*Originally written by Taylor Castillo who quit
Freshman year in college is an interesting time to say the least. You’re no longer under the scrutiny of your parents, you create your own class schedule (which means no classes before 10 a.m.), and you get to experience your first traumatic hangover.
Before turning 21, I absolutely hated beer and couldn’t fathom the way my friends would drink so much of it at once. I played beer pong with mixed drinks and brought my own alcohol to keg parties, which had FREE BEER. Just a sip of the frothy, watered down cheap beer would upset my stomach and ruin my night.
That was until I discovered real, delicious, indie (craft) beer.
Don’t get me wrong; it definitely wasn’t a love at first taste kind of story. It was a slow and gradual relationship but I can honestly say I’ve never been happier.
It all started with fruity, sugary “beers” such as Redds, Shocktop and Mikes Hard Lemonade. I really didn’t feel as if these would get me anywhere near liking plain old beer, but it was worth a shot. It didn’t take me long to get tired of the syrupy, over-bearing flavors of those drinks.
That is when I switched to Blue Moon, Manny’s, and Mac & Jack’s. I eventually branched out entirely and tried my first dark beer. Iron Horse Brewery’s Cozy Sweater Vanilla Milk Stout. I think it was the best thing I have ever tasted and from then on I realized I could achieve anything if I just set my mind…Just kidding I’m not that cliché! I mean c’mon, beer is great, but it didn’t change my life or anything. Just made me a little fatter…maybe.
I guess I can accredit my new taste and preference in beer to my ex-boyfriend. I’m not sure if he was just trying to get me to stop drinking so much hard A, fatten me up or turn me into a cheaper date… either way, thanks.
Trying different brews opened my eyes to the beauty that is beer. I have realized that my new favorite hobby is having intriguing conversations over a couple beers or just simply cracking a cold one while doing absolutely nothing. Let’s face it; beer makes everything better.
Cheers.
*Note. Iron Horse Brewery does not condone underage drinking of any kind. This blog represents the author’s take on drinking based on her own life experiences.
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