With the rise of the craft beer industry, there’s more people than ever who are perfectly willing to judge you for your drinking preferences (to your face, loudly). We’re not among them, but we are going to pass on a few common sense shopping tips…you keep drinking that PBR if you feel like it!
1. Don’t buy old beer.
Especially if it’s an IPA or from a small brewery, the fresher the better! To get the best flavor possible, check the date on the packaging or bottle and try to go for something produced in the last three months.
2. Don’t buy warm beer.
You wouldn’t drink it like that, so don’t even bother. When beer sits in a warm environment, it speeds up aging – and that’s not doing you any favors (see #1).
3. Don’t shop at the grocery store.
Take this one with a grain of salt, knowing that we’ve all been thrown into a panic at the idea of turning up to an event empty-handed. And, well, there’s a time and a place for everything (reliving tragic college memories that taste like Natty Light?) – you’re just probably not going to have a chance to fall in love with something new. Try specialty retailers for more interesting choices.
4. Don’t always buy your favorite.
And on the flip side, don’t arbitrarily refuse to ever buy the same beer twice. We all know how comforting it is to swing through the alcohol aisle and grab a case of Shiner. But consider this a tiny nudge to go out on a limb – you might find a hidden gem! Or you might end up drinking something reminiscent of bilge water. But that’s all part of the craft beer adventure!
5. Don’t treat your beer like it’s Coke.
Sure, we’ve all left a case of something sitting in the bottom of a closet or in the garage and brought it in to chill as needed. But see #2 and #1 for how that’s a problem, and try your hardest to find the space for it in the fridge. It should also be noted that in the experience of this author, the Texas heat has been known to commit truly unique and terrible crimes against good beer – always consider your cooler an investment item!
Love making/selling craft beer even if it’s warm & old? Want to help people find new, cold beers? There’s a Texas liquor license for that – and we’ll even tell you which one if you ask nicely.
SOURCE: LA Times.