Yosemite is an awesome place. Seriously, it is awe inspiring. Andrea and I (and some friends) went to the park this past weekend and hiked all over the place. We climbed half-dome and literally tried to put our arms around some giant Sequoia trees. I can see it was one of truly magnificent places that I’ve ever seen. In fact, I already want to go back. But let’s get to the beer.
I’ve written a post quite a while back that alluded to the fact that I don’t enjoy a beer in a noisy, stuffy, “can’t hear myself think” kind of place. I hate it. Sometimes, even when I know the beer is great, I just cannot appreciate a beer. Personally, I believe that we humans don’t admit how much a role emotions and psychological conditions actually define how we act and how we perceive.
So when I drank some Spaten Oktoberfest in nature’s theater, I was so throughly happy about drinking it that it was one of the best beers I’d ever had. Of course, I think it’s a very good beer already, but it’s not earth shattering. But in that brief dispensation of time it towered like the mountains.
What do you think? Share your story about context making a beer wonderful.
I couldn’t agree more, and I think your choice was quite fitting. I have had several experiences in which even poor quality brews were glorified by the fact of the surroundings. I think I’ll share a story in the form of a post tonight.
BTW…I’ve always dreamed of visiting Yosemite.
[Reply]
michael reinhardt Reply:
September 30th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Come out and I’ll take you!
[Reply]
I do my best tasting at home, because it’s a constant, controlled environment. But even then, things like mood, weather, family, what’s on the tee vee, all can have an affect on how I perceive a beer.
That said, I’ll flip your point here Mike and say that a nice beer is a remarkable way to celebrate a good day.
Maybe the context makes the beer taste better, but tasty beer can also make a great day even better as well.
[Reply]
michael reinhardt Reply:
September 30th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Agreed, Jim. Definitely not mutually exclusive. Good beer can even make a bad day better!
[Reply]
One of the Best? well maybe most memorable, and certainly most refreshing beer I’ve ever had was about 15 years ago. My wife and I had been trekking all over the Eastern Idaho State fair, and I was thirsty. I decided that a beer would be the perfect beverage to quench my thirst, so I began keeping an eye out for a beer tent. Well, did I mention this was the Eastern IDAHO State Fair, yep I was in the heart of Mormon country. So I finally found the one and only stand that sold beer, in the very back corner of the fair grounds! All they had was Busch, so I cracked the seal and downed it. It was awesome! Just the right combination of refreshement and reward for seeking it out on a hot and dusty day.
So that is a long way of saying Yes, context matters a lot when it comes to beer drinking.
[Reply]