Create Beer-related New Year’s Resolutions

Why not combine your love of beer with a holiday tradition and create a few beer-related New Year’s resolutions?  This is a great time of year to find ways to expand on your interests, and the world of craft beer has so many opportunities for exploration.  Here are just a few ways you can create beer-related New Year’s resolutions to add a little fun to your life.

Fun Ideas for Beer-related New Year’s Resolutions:

1. Learn how beer is made.  Beer is made out of simple ingredients:  grain, hops, yeast, and water.  Yet the way the ingredients are combined, the specific variations of all the ingredients, and the inclusion of adjuncts will change the look and flavor of beer dramatically.  Visiting a local brewery for a tour or reading up on the process online will help you understand how the components come together to create the beer tastes you love (and why you don’t like the ones that don’t appeal to you.)
2. Keep a beer journal.  Set aside a notebook or use a “notes” app on your phone to jot down a few notes about each of the beers you try this year. Along with noting the name and brewery of the beer, write down the ABV, IBU, primary ingredients/adjuncts, and other noteworthy aspects of the beer.  And, of course, don’t forget to include your evaluation of it.  This will help you decide what types of beer you like best, and will also make you more specific in your beer critiques.
3. Learn the terminology.  You may already know a few terms like fermentation, gravity, and mash.  By the end of the year, however, you could impress your friends with how well you understand the beer-making process by using words like phenols, saccharification, and attenuation.  Beer making is a scientific process, and by understanding the terminology, you’ll be able to better follow discussions about beer and how different formulations are made.
4. Commit to trying beers you think you won’t like. It’s comfortable to visit a taphouse and order the same type of IPA or porter that you know you prefer.  However, make a resolution to change up your habits and try other types of beers from time to time.  Never had a Lambic?  Order a glass this summer.  You never know when you’re going to stumble across a new type of beer that you’ll love.
5. Buy a few beer glasses for enjoying a beer at home.  You don’t need to make a huge financial commitment to own the right glasses for each style of beer.  Read our article that explains when you should grab a pint glass versus a tulip glass to enjoy your beer at home.

The Growler Guys is your place to learn everything about beer.

Our staff can help you achieve all of your beer-related New Year’s resolutions.  Visit our taphouses to explore a variety of beers, ciders, kombucha, and other beverages. We’ll help you understand the differences between each style of beer and pick your favorites.  By the end of the year, you’ll be fluent at seeing a menu and visualizing what each of the beers will taste like.  Check out our website to find a Growler Guys location near you!