When do you know you’ve had at least one too many?
When you quit even trying to pronounce convivial and admit you should have stuck to session beers.
Today the Wall Street Journal examines “The Future of Beer in Europe.” Which isn’t looking all that great. Interesting timing for me since I just started reading Dethroning the King: The Hostile Takeover of Anheuser-Busch definitely more a book about business than beer.
I expect to make a serious dent in it tomorrow during my flight to Houston for Dixie Cup XXVII.
Anyway, Matthew Dalton writes, “the message is that ‘convivial’ drinking occupies a middle ground somewhere between not drinking at all and drinking so much that you collapse on the street in a pool of your own vomit.”
That’s the sweet spot I’ll be aiming for in Houston.
Why am I not surprised there’s no citation for the claim that the Commission are seeking to harmonise EU alcohol taxes? There’s not a chance in hell of it happening.
I just ordered that book from Amazon. Looking forward to reading it. So NO SPOILERS, please!
Maureen – I’m pretty sure you know how it ends ;>)
I agree with TNB. A few years ago they tried something similar. The beer lobbies from Germany and CZ (and perhaps someone else) strongly opposed it and the whole thing was shelved.
This doesn’t mean, though, that beer taxes aren’t set to increase in most EU countries. Governments need cash, and quickly.
When an article begins: “Nothing beats an ice-cold … beer after a long day at work” I think the POV of the author is pretty clear. The article seems like pretty sloppy reporting by someone who seems to lack an understanding of the subject. Given the state of journalism these days, disappointing, but not really that surprising.
‘convivial’ drinking occupies a middle ground somewhere between not drinking at all and drinking so much that you collapse on the street in a pool of your own vomit.”
Umm, I think almost all drinking occupies this space. Can’t we have a slightly better definition?
Jeff, see my comment above. Particularly this part: “someone who seems to lack an understanding of the subject.”
FWIW, convivial drinking to me means getting together with friends for an evening of enjoyable conversation. Good drink and food accompany the experience.
FWIW2, in the Dutch-speaking world, “gezellig” and in the German-speaking world, “gemütlich” have been used for decades, if not longer, to describe a pub as convivial/cozy, so this is nothing really new.
In all fairness to the reporter, the story was about issues large brewing companies face in Europe. I think he was being a bit tongue in cheek in describing ‘convivial.’ I passed that along because I found it amusing.
Stan, I’m sorry, but you are wrong. The Brewers of Europe represents all breweries large and small – about 4000 in total, they say. And the EU measure he talks about (incorrectly) would affect all breweries as well. I have re-read the article and, frankly, I have no idea how you concluded his description was “tongue in cheek”. If you mean it was ludicrous, I agree. However, how do you know what his intention was?
“…and admit you should have stuck to session beers.”
Whatever do you mean? I often session Old Rasputin and many of my friends at the bar find me quite convivial…
Oh, wait — sorry, I thought this was BeerAdvocate. 😉
(Joke — Todd & J — joke!)
I think, “Remember Desperados kicks like a mule in velvet socks so take it easy” is the phrase that pays.