.

I do think about it when I look at my shelf with the backlog and growing pile of "extinct" beers - my inventory has outlasted some breweries! Why do I still buy beer when I have plenty in the house already...thankfully haven't home-brewed in a while. As much as I truly enjoy it while I'm drinking it, beer is often the last thing that comes to mind when picking a beverage, and I'm still 40-ish pounds overweight.

 

I LOVE drinking beer every day I pay my bills and function in society. It's all good.

 

Sadly (?) I'm probably overdue for a break. I exercise a ton now in my 40s, but can't lose a pound. Guess it's the beer and wine. I drink most days, usually one, sometimes a couple. Probably could give the old system a break... *sigh*

 

I'm Catholic, although not necessarily practicing my faith like I should...

However, I am using Lent as an excuse to get my health right and that involves cutting out beer among other things. So, I will be using the next 40 days to be beer-free.

See if I can do it!

 

Break? Hmmm. Whiskey or a nice red wine.