Has your body's reaction to beer changed over the years?

[ToddStark]

Just hit 50 here but noticed about 10 years ago I couldn't get a good night sleep if I drank that day. As time has gone on it has gotten worst. Just as little as a single 220z can have me tossing and turning all night and maybe even wake up with sweats if I drink it too close to bed time. Just a really poor nights sleep that tends to leave me exhausted and in a daze the next day. So yea, I brew, I taste, and I mostly give away. Wish I would have discovered home brewing 20 years ago, expense would have been more easily justified if I drank it all

 

[hio3791]

I have made an appointment with a cardiologist about the palpitations. For the most part, we eat healthy. We make our own meals and rarely eat out. I routinely get my pressure and cholesterol checked and it's never been a problem. I've certainly gained weight over the years but I'm sure it's mostly from the beer. I drink between half a gallon to a gallon of water a day, no sodas or anything else.

Interesting that a couple of people mentioned apnea. I hadn't considered that. I snore, loudly, not sure if there's a relationship but I'll be sure to mention it to the doctor.

I really appreciate everyone's comment. This is a great hobby but we need to be responsible and stay healthy... So we can keep brewing for a long time!

 

[bbohanon]

Be careful.

Agreed..stay happy and healthy!

 

[GHBWNY]

I'm 33 and haven't noticed a lot. I can't drink as much as I could at 23, but I don't try to as much either.

I haven't noticed any adverse effects, but my washing machine keeps shrinking my shirts and pants.

I have the same problem with our washing machine. While I'm *considerably* older than you, the "I don't try to [drink] as much" is something I can also relate to. In fact, it has been usurped by the "high" I get from the homebrew hobby. The enjoyment of the occasional self-produced pint is a bonus. My body simply can't indulge the way it used to in ANYTHING without paying for it.

 

[beersk]

My hangovers are unpredictable too. Sometimes a night of small alcohol consumption will make me reach for the aspirin the next morning, other times I will get drunk and have almost no hangover at all.

Same for me. I'm 33 and have been actively cutting back this last 6 months to year. I was drinking probably 3-5 pints a night, more on weekends. Now I try to have no more than 32-36oz in a night, even on weekends (doesn't always happen, but strive to not get drunk). I got stupid hammered a couple weeks ago for the first time in a while and felt hung over for about 2 days. It was bad. I never want to do that again. Never used to bother me, I'd probably have beers the next night, but this one was an eye opener. Everything in moderation, including moderation, I guess...

I think it's a matter of what you're used to as well. Since I was used to drinking a lot a year or more ago, getting hammered wasn't a huge deal, just feel a little crappy in the morning. But now, I value going to bed SOBER and getting a good night's sleep. So I tend to drink my beers earlier in the evening if I can help it.

Also, smaller pours! It's a psychological thing.

 

[hio3791]

But now, I value going to bed SOBER and getting a good night's sleep. So I tend to drink my beers earlier in the evening if I can help it.

This! I don't like to drink after 7 so I tend to enjoy my beers earlier, 4-7 kind of thing. I really like going to bed completely sober.

 

[BikerMatt]

A few doesn't affect my sleep (my shoulders are so locked up it helps me relax more than do any harm) but my wife has complained that if I drink even a little more than a few I snore like a boar the whole night, if I get smashed I toss and turn so much I often accidentally smack her while turning which is why I normally sleep on the couch if I know I'm gonna be drinking more.

 

[jojacques]

I'm only 30 and really enjoy craft beer (can't drink anything that comes in a 12 or 24 pack). I rarely drink wine or liquor, but craft beer is my go-to beverage on weekends and stressful week days.

I stopped drinking during the week as I am trying to stay healthier and loose weight (not easy for a young daddy), but I can say that I REALLY miss my 7:30-8 o-clock brew.

Funny how my hangovers can vary from time to time. I can drink 5-6 brews without a single hangover effect the next day, where other times I drink 2 and have a day-long headache. Brew nights are a good example: I generally start brewing around 7pm (when the little one goes to sleep) and can down 5-6 brews and go to bed at 2am and not have a hangover. Hum!

 

[beersk]

I'm only 30 and really enjoy craft beer (can't drink anything that comes in a 12 or 24 pack). I rarely drink wine or liquor, but craft beer is my go-to beverage on weekends and stressful week days.

A bit short sighted, don't you think? Many craft beers come in 12 packs, even 15 packs.

I really enjoy having a pour after work, one while making dinner, and maybe one after dinner. Just depends on what's happening. But, like the OP, I try not to have much beer after a certain time, usually 8 or 9 for me. Give me a couple hours to actually get tired before going to bed. Instead of being tired from beer...

 

[A2HB]

At the end of the day ETOH is a poison, and even though it tastes good, it's not good for you (in large quantities). As we age our bodies get less tolerant to the poisonous effects and the hangovers get worse. Really nothing we can do about it other than regulate how much you ingest, or just put up with the consequences if you over indulge.

Alcohol...the cause of...and solution to...all life's problems

 

[schematix]

I prefer to go to bed with a slight buzz. On week nights I don't touch my first beer until 9pm. But from 9-11 it's game on. When I first started home brewing i'd drink from 5-bed, but that naturally resulted in at least 6 beers being consumed, which is not sustainable.

 

[Honda88]

At the end of the day ETOH is a poison, and even though it tastes good, it's not good for you (in large quantities). As we age our bodies get less tolerant to the poisonous effects and the hangovers get worse. Really nothing we can do about it other than regulate how much you ingest, or just put up with the consequences if you over indulge.

Alcohol...the cause of...and solution to...all life's problems

I like drinking but I have always found it strange how alcohol is the most popular way for someone to intoxicate themselves. You would think that over the years we would figure out that this is a bad thing...We are smart enough to know the consequences but dumb enough to keep coming back for more lol.

 

[BikerMatt]

I like drinking but I have always found it strange how alcohol is the most popular way for someone to intoxicate themselves. You would think that over the years we would figure out that this is a bad thing...We are smart enough to know the consequences but dumb enough to keep coming back for more lol.

Not strictly related to drinking but a good analogy IMO..

I build and ride motorcycles. Streetfighters to be precise so the riding position is often not that ergonomic. After riding for three days straight through winding country roads to my friend's that lives 350km away, spending the middle day doing a trackday with her on a local race course and riding back home through torrential rain in the heat of the summer. When you get back home your ass hurts like hell, your knees are killing you, the backpack has mugged your shoulders blue and you're half deaf from listening to the exhaust and the breeze for nearly a thousand km. You're soaking wet to your undies from the rain, the hot steam that rises from the road and swimming in your own sweat. Barely able to walk you trudge to the back porch where your wife, bless her heart, carries you a cold tall beer. The best beer you've had in years even though it's the same brand you always drink. Then another. And while going through the third one you're already planning the next trip Three days later when your muscles have recovered all you can remember is grinning stupidly from ear to ear for three days straight and all those sweet sweet curves at the track. Not the rain, getting wet, the pain...

 

[hio3791]

Wait, you ride 350km one way to see your, female, friend then when you get home, your wife hands you a beer?

And you're complaining?

 

[BikerMatt]

Lol needed a good laugh

Did I mention she's a bit under thirty, tall hot and blonde and rides streetbikes. Talking about those sweet curves...

 

[hio3791]

I hate you

 

[BikerMatt]

I know it's a bit weird...

Probly worth mentioning she's also a good friend of my wife's, enough to be the godmother of out younger boy... we did befriend through a motorbike forum though

 

[Brewenstein]

Forum etiquette requires pics!

 

[Lefou]

At the end of the day ETOH is a poison, and even though it tastes good, it's not good for you (in large quantities). As we age our bodies get less tolerant to the poisonous effects and the hangovers get worse. Really nothing we can do about it other than regulate how much you ingest, or just put up with the consequences if you over indulge.

Alcohol...the cause of...and solution to...all life's problems

Agree 100%. I stick to beer and wine, no hard liquor, ever.

As I age, I've noticed a change in tolerance and suspect it has a lot to do with metabolism. Beer is a great winter warmer but lately it goes much better with food. Two 5% beers is the norm and four is the extreme limit now as more tends to disturb my sleep. One, maybe two Belgian-style tripels with food is great, but that's it.

 

[secondbase]

I'll be 35 next month. I definitely can't throw them back like I used to. I drink 4-5 nights a week, usually just 1 or 2 beers. Once or twice a month, I'll throw 4-5 back or tackle a few high gravity beers. I always feel it the next day when I do that.

 

[hio3791]

For anyone following this thread, as the OP, I had an appointment with my cardiologist today to understand the palpitations.

The good news is that the doctor believes my heart is healthy. They ran EKG tests and blood work. I have a follow up in 2 months with him where they'll do echo testing in order to conclusively rule out the heart.

He believes the palpitations is likely being caused by sleep apnea so he's referred me to a pulmonologist for further testing.

He wants me to do small lifestyle adjustments like cut back on coffee/sodium, exercise, moderate alcohol consumption, etc. Doing these changes and seeing a pulmonologist is why he wants me to come back in 2 months and see if these small changes improved my situation.

His advice though, and I thought I would share this, don't binge drink. He said 2 beers a day is significantly safer than saving your drinking for the weekend. Don't save your 14 beers a week for a 2 day marathon. He said continued weekend binging will lead to irreparable heart damage, regardless of age.

 

[hio3791]

I know it's a bit weird...

Probly worth mentioning she's also a good friend of my wife's, enough to be the godmother of out younger boy... we did befriend through a motorbike forum though

You're not my friend anymore. Only way to fix this would be by submitting pics of this 'friend'.

 

[BikerMatt]

Sorry bud she doesn't want to appear in social media.

Gland your ticker is safe, hope they find the cause so you can concentrate on fixing it!

 

[hio3791]

Sorry bud she doesn't want to appear in social media.

Gland your ticker is safe, hope they find the cause so you can concentrate on fixing it!

Just teasing in good fun.

Thanks for your kind words.

 

[BikerMatt]

Oh yea and as far as affects on body goes, this weird hemispheric dome has apparently decided to take recidence where my abs never were.

"Why have a sixpack when you can have a full barrel"

 

[hio3791]

I've always referred to it as 'muscle at rest'.

 

[BikerMatt]

We truckers call it front axle weight