How to handle breweries?

missrenahope

I am pretty sure a decent portion of my weight-gain relapse has been from brewery hopping. How do you all handle social drinking? I live in a town that is flooded with great breweries, my boyfriend and friends, as well as our families, love to go and get at least 2 drinks over a couple hours, sometimes more. Recently I have started only ordering half pints, but I still feel the social pressure.

Do you all have any tips for this?

cmriverside

I gave up drinking years ago. I know you're young and that's not your question.

Just log all the drinks and the food. You'll either learn it's not worth it, or find a way to save up some calories during the week so you can have a (400 calorie/pint IPA) beer.

wizzybeth

I would cut it down to one drink. And then followed up with a glass of water or club soda. Eat lightly throughout the week so that you have more calories banked for the night you go out. Getting an extra workout or two. Eventually you're going to count the cost and whatever means most to you is what you're going to do. I love love love my wine. But my days of drinking a whole bottle of wine in one sitting are over it's too many calories. I limit myself to one or two glasses at a time and not every night. Just because your friends are drinking... LOL... Insert mother's voice here... Doesn't mean you have to keep up with them. Unless you want to. And then again you have to go back to counting the cost. Are the calories worth it? If so enjoy yourself. If not then make the changes you need. To fit into your plan

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld

Calorie bank.

Save the calories on the few days running up to your night out.

missrenahope

Ugh, 400 calories... I'd so rather not.

WhereIsPJSoles

I’d get in the habit of asking about each brewery’s lowest calorie option. Good info to have in your back pocket, even if you choose something else. For each drink I always have a water in between because someone once told me to do that to prevent hangovers and it helps to cut down on overall drinks consumed when you’re running to the bathroom every 10 minutes. Plus extra steps

JaydedMiss

missrenahope wrote: »

Ugh, 400 calories... I'd so rather not.

then dont. simple enough no ones forcing you to drink

edited to be slightly less blunt: Lifes to short and weight loss is already hard enough to be forcing self to eat/do things you dont want to do. IF you want to fit them in, Do as the above said, IF you actually dont want it ...dont have it. Really is freeing to realize no one cares. You can still be there and enjoy company and not be drinking. I prefer to eat my calories

kenyonhaff

Learn the gentle, civilized art of beer tasting.

People who are beer enthusiasts learn to do a proper tasting, which is sampling small amounts of beer, and really learning to TASTE it. There's classes on this, and plenty of resources on the Internet.

Most really good breweries, brew-pubs, microbreweries and the like have samplers that allow you to taste many different kinds in small amounts rather than a pint. They're a great option to drink a little, enjoy yourself, and not end up a slobbering drunk (fat) fool.

If a tasting is not an option, just get ONE beer per place. You don't need to justify yourself or feel that if you only get one you're somehow being un-social. Factor it in as you would if you eat or drink anything else. I always suggest a good workout if you know you'll be out eating or drinking.

A true adult out on the town learns how to drink responsibly without being pressured (or think they are being pressured) by other people...whether it's drinking to excess for unsafe driving, or there's a big presentation tomorrow, or they're trying to lose weight.

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zwaag16

I get it, girl. This is so hard for me too where I'm at. A lot of breweries have various sizes you can order. You could try asking for a 10 oz instead of a pint. Or maybe try for a flight, which usually takes longer to finish and you can share with other people. Two 10 oz or a flight of four 6 oz beers is still better than 2 pints!

jemhh

Learn to moderate your drinking. It's no different than people who love cake or pizza or Buffalo chicken dip or biscuits and gravy. Budget your calories appropriately and you will be able to eat what you want just maybe not as much of it as you want.

lorrpb

Offer to be the designated driver.

greaseswabber

zwaag16 wrote: »

...Or maybe try for a flight, which usually takes longer to finish and you can share with other people. Two 10 oz or a flight of four 6 oz beers is still better than 2 pints!

kenyonhaff wrote: »

Most really good breweries, brew-pubs, microbreweries and the like have samplers that allow you to taste many different kinds in small amounts rather than a pint. They're a great option to drink a little, enjoy yourself, and not end up a slobbering drunk (fat) fool.

I agree on the option of getting a flight. Like most have said, drink if you want to, but you have to count it. A flight lets you try a variety, while keeping the total to 30 oz or less usually.

TavistockToad

missrenahope wrote: »

Ugh, 400 calories... I'd so rather not.

Then just don't...

tess5036

Volunteer to be the driver so you don't drink, plus everyone else appreciates your 'sacrifice'

AnnPT77

Definitely get a water alongside, IMO - a pint glass at least (ask for it that way so they don't give you a mini glass). It's pretty easy to quaff that first tasty craft brew really fast, then you have an empty glass while you sit & talk a long time, and people are more likely to "encourage" you to have another if your glass is empty.

Try to time your water/beer drinking so you have at least 1/4 glass or so left when others reorder, enough so you can legit say "not quite ready yet". Others are more likely to ignore your empty(ing) glass at times when they're not looking for an excuse to reorder. Get more water if you need to..

If they ask about the water up front, if you must, just say something like "too dehydrated - no water earlier". Don't make a bigger issue of any of that than you absolutely have to.

And enjoy the heck out of that delicious beer. Get your favorite, not the low cal option unless you really enjoy that one.

MarvinsAMartian

I just log it and move on. I love beer too much to give it up personally so I deal with the 'consequences'.

If it's become a health issue for you then hopefully you know to cut back or just stop altogether.

Cbean08

I drink a lot. In fact, the past two months my drinking has more than quadrupled and I've still lost weight. Learn to make choices - do you want a big meal, or do you want a few drinks?

Also, know which beers are likely to be higher in calories. Luckily, I dislike stouts and porters or any darker brews. These tend to have higher calories anyways. I drink mostly IPAs which can be a little lower on calories.

If you are going to a brewery, do some research before and see if you can find some calorie counts online. Then you'll have an idea of how many calories to allot. If you really can't find anything, then put aside 500 cals and enjoy 2 or 3 beers (depending on the size).

Also, skip the snacks. You're going drinking to be social and enjoy a good beer, not to eat crummy crackers and bar snacks.

nowine4me

I limit my outings to one per week with a two drink max. For me, that means 2 glasses of wine per week or 240 cals that I have pre-logged. If there are other spontaneous outings in the same week (like right now) I stick to club soda with lime.

Machka9

How to handle breweries?

There's one about 1/3 of the way up the local mountain. I cycle from sea level to it, and back down again sometimes. There's a bit of a park around it so I might stop for a moment to watch the ducks.

But I've never been inside.

Mr_Knight

missrenahope wrote: »

How do you all handle social drinking?

By placing my hand on the neck of the Don Julio bottle, and not letting go. The Don Draper diet is surprisingly effective....

lili200

It’s not only the beer but the less control one has after drinking..

tinkerbellang83

I have a few sociable drinks on a weekend, I fit it into my calorie allowance by doing IF 16:8 on Saturday and Sunday, having brunch instead of seperate Breakfast and Lunch gives me more calorie wiggle room for drinks or a meal out. I also try to get a workout or a hike in which also bumps up my allowance.

dragon_girl26

lili200 wrote: »

It’s not only the beer but the less control one has after drinking..

Not to mention the cost! Yikes! $$$

I love beer, too, and wine...and margaritas. Oh, I used to split pitchers of those things with friends. Once I started learning about calories and started losing weight, though, I couldn't do it anymore. Now I get a small margarita when I go to a Mexican restaurant, which isn't very often. It gives me the taste of it without having ti have excessive amounts, which was how I've learned to handle any other type of food/drink I love. I love 'em, but I'd rather have food for that amount of calories!
Try getting one..sipping it slowly, and making it last awhile. No one will probably notice.

jludwick78

Eat less during the week and save up those calories. And workout more. Keep the total calories-in lower regardless of how much you drink. I didn’t follow this rule this summer and gained 7 pounds since July! Stupid beer!