Taking a Beer Break

I like doing a beer/alcohol break every year. The past 3 years starting January 1st, I don't drink anything until Omaha Beer Week, which is usually late February. It gives my pallet time to rest, lets my belly shrink some, and bank account a little stuffy. Not to mention the health aspects, I usually sleep better, eat better, and I am usually more happy throughout the day, I seem to have a more level head during this time. I usually don't get tempted at all, I make sure I have no beer in my fridge. Out of sight, out of mind.

 

No IPA for a month. What a break!

 

When it's not working and it's not a pleasure to drink a beer, don't. There's some days I'd rather have a martini, sometimes a glass of wine, sometimes bourbon. Some days I'd rather have a Coke or a V8. It's not a conscious decesion though.

 

Nice - stay strong! Did the Whole30 last year and was shocked how my body reacted. Lost pounds I didn't think I could and felt great...after the first 10 days, which had me cranky as all hell. Incorporated a few beers into the mix after two weeks and I felt less deprived. Good luck on a strong finish!

 

One other reason for a beer break is work. When I'm on call for my pediatric practice I don't drink alcohol. So I have 6-7 days of beer break each month.

 

I have been following this idea since I begin my beer drinking! And even though I am one for living life to the fullest, for me there is something so rewarding after taking a break and digging in to some beers! I do the same for my bodybuilding routine every 8 to 10 weeks and take a TOTAL break from any exercise. Quite rewarding and makes a difference, at least to me!

 

Just ended an 18 day break last night. This was forced due to a medication I had to take. However I dove in full and stayed away from all simple carbohydrates and dairy simultaneously. This is the first time in years I have lost weight- 10lbs, 5%!
I'll admit, I missed the beer, but I'm pretty pleased with my results.
Had my first beer last night at a memorial event, it was a Grapefruit Sculpin. I was pleased. I don't know if my pallet changed. Tasted the same as always.

 

Not to mention, it gives your internal gut and digestive system a much needed break. Some of these beers can wreak havoc, especially when mixed and combined in a single night, and enjoyed over multiple nights in a row.

 

I take a break weekly. Only drink on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For some reason this week I drank some whiskey and 1 beer last night a Thursday. Think it was because I watching the frozen 4 and loving the dogshit out of DU hammering Notre Dame!!! If every Notre Dame team lost every game for the next 3 years I would be praying nightly that they hit a slump!!

 

I agree with everything that was listed in this article. I completed the Whole 30 diet in February and with not drinking for 30 days, I was able to: Save lots of money, lose 15lbs, get healthier and when I did have my first beer...it was amazing! Taking a beer break really made me appreciate beer more and the social aspect of being around family and friends. I'm back into drinking again, but I'll be due for a beer break soon!

 

I took a break for about 4 months due to reasons I won't go into but upon returning, I appreciated certain things more. I'm on the verge of another break though. I realize the whole life is too short but I'm overweight and my life will be even shorter unless I slow down a bit lol.

 

Breaks are good. I take a 21 or 22 hour break from beer everyday without fail. It's not easy and requires a lot of will power.

 

I'm sure it's because I'm naturally paranoid. But since I started working in liver transplant I've become more self aware of how much I drink. Not that it stops me but sometimes I'll get random abdomen pain and think "If it weren't for that fifth beer last night!!".

I'm going to attempt a break the month before I travel to Belgium, so that first beer after the break will be special.

 

I do a month long break every year or two. This last one was preceded by two months of progressively cutting back and besides for feeling better from it, and losing some weight, it re set my alcohol tolerance and palate so I can enjoy beer's taste better and effects quicker.

 

The beer break is one that is somewhat new to me, as I've only been into craft for a few years. However, I will often slow down a bit and, for instance, only have beers on Fridays and Saturday for a while. It allows me to spend Sunday - Thursday resting my palate, and allows for Friday and Saturday to be somewhat of a "reward" myself.

 

I really need one. I usually only drink about 3 nights a week since January anyway, but I'm at a point right now where I'm just not craving any style. I've felt this way since January and it actually sucks. Drinking good beer lately has just not been the same, and I think I need to eventually just force myself off the booze altogether for a month and if I do so Im sure Ill start to have cravings again. I love when I love beer, but I don't right now

 

I work for a utility company and am on call about 6 weeks out of the year. I can't drink while I'm on call, so that's enough of a break for me

 

I took a break from birth to age 12.

Seriously though, drank a bit in college but tapered off. Until I took up craft beer at age 56 (couple of years ago), I had dry periods of up to a year. No personal reason, just not into the bar scene, didn't hang out with anyone who drank, and my wife doesn't drink often.

 

I've been drinking too much beer lately. I've been considering a beer break for some time now but always find a reason not to, i.e. new releases, boredom, social aspects, and so on. It's easy to make excuses, not so easy to stick with it. Don't get me wrong, I don't consider myself an alcoholic. I don't drink despite negative consequences, I don't drink and drive, I always make it to work the next day, don't really "crave" beer per se, but there comes a time, and that time is different for each of us, when we should just step back and, for whatever reason, take a break. It could be for a week it could be for three months. No shame in taking a beer break. Good article.