Beer

I really like beer, but not all beer.

I really like good quality, craft beer. I try to pretend this isn't about pretensiousness or elitism, but I really can't maintain that pretence without degenerating into ridiculousness...

Mainstream breweries tend to be pitching at mediocrity in order to maximise profits and in doing so produce a pretty awful 'standard' across the board. What is worse is when they make all sorts of claims (both implicit and explicit) about the quality and comparisons to be made with their beers (as an example, Macs trying to set up Belgian (style) Beer Cafes with their horrible attempts at 'wheat beers' and 'pilsners' OR Tui claiming to be a Pale Ale).

In saying this I need to recognise that beer is an acquired taste, and when you're mostly drinking it for its alcoholic effects (as many NZers are), having it ice cold and uninspiring is probably what the majority of the market is looking for. In contrast, I like my beers bitter with citrusy hoppiness (that comes through in taste and aroma) and a good balance of maltiness. Largely the only people making these sorts of beers are smaller breweries that haven't been taken over by the Big Two (Lion and DB) in NZ.

Craft beers (as a consequence of using high quality ingredients and not being driven by bottom lines) are relatively expensive. That's fine for me though, as I don't (can't) drink to excess anyway. Limiting myself to one or two really good beers, may be for many on the same level as much of the wank that goes on with wine tasting (but clearly without the long history of extreme wankiness because it's about beer after all). I have no problem with that.

Enjoying each beer for it's craftsmanship and quality, and the different flavours mingling and contrasting is something lost on many beer drinkers, but it's what defines my relationship with beer (the mild buzz I occasionally allow myself is only a bonus)...

So, I look forward with great excitement to Beervana in Wellington at the end of August, which may also coincide with training at the best BJJ club in the country... (almost got through a whole post without mentioning BJJ!)

Really good beer IS awesome and enjoying it rather than simply consuming it on the way to some kind of micro-oblivion is even more awesome.