My Love-Hate Relationship with Beer

If you had asked me years ago whether I liked beer, I wouldn’t have hesitated.

“Absolutely not.”

I wasn’t someone who gradually drifted away from beer. I never really embraced it in the first place. Like many teenagers, my first experiences with beer came from doing what teenagers sometimes do: trying things simply because we weren’t supposed to. I remember hanging out with friends, taking a few sips, and wondering why anyone voluntarily drank something that tasted so bitter.

That opinion stayed with me for years.

Then Came the Beer Flight

Years later, while living in New York City, someone I was dating decided he was going to change my mind. Instead of ordering me one beer, he ordered an entire beer flight.

His logic made perfect sense. Surely there had to be one style of beer that I would enjoy.

I sampled every single glass.

And I disliked every single one.

It became a running joke between us that beer simply wasn’t my drink.

Travel Has a Way of Changing Your Mind

One of the unexpected gifts of international travel is that it teaches you to question your assumptions. Foods you once avoided suddenly taste different when they’re prepared locally. Wines become more interesting when you meet the people who produce them.

Beer turned out to be no different.

Instead of drinking beer because it was available, I started learning about where it came from, how it was brewed, and why certain styles reflected the places where they were made.

Suddenly, beer wasn’t just beer anymore. It was culture.

I Still Don’t Love Every Beer

To be clear, I’m still picky.

You can hand me a random beer at a party, and there’s a good chance I’ll politely decline. But if we’re talking about a thoughtfully brewed local beer that reflects the character of a region, now you’ve got my attention.

I’ve learned that I don’t need to like every style to appreciate the craftsmanship behind it.

Beer Became Another Way to Understand a Place

Today, I enjoy visiting breweries almost as much as museums or local markets. Each one tells a story about agriculture, history, water, climate, and the people who call that place home.

Those are the stories that interest me most.

They’re also the reason I continue saying yes whenever someone suggests trying a local beer.

Still Learning

I wouldn’t call myself a beer expert, and that’s perfectly okay.

I’m simply someone whose perspective changed through travel. What began as something I actively disliked has become another doorway into understanding culture and community.

Sometimes that’s the best part of traveling: discovering that you’ve changed without even realizing it.

Continue Exploring

If you’re planning a trip, don’t overlook local breweries and tasting experiences. Some of my favorite travel memories have started with a recommendation from a bartender and ended with a conversation I’d never expected to have. You can also browse unique food and drink experiences through GetYourGuide as you plan your next adventure.