If you weren’t aware, it’s National Beer Day. And while I’d love to crack open a cold one right now, I can’t. 1) I’m home alone with the kids (are you surprised?) and 2) Drinking while pregnant is generally frowned upon (though I won’t deny sipping here and there nor attending a beer festival with friends just a few months ago when I could hardly be upright and no one knew I was expecting and do drink while I’m breastfeeding).
I’ve always been more of a beer gal than a wine lover. I love the cool, refreshing bubbliness of a good beer on a hot day.
Note I said a good beer. I’ve never been one for the cheap stuff (despite growing up in Golden, Colorado and my parents working for a sister company of Coors). In college I never really drank because I just wasn’t that interested in getting drunk (a feeling I’ve always hated) and I WAS interested in driving safely and ensuring the rest of my friends were safe as well (I’ve been the designated driver at every stage of my life ever since I started driving!)
But then towards the end of our college time (around the time I became of legal drinking age), hubby and I discovered the world of microbrews through a little restaurant we loved (and still frequent whenever back in Jacksonville). And my world was forever changed!
It’s amazing the types and flavors of beers you can get now! I still don’t like everything, but I’m willing to at least try most anything now and don’t usually turn my nose up (except “light” beers and IPAs) and hubby and I like to be adventurous in trying new things and often spend our “dates” at one of the local places that have a large beer selection.
So while I’ve developed a palate for beer (and may be classified as a bit of a “beer snob”), I can’t say my taste in wine has increased any. There are still few I really like and I would take a bottle of ice cold beer over a fancy glass of wine pretty much any day!
Maybe today you can celebrate National Beer Day by enjoying a cold brew for me, here are a few of my all-time favorites to try if you can find them:
- Wide Awake It’s Morning by Funky Buddha (the Imperial version of their famous Maple Bacon Coffee Porter but, I think, way better!)
- Honey Weiss by Leinenkugel’s (their Berry Weiss is a favorite, too)
- Elder Betty by Magic Hat
- Mountain Abbey Ale by Blue Moon (their classic Belgian White is my go-to basic beer)
- Zywiek
- Honey Bourbon Cask When by Shock Top
- Banana Bread beer by Wells
- Redbridge by Anheuser-Busch (I know, I know…but it’s a Sorghum Gluten-free beer and really good!)
- Redd’s Apple Ale (the regular, not the strawberry!)
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