If you are reading this, odds are you really love craft beer or you really love me. Either way, I hope this will be of interest. Like most of you who blog, tweet, facebook and G+ about craft beer, you probably have a regular 9-5 that pays the bills and the rest is just because you care about your hobby (craft beer) enough to become involved in the community. I can’t blame you, as craft beer people are some of the best people to be associated with. They are engaged, welcoming and all around good people. The passion that is displayed about and by the people who make and enjoy craft beer is amazing, however I find myself in a balancing act. I am a husband and a father of two wonderful children (7, 4), who make it challenging at times to be as big a part of the community as I would want to be. I don’t often go out to visit the bars where events take place and I only go to about 1 of every 4 events that I want to. I want to still be a present father and an engaged husband to my wife and I find that a delicate balancing act at times.
I don’t want my kids to be with a babysitter every weekend, so I forgo some of my passions for the betterment of the rest of my life. Sure there will be times I look longingly at the latest beers on tap from some of my local bars and feel like I missed out when all of my fellow beer folks are engaged with a brewer at a local tasting, but I feel like I am making the right choice. Most of my tastings come from a trip to my local store (usually Cranbury Buy Rite) where I purchase the latest brews to sample and enjoy them at home. I wonder if I am the only one who walks this fine line of hobby and life.
I am an avid golfer as well, and have come to grips with the fact that although I might want to golf more, twice a month works best for all facets of my life, my wallet included. That bi-weekly engagement during the summer months, where I go out to the course, usually with my father and a couple of my brothers has proven to be enough to keep my appetite fed. I have yet to find that balance with craft beer. I have yet to find the right amount of life’s indulgence to keep me from feeling, well, like I am half assing it.
This was started as a way to help me get involved in the community more and without a doubt it has. I have met and talked to some wonderful people in the past 11 months and I wouldn’t change it at all. It has also though made me realize that maybe my conviction as a father and husband and my desire to be present in their everyday life is what might hold me back.
So I ask all of you out there, parents, non parents, married folks and you single people how do you balance it? How do you manage to stay in the know in the craft beer community while still balancing the rest of your life?
Though I don’t yet have kids, I know how you feel in terms of feeling limited while you are trying to be more involved. For me, I am always limited by money but I am hoping that will change very soon. I would like to be able to visit Founders more than twice per year considering it is so close by and I love their beer! Luckily, I live within a stone’s throw of a small bar called Last Chance Tavern where they have Michigan beers on tap for $3 on Tuesdays and they have a pretty good variety. They only lack the obscure brews that you can only get at the brewpubs. I’ve always wanted to go to New Holland Brewery but I just don’t think even a trip that small is in my budget because I know once I am there, I will rack up a huge bar tab! It took me several months before I finally felt comfortable spending close to $40 on ingredients for my next batch of home brew.