Why did you become an Advocate?

Nope. This is real fuckin' life, to quote the great GZA.

 

When I discover anything that interests me I want to know more about it so I turn to the internet. As I discovered craft beer (one DIPA at a time), I quickly found this site and loved the suggestions and lists, so I lurked for a long time. I eventually registered once I found out I had to in order to trade

 

Joined up because of a shelf talker under a 6 pack of Hop Devil almost 11 years ago. Found I enjoyed talking about beer to other craft drinkers, as well as having a record of what I tried and what I enjoyed.

I will say I miss the old days when actual reviewing was encouraged, and using only numerical ratings was discouraged.

 

I have mass amounts of disposable income for trading beer

 

I've loved good beer for a long time. I got on the site to keep track of what I have already had after mistakenly buying the same garbage a few times. Got into posting because of trading and general boredom.

 

I've been trying to drink what appeals to me since I was 14 or 15. That was 22 years ago. I don't consider it to be a hobby, I consider it just a part of my life. I was just trying to be funny about it. I know some people might not want to hear that, but it's a part of my life I am more than fine with and besides the money I spend on it, my " hobby" doesn't affect my work, my family, my budget or staying in shape. And, all 4 of those things are extremely important to me. Beer is fifth. Well, 4th, tied with staying in shape I guess.

I've been using this quote quite often lately. I won't just settle for anything but I would drink just about anything.

 

i joined BA because i thought it would be a good place to meet chicks...

 

A quest for knowledge. I've been a quality beer drinker for close to 40 years, first in England with the CAMRA folk, now here in PA. I found myself starring at beers and saying, "I wonder what that tastes like?", or, "should I shell out my hard earned cash on something that may be bloody awful?". (Especially annoying if it's a case.) This site is an excellent guide for the enthusiastic consummer, not to mention it panders to my OCD. And I can pass on info to my not so enthusiastic craft beer friends in an advocacy attempt to win them over. I'm getting through to them!

My wife on the other hand, thinks this site is a menace

 

I don't remember signing up for anything. Then again, there are lots of things I don't remember.

 

From the moment I tried "the good beer" it's what I had to have. Then I discovered this site and I found I could write reviews, (that kind of appealed to me) and hang out with some really great people while I did that. What's not to love? I think the threads here are informative and fun; and the people I 've met are awesome.

 

I couldn't have said it any better myself

 

I spent the first 12 years of drinking craft trying what ever I could find that looked interesting without any guidance. I found a lot of good beer on my own but also drank a lot of bad ones. Around 3 years ago I had a friend who came back from California talking about a beer named Pliny. I heard about the trading forums so I created a log in. The funny thing was I had been using beer fly which was part of this site for years to find beer bars/breweries while on vacation but I never looked at the message boards.

The last 3 years I have learned more about beer than the first 12. The guy who used to buy anything with a cool logo and drank straight from the bottle is now searching for bottle dates on ipas and drinks everything from a tulip glass. Thanks BA for opening my eyes

 

I first became an advocate to learn. I was very late to the better beer scene. Years ago, I felt that the "big guys" had taken beer as far as it could go. I could really do with out it, and with the exception of a Guinness or Newcastle, it pretty much tasted all the same. Then came the 90's. I saw new brands, new styles and wondered how different they really were. Had a Sam Adams and thought beer was getting better. That lead to Leinenkugel and Blue Moon which lead to New Belgium and Sierra Nevada ... then a friend gave me a Breakfast Stout and told me of this sight. That was how the adventure began. Rediscovering and gaining a true appreciation for beer, be it a Moosehead or Devil Dancer. Beer is more than just a buzz, it's to be appreciated and savored.

Now, I am an advocate to share as I learn. "If you think this is good, try this ... you might like it". Always offering my friends and family something new, without being a snob or, acting like my beer "is better than yours". I will usually wind up taking the heat for having the beer that is too out there or is too much for the taste buds. Too funny. Respecting other opinions on beer. Finding other beer lovers and trading; trying to blow each other away with goodness, out doing each other to win. That is absolutely advocate. So many reasons, so many beers ... it's a great time to be an advocate

 

Funny you should tag me ... I was typing as the alert flashed. I'm in there somewhere. You? Too serious? How? Great beer is serious fun, my friend!
Monster? Heck, yeah! Thanks for the compliment! I keep great company here!

 

That's right! lol These people don't realize the temptation they provide when they post pics of deliciousness in the WBAYDN? thread! It's not ticking, it's "Gotta geta gose!"