It was Groucho Marx who said that. I always found that self-deprecating quote to be pretty amusing; I even kind of agreed with it until I received one of the best presents of my life: a membership of the Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club.
My mom bought my dad a membership for his birthday several years ago and I was super jealous. A 12-pack of four different microbrews from around the country would show up on his doorstep every month. This was the best idea anyone ever had.
After dropping countless hints and even stealing a bottle or two of my dad's beers to take home for myself (my first taste of an oatmeal stout was a bottle I grabbed from my dad), my mom finally got me a membership of my own.
That was almost five years ago. It's hard to believe that it's been that long, so I guess the old cliche about the correlation between having fun and the perception of passed time might have something to it after all. One of my Christmas gifts every year is that she renews my membership. I love my mom and as you can see, she clearly loves me.
Every month I get a case of 12 beers (four different beers in a quantity of three each). I get the variety package so I get two domestic selections and two international. Thanks to the club, I've been introduced to some great brews which it's unlikely I would have even been able to try otherwise. Most of the selections are only distributed in their regions of origin.
My shipment always shows up at the end of the month, so by the 24th or so I start to salivate and get restless. Every time the dog barks I hope it's Lone Star Overnight delivering my beer, but it's usually just my neighbor slamming her door.
I just got my shipment yesterday and this month's selection is SweetWater IPA, Lazy Magnolia Jefferson Stout, Měšťanský Pivovar Havlíčkův Brod Lev Lion Pale Double Bock and Brasserie Meteor - Wendelinus Bière d’Abbaye
If you have enough disposable income, I highly recommend you get a membership. If not, start dropping hints now to your loved ones; Christmas is only four months away.
Drink pairing for this post: Brasserie Meteor - Wendelinus Bière d’Abbaye
Here was my first year on the plan...
ReplyDeleteGood read Dad. It seems like they cycle through their brews every so often, because I've had several of those in my shipments within the past year.
DeleteAlso, I've been checking up on news of Celis' return to Austin and it seems as though it's still in the planning/legal stages right now; no batches brewed yet.