Not Every Pint Must Be Revolutionary

There seems to be a mystifying phenomenon among some craft beer enthusiasts: the belief that every pint should be the holy grail. As an Untappd fanatic, I often find myself in the endless pursuit of seeking out new brews and avoiding repeats. To clarify, I would not discourage anyone from this task; however, it would be a misdeed to deny oneself the pleasures of supping a five-star tipple twice (or more—who is counting?).

This principle isn’t reserved for only desert island brews. There are several occasions where a pint can simply be a pint. Now, at this point, there are two camps of readers: those who already understand and those I’m about to lose. What do I actually mean by that?

A Photo from Oktoberfest

As social creatures, we often must oblige other people. A family gathering at the local, a new opening with disappointing draught taps, or maybe it’s the last place open. The horror – there is only mass-produced keg filth. Drinking it for one round has not proven fatal, and an evening hasn’t killed me yet. Although craft beer is more readily available now, not every pub or bar has true craft offerings (do not mention the plastic punks). In scenarios like these, the company present is more important. Not every meal is gourmet, nor should it be, and this is the McDonald’s of beer. I’d consider this as something of a guilty pleasure, and a reminder of how great craft can be.

It isn’t all gloom. When can the mediocre become much more? A cold pint, the perfect beer garden, and the rare week we get sun in the UK. Sometimes days like this call for a cheap pint. Escaping to your local pub for a couple with friends, even when the weather is less than ideal (as it often is in Manchester), is something to look forward to in the week. Maybe it's the perfect end to a week of work, or maybe you find solace in a solo pub visit, a little spot of calm in our busy lives. To be there for friends at highs and lows. Pubs foster community and connection that can be more important than what pint you're sipping.

To conclude, live a little. I’m sure that a pint of mass-produced fizz won’t kill you, and you might even enjoy it. Let me know what your guilty pleasure pint is!