Embracing the Solitude of Beer Appreciation: Is It Really a Crime?

In today’s fast-paced world, many of us find ourselves working from home more frequently, leading to the formation of unique personal rituals. For me, one such ritual has become the art of savoring a meticulously chosen beer while preparing dinner each evening. This practice, however, has recently brought forth a twinge of guilt, particularly in the context of beer being fundamentally a social beverage.

As I unwind around 6 PM, I often open a bottle of something truly special—perhaps a barrel-aged sour or a rare fruited lambic. These enjoyable moments have become a solitary affair, and I can’t help but feel a hint of social faux pas for not sharing this experience with others. My girlfriend, on occasion, raises an eyebrow at my choice to indulge in a $35 craft beer on a Wednesday night, questioning why I wouldn’t save such exquisite options for gatherings. Her sentiment echoes a larger cultural expectation that beer consumption should include a shared enjoyment among friends.

This predicament leads me to ponder: is it acceptable to relish great beer alone? There’s a certain irony in that while I cherish the subtle flavors of sour yeast and complex aroma, I often catch myself worried about missing out on communal experiences that revolve around beer tasting events or bottle shares. However, I have to wonder—are these gatherings genuinely fulfilling, or are they simply an opportunity for audiences who may not truly appreciate the subtleties of the brews?

Can we accept that enjoying craft beer alone is a valid form of appreciation? After all, there’s a certain level of self-awareness and flavor exploration that comes with sipping a quality brew in solitude. Just as some individuals relish the tranquility of reading a good book alone, perhaps enjoying a gourmet beer on your own can also be an art form of its own.

So, I ask fellow beer enthusiasts: do you reserve your finest bottles for social settings, or do you indulge in them during your personal moments of solitude? The world of craft beer is expansive and subjective; maybe there’s room for both experiences. Ultimately, whether shared or solitary, what matters most is that we honor the craftsmanship behind each pour—how we choose to appreciate it should be entirely up to us.