A week ago, my wife was readying to drive to one of our local supermarkets, Acme, it being the only one she knows of that carries a cold cereal she’s partial to and was out of (Kashi Organic Warm Cinnamon).
“Want to come along and check out their beers?” Sandy asked me. Well, sure. I was running low on beer, and Acme’s beer section is very good. More important, though, was the fact, unbeknownst to Sandy, that the notion to write a story about beer had been sloshing around sloppily in my head for a few days. Clearly, then, it was no coincidence that Sandy had invited me to accompany her. By which I mean the beer gods, ensconced in an immense tavern somewhere up above, were telling me, through Sandy, what they expected me to do: They wanted me to pull my thoughts together and pen a paean to beer. Or else, probably.
So, off I went to Acme with my wife, where we replenished our respective stocks of beer and cereal. And several hours later I sat my aged ass down at my computer and got to work on this story.
I’ve been drinking beer all of my adult life. It’s the only form of alcoholic beverage I’m into. I don’t like hard liquor at all. And even though I enjoy a bit of wine now and then, it hasn’t captured me enough to become a regular part of my diet.
On the other hand, I absolutely adore good beer. That statement, however, didn’t apply to me until 1994, during Sandy’s and my honeymoon. Before then, I’d downed plenty of brews, mostly American-made lagers such as Budweiser and Miller, without giving them much thought. I liked them, but I certainly wasn’t in love.
All of that changed on Martha’s Vineyard, the Massachusetts island where we honeymooned. There, at restaurants whose beer offerings were broader than what I was accustomed to, I began to realize that beers more flavorful and robust than Budweiser and its kin existed, that beer came in many styles besides lagers, and that brews from other countries were available for purchase in the States, my native land. Those revelations have made my life significantly better than it otherwise would have been.
There are so many beers out there. Lots of them, the so-called craft beers, are from smallish breweries of recent or fairly recent vintage. (The craft beer revolution took off in earnest during the 1980s, centered in Britain, the USA, Belgium and a few other nations.) Conversely, quite a few European brews have roots that extend back centuries, some to the Middle Ages. Ever since my honeymoon I’ve been on a non-stop quest to sample a goodly number of products from the categories I just mentioned. I haven’t been thrilled by every beer, but the majority have hit the spot just fine.
When much younger, I commonly knocked back several or more beers at one sitting. What guy in his 20s and 30s hasn’t? It’s the thing to do. In any event, for reasons I’m uncertain of, my beer consumption slowed down around 1990, though it’s gone up slightly over the last few years. These days I drink five beers per week, on average. That’s less than one per day. I’m fairly confident that this level of consumption has done me, and will do me, no harm. As always, though, time will tell.
But I make up for my relatively limited intake of beer by thinking about beer a whole lot. Right now, for example, I’m anticipating, with relish, the beer I’ll imbibe with dinner tonight. Which one shall it be? I have ten different beers in the house to choose from at the moment, including a pilsner, a saison, an amber ale and two pale ales.
Perhaps J.A.W.N., a pale ale, will be the selection. A creation of Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company, it is one of my all-time favorite brews. (You can learn more about the Philadelphia slang word jawn by clicking here.) J.A.W.N. is boldly bitter, as all pale ales should be. And its flavor and aroma, earthy with distant hints of peaches and pears, make me say to myself, “holy f*cking shit, this beer is perfection,” every time I take a swig.
I could go on and on about beer. However, I feel I’ve said enough, and damn well have geeked-out enough. Hopefully, I’ve placated the beer gods. I’d hate to get on their bad side. If that were to happen, they’d probably take J.A.W.N., and who knows how many other good brews, away from me. Therefore, over and out!
Yeah, Another Blogger 
Thanks for this tribute to beer, Neil! I am a wine lover, but at certain times, nothing beats a good beer, especially on a hot day. There’s something magical about that. It’s great that there are so many craft breweries now that are making so many good ones. I live near a 5 minute walk from my favourite local craft brewery. Cheers. 🍻
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Hi. To have a craft brewery a short walk from your house is an excellent state of affairs.
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There is no other beverage I like better with pizza. I don’t drink that much alcohol, but one of my favorite things is to shoot the bull with a buddy over a couple of beers.
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Beer and pizza is a match made in heaven.
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Thank you, Neil, for your tribute to beer, and an education of sorts as I know very little about this subject!
Joanna
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I don’t know all that much about the mechanics of making beer. But I definitely enjoy the end products!
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That’s what counts, Neil!
Joanna
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You’ve persuaded me, Neil, to get out of my wine and Bailey’s routine and adventure into the wonderland that is craft beer. I only drink beer with my mates on Friday nights but I can start there: instead of having the same ol’, same ol’, I can try new beers esp the craft ones; thanks for the inspirational post, Neil 🙂
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Cheers!
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Less iis more, for taste and appreciation
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I think you’re right. If I drank substantially more than I do, I wouldn’t savor each beer.
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I certainly wouldn’t call my OH a beer lover but he does enjoy the occasional local craft beer.
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Hi. If he doesn’t already drink beers from Belgium, he might want to sample some of them. A lot of real good beers are made in Belgium.
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He has sampled quite a few from Belgium and Germany
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I’m only an occasional beer drinker but I certainly do enjoy them very much when the opportunity arises. There is no beer in the house and hasn’t been for ages. It’s a pleasant drink of an afternoon when out somewhere – otherwise, wine with dinner, whiskey for the odd tipple and brandy for medicinal purposes. “Cold” cereal is a new phrase for me – dry cereal, I presume, such as muesli, granola etc. I think the Irish equivalent of jawn might be yoke, a word we would use when the correct word doesn’t come to mind, a sort of substitute word. “Pass me that yoke.” etc etc.
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Hi. Right, cold cereal and dry cereal are one and the same. I hadn’t heard the word yoke before. Yoke and jawn seem to be synonyms!
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I’m not a great fan of beer but, on a hot day when folk seem to take such joy from imbibing, I really wish I liked it. Then I take a sip and.. nope, still haven’t grown up 😁
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There’s a style of beer known as “Belgian white.” You might like it — it’s pretty wine-like.
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An entertaining read, Neil!
I see you have a Leffe at your house…this is my partner’s favourite beer as he loves Belgium beers and thinks Australian beers are awful. I was trying to buy Leffe for him for Valentine’s (not that we celebrate it) and went to several shops but none sold any – disappointing.
I’m not a beer drinker so I’m not bothered, but I do like a Guinness now and then (not really a beer).
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My wife and I were in Brussels last year. I had a bunch of Belgian beers I’d never had before. My favorite was Orval Trappist Ale.
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I love Brussels but haven’t been since 2009. Just asked my partner and he hasn’t heard of that beer, but Belgium has so many craft beers. I wish I could enjoy them with him, but I really don’t like the flavour, think it’s the hops.
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I’ve noticed quite an uptick in the number of craft beers available. This is amazing, given that this is happening in the boondocks of small town Nebraska.
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Craft beers have conquered much of the world!
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Great post! Beer confuses me, but my husband loves a good craft beer!
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Beers definitely can be confusing, because there are a bunch of distinct styles. Personally, I’m glad there is so much variety.
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Interesting and many beautiful designs on bottles and cans. Probably the cans will be more expensive after trump aluminum tax. My nephew’s friend does the brewing at a small NJ brewery. I will find out the name to see if you tried.
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Hi. Yeah, let me know the name of that brewery.
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Neil! You made me thirsty now! Good story. The only beer in your fridge that I’m familiar with is Troeg’s. And I don’t believe it’s available here. We were at a friend’s house for dinner and he offered me one, I think he said he bought it in Connecticut. When you have been on the Cape have you tried anything from the Hog Island or Devil’s Purse micro breweries? Best wishes.
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Hi Ernie. I really like some of the beers from Hog Island, and also from Cape Cod Beer. I’ve tried beers a couple of times from Devil’s Purse, but wasn’t thrilled by them.
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I’ve only had the Devil’s Purse Kolsch. I like the Whale’s Tail Pale Ale from Cisco Brewers on Nantucket.
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I love seeing these cans. When I was a kid I collected beer cans from all over the world. I discovered that I could write letters (pre-email) to breweries and they would send me catalogs of their offerings. I could purchase empty cans, of course, and had shelves of them lining my bedroom walls.
And there’s something to be said for a nice, cold, well-crafted beer on a summer afternoon.
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Hi there, Richard. Do you still have the can collection?
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Sadly, I don’t. I gave it to someone many years ago before I made a move across the country. I still think about it, though. There was some amazing artwork on some of those cans.
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I like a good beer from time to time, but tend to prefer scotch or a cocktail like a Manhattan or a martini. When I choose beer, my rule is the darker the better, so I usually have to narrow down the long list (usually overpopulated by IPAs and sours) and choose from the 2 or 3 stouts or porters being offered. It’s not yet 8 am but you have me craving a cold, creamy stout right now!!
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Hi. At a restaurant/pub last night I had Lucky 7 Porter, from the Evolution brewery (in Maryland). It was real good.
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Thanks, Jerry!
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I very rarely drink any alcohol at all anymore but one of my Son in Laws loves to collect and try craft beers…and hot sauces…although maybe not at the same time?? Anyway, he would probably be really interested in your latest purchase Neil 🙂
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He probably has had many of the beers in my article’s two photos.
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Great read! 🍻 Your passion for beer really shines through—hope the beer gods stay on your good side! 😆 Cheers!
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Hello there. I’m fairly sure the beer gods are satisfied with my article.
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I’m off to Belgium in late March……beer heaven.
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You’re not kidding. Belgium is a goldmine for beers.
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Before I gave up consuming alcohol for good, beer was my go-to bewerege, especially craft beer which unlike mass-produced beers that often prioritize uniformity over taste, revel in experimentation. From crisp IPAs bursting with citrusy hops to rich stouts infused with notes of chocolate and coffee, craft breweries offer a tantalizing array of flavors to suit every palate. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
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Greetings, Aiva. Your thoughts about beer are right on the money. The area I live in (Philadelphia and the regions near the city) is a haven for beer lovers. There are many breweries, and hundreds and hundreds of taverns and restaurants have extensive beer menus.
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Beer, yuk. You can have mine, Neil.
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Hi. You know, there’s a style of beer (Belgian white) you might like. It’s nowhere near as bitter as many other styles, and it’s a bit like chardonnay wine.
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Thanks for the recommendation, Neil. I’ll keep that in mind if I’m ever on a desert island and it’s the only thing to drink. Ha ha.
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We’re real similar, Neil. Occasional wine, primarily beer, avg 5 per week. I’ve decided I dislike IPAs but love stouts and porters. But I notice Pilsner Urquell…great brew, Czech I think. Tried it in college after visiting London where I met a Czech, who recommended it, but thought it was way too bitter. Now, I love it. Guess my taste buds have matured in 45 years!
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I’ve really gotten into good, biting pilsners the last few years. Two Pennsylvania breweries (Troegs; Victory) make pilsners I like a lot.
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I can make a six-pack last for more than a month but there’s nothing like a beer after a hot day of outdoor chores.
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Beer truly can hit the spot!
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Like someone might say in Wisconsin, “So many beers, so little time.”
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Amen to that!
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I’m that way about cheese! If there were no craft cheeses to taste (with a dry white wine) in the evening I’d be a lost soul.
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Hi. What are your favorite types of cheese?
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Havarti, Swiss, Sharp Cheddar – anything with a nutty flavor.
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Ahh, das bier! Looks like a good lot.
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Hi, and thanks for visiting. Each of those beers is real good.
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Sadly, I’m one of those who doesn’t really care for beer…I’m a wine drinker myself. But the variety of beer available these days in incredible, and I’m happy for those who can appreciate and enjoy it!
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Hi Ann. My wife doesn’t go for beer, either. There have been a few, though, that she has taken a sip of and liked pretty well.
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“Beer– more than just a breakfast drink,” as my wife likes to say. We like a big variety, especially craft productions from various breweries, even some commercial stuff like Bell’s Two-Hearted IPA for the fishing trips, and Narragansett Fresh Catch lager on a hot day when its crispy coolness makes good fueling for my lawnmowing routines.
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I’m glad to learn that the Narragansett beer company is still in business. I haven’t seen any of their products in a long time. On the other hand, beers from Bell’s find their way to my area (greater Philadelphia) fairly commonly.
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A few years ago I ordered a bottle of “Dead Guy Ale” at a local restaurant — just because of the name — and I’ve been a fan ever since! It’s one of Oregon’s Rogue Brewing offerings. Meanwhile, out here in San Francisco we’re awaiting the as-yet-to-be-announced re-opening date of Anchor Steam!
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I miss Anchor Steam. That brewery better re-open!
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I can imagine the shock to your taste buds when you first tried some of these beers after being used to Budweiser! Shock in a very good way of course.
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My world expanded considerably!
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You know what I like about you, Neil? When you dig something, you really dig it.
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Thanks!
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Hail to good beer! Next time, try a Brazilian beer. I don’t know what’s available in your area, but the most popular brands in Brazil are Skol, Brahma, and Antarctica, which are all light pilsners.
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Hi, Rosaliene. I’m pretty sure I’ve never had a Brazilian beer. I’ll keep my eyes open for them.
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Tell your wife, that here in Florida, I am having trouble finding Kashi cereal.
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Your governor probably has something to do with this. He probably thinks that Kashi is too “woke.” By the way, is this Sherri?
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I’m not a beer drinker, and I don’t feel qualified to comment, but as my brother and husband enjoy beer I forwarded your post to them as they’ll relate and be better able to offer a knowledgeable comment. Cheers!
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Hi Jan. Thanks for stopping by. Take care.
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Hi, Neil – The beer gods clearly knew what they were doing, nudging you toward Acme and inspiring this post. Here’s to many more well-chosen brews and equally well-crafted stories.
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The beer gods didn’t interfere in my life today. So, I guess they plan to leave little ol’ me alone.
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So interesting that your taste in beer meshes with the more visually enticing cans. Sorta like going on one of your walks and picking out the most colorful vehicles. But no song, no musical paean to the brew of your heart?
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Hi there, Annie. I wonder if any good songs have been written about beer. I’ll be heading off to google to research that.
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That is quite a selection of beer! Enjoy.
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I go to various stores to buy beer. The overall selection from those places is fabulous. Beer-shopping is one of my favorite activities!
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You need to meet my son-in-law, who would heartily concur with you. Good quality beer is one of his obsessions.
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I love the beer gods, Neil. I especially love a brewing company in the Pacific Northwest called Pelican Brewing. I love their beer called Abides. It’s a milk stout that is wonderful to drink in the winter.
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I’m pretty sure I haven’t seen any Pelican beers in my area, but that doesn’t mean they won’t show up here. Thanks for the tip!
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I’m just not a beer drinker, but there is a craft brewery/restaurant down the road from me that I’ve visited with friends. They offer what I think was called a ‘flight’ — five small glasses filled with five different beers for tasting. There was one I despised, and one I loved; the others were so-so. But it was an interesting experience, and a good reminder that the days of my dad’s Hamm’s and such are long gone!
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Hello there. I grew up in and near The Big Apple. It’s funny about Hamm’s — I don’t think it was sold there back then, although it is the same type of beer as the ones that were commonly found (Bud, Miller, Schlitz, Rheingold, Schmidt’s, Knickerbocker, and a few others).
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Great to read. Now I know more about beer. I am sure the beer gods are on your side.
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As you can tell, I’m a beer geek.
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In general I like beer. I don’t like the IPAs or the wheat beers, but most other ones are tasty. Except Guinness stout which is liquid bread dough.
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Afternoon, Ally. Have you ever had sour beers? I did, once or twice. Did not enjoy them.
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No I’ve not had sour beers, but I’ve heard of them. Will continue to avoid.
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Hi Neil,
Though red wine holds my heart, I do love a good beer now and again. My favourites tend to be red ales, but I also enjoy a good Guinness. I remember travelling to Portland, Maine and visiting a beer garden called the Novare Res Bier Cafe. It blew our minds! There were SO MANY different beers on offer that the menu was presented to us in a three-ring binder. Each beer was served in the correct glass from the brewery it came from. So impressive!
Happy sipping!
Lynne
https://novareresbiercafe.com/wp-content/uploads/bottlelist.pdf
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Hi. I looked at the beer menu. That place is absolutely fantastic. They carry many beers (such as lots from Belgium) that you rarely see in the States.
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Hi Neil – I’d rather have one good beer than a 6-pack of
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Sorry, hit the “send” button a little early. I would rather have one good beer than a six pack of so-so suds any day. You mentioned European beers that date back to the Middle Ages — in Syracuse there’s a Middle Ages brewery making pretty good British style beers & ales. That Bells brewery you mentioned also makes wonderful stuff. cheers!
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Evening, Robert. I’ll keep my eyes open for beers from Middle Ages brewery. I love to try beers I haven’t had before.
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My son-in-law was brewmaster at https://www.stonehooker.com/ for a few years…..still an investor……so I quite enjoyed this article.
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Here’s to the Stonehooker brewery!
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Our grocery stores are not allowed to sell real beer. We have to purchase anything with alcohol in it at a government liquor commission.
I do enjoy beer mixed with lemon soda (a panachet (sp?) when it is hot in the summer. Other than that, I don’t need alcohol. I’m crazy sober. Cheers, Muriel
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Sober is the best way to be!
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Found this very interesting, as with anything written by a true enthusiast! I’m not keen on beer or any alcoholic drinks myself, because I just prefer fresh juices. I guess it’s an acquired taste that I never bothered to acquire.
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Recent medical research says that any amount of alcohol, on a regular basis, can be harmful. So, not drinking alcohol at all is wise. Still, I’m guessing that the limited amount of alcohol I consume probably isn’t causing any meaningful damage. I hope I’m right!
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Anything in moderation should be harmless. Cheers!
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I hope you enjoyed your choice of beer, Neil, and will enjoy the others whenever you get to them.
No brew for me, though. My husband (who also loves beer) once joked that I couldn’t be from Germany since I didn’t drink beer or coffee or ate meat when I met him. 😊
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Are you a vegetarian?
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I haven’t eaten meat since my early 20s, but have not given up dairy products or fish. I would find it very difficult to be a vegan.
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Boy do I have stories about beer. Not the flavor/ tasting sort. And not from me partaking lol It’s the experiences. But it’s probably the same for many in our generation don’t you think?
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Hi. i know what you mean!
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The world loves a good beer Neil. Beer being a worldwide staple beverage many families put their beer secrets on market during financially hard times. We live in a world of beers and everyone should be making their own. 🍻
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Quite a few home beer-brewers transitioned into starting small craft-beer breweries.
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