For those of us who have wandered away from the immature, watered down American-made beers, we face many varieties and flavors. I was thinking last night (I know, shocking), that my taste in beer really has been all over the place through the years. Not that I dislike the things from yesterday, but more that I have found new flavors that have picqued the interest of my tastebuds. I present you, the chronology of my beer chosings:

High school: Being an athlete, I did not drink in high school. I did one time, but it wasn’t beer, and it didn’t turn out well.

College: I was a bonafide beer-snob in college. While everyone else was guzzling at the trailer-trash level with Natty Ice, I was drinking at the Manassas level with Coors Light. Not to say I didn’t touch some of the trash, as it was found in most kegs, but I did avoid it at all costs. I have also been known to drink Steel Reserve from time to time, but that’s merely for the 8% alcohol content and the challenge that came with killing the 40oz before it got warm and truly awful.

2005: I had found dark beers. Still being somewhat of a novice, Guinness was my brew de choice. Over the years, it has remained near the top of my list and I can regularly be found drinking one, but it’s certainly not #1 any longer.

2005.5: Newcastle! Mmmm, tasty! If you’ve ever had this from a tap, you know it’s some seriously mint brew. Like Guinness, it’s not my top beer any longer, but I buy it fairly regularly and still certainly enjoy every moment I spend with a glass full of this brown, intoxicating liquid.

2006: On a whim, I decided to try Magic Hat #9, a fruity finishing beer from up north. The taste got a little old following a short stint as the only beer I drank, but over time it’s found a nice place in my top 10, which means it’s drank now and again.

2006.5 and 2007: Bought a variety pack (created by me) at the wine/beer superstore, Total Wine. It was a good little package I put together; had a handful of beers that I know I’ll have or have already had again, but most notable amongst the bunch, St. Peter’s Organic Ale. It isn’t cheap, but it is an absolutely stellar beer, which can regularly be found in my refrigerator.

2007.5: This year has brought along many new beers, primarily thanks to my trip to the UK. You can read in the trip report to find out about all the ones I had on the trip, but I left the trip with a real interest in white beers thanks to my time with Kronenbourg Blanc. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find it in America, so I have decided to sample, and subsequently fall in love with Blue Moon. When I first tried it years ago, I could have sworn I recall disliking it, but apparently my taste in beer has changed over the years, which is really the whole idea of this post. I hope you enjoyed it! Please post up your beer-taste chronology!

Summary: Coors Light (somehow I grew to like Miller Lite more, post-college) -> Guinness -> Newcastle -> Magic Hat #9 -> St. Peter’s Organic Ale -> Blue Moon. With the exception of the Manassas-level beers, they can all be found in my fridge with some regularity. Cheers!