Where are you with craft beer?

I wonder if one of the BA folks could provide help here?

@John_M @Jason

Cheers!

 

95% craft...5% crap.

 

I voted "interest in releases/trading has faded". Caveats include also drinking alcoholic beverages other than beer (mmm, bourbon), and very rarely drinking some form of macro beer (like bringing a 30-pack of Genny Cream Ale camping).

I also skipped right past the phase of interest in limited releases or trading. Of course, I'm physically incapable of appreciating hop-forward beer (which eliminates over half the hyped-up stuff right off the bat), and I've found that hype affects my experience of a beer in a negative way. If I have to camp out for hours, pay through the nose, win a lottery, join a club, sell a kidney, assassinate a world leader using only disposable plastic dinnerware and a harmonica, and/or <insert other obstacle here> to try a beer, then my expectations involve literal angelic choirs singing, a true sense of oneness with all reality, and world peace. If I try it and am like "well, Aventinus / Abt 12 / Korbinian / Vitus / Wulver / BA Siberian Night / etc. is 90%-95% or more as enjoyable for me as this is, and I can grab that off a shelf or nearby tap handle pretty much whenever", then I don't consider any of the extra time, effort, or expense worth it. Needless to say, I have yet to try a hyped-up beer that has passed that test.

Now, when I'm already traveling somewhere for work, family, vacation, etc., then I'll hit up as many craft beer-related places as I can possibly fit in - provided they're not renowned solely for hoppy beer, and do not involve giant lines or the like.

 

Other, I drink probably 95% craft but wouldn't probably turn down any beer. I don't travel for releases, but will gladly line up at local stores and breweries for limited. I'm a big fan of trading, but as others have said, more and more if you don't have VR, Tree House, or whatever that day's big BA stout release is, it's tumbleweeds on your ISO's, which makes it frustrating.

 

Just starting to get into it, I'm more of a Whiskey and Vodka guy though.

 

I voted "Just starting to get into it".

I am a light beer drinker and have been for many years. Busch Light, Genny Light, Bud Light, Miller Lite...all of them light ones. I came up drinking them because of my family - traditional, small town, cheep beers out here in the middle of nowhere. Middle class family who always wanted "more beer for less." rather than quality and not to mention it probably takes over an hour to find the closest place that sells a selection of these craft/IPA beers. The problem with drinking light beer for me is it takes about a case of beer before I get satisfaction. Ok, maybe not a case, but damn near!

Which...leads me to craft beers, IPA, whatever. The 5-10%'ers with real taste. That's what I want. It's so hard not to buy a 30 pack of Busch Light for $17.50. I'm working on it. I will soon buy my first "good" beer soon! I hope this site helps me realize what I'm missing!

 

I went with "Other." I drink nothing but craft beer, but enjoy the occasional bourbon and a glass of wine as well. I never really got into trading, and have never once gone out of my way to find whales or stand in line for releases. I'm lucky that the DC/VA area has some top-notch breweries so just about any tasting room visit or stop at a bottle shop yields some great finds.

 

Other... Although I mostly "...drink craft beer, but interest in releases/trading has faded..." I also drink macros occasionally. I've come full circle and have some renewed respect and appreciation for what the big brewers do. I even make a point to look for some classic "industrial" beers, particularly European classics when I can find them reasonably fresh.

 

Drink craft beer 90-95% of the time, go to brewfest one or two times a year. Lately been drinking less expensive options (i.e. <$11 bomber, <$13 sixer) and no longer chase beers.

 

Voted: Exclusively drink craft beer and attend local limited releases

 

Other for me...

I drink craft as much as possible. I live outside the country and there isn't a lot of craft in South Korea. If there is, it's too damn expensive (8 bucks for one 12 oz. bottle!). Whenever I'm home in the U.S. I catch up on the latest beers. In Korea I drink macro imports.

 

I went with "Exclusively drink craft beer and attend local limited releases". I only stock my fridge with craft, but I do play in local kickball, softball, and cornhole leagues where I consume mass amounts of BMC.

 

Exa

Exactly...

I drink craft beer (but I ain't afriad of no macro)
Love my bourbon and whisky too
Cheap wine, usually sweet, is fine by me
Really enjoy any spirits and cocktails.

I just drink craft beer the majority of the time.

Last night I got a Neptune out of the fridge to let it warm up a bit and decided to have a little Jim Beam single barrel, well the Neptune went back in the fridge and I ended up pouring myself a second larger glass, and enjoyed myself thoroughly.

Debating tomorrow if i am going to stop at a brewery or a distillery with my dad. Either way it will be a great time.

 

Exclusively drink craft beer and attend local limited releases.

No traveling, no trading. When I go to releases, I want to be able to just walk in and grab the beer and leave, maybe wait several minutes in line. But standing in line for hours is out of the question.

 

I havent read all the responses to this thread yet but I just wanted to comment that I thoroughly enjoy how the order of your options are basically a bell curve of how beer geek enthusiasm can go through phases/life cycle.

At some point or another ive been at each point in your options. Now, I guess im at "other" which is, im an equal opportunity drinker. I mostly drink craft beer but im not a snob, ill drink a Yuengling or BMC when its appropriate for the time/place/setting. I also drink a fair share of whiskey and rarely purchase beer like I use. In preparation for building a new home, ive started concentrating on drinking the cellar ive established over the years so I dont chase or desire new brews like I use to.

I'll make the occasional beer exchange or purchase but 90% of the time its to get a special beer to surprise a friend with instead of for my own personal consumpution.

 

I drink craft beer 3/4ths of the time, and mead the other 1/4th. I am starting to attend releases and events.

 

C'mon man! What's a poll without 27 options?

 

Drink craft beer almost exclusively. The only time I really drink BMC is singles, the times Goose Island/etc. sounds good or in tribute those that are here and what they drank.

 

Exclusively drink craft beer, but interest in releases/trading has faded