Yes.
Is it not possible for me passionate about two different beverage types which contain alcohol, or does that instantly qualify me as an alcoholic?
I used the word "vice" in my post. He is saying that if beer is a "vice" for someone that makes them an alcoholic. It's my fault for using that word, I don't word well sometimes.
. I said "vice", but I guess what I really meant was 'hobby', or primary form of entertainment/relaxation. If the deal was to never touch alcohol in any form again for 5 Mil I would take the deal just as quickly! So it's my fault for using the wrong word.
In truth, beer brewing and beer culture is my primary hobby and interest and has been for a while now, but I enjoy brewing beer, building/tinkering with equipment, and learning about brewing more than I enjoy drinking the beer. It's the tinkering and the process that I really enjoy, that's why I built a Kal panel and an EHERMs system. I try to give away a lot of the beer I brew. A good analogy is my Grandmother and her baking. She LOVES baking, mostly deserts. She gives most of them away, but eating them is only a part of why she likes baking. She just likes the process. She enjoys being in the kitchen and feels proud of her results. This is how I feel about brewing.
So what would I do instead of brewing if I had 5 Mil? I would move to Hawaii and do the two things I enjoy even more than brewing: scuba diving and fishing/spearfishing. I would trade brewing and drinking beer in a heartbeat for the ability to move to the tropics and have my dream lifestyle. This is what I really meant, but was too lazy to type the first time around.
As for being called an alcoholic, I apply the same method of reasoning to that as I do to any personal problem that is brought to my attention, which goes something like this:
Am I this thing/do I have this problem? If no then go on with life. If yes then proceed to next question.
Is being this thing/having this problem bad? If no then go on with life. If yes then proceed to next question.
What steps should I take to avoid being this thing/rectify this problem? Make action plan and put this plan into action immediately. Proceed to next question.
Do I owe someone an apology? If yes then apologize. If necessary let them know what steps you are doing to rectify the problem and ask them to hold you accountable if they are family/friend and willing to do so.
My Grandpa taught me this way of thinking when I was just a little boy, and it has served me well my whole life. Sometimes its hard to think through it right away though, like when my wife tells me I'm being an arsehole. Later when I've cooled off I'll work through it, and the apology step usually goes a long way towards a good nights sleep in my own bed
