A Beer Lover’s Journey

I have been an avid reader of Stonch’s Beer Blog for quite a while and spotted this gem hidden in one of his comments by the bearded wonder himself:

“I have a bit of a theory regarding a beer lover’s journey.

I think at first you seek out and relish in the most extreme examples of the brewer’s art, the strong Trappist ales first, then the rarer stuff. All you want is something strong - preferably dark. You want to explore the boundaries.

Then after a while you begin to come back to old favourites, often back to where you started. You appreciate the subtlety in a simple mild, bitter or a quality German lagerbier, the kind of beers almost everyone can understand and enjoy.

I like to think that’s where I’m at now. Indeed, I think it’s where the old European brewing cultures are at collectively.

I’m still interested in trying Imperial Russian Stouts, Barley Wines, strong Belgian Ales and super-hopped IPAs. I just don’t have the desire to drink them very often. I don’t think they’re the most important beers.”

I think that is a very shrewd comment on the beer lovers trail. Currently I am exploring beers; how they are made, what is the core differences how the subtleties come to light, what makes the good great and the bad disgusting. To find beers that are specifically made to be kept for twenty odd years is a revelation that kicks the ‘rules’ I knew into touch, which makes me wonder what else is there to know?!

I do find myself coming back to where I started, the nice pint of Flowers IPA in a Brunning and Price pub, or hunting out the Enville honey ale in deepest Wales. ‘Extreme’ beers can be fun, but nothing can distract you from a proper pint.