Beer Geek: Origins

  I hated beer when I first started drinking.  Seriously hated it.  It tasted like sour water to me.  When I would drink, the only time I would drink beer was if it was free, or if it was the only thing available.  I liked flavor in my alcohol and traditional beers (Macro) were not doing it for me. I can remember the first time I picked up a mixed 12 pack of Sam Adams seasonal beers.  I knew I liked "micro brews" but didn't know a thing about different styles, hops, barley, malts, aroma, mouth feel, alcohol content.  None of it.  But after trying a few different types in one night, which I couldn't remember what they were now to save my life, I knew I was on to something I enjoyed.

  Fast forward a few years and I was lucky enough to get to attend a craft beer tasting for work.  It was hosted by one of our beer vendors and facilitated by a rep from, what is now one of my favorite breweries, Great Lakes Brewing Co based out of Cleveland OH.  This thing BLEW. MY. MIND.  I had no idea the amazing varieties of beer available.  What made them different from one another.  Foods they tasted the best with. I walked out of that tasting (slightly buzzed) with a mission:  I wanted everyone to know about craft beer.  I felt like the world has been missing out.  How could people who enjoy good food not know about these amazing beers that enhance their meals.  Who would drink fizzy yellow beer when they could have a Victory Prima Pils?  Who would drink a Guinness if they knew Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter was out there waiting on the shelf? Well the answer was, unfortunately  most people.   People "like what they like" and it's hard to introduce new things to many people.  Almost like getting a kid to eat something they"don't like" in spite of the fact they have never tried it.

  It’s been many years since I drank my first craft beer, and I have been introduced to so many great beers, people, places, and flavors.  Over the past 5 years, I have watched the city of Buffalo begin a transformation from place of desolation for craft beer lovers and into a burgeoning place of oasis for craft beer lovers Several amazing craft beer bars and bottle shops, new breweries emerging, and new beer festivals every year. A community that is embracing good beer and helping it grow.  And now I feel like there are still people out there,  people who want to learn about new beers and where they can get them.  When there is something amazing on tap somewhere that they might miss.  Where the beer tastings are.  What foods pair well with what beers.  Things I sought out when I was beginning my relationship with craft beer.

  Check out my twitter @BuffaloBeerGeek as I will try and post the most up to date buffalo beer happenings and info.  Tell me what you want to know and what you would like to see from this blog in the future.

*Disclaimer*  I am NOT an English professor nor do I fancy myself one.  I WILL  make occasional grammar mistakes.  Just be warned.

Cheers