What Makes a Great Beer?

I would boil it down to two main words: Enjoyment and control. No matter what you drink, as long as you’re enjoying it no one can tell you that it’s “not beer”. It sucks when other people try to take away something you enjoy because it’s “not official”. Those people project their lack of enjoyment on you and that’s not fair. Sure, I have my preferences, but I don’t degrade people for having their own. This enjoyment is of course within the confines of control. A lack of control is not what makes a beer special, memorable, or different. In no-way am I any kind of therapist, but I firmly believe that if you aren’t enjoying what you’re drinking, then stop drinking it because you have also probably lost an aspect of control. There have been many unfinished beers in my day, and I’m more than okay with that for the sake of keeping the connection.

Then again a beer is made of so much more than those two words. I also like to think of the word reflection. How does it make you feel? Does it remind you of anything? Side note: If I ever have that Hawaiian coconut porter again (pictured right), I’ll be reminded of my trip to Austin last year, how much fun the Austin Mac and Cheese Festival was, and how hilarious the stand up comedy was at the bar we went to. That beer was more than just the taste - it was a part of the weekend. Does your beer make you think of anyone? Have you had it before in another city? state? country? Did it take you back there? All good questions to ask that can take your beer to the next level of appreciation. You don’t even need to make it that intense. How was your day? Did you sleep well? Have any interesting dreams you want to try to recall or write out? Might seem like a silly thing to do, but why not give it a go? What’s the worst thing that could happen? 

The final word I associate beer with is connection. My father was the person who introduced me to craft beer, and my favorite thing to do with him is sit out on our back porch, start a fire in the fire pit, and crack open a couple of beers (preferably from Flying Dog). We’ll spend hours on that porch at a time. We are always happy to invite guests into our conversations and offer them a beer. “So, what do you think?” is often the first question we ask to someone having a beer we’ve tried before, and they haven’t. It’s almost like a little club we have but it’s entirely inclusive. It’s a no pressure, in-the-moment kind of space. The last time I sat down and had a beer with my dad was a few weeks back. We went out to lunch together to celebrate his birthday, and we each had a beer, talked, ate, and went home. Simple, but memorable day. Can’t even remember what we had to eat or drink, but I remember enjoying the beer and starting the meal with a good ol’ cheers.

When I was in college down at Elon, I was always asking people if they wanted to go grab a beer or a flight over at The Oak House, an awesome little coffee/beer/wine bar on campus. Got a lot of maybes, but plenty of yes’s as well (maybe some no’s in there too). I remember having flights with my roommates and sharing a mid-afternoon, post-class beer with many of my classmates during my senior year. Drinking a good beer reminds me of those times where I was truly relaxed and in the moment. They take me back there and help remind me that there are more to come as long as I keep connecting. If you find that place or that beer, share it with others. It’ll make your nights infinitely better.

Oh also the taste is pretty damn good. That can make or break a beer too.