Appreciating the Finer Things

Arneba28 · 07-17-2008, 05:35 PM

So I have only been really really into beer for about 2 years and only brewing for less then a year. However, I have found that my refined taste for beer has carried over into a general appreciation for all the finer things in cuisine. I first thought of this while reading a recent cheese rant about idiots that work there. Then I though about the amount of money that I just spend on some real nice coffee from Hawaii. Then I thought about the lump of cash that I just paid for a wonderful piece of eye of round (Beef carpaccio tomorrow), and how when I go out to dinner I get whatever I want, just as long as I have never had it..
Everyone on here for the most part has allowed there refined taste for beer to carry over to other aspects of there life, from smoked meats to kayaks, cheeses, coffee, wines etc etc.
It is great to be around people that appreciate well produced everything! Alot different then my roommate, who thinks putting salt on chicken is adding too much seasoning, or the guys at my firehouse who are stubborn enough that they wont even try my beer because "its dark, I dont like dark beers", that was an IPA, maybe a light caramel color lol. In general, its just nice to be around people that are open minded to trying new things and that can appreciate different tastes. You guys rock

Laurel · 07-17-2008, 06:37 PM

I agree!

I think that homebrew and making your own stuff in general goes hand in hand with appreciating "nice" stuff, be it food, wine, beer, automobiles or furniture. Unfortunately, it also means that "cheap" stuff often doesn't hold the same charm and isn't incredibly compatible with small budgets.

Arneba28 · 07-17-2008, 06:39 PM

Yeah my small income doesnt always support my tastes. A trip to the local beer store usually gets my 3-4 22's and a cost of around $50. Half of me envies the beer ignorant, that do not know what wonderful stuff there is out there.

ohiobrewtus · 07-17-2008, 07:10 PM

I would generally agree with both of you. Brewing and obtaining an appreciation for great beer has certainly changed the way that I look at some things.

I still hate liquor, wine and wine snobs though. They think they're so much better than us beer snobs.

elkdog · 07-17-2008, 07:32 PM

Realizing the sheer variety of beers, bourbons, and coffees I've been able to try (yeah, I love beverages), even on my grad school budget, really points out to me what a privileged spot I am in. I don't feel guilty about it, but it's good to be aware of one's personal perspective, and to appreciate how good one has it.

That said, beer was indeed my first liquid obsession, and the process of becoming a decent brewer has really made me appreciate even more things like whiskey, coffee, cheese, and chocolate that are a somewhat alchemical product of simple ingredients. All of them so transcend their basic ingredients that the nuances and uniqueness of the finished products generally amaze me, all the more so now that I make (good) beer.

**Laughing_Gnome_Invisible** · 07-17-2008, 10:37 PM

I think the capacity to properly enjoy good things is in most of us, it just needs to be awakened. I have found throughout my life I have had defining moments in many aspects of the taste experience. I can easily recall my defining "perfect pint" moment, my "glorious kickass stilton" moment, my coffee moment....The list goes on, but in each and every case it involved tasting something at it's best and experiencing an epithathingy. This is the very reason that most people (Especially in the UK) will grow up drinking elephant piss, then learn by experience that elephant piss is probably not what they will want to be drinking the rest of their lives. One day, they will sample a pint of (Insert your favourite nectar here) And their minds will open, their eyes will see, and they will start falling over more than they used to.

findthefish · 07-17-2008, 10:44 PM

I totally agree with everything mentioned. For me I think food came first though. I started really enjoying trying everything I could at restaurants, and getting quality fresh ingredients to cook with. I started to appreciate beer more, cheese, coffee, etc. Just as you have all mentioned. Now I don't understand how some people can be so close-minded, to not even want to try new or different things, let alone enjoy or appreciate them. It's all good stuff.

VatorMan · 07-17-2008, 11:09 PM

"Finer" things...does NOT have to be expensive. The best meal I ever ate was not the most expensive meal,the best wine etc...I have found that once you know how something is supposed to taste-you will spend hours trying to emulate it. Some of the finest cheese I've ever tasted came from a small cheese shop in Paris. Best steak-Brown Derby Las Vegas (gone). Best beer-DFH 120 min IPA. I'm STILL trying to pry the recipe out of them.

**Laughing_Gnome_Invisible** · 07-17-2008, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VatorMan

"Finer" things...does NOT have to be expensive. .

In total agrrement there! I've just used a home grown onion, and the difference is amazing! Having said that, the best stilton I ever tasted was given to me by a neighbour, and it came from Fortnum and Mason's...Grocers to the Queen (just rest your head on the block luv, you won't feel a thing) It was my "stilton moment" that first made me realise at a young age that maybe winning the lottery could be beneficial to the spiritual well-being of my tastebuds. Ever since that day I have found that although it is possible to find nirvana with just a few pennies, it is a helluva lot easier to find it on the OUTSIDE of a crappy supermarket.

Laurel · 07-18-2008, 12:57 AM

My boyfriend's mom and her brother don't seem to appreciate any of that stuff and I don't understand how. She drinks instant coffee because she "can't tell the difference" and he only drinks BMC because it's the only "real beer." Perhaps it's just how they were raised, but I don't understand how you don't notice a perceptible difference in those things. I guess the same thing can be said for people that like their steaks well done.