Monday Rant: Beer and Frugality

I remember when I first began working when I was 16-years-old. It was around that same time that my father started my bank account. While I was in high school and college I remember having holes in my pockets when I had even the smallest amount of cash in my checking account. If I had any amount of money, it was sure to be spent at the nearest watering hole on beer and/or food.

Oh, how much fun those days were. Now that I'm in the real world., I've noticed that I've become more and more frugal. Not only in terms of reminding myself that I might not need to go out to eat or spend entire evenings at bars.

 Yes, I've become more protective of what's in my checking account, but just as much when it comes to what beer is in my refrigerator. I find myself overcome with guilt if I have more than one bottle of Dogfish Head Punkin Ale in a single night. I've found myself getting jealous if my father jams his head into the fridge and cracks open one of my other beloved pumpkin ales (Smuttynose, Saranac and Brooklyn Post Road).

I purchased a case of Yards Brewing Company's Ales of the Revolution in early July and I'm just now indulging in the second half of the case. Beer Snob Sr. bought me a case of Anchor Steam Beer for my college graduation this past May and I still have approximately half of the case left. It's almost as if I want to savor every drop. I get somewhat of a natural high just knowing I have certain beers in my kitchen.

Next, comes the possibility of beer reaching its shelf life. Yes, it's wise to save as much money as possible. Maybe not so much when it comes to conserving your beer. I need to develop a mindset of just drinking it, stress free, and making time to work off the calories once in a while.

Don't touch my damn beer.