When your friends say “It’s just beer”… to them, it is. The corporate swill IS ‘just beer’… nothing remarkable, nothing to stimulate the senses… just a generic brew.

I prefer something much better.

“Why can’t you just drink the [insert corporate yellow fizzy beer name]? It’s just beer.”

No. It is not “just” beer. Beer is not an ends to a means — aka a way to get drunk. When I drink craft beer, I never set out with the mission of getting drunk. Sure, drinking beer does have that pleasant side effect, but it’s not my main prerogative. I drink beer because, like food, I enjoy stimulating my senses.

We all pick our battles. In college, I decided to protest globalization by refusing to eat at McDonald’s, buy Nike, shop at Walmart, etc. I didn’t care if McDonald’s was cheap, and I was poor. I didn’t eat it on principle. I didn’t care that I was an athlete and Nike made some of the best sports wear, I woudn’t buy it. etc…

So. The point is. I won’t drink corporate beer for two reasons: 1. I respect my palate and the things I put in my body and 2. I stick to my principles, regardless of how unrealistic it might be financially.

So no. Despite how many people want to fight me on this, I will not touch bad beer. Mostly based on principle, but also because I really REALLY don’t like it.

If I want to get drunk, I drink vodka. And I hate vodka, but it is flavorless and gets the job done.

When I want to drink because I care about my experience … I drink craft beer, fine wine and artisan spirits. NO COMPROMISE.

Ummm. And on that note, I step off the pedestal.