I did some stuff last night that I haven’t done in quite some time.
1. I drank mass-produced beer at a bar. I honestly can’t remember the last time I ordered a Bud Light. Why would someone who vigilantly tries to convert the macro-drinking masses do such a thing? Well, I looked at the taps and the best thing there was a Boulevard Wheat. I hate to say it, but I think I’ve bombarded my palate with enough imperial stouts and quadrupels that a Wheat may as well be a Bud Light. Factor in a price that was almost double (the Bud Light was on special), and I went with the macro.
What struck me was the weakness of the Bud Light. Not just the flavor—I had three 25oz. mugs and felt only the vaguest of buzzes. I mean, that’s a hair over a six-pack! I guess I’ve spent too much time at the Foundry getting used to those crafty Belgians and their ABVs, or having sadistic bartenders pick something out for me (yeah, I’m looking at you Rachel, what with your Samichlaus malt liquor biscuit-scented-battering-ram-in-a-bottle).
2. I sat in a smoky bar. It’s true—some areas of the metro haven’t yet passed the purity law. I would guess 75% of the people in the bar area were smoking (including some d-bags with cigars), and we were the only table who didn’t have at least one person lighting up. My thoughts on the issue? I personally like to go home and not take a shower before bed. I can tell my sinuses are a little irritated this morning. You know what? It was my decision. No one put a gun to my head and made me sit in a smoky room. The libertarian in me also thinks it’s the business owner’s right to decide whether to allow smoking, and it’s the employees’ right to decide whether they want to work there, and it’s the patrons’ right to decide whether they want to spend their money there. Next time I’ll probably suggest a non-smoking venue, and that’s my right too.
3. I got to hang out with three good friends, two of whom I don’t see nearly enough, and I had a great time. I have added reminders in my calendar to make sure the gap between catching-up sessions doesn’t grow so large.
7 comments:
Sami - What? Klaus Malt Liquor!
Every once in a while you've got to bite the bullet and go for some cost savings, especially if you're going to drink a few. I don't think I could choke down Bud Light, but more power to you if you can.
The next venue will be non-smoking. Perhaps it's just years of working in a smoke-filled environment, but it took awhile for my brain to register that people were indeed smoking. Of course, I nearly wretched when I removed my clothes for bed and caught a whiff of just how awful they smelled.
Never again.
Bull-
Rachel poured me that beer and didn't show me the bottle (my request). I was trying to figure out what it was, but I'd never had it before. Once she showed me the label, I realized the brew had already been immortalized on the Beer Blog. I wanted to rap too but simply talking was enough of a chore at that point in the evening.
Steaming-
The fumes were definitely intense. It's one thing to be in a bar where people can smoke; it's another to be in a smoking section where there will be nothing but smokers. Yeah, we'll figure something out.
Oh - and in retrospect, I should have asked whether Miller Lite was included in the special, since that is a tastier choice (stupid "triple hops brewed" marketing campaign aside).
I was little surprised you were drinking Bud light, considering all the beer posts here, but hey, the price was right.
As far as the smoke goes, oh well, comes with the territory.
We should certainly get together more often, once school is out maybe I'll bring the older girls. (They love that Uncle Pete)
Sucks about the smoking. I wouldn't get too upset about the cigars. Whenever I smoke them during the winter I have to go to KCK or way out in the boondocks. I don't like making people uncomfortable either so it always sucks when I'd get stares.
I think the posturing and cocky laughter of the four middle-aged men talking about their conquests in women, money, and sports contributed to their d-bag label more than the cigars. I was sitting right next to them, so I was enveloped in both the arrogance AND the smoke.
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