haveigotboozeforyou.com

Embracing Solo Beer Moments: A Reflection on Enjoying Craft Brews Alone

Is it just me, or is there a subtle guilt that creeps in when you crack open a beer by yourself in the evening? Traditionally, enjoying a beverage like beer has been a communal activity, often tied to social gatherings and shared experiences. However, as a remote worker for the past year, I’ve stumbled upon a personal ritual that has transformed my evenings in a unique way.

Every day around 6 PM, I find joy in selecting a high-quality beer to savor while preparing dinner. My choices are deliberate – I lean towards beers bursting with flavor and complexity, such as a carefully aged barrel sour or a rich lambic. Yet, lately, I’ve started feeling as if I’m somehow misusing these artisanal brews by appreciating them solo without anyone to share the moment with.

My significant other has expressed her view on this, often questioning why I choose to indulge in a $35 sour or a $76 fruited lambic during the week. She poses a perfectly valid suggestion: “Why not save it for when we have guests so that they can enjoy it too?” While her perspective is understandable, I’ve come to realize that there’s something special about diving deep into the nuanced flavors of a beer on my own, without the need to explain why it deserves my attention.

This raises a thought-provoking question: Is this kind of behavior normal? On social media, I frequently see posts celebrating shared bottle tastings – gatherings revolving around rare and exquisite beers. Often, I wonder if I’m missing out on some vital communal experience. Yet, realizing that many people struggle to distinguish between beer varieties, such as Citra and Mosaic, reassures me that perhaps my solo tastings have their own merit.

So, I ponder: Is it acceptable to enjoy exceptional beers alone, or is it more fulfilling to wait and experience them with others? Ultimately, the enjoyment of beer doesn’t have to be strictly communal, and there’s a certain joy in appreciating a brew in solitude. In fact, solo moments can enhance our understanding and appreciation of these craft beverages, allowing us to connect with them on a deeper level.

In the end, whether sipping alone or sharing with friends, what’s most important is the appreciation of the craft and the experiences each beer brings to our lives. As the craft beer community continues to grow, it’s essential to remember that both solo enjoyment and communal experiences have their own place in our love for exceptional