Grand opening parties are grand. Relief that another brewery has fought through the red tape and opened and the happiness inherent in getting chance to try new beers.
But grand openings or anniversary parties shouldn’t be the the end of the story. I understand that you can’t be a regular at every bar or brewery. Until clones and jet packs are feasible. But being a person who “only” shows up at special events means you are not getting the full experience. Just a heightened one.
And you are missing the chance to truly see the place. Big parties fill a space. Finding room to sit or stand at all so you can fully enjoy your beer can be difficult. Or you may have more space but you are outdoors in the heat. It can be hard to get beer because of so many people in line and hard to hear conversations because of so many people in line.
This isn’t a screed against the party atmosphere. True, it is not my favorite way to drink but communal sharing of beer is great. Celebrating a milestone is great. But the ability to sit in peace at the bar and ask the bartender or brewer a question or two is invaluable and is sometimes a better way to really savor the beer in front of you. To be able to see and smell your beer without being jostled about is better.
Not only is it better for you but better for the establishment that doesn’t have to plan event after event to bring the masses in the door. If a brewery can have a steady stream of people it is better than a raging flood followed by nothing.
I will end with a TV metaphor. A show has a wedding. Two characters have finally tied the knot. The show seems to lose viewers. Now that the happy ending is in place, why watch. The fun was the couple falling in love, then out, then back in.
Peel the label is an occasional post behind the beer scenes with no links or photos. Just opinion.
Don’t stop watching a show just because one milestone has been reached. There is more comedy or drama to see. Just a different kind. So don’t go to a grand opening then wait a year to go back for the 1st anniversary. Go back as much as you can. You just might find more to love.
