Beer lessons learned in 2023

Only 3?


This thread will be deleted, but next time drink more .... like 5 or 6

 

@Rktect1 but what beer sre you drinking right now?

HairoftheDog?

 

I learned when on a beer trip to pace myself.

 

Just like cigars I enjoy beer much more when I'm by myself.

 

I learned a couple things - firstly, while it's indeed possible and I really enjoy myself while doing so, consuming a bomber of 14% or higher ABV in one sitting tends to have consequences. Sleep gets low quality after one of those. But oh, so fun good while enjoying it.
Second, there are an astounding number of variables that affect how I taste beer, some things I can control, some things I cannot. One of those things is glassware and I scoured thrift stores, did trades and have had some beautiful glasses gifted to me but persons on this site who have given me beer over the years. I bring this up as so many of them claim to offer up or concentrate the aroma in certain ways, which may well be true - but not for me. Even *before* Covid took what was left of my ability to smell anything but dog poop, I had a difficult time detecting any difference whatsoever in what glass I used. I tried though! Oh, did I try!
So now I use them simply because I enjoy good beer and part of that enjoyment comes from the container of the beer. A stout just *looks* good in a snifter!

 

I can feel for you on your lack of a sense of smell. I just went thru COVID and discovered how amazing your brain reacts when you can't smell or taste anything. Neither sense should ever be taken for granted.

 

Dude, so sorry! I really hope they come back for you! I understand most peoples do. I agree, those senses are vital for life enjoyment!

 

It was only two days for me, but I didn't want to tell you that and 'rub it in'.

 

I learned to appreciate big stouts in 2023. I always had trouble fully enjoying them but something happened this year and my palate shifted to the point that I'm actually craving them.

Also I learned that despite the hype, Tree House and Fidens beers do not do it for me. At least not enough to haul my ass to their locations. Are they tasty? Of course. But enough to travel for them? Probably not. Especially given the types of beers (of similar quality) that I can get locally. Or perhaps because I'm shifting away from the haze game.

 

Also something I have learned, I am 99% over hazy beers. There I said it. And even more over breweries labeling a beer an American IPA and it being a hazy.

 

There was an off-topic thread about this back in 2022. Check out the MOXĒ web site for information on their smell therapy products. This is the one I purchased.

Good luck!

 

Thank you! Did it help you recover your sense of smell?

 

There are a few...VERY FEW exceptions, Ghost in The Machine for example, but it must be less than a week old IMO.

 

ONE OF US. ONE OF US. ONE OF US!!!

 

I need to visit more breweries in 2024 before some call it quits.