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August 13, 2003Beer For The PeopleThe camaraderie of beer drinkers always amazes me. In a small town bar, normally populated by regulars, this night is dominated by out-of-towners. Though they may look like most locals, they “ain’t from around here.” It doesn’t matter. There’s co’ beer. A person can sidle up to the bar and take a seat next to a stranger and start talking with little more than a “How do.” Within a half hour, you’ve discussed each other’s hometowns, folks known in common, your occupations (or lack thereof), tastes in music, and folksy explanations of what it means to be in a dry township. Through the conversation, a local and an outsider agree to split a pitcher of co’ beer. Before long, other outsiders are asking you to play the jukebox with their quarters. The bar is populated with truck drivers, executives, construction workers, entrepreneurs, shop owners, appraisers, bailsbondmen, and the independently wealthy. We talk, we joke, we poke fun, we laugh together. Some are loud, some are silent. Some only react when properly motivated. The music ranges from Nirvana to Hank Williams, Jr, to Patsy Cline. Crazy? Not at all, it is the camaraderie of beer. While so many people associate beer with barroom brawls and redneck rumbles, your humble correspondent is here to testify to the unifying nature of beer. Beer enables you to create ‘insta-friends.’ A person you have only just met now listens to stories you have only told a handful of people. You share intimate secrets, actions you are too ashamed to share with others, and stories you refuse to share with your closest friends and family. Beer—the great unifier. You want peace in the Middle East? Give the diplomats some co’ beer. You want to find Saddam? Offer the people of Tikrit co’ beer. You want someone’s vote? Give beer. Seeking to find common bonds among diverse groups? Raise a mug of co’ beer. You want world peace? Install kegs of co’ beer in the General Assembly of the U.N. Beer—Drink of the people, mankind's best hope for world peace. Comments
RIGHT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!! Posted by: ho at August 13, 2003 12:58 PMSigh...I agree with you whole heartedly. Posted by: Miss Bliss at August 13, 2003 03:07 PMCouldn't agree more! Posted by: Julia at August 13, 2003 04:33 PMGrant being from Australia he always makes fun of how us 'americans' are so caught up on the downside of alcohol we don't have enough fun. Posted by: Ash at August 13, 2003 05:03 PMI'll drink to that. Beer - Nectar of the gods. Posted by: Val Prieto at August 15, 2003 10:17 AMPost a comment
 
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