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Embracing the Solo Sip: A Personal Reflection on Enjoying Beer Alone

In a world where social drinking is often romanticized, I find myself grappling with a peculiar sense of guilt when opening a nice beer solo. Over the past year of remote work, I’ve developed a delightful ritual: each evening around 6 PM, I uncork a meticulously chosen beer as I prepare dinner. Not just any beer, mind you, but a brew that tantalizes the palate with intricate flavors and layers of complexity.

However, I’ve recently begun to question my solo beer enjoyment. With my girlfriend teasing me about the extravagance of indulging in a $35 barrel-aged sour or a $76 fruited lambic on a quiet Wednesday night, I can’t help but wonder if I’m doing something socially unacceptable. “Why not save it for when we have guests?” she asks, a sentiment echoed in the back of my mind. Yet, the truth is, I’d much prefer to savor the subtleties of the beer in tranquility rather than hold court explaining why this isn’t merely an expensive beverage.

Is this a common dilemma? I often scroll through posts showcasing gatherings of beer enthusiasts sharing rare and unique brews and feel an inkling of jealousy. Am I missing out on the essence of communal enjoyment? Then again, I remember that many enthusiasts can struggle to distinguish between different hops like Citra and Mosaic.

So, I pose this question to fellow beer lovers: is it perfectly acceptable to relish exceptional beer in solitude? Do others also set aside their prized bottles for personal enjoyment? Or, like me, do some find joy in the simple act of appreciating a fine brew without the external validation of company?

In a time where connection often feels fragmented, perhaps there’s value in both solo enjoyment and communal gatherings. After all, the love for good beer can be both a shared experience and a private pleasure.