New Beer Resolutions

Hoppy New Year! It’s the beginning of 2018 and I’ve decided to make some resolutions to help me along my beer journey. I’ve been inspired by the hashtag #Tryanuary so there is a theme of trying new things to my resolutions.

First of all I would like to spend more time considering the beer menu in bars and pubs. I previously have blogged about how anxious I feel sometimes when choosing a beer from a menu, particularly if I don’t know the beers or it is a new bar. I want to try to feel less pressured to make a choice and maybe have the confidence to speak to bar staff about their recommendations.

Secondly I want to try more cask ales. This might be a tricky one but it is something that I resolve to do in 2018. I am always more eager to try some of the unusual or crazy keg beer styles but I think this year I need to take a step back and appreciate some more traditional styles to widen my knowledge.

I also want to get more involved in home brewing. My boyfriend and I have dabbled in home brews with some success but we have kept the recipes quite safe. It would be great if we could have a go at some different beer styles, and with him receiving a new brew kit for Christmas I think we’ll be able to achieve this.

Lastly I would like to drink more beer styles to try and work a bit closer towards the final beer sommelier examination. A couple years ago I started the process with The Beer Academy (now The Beer and Cider Academy) and completed all the foundation work but felt that I didn’t have the knowledge to take the final blind taste test. As I don’t work in the beer industry this has been hobby and so it has been limited to part time. I would like to start testing myself and drink a range of different beer styles, rather than sticking to the ones I know, so that I can feel more confident with flavours.  

I can’t wait to get out there and start achieving my resolutions and widening my knowledge about beer. It is great that we have the initiative of #Tryanuary, particularly at this time of year to help support all links in the beer chain, but I think this should be continued throughout the year. I certainly intend to try to keep my resolutions and maybe it inspires some of you to make some too!