“Absence makes the heart grow fonder…”
So the saying goes, right? But is it true? A little context before I answer…
For personal reasons, for a short spell I have had to cut beer (and all alcohol, but I rarely stray from beer) out of my diet. That’s right. That sweet and bitter nectar that makes us swoon, that divine gift of God, delicious and sustaining elixir I find myself abstaining from. I have tried to replace it. Ginger ale, root beer, and sparkling water fill my glass at night…and they are a disgrace.
The first week wasn’t too bad as I worked fervently to displace thoughts of beer with others. But after eight days, I found my mouth moistening uncontrollably at the mere mention of anything beer related. Tears fill my eyes as I read reviews of beers that should be filling my cup and mouth. As I read, I shut my eyelids and swish imaginary beer in my mouth and contemplate the mirage of flavors: mmmm sweet taosted caramel malt, a hind of lemon grass and pine nuts…is that melon I pick up on? Ooohhh, what a nice spicy and bitter hop finish. But I open my eyes and it was all in my head.
I open my refrigerator, and there is beer in it, but I must resist the temptation. My beer cellar calls to me, and the two kegs of homebrew in my basement are desparate for attention…but they must wait.
Now, my body feels no different. My energy level remains the same with or without beer. I sleep the same, wake up feeling the same, and my small gut has yet to recede. It has been three weeks and I feel no chemically driven compulsion to drink a beer. It isn’t the warm and fuzzy feeling, warm cheeks, or tingly tongue that I miss. It is the delicious flavor that can come from no other source, alcoholic or not, that we call beer.
It is horrible. It is a horror.
My only consolation is that soon, very soon, I will be reunited with a delectable pint of ale, and I daresay it may be the best glass I’ve had in years, regardless of style, origin, or general rating.
How about you? Have you ever given up the bubbly stuff? Did your heart pine like mine? Am I the only crazy one here?
Yes.
Yes.
No.
It was hard. But, I did it, and am all the better for it.
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I don’t drink more than a few beers a week, and I’ve really only gotten into beer over the last couple of years so I haven’t had that situation happen to me – yet. But I understand now that there really is no substitute.
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Thanks for the support Big Tex!
Same here scott…I am a pretty moderate drinker too (although it is more than 3 a week…that’s a few, right?), i want to keep that liver pristine. Reading your founders review definitely made me want one. I really employed exaggeration in this post, and despite the sacrifice (i hope this doesn’t purge me of beer geek status) it is rewarding. When all is said in done it’s about 6 weeks w/out a drop of beer.
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First of all, Easter is gonna rock!
Secondly, I did the same thing for a weekend recently just to see what it was like and I quickly came to the same conclusion – I missed the flavor. Everything else was the same, I was relaxed in the evenings, I slept the same, etc. I didn’t crave a buzz, but I desperately missed the wonderful taste of beer.
Hang in there.
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For Lent next year, I’m thinking you need to give up, giving up beer for Lent! Wow, I know it is supposed to be a sacrifice, but can’t you just eat fish on friday and call it good? Hang in there Buddy, Easter is only 27 days away. In case you were wondering that is 648 hours or 38,880 minutes, or 2,332,800 seconds from now.
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@Don – I don’t think its a Lent thing if Nate’s been beerless for 6 weeks already. Maybe he’s just into pain and is also sleeping on a board of nails, walking hot coals and eating glass?
Whatever the reason, it’s impressive considering how much Nate loves beer and even more impressive that he could still resist after reading my breakfast stout review!
Its good to see people still have willpower!
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I’ve ever “given” it up for a specific reason. For me, if I just didn’t feel like having a beer that night, I don’t. I’m a moderate drinker, for the most part. I usually do have a beer or 2 a day, but I don’t consider that to be a problem or an issue. Do you (all reading)?
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beer_scientist Reply:
March 9th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
I don’t at all. I do the same.
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