The "Discount Liquor" Trap

We've all done it. Driven by naivete, idealism, or just sheer laziness, at some point we have all fallen into the "Discount Liquor" trap.

Today, it happened to me.

I was driving home from a school after a long day of studying (yes, when you are in law school you actually have to study for final exams), and decided to pick up some beer. I was on my way to my favorite liquor store near school and hit a fair amount of traffic. This was the last thing I needed. A line of cars was standing between me and a much needed beer. 

Then I saw it. The neon lights and promises of low prices drew me in. Even the name, "Liquor Warehouse," screamed "great selection!" I was sold. I diverted from my original path and stepped into the warehouse. Much to my dismay, this "warehouse" was little more than a closet filled with Natural Light and Traveler's Club vodka. I found myself eye to eye once again with the very products which once lay hidden under my bed from my parents in high school. Overcome with disappointment, frustration, and anger, a mere 20 seconds later I stormed out the front door and back to my car.

Thus, I continued on my journey. Inching through traffic, closer and closer by the second, I thought to myself, maybe I should have just sucked it up at the other store. This moment of weakness quickly subsided, however, when I finally arrived. Like a kid in a candy store, no, like I just walked through the gates of heaven - I could have sworn I saw a bright light surrounding the sign that read, "Micro-Brews."

Finally.

Thirty dollars later, I was was walking out the door with a pack of Dogfish Head's 90 Minute IPA, and two of Dogfish's larger bottles that I had never tried before - Theobroma and Namaste. Well, this night just got interesting.

Dogfish Head beers never disappoint. Everyone that I've tried so far has been flavorful, complex, and most importantly - strong. Each of these brews has an ABV of around 9% (except for Namaste, which was a mere 5%). I'll post a full review of each of these beers at some point in the future, but that is not my goal here.

No, here I attempt to impart one simple message. The passion, quality ingredients, and dedication that go into a quality craft beer all go to waste if you don't know where to look.

Like most of you, in college I reveled in the ability to walk to the corner liquor store and grab a 30 of [insert generic cheap beer here]. And now, living in a city on a graduate student's budget, I won't deny that the allure of this convenience has not completely escaped me. But for those nights when you just feel like sitting on the couch and enjoying, actually enjoying, the beer you're drinking, do me and yourself a favor: put your big boy (or girl) pants on and drive to a real liquor store.