It's fun being the 'beer guy'

After a Sunday afternoon at the pool with friends, it was decided that an evening get-together was in order. Since we're in the middle of a three-day weekend no one had to work Monday morning. The idea got rolling when someone said "We should drink some beer" and we all thought that was an excellent idea. :-) So after a bit of discussion we had decided on whose house to use. Another friend said he'd bring burgers, dogs and buns. Colleen and I had prepared a 7-layer "Mexican" dip for our enjoyment later in the evening so I offered to bring that. I also offered to bring along a selection of beers. This was all planned by the guys and we told our wives all they had to do was show up.

Going through the beer fridge and loading a cooler was a fun exercise in remembering friends' beer preferences. One likes brown ales, so I threw in some Avery Elle's Brown Ale. Another friend is a fan of hard cider so I added in Hornsby's Amber Hard Cider. (I've never tried the stuff but do keep a bit of hard cider on hand for this friend.) Colleen said she was in the mood for a Hefeweizen so Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier went into the cooler. For myself and another friend I knew hops were in order so I grabbed a growler of Blue & Gray Falmouth Pale Ale along with Sierra Nevada Southern Hemisphere Harvest Ale. I had just picked the latter up on Saturday and hadn't tried it yet so that was to be my treat for the evening.

It was fun to be able to provide everyone's favorite styles. I keep a wide selection of beer on hand for a number of reasons. One, I never know what I might be in the mood for. Secondly, I'm very aware that not all my friends are as adventurous with regard to beer, and all have different likes and dislikes. I think it's important to beer evangelization that folks are given the opportunity to try something new, but also are able to play it safe and enjoy their favorites if they desire. (I do draw the line at serving the Bud-Miller-Coor lineup, instead keeping some milder craft ales and lagers on hand.) We had a very enjoyable evening sitting outside, eating, drinking and talking. Everyone got to enjoy a beer of their liking. Good friends, good beer, good times.