Hey, don't get me wrong. I love a good beer. Actually, I couldn't stand beer until I had my first bier – on a train from Munich to Augsburg (purchased for me by an elderly gentleman who recognized that I was a young American on a train from a city with an international airport – he was obviously proud of their bier and it was the first time I ever actually enjoyed a glass (my approval brought a big smile to his face)).
There are lots of small brewers who work in that tradition in the US now, but they aren't hundreds of years old. I think the first, and one of the best (possibly because it was the first), I ever had was from a brewery in Davis, California (if memory serves) – Sudwerk. I've tried a number of small brands and there are many that I like - many.
There is an unfortunate side effect of drinking beer. It's a bit fattening and my belt buckle wasn't facing the right direction. It's true that it was one thing among many, but I threw that baby out with the bathwater. Another thing I learned to appreciate while living in Germany is wine. Some mighty tasty wines were available for very reasonable prices, and imbibing it achieves the same end.
I decided to make wine my alcohol of choice in response to a post middle age spread – now eliminated (one change among many). There are some health benefits to a glass or two of red wine a day – I know, hardly enough. What's wrong with a little too much of a good thing now and then?
Life is short – enjoy it!
I had a little Fireball the other night. It had been at least six months since I had any.
