Booze Thread

[Bada-Bing!]

Fears for the future of the great British pint of beer

Researchers are identifying genes in the hop plant to produce varieties that will be more resilient to climate change.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[General Melchett]

Three months since my last drink and I honestly can't see myself drinking again now that I've gotten used to life without booze.

I wasn't a big drinker (apart from when I was a student and in my 20/30's) but until three months ago I fell into a routine of having a few every Friday night because I'd convinced myself I deserved it after a tough week at work or just whatever reason I could think of.

I bloody love waking up on a Saturday feeling fresh and use that as motivation not to drink now. The key for me has been to find things to replace drinking with. Going to the gym on a Friday evening or doing some activity that doesn't involve drinking (or the temptation to drink) helps massively. I do still go to the pub but can make 2-3 pints of zero (chased down with a pint of water) last for a few hours. One thing I won't do is judge others who still drink. It's a personal choice and people what people drink is up to them.

Guinness zero is my go to drink and tastes almost like the full fat version. Peroni zero is also decent. I can make 2-3 pints of zero (chased down with a pint of water) easily last for a few hours. Looks like I could be in Dublin for all of January and so will be in the right place to see if Guinness zero tastes any better over there.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Three months since my last drink and I honestly can't see myself drinking again now that I've gotten used to life without booze.

I wasn't a big drinker (apart from when I was a student and in my 20/30's) but until three months ago I fell into a routine of having a few every Friday night because I'd convinced myself I deserved it after a tough week at work or just whatever reason I could think of.

I bloody love waking up on a Saturday feeling fresh and use that as motivation not to drink now. The key for me has been to find things to replace drinking with. Going to the gym on a Friday evening or doing some activity that doesn't involve drinking (or the temptation to drink) helps massively. I do still go to the pub but can make 2-3 pints of zero (chased down with a pint of water) last for a few hours. One thing I won't do is judge others who still drink. It's a personal choice and people what people drink is up to them.

Guinness zero is my go to drink and tastes almost like the full fat version. Peroni zero is also decent. I can make 2-3 pints of zero (chased down with a pint of water) easily last for a few hours. Looks like I could be in Dublin for all of January and so will be in the right place to see if Guinness zero tastes any better over there.

Fair play, great thing to do and better that its working well immediately!

I didn't drink from new year to St. Patricks day at the start of this year and loved it. Don't think I want to give it up fully but incorporating long breaks regularly and pacing myself better (I'm not a messy or problematic drunk but I can ruin days on a hangover easy) is definitely on the agenda.

My entire Christmas party season seems to fall in November this year, I'll definitely be pacing myself then and then a big break in New year expected again.

 

[General Melchett]

Fair play, great thing to do and better that its working well immediately!

I didn't drink from new year to St. Patricks day at the start of this year and loved it. Don't think I want to give it up fully but incorporating long breaks regularly and pacing myself better (I'm not a messy or problematic drunk but I can ruin days on a hangover easy) is definitely on the agenda.

My entire Christmas party season seems to fall in November this year, I'll definitely be pacing myself then and then a big break in New year expected again.

Long breaks and pacing yourself sound good. Don't think there's a one size fits all solution - we all have to find the right balance and do what suits us best. I find that not drinking has improved my mood and my quality of sleep massively. Even 2-3 pints or a bottle of vino would often give me a broken/disrupted night's sleep. A good night's kip is key for me functioning well the next day.

Never say never of course. I may one day decide to raise a glass on New year's eve but I just found it hard to go out and only have one or two drinks. It's easier to tell friends "I've given up the booze" than it is to say "I'm just having the one tonight" which in my experience brings much more peer pressure (and stick).

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Have a merry Xmas and enjoy yourselves. But please leave the car at home. No excuses!