Yep. Here it comes. All the Dry January talk. If you’re doing it, rad, I am here to support it.
There is also a version that doesn’t have to be all or nothing. The community of Pulling It Back a Bit is just as relevant, in my eyes.
I have focused on this through the Holidays. Drinking less. Not nothing, just definitively less. Full days off. One less beer here and there. NAs mixed into sessions.
And it’s been… good.
There have been times I have badly wanted to try a beer or have a second at a restaurant or home but held back. Part of me wants to scream “This fucking sucks, I love trying new beers!” and another part of me is happy to know I still can just not drink - I wish I could explain it better than that.
You may find it easier to just say “I am not drinking alcohol, right now, period!” and that is great. We are here for it.
It’s also great to keep it mellow but still get all the personal benefits that come from a good alc beer. #TeamPullitBack
The Guardian has a great article that focuses on a lot of the themes I am talking about and I recommend you check if interested.
Anyway, I am sorry I wasn’t here last week. Holiday and family commitments kept me from doing anything creative, including D&T and The Perfect Pour. But I hope that is the last time I will miss a week… probably won’t be… but I hope.
I feel like I should be joining everyone else in predictions of 2024 and look-backs at 2023. But that feels like overkill. NA beers, Tall Boys, and Double IPAs will be the thing in 2024 (THERE, I predicted something).
I will just tell you my NYE plans of [wait for it] … NOTHING!
Just staying home with a bowl of brown onion dip, some Ruffles chips, making my daughter watch the best live music performance on whatever interesting enough NYE show I can find, and having some nice beers.
Truthfully, I am too old and unpopular to do anything else.
I raise a glass to you having a great New Year’s Eve and to you getting to enjoy a nice beer or four - even if they are the last alc’ beers you get to have for a month.
Your readership is greatly appreciated and I hope we can grow together in 2024.
-Mikey
Peace ✌️ Beer 🍻 & Metal 🤘
PS: I finished the Holidays always having Celebration Ale in the fridge. It’s quite an accomplishment for me. Please give me a virtual pat on the back.
PSS: If you also want to try mixing in some NA beers or need a full January of NAs, there is NA Beer Club, NA Survival Kit from Brew Dog, the above Sierra Nevada NAs, a lot of other breweries (it’s easier for them to ship NAs), and probably your local Whole Foods or on Instacart.
I’ve been doing the #teampullbck thing too lately chief!
Mikey, I’m with you, I’ve too pulled back on BREWS.. I don’t drink Mon-Thurs, Friday maybe one, Saturday for sure cus Chew doing Chew things ( brewery hopping ) and Sundays at home drinking 3or 6 cans. Happy Chew Year homie, may 2024 bring health/wealth/ and most of all Alcs !!