Why I love beer.

For American Craft Beer Week, I just wanted to state the reasons that I love beer. It has now become a large part of my life and my thinking. Not the alcoholic, “I need a beer right now!” taking over my thinking, but rather simple thoughts about what beer would taste good with lunch, or what new beer is coming out that I look forward to.

The Session series of blogs, and the bloggers who write them, has made me think of beer in a new light. One of the main things that I love about beer is the Beer Culture. Last night was Oliver/Stillwater collaboration release. Just walking into the bar, I knew that I would see some people I know, be able to have conversations with new people and have a great time. Which it was. It also helps that their collaboration beers were awesome.

Walk into a small town brewpub, and whether or not they have great beers, you will almost always find the nicest people in town. Almost always a friendly conversation awaits. It seems that it doesn’t matter if you were a regular there or not.

Another thing that I love about beer is the select distribution. Many beer geeks hate that they cannot get beer from every brewery. Releases of beers like Dark Lord, Pliny the Younger/Elder, Kate the Great or any other great seasonal release are dreamed about by people who live in areas that are not served by the distributors of these beers. I do not mind not getting these beers at my local. Yes, I would love to try them, but what I love even more is when traveling, being able to stop into the local beer bar and pop open a beer that I have been hoping to get. It gives trips a little more special meaning.

And finally, I love the taste, feel and smell of beer. When opening a new beer, I try not to have expectations. I never want to be disappointed, but it happens. I want to be able to think of the beer to the style, but I don’t want to be locked into the mindset. I want each beer to be themselves. When drinking a beer for the first time, it is a great feeling. You are tasting and smelling that the brewers are proud of (usually). In some beers, you can taste the passion and intensity in the brew.

These are some of the reasons why I love beer.