OK, so enough GABF already. This isn’t going to be another post where I go on and on about how great GABF was. What I do want to emphasize here is how it has messed me up for this entire week. Jim and I joked while we were in Denver that the GABF killed our blog, because now we’ve done it, we’ve drank every interesting brew in the place, nothing left to write about. Of course we are joking, but the funny thing is, I feel in some ways its true.
It is no secret that Jim has shouldered much of the burden that the blog places on each of us this week. He has done the lion’s share of the writing, and has kept topics fresh and interesting, while I have been lagging. Hell, yesterday I didn’t even post at all! Just didn’t feel it…
So what does this mean? I’m giving up the blog? No, not by a long shot, I probably won’t even take any time off like some blogs tend to go through. No, the only pathway to total world domination in the craft beer and whiskey world is to post, post, post and to keep the energy up and the topics interesting. So I am committed to this. It is really the only way that Jim and I know how to do things. We’re all in. But I am fighting through a cloud that has been over my head ever since GABF.
Don’t get me wrong it isn’t an alcohol induced cloud, it is more a cloud of awesomeness. See, as most of you know, I live in Idaho and Idaho isn’t God’s gift to the craft beer world, or the whiskey world for that matter. So the beers I have in my bunker, although there are many I haven’t had and probably some real gems in there, all seem so pedestrian now. At GABF I was drinking amazing belgian doubles, triples, and quads that had been aged in all kinds of oak, I was drinking over the top rauschbiers, I was drinking incredible porters, I was drinking specialty one off brews that were just made for GABF. I drank Utopias! It was so over the top and special all else seems to pale in comparison.
I’m sure this will fade, but I’ve had difficulty coming back into civilian life. It is almost like a beer PTSD that has affected my ability to get back into the swing of things. In the meantime my plan is to dive into the bunker this weekend and have a great time thrashing around and tasting all it has to offer. It will be a little like taking back a brand new Cadillac to the rental car agency and then strapping on my old dodge pickup, but the dodge has served me well. Has this ever happened you you? Did you ever have an epic time that made real life just seem a little boring? Let me know in the comments.
-Don
Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
Somebody’s precious!
I think you’ll be fine, Don. You just need to wait until you really need a beer. Then that beer will taste amazing and you will be healed. Just hang out in your whiskey bunker for awhile.
And not for nothing, but Idaho would be a beer wasteland if it weren’t for Rick at Brewforia, who’s on a mission to get great beer to your state. That place is an oasis and you should be thrilled to have it.
It’s like a little bit of GABF in your back yard. Hell, he even has specials stuff on tap!
Great perspective Jim. I am very lucky to have Brewforia here. It is a beacon in the storm without a doubt. I need to make use of that resource to get me back on track. Good advice. And I am not “precious”.
Granted this doesn’t apply to the craft beer side of life (because Lord knows the island is struggling in that department), but this same letdown feeling happens every time I go to Key West for a week.
Yeah, I hear you, getting back into the grind of everyday life can be a struggle when you come back from vacation. It is a little like that.
Look at it this way. You could never keep up with the cost of maintaining that Caddilac with insurance, rims, repairs, etc. Your local guy can fix that Pick up no problem and you can afford the insurance.
See that way the glass is half full…just like the sample glass at GAB…oh nevermind!
Hey, it’s tough work keeping the pace you guys do! I’m not worried one bit Don. Your mojo will return, probably by tonight!
We’ll see Scott. My mojo has taken a serious shot to the groin this week. Hopefully with rest and Ice it will return…but not too much ice, one or two cubes 😉
I kinda felt the same way, so i went to the store and bought two 6 packs of the Full Sail LTD 03 Lagers, and have been drinking that all this week. I think it’s helped bring me back down a bit, and well its amazing beer…
Ok, so just make yourself drink and you can get through it. Good advice. Of course when advice involves me having to drink, its good advice.
A 6 pack of PBR tallboys will get you right back in the swing of things. Use the ice to keep the beer cold.!
You need to reset, or”levelset” as the project managers at my company call it. Like John Joyce recommended above, get yourself a six of PBR or Natty Light or MGD, and pound it. Maybe while watching some college football today.
After that, the stuff you have in your fridge will look like the nectar of the gods again…
🙂
Just looking over the list of GABF winners – what was up with Category 35: American-Style Dark Lager? No silver medal awarded?
Also, looks like the big boys won Category 29: American-Style Lager or Light Lager again. So for the experiment I outlined above, skip the Miller Lite, Old Milwaukee or MGD. Award winners all!
🙂
I’m glad that you guys did the GABF together. I must confess that I’ve never been to it and was asked if I would like to go this year. I’m sure all types of great beers go through and I would love it. However, I think the first time I ever go will be as a brewer…that’s my hope.