365 days without booze... join me?
Discussion
Quite enjoying dry January, its not hard for me personally doing without the alcohol in fact its quite nice.
What I have discovered is that I love having a beer, the taste and how it feels and not necessarily the effects, have been having the odd zero alcohol one and they are really quite good.
Becks Blue does the trick, honestly give them a try.
Going to go until mid feb when we go on holiday for a few days, will have some proper beers when away but going to keep a stash of the zero stuff in going forward, its not all the expensive either 15 for £7 which is 46p ish for a bottle and its only 53 calories, under half a proper bottle.
I used to avoid them like the plague but am really pleased that I can drink one, enjoy it and am not missing the alcohol in it.
Punk AF from Brewdog is ok, not as close to Punk IPA as the Becks Blue is to normal Becks but not bad.
What I have discovered is that I love having a beer, the taste and how it feels and not necessarily the effects, have been having the odd zero alcohol one and they are really quite good.
Becks Blue does the trick, honestly give them a try.
Going to go until mid feb when we go on holiday for a few days, will have some proper beers when away but going to keep a stash of the zero stuff in going forward, its not all the expensive either 15 for £7 which is 46p ish for a bottle and its only 53 calories, under half a proper bottle.
I used to avoid them like the plague but am really pleased that I can drink one, enjoy it and am not missing the alcohol in it.
Punk AF from Brewdog is ok, not as close to Punk IPA as the Becks Blue is to normal Becks but not bad.
Picked up some AF from Morrisons, first one I saw, 8x330ml cans of Bavaria for £4. Was a bit pessimistic but they're very palatable and yup, quite like drinking them without the effects, bit of a crutch to help me make the end of the month and we'll see after that.
14 days in, bit optimistic but Try Dry reckons I've saved enough to have my wheels refurbed, which naturally man maths dictated I did ahead of actually achieving it.
14 days in, bit optimistic but Try Dry reckons I've saved enough to have my wheels refurbed, which naturally man maths dictated I did ahead of actually achieving it.
Jamie VTS said:
I’ve been enjoying brew dog Punk AF. I know it’s 0.5... but I’m not counting it!
I wouldnt worry about 0.5 % beers, would need to drink just over 11 Punk AF to simulate one can of Punk IPA, so about 3.7 litres of the stuff, and Punk IPA though reasonably strong, its not that strong. I would probably need 6 Punk IPA's to feel it properly so would need 22 litres, nearly 5 gallons, would drown before you got pissed !
Jamie VTS said:
I’ve been enjoying brew dog Punk AF. I know it’s 0.5... but I’m not counting it!
Me too, what with the equity for punks thing and an extra discount for it being during the day and an extra couple of percent off for being my local and free refills during January, it’s costing me about £3.50 for 3 pints. Still prefer Hazy AF, mind, they just don’t have it on as frequently.ambuletz said:
Not wanting to sift thruough 34 pages, my Question...
To those who are sort of used to just having something to sip on during the evenings as something to chill/relax...how did you change it up? did you replace it with something?
I'm thinking that perhaps the answer might be for me to have perhaps some sparkling water with a little cordial.
I have very cold carbonated spring water, sometimes with fresh orange juice. If I go to a restaurant, I have Seedlip with tonic ice and lemon.To those who are sort of used to just having something to sip on during the evenings as something to chill/relax...how did you change it up? did you replace it with something?
I'm thinking that perhaps the answer might be for me to have perhaps some sparkling water with a little cordial.
solid logic there!3rd year doing dry January and not bothered with the non alcoholic beers this time because my local Tesco don't seem to be stocking warsteiner any longer. Easiest dry Jan yet, not missing the drink at all. Just drinking water in the evenings. Must admit I'm feeling a lot better generally and actually look forward to going to bed. From February I might have a rule of no alcohol at home, just when out at the pub.
Found what I consider the holy grail in AF beer at Tesco last night, Calsberg Nordic. I've tried all the others, but this is by far the closest match to what it's trying to replicate.
Carlsberg isn't exactly up there with the greatest tasting beers, and I think this lends itself to helping the AF version achieve its goal. It's remarkably similar to the real thing, and the only one I've come across without that "odd" aftertaste you get with AF stuff. 0.05% abv too as opposed to 0.5%, in case that bothers anyone.
Other than that, Brewdog AF is great. I'm not a huge fan of IPA, and I think as I don't drink it often I'm not accustomed to the taste so much, so its easier to be fooled into thinking it must taste like the real deal.
2 weeks into dry January now, and it's never been easier. With the option of a decent alternative above, if I choose to, I've not even thought about it for a good few nights. A month ago, I'd have been clammy at the thought of going an entire weekend without a beer either night, but literally breezed through last weekend. Shame the weight is disappearing, but hopefully that will come in time.
Well done everyone making the change, its great to see so many people giving it a go. While I'm not in for the 365 days, I'm making this year the year where drinking is the exception not the rule, a stark contrast to the last couple of years.
Carlsberg isn't exactly up there with the greatest tasting beers, and I think this lends itself to helping the AF version achieve its goal. It's remarkably similar to the real thing, and the only one I've come across without that "odd" aftertaste you get with AF stuff. 0.05% abv too as opposed to 0.5%, in case that bothers anyone.
Other than that, Brewdog AF is great. I'm not a huge fan of IPA, and I think as I don't drink it often I'm not accustomed to the taste so much, so its easier to be fooled into thinking it must taste like the real deal.
2 weeks into dry January now, and it's never been easier. With the option of a decent alternative above, if I choose to, I've not even thought about it for a good few nights. A month ago, I'd have been clammy at the thought of going an entire weekend without a beer either night, but literally breezed through last weekend. Shame the weight is disappearing, but hopefully that will come in time.
Well done everyone making the change, its great to see so many people giving it a go. While I'm not in for the 365 days, I'm making this year the year where drinking is the exception not the rule, a stark contrast to the last couple of years.
RammyMP said:
For the second week I’m sat in a hotel restaurant on my own drinking lemonade. To be honest I’m not missing the drink.
The last twice that i've fallen off the wagon was when i was travelling for work and in posh hotels on my lonesome. Last time was a particularly tough few days in London, beautiful weather and as i got out of the taxi one of the teams was stood there with 2 ice cold lagers. I'd kept it to myself that i was off it and well, it was rude not to. Missed flight home, ended up in London City centre in some very questionable establishments and the worst part was that it made perfect sense to bung it all on the company AMEX. That was a difficult conversation with the boss.
I've avoided AF beer as i know that it's marginal but it's all or nothing for me. Kudos to those that can enjoy it.
Tried Veltins 0% pilsner... very sweet, didn't like it.
Then tried Brooklyn "Special Effects" 0.4%.
Tasted hoppy and bitter. Quite nice. Forgot it wasn't a proper beer.
Then after about 3, realised that I was feeling exceptionally clear headed! Quite a pleasant experience.
It is dangerous though. One of the lads went to get a round and I almost ended up with a normal pint.
Then tried Brooklyn "Special Effects" 0.4%.
Tasted hoppy and bitter. Quite nice. Forgot it wasn't a proper beer.
Then after about 3, realised that I was feeling exceptionally clear headed! Quite a pleasant experience.
It is dangerous though. One of the lads went to get a round and I almost ended up with a normal pint.
Glade said:
Tried Veltins 0% pilsner... very sweet, didn't like it.
Then tried Brooklyn "Special Effects" 0.4%.
Tasted hoppy and bitter. Quite nice. Forgot it wasn't a proper beer.
Then after about 3, realised that I was feeling exceptionally clear headed! Quite a pleasant experience.
It is dangerous though. One of the lads went to get a round and I almost ended up with a normal pint.
I work with a dinosaur that can’t accept People can go to the pub and have NA drinks.Then tried Brooklyn "Special Effects" 0.4%.
Tasted hoppy and bitter. Quite nice. Forgot it wasn't a proper beer.
Then after about 3, realised that I was feeling exceptionally clear headed! Quite a pleasant experience.
It is dangerous though. One of the lads went to get a round and I almost ended up with a normal pint.
Has to always suggest that there must have been deep rooted issues to stop drinking.
Sadly lots of this around still
Joscal said:
They just don’t like it as it’s holding a mirror up to them and they don’t like what they see..
Yep. In my experience people who are trying to get and stay sober are challenged the most by those around them who drink in a similar fashion.In many cases, they consciously or unconsciously sabotage their friend's attempt to quit.
Many times I've heard a client tell me of friends or relatives who tell them that they dont have an alcohol problem and that surely one drink won't hurt?
Blib said:
Yep. In my experience people who are trying to get and stay sober are challenged the most by those around them who drink in a similar fashion.
In many cases, they consciously or unconsciously sabotage their friend's attempt to quit.
Many times I've heard a client tell me of friends or relatives who tell them that they dont have an alcohol problem and that surely one drink won't hurt?
My experience too, although they do get the message eventually!In many cases, they consciously or unconsciously sabotage their friend's attempt to quit.
Many times I've heard a client tell me of friends or relatives who tell them that they dont have an alcohol problem and that surely one drink won't hurt?
Blib said:
Joscal said:
They just don’t like it as it’s holding a mirror up to them and they don’t like what they see..
Yep. In my experience people who are trying to get and stay sober are challenged the most by those around them who drink in a similar fashion.In many cases, they consciously or unconsciously sabotage their friend's attempt to quit.
Many times I've heard a client tell me of friends or relatives who tell them that they dont have an alcohol problem and that surely one drink won't hurt?
Same with exercising, perhaps, in part, why some folk hate cyclists so much, maybe makes them feel guilty that they dont, along with the being stuck behind them, running red lights and all the normal moans.
Weekend 3 of 5 is here already.
I'm 18 days in with no beer and caffeine and I have no desire to drink. The dry January app tells me I've already saved 122 units, £132 and 9210 calories.
I had a followup blood test yesterday after the one that I had before Christmas that showed my liver was functioning on the high side of normal. That result scared the s
te out of me as Ive known for the last couple of years I've been taking the piss with the ale. Not big man levels of drinking but enough to make me think wtf am I doing I'm not 19 anymore and pack it in for a bit.
A major revelation is that I haven't been anxious since before New Year. I've struggled with my mental health my whole adult life aka as long as I've been drinking. I may be going through a decent patch but I can't help think that no booze, joining the gym and sleeping better is helping this. Part of drinking was to dull my level of anxiety but it could have been causing it...
I'm taking it one day at time but thinking about doing 100 days rather than dry January. I know the title of the thread is 365 days
Good luck eveyone.
I'm 18 days in with no beer and caffeine and I have no desire to drink. The dry January app tells me I've already saved 122 units, £132 and 9210 calories.
I had a followup blood test yesterday after the one that I had before Christmas that showed my liver was functioning on the high side of normal. That result scared the s
te out of me as Ive known for the last couple of years I've been taking the piss with the ale. Not big man levels of drinking but enough to make me think wtf am I doing I'm not 19 anymore and pack it in for a bit. A major revelation is that I haven't been anxious since before New Year. I've struggled with my mental health my whole adult life aka as long as I've been drinking. I may be going through a decent patch but I can't help think that no booze, joining the gym and sleeping better is helping this. Part of drinking was to dull my level of anxiety but it could have been causing it...
I'm taking it one day at time but thinking about doing 100 days rather than dry January. I know the title of the thread is 365 days
Good luck eveyone.
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