Things I've learned about beer...

I've learned the following about beer through many beer hunts, brewery tours, sampler sets, blog entries (V) and sipping of the frosty brew.

1. I now know what things like lacing, mouth-feel and tannins are.

2. I realize that I enjoy the story behind the beer more than the beer itself sometimes.

3. There's a massive beer community that gets very little respect from liquor store owners and Wine snobs.

4. I don't like High ABV beers. They're just not for me.

5. I like banana-ey beers. Not the banana bread one, but I like the banana after tones of many hefe's. I could almost go so far to say I like beers with a fruity taste, like

6. I like light colored beers despite proclaiming myself a "Stout" man.

7. While Guinness is still my number two favorite beer, it's not the same as a true Microbrew stout. In fact it's not even in the same league.

8. Liquor store owners can either be the most helpful and accomodating person or the biggest asshole or jerk.

9. I LOVE the thrill of the hunt of either rare or hard to find beer. I love things like serial numbers, limited production, special days, seasonal brews and anything that's illegal in the US and/or near impossible to get.

10. My favorite beers are, in no order....Koenig Ludwig Weissbier, Guinnes Stout, Westvleraten 10 and then 8, Founders Breakfast Stout, to name a few.

11. It's ok if I don't like the beers others do, especially the heavy bourbon and whiskey beers. They can like it, I don't have to, and it doesn't mean I don't appreciate a good beer, just not THOSE beers.

12. When you wear a PIG shirt in a small town at a local bar you get stared at.

13. Mohawks attract attention, not always the right kind.

14. Cooking your own steak on a stone at the table is awesome.

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