I know it is tedious and self-serving for an organization to announce something like this but maybe it's time for there to be an annual A Good Beer Blog beer drinker of the year. Consider this announcement by the UK's All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group:
Michelin starred chef Sriram Aylur of Quilon restaurant in London’s Victoria was this week made “Beer Drinker of the Year” by the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group. Announcing the award at the Beer Awards dinner in London the Group’s Chairman, Burton-upon-Trent MP Andrew Griffiths said: “Our 2011 Beer Drinker of the Year is passionate about our national drink, and a beer champion. His restaurant is now a magnet for brewers from all over the world, for gastronomes and those who want a lunch or dinner with a real difference.
OK, there would have to be a few ground rules about this sort of thing if it were ever to be considered. Wielding a "a magnet for gastronomes" would be right out. Let's face it - gastronomes cost too much to hand around with and, really, has anyone looked in the mirror and asked how they can work more gastronomes into their life? No. Then, there is the whole "passion" thing. 'Nuff said. But most of all, I would like the beer drinker of the year be remarkable for a year's worth of beer drinking. With all due respect, Mr. Aylur appears to be the UK's Beer Vendor to Really Rich People of the Year.
If ever created, this blog's award would have to be a different sort of recognition. Forget the gastronomes. And none of that "name the beer style" crap either. It would recognize creativity in beer drinking - like how many beer shopping sprees were taken in the year in the guise of family trips. And there would have to be some recognition of prudence and community service - as in the guy who saves his pal from buying a $35 bottle by pointing out the better $6.99 one the next aisle over. Plus, there has to be a spirit of generosity and a track record of social lubrication. Applications would have to be accompanied by recommendations from other beer drinkers about how the guy spotted others beers, was the designated driver and was eager to pull bottles from the stash to pass around.
Isn't that what the beer drinker of the year really needs to be about? What other important qualities could there be? Now, if we can only find a sponsor to fund it all. Oh, yeah. Forgot. That's why these things are so often about Really Rich People of the Year.
Comments
Knut Albert - July 19, 2011 8:57 AM
A great post! I'd not be surprised if Mr. Aylur hosted a nice dinner for the All-Party group afterwards. They need every freebie they can get now they cannot deduct expenses from imaginary second homes any longer...
Stephen Beaumont - July 19, 2011 9:55 AM
Erm, not to put too fine a point on it, Mr. McL, but from the criteria you outline it looks very much like a self-coronation.
And as a self-confessed (and self-employed, therefore very much NOT rich) gastronome, I'll have you know that a true gastronome can be as excited over a Chicago dog as over foie gras, as thrilled by a good burger as by a well-grilled steak.
Alan - July 19, 2011 10:32 AM
No, no - it's you Mr B. who I plan to anoint!!! Because I know about those hot doggy thoughts of yours. And it is you who take "ass" completely out of gastronome. ;-)
But, to your point, man is clearly the measure of all things and one can only measure what one and as one can see. So... it's an award for being like me. I admit it.
That being said, maybe I can still leverage it. Maybe I will do what I recall from IT industry conferences back in the day and invite people to confirm their award with a healthy cheque according to silver, gold or platinum standing in my eyes.
Jeff Alworth - July 19, 2011 1:24 PM
I like it. You might add a category for enjoyment. This is the key to good beer drinking--the enjoying, not the beer. Applicants would have to list the exceptional ways in which they've enjoyed beers, like toting a bottle up a tall mountain or toasting the nuptials of a friend with homebrew.
It would confuse extreme beer nerds who think that collecting ticks of imperial IPAs is the goal.
If you knew any rich people willing to sponsor things, I doubt seriously you'd be blogging. Anyway, that's what my wife keeps telling me.
Knut Albert - July 20, 2011 4:02 AM
Your wife is probably right! My wife has imilar opinions...
Eva Becks - July 20, 2011 4:30 AM
I agree with Alan. An announcement has to be done for the beer drinker of the year. Good post. Thanks. Keep us updated with more such fun posts.
Alan - July 20, 2011 8:33 AM
And will Becks sponsoring it or is this just another big brewing spamming tragedy laced with irony?
Craig - July 20, 2011 9:55 PM
I've drank twelve pints of Wells Bombardier in since Monday afternoon. Am I at all in the running?
Alan - July 20, 2011 10:43 PM
Holiday time?