8000 = 200

So here I am, just over 7 months into my "awakening" (if you will) where craft brew is concerned, and I have finally rated my 200th beer on Ratebeer.com. That averages out to be just under 30 beers per month, almost a beer a day. A new beer every day. Now, of course, this isn't the case, most have come through tastings with generous friends, who have been in this game a helluva lot longer than I have. To be truthful, 200 may be a milestone for me, but I'm still a newbie in the craft beer world.

I've come a long way in the past seven months as far as my palate, tastes, and knowledge are concerned. When I first was turned on to Ratebeer.com, I said to myself, "I bet that I can list 500 beers that I've tasted." I got to around 150 before I ran out. But I couldn't remember what any of them tasted like, at least specifically. So I started with one, and tasted my way to 200 so far.

So here I am, less than a year into my beer brewing/geekery. Among other things, this is what I've learned:
1. "Beer Geeks" are "Beer Lovers" who go to meetings . . . homebrew and beer club meetings.
2. Beer, above all other beverages, carries with it an inherent sense of community and camaraderie instead of an air of snobery and I'm-better-than-you-idness. I mean, come on, it's beer!
3. Hops are a tongue's best friend.
4. Anything I can't pronounce is usually good. (Yeah Weinhiphenstaphent yeast, or whatever Nate said.)

And what did I have for my 200th rate? Bells Batch 8000. Here's what I said.

(200) 12 oz. bottle, early Christmas present from Justin. Pours hazy gold with a touch of amber. Head was small and white, quickly disapating. Nose is spicy, mainly clove with some banana and alcohol. Wheat flavor, lots of clove and spice, some fruit, banana and raisin. Very dry finish, with some alcohol and a whole bunch of warmth. Pretty decent after in breathes for a bit. Drinkable, but in moderation.

So . . . Prost! Salud! Na zdrowie! . . . and most of all, CHEERS!!

I'm off to have #201.

-Dave