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Beer...? Meh.

I don't like beer.  I've tried over the course of the last 20 years to like it, but have failed every time.  My most recent try was last September with a beer after a 22 mile bike ride.  Yuck!  That liquid is so bitter, it reminds me of sawdust (not that I ingest that, either).  Occasionally, some interesting brew will have an intriguing smell, but much like the deception of coffee, the smell masks the lurking taste of ewwwwwwwwwww.
     This lack of hopsphilia comes at a price.  Many, many (if not most) adult social events revolve around beer.  Sure, sometimes hard liquor or wine (or some other kind of alcohol) is available, but not always.  And certainly not at beer's price.  So, I stand around with my glass of wine or water looking inside at all the beer drinkers and their fun.
     Much like my antipathy for professional sports, I remain at the edges of American culture.  Not many people stand around vociferously cursing garlic mustard or black swallow-wort, but they will debate sports and beer--while drinking beer and looking at a 500 inch plasma TV image of some sporting event.
     I really wish I did like beer, but I don't, I can't, I won't.  I'm relegated to the outside.
     Anyone want to join me for a scrumpy?
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