The epic struggle of good beer

DavidSTC

It's simple math. You just need to balance what you put in your mouth vs. what you burn off. I lost 50lbs and during that time I brewed (drank) several batches and got on a beer exploration kick to try all kinds of new exotic brews (tracked with UNTAPPD app). The toughest part is being completely honest with yourself; track every beer, track it accurately (home brews can be between 300-400cals), log your exercise accurately (HRM Accurate not MFP questimate) and regardless of hang over level... workout just as hard as normal. I used to work out extra hard the day before I knew I was going to go on a bender.

What is HRM vs. MFP?

Using a heart rate monitor to accurately track calories burned vs. searching the MFP database that tells us 20 minutes of light housework burns 920 cals. The database is ok for general stuff, but if the OP really wants to know if he can have that 5th beer it's important the know the exact value of his workouts. I consider calories like currency.

OK, thanks. I've been wondering about the value of a heart rate monitor. I'm going to research that now.

allisonrinkel

This is a huge red flag for possibly a alcohol dependency concern. You are willing to eat less/purge/whatever just to have beer...sounds like you love beer more than yourself.

I don't think making your own home brew and wanting to enjoy makes you an alcoholic.

It makes you a beer loving human being in my books!

(not to make light of alcohol or any other addictions)

RGv2

This is a huge red flag for possibly a alcohol dependency concern. You are willing to eat less/purge/whatever just to have beer...sounds like you love beer more than yourself.

I don't think making your own home brew and wanting to enjoy makes you an alcoholic.

It makes you a beer loving human being in my books!

(not to make light of alcohol or any other addictions)

I LOL'd at that first post.

plkbplkb

I always make room for great beer during the week. Enjoying great beer and not drinking to get drunk, is NOT a sign of an alcohol problem (for those commenting on that). If someone made something that tasted like my favorite IPAs without alcohol, I would still drink it. It is all about the taste. No different than people who eat junk food for the taste.

I do extra cardio on days that I know I will be drinking. Again, no different than making room for other food that is not perfect fuel.

sdbeachbum

So one of the few me things I get to do it home brewing. I like to brew and share it with others. I just started winging my own recipes and am excited about it. Recently I brewed a batch (contential pilsner) and it is like a potato chip, you cant have one. Now drunkenness isnt the goal and doesnt happen, but I gained a lot of weight back since this batch is done. So to all my fellow beer lovers out there I have a idea and I am going to bounce it off of you.

Have beer once a week follow by a day of purging and increase exercise through out the week. Thoughts?

For those who are tempted to put "give up beer", don't.

You sir, are genius. I'm in!

justal313

I'm sorry, did you say purging?

Drink enough and you'll purge even if you didn't want to. It's why I limit my intake after losing this much weight. The first time I had more than one after taking off the weight I had no idea how many more than one I could have (not many at all) and wound up purging all over the alley behind the bar.

richardheath

This is a huge red flag for possibly a alcohol dependency concern. You are willing to eat less/purge/whatever just to have beer...sounds like you love beer more than yourself.

I don't think making your own home brew and wanting to enjoy makes you an alcoholic.

It makes you a beer loving human being in my books!

(not to make light of alcohol or any other addictions)

I don't think it was the fact that he homebrews that caused the red flag. At least I hope not! Although I do get that comment myself sometimes when I tell people I homebrew. I just ask them if that means everyone who likes to bake are therefore also gluttons? Just because you bake a cake, doesn't mean you are going to sit down and eat the whole thing in one sitting.

I think the red flag was the line from the OP "Have beer once a week follow by a day of purging and increase exercise through out the week."

SacrificeSufferSalvation

I would like to thank everyone for the comments and advice. Please let me clarify a few things.

1) I do not get drunk. If I start to get buzzed I stop drinking until it goes away.

2) By purging I meant like a fast of lots of water and lighter food for the day. Salads and stuff I guess, didnt really have a plan.

3) Do not accuse me of drinking light beer, I wrote good beer for a reason.

So here is what I am getting from my fellow brew lovers. Continue to drink in the way I currently do, just less and keep track of how many I am drinking. Also up my cardio and lower my calories before I indulge.

AND for all you people who do not thinking brewing is healthy, I can carry a full carboy around my house like the worlds strongest man competition

Rocbola

So one of the few me things I get to do it home brewing. I like to brew and share it with others. I just started winging my own recipes and am excited about it. Recently I brewed a batch (contential pilsner) and it is like a potato chip, you cant have one. Now drunkenness isnt the goal and doesnt happen, but I gained a lot of weight back since this batch is done. So to all my fellow beer lovers out there I have a idea and I am going to bounce it off of you.

Have beer once a week follow by a day of purging and increase exercise through out the week. Thoughts?

For those who are tempted to put "give up beer", don't.

I love homebrewing! I think your method of limiting your beer intake is a great idea. I only brew a few 5 gallon batches a year, or else i'd just have too much beer around. It's great to brew a batch for events, like brewing a spiced ale in November to drink on Christmas, or brewing a Pumpkin Ale to bring to a halloween party.

IPAkiller

I would like to thank everyone for the comments and advice. Please let me clarify a few things.

1) I do not get drunk. If I start to get buzzed I stop drinking until it goes away.

2) By purging I meant like a fast of lots of water and lighter food for the day. Salads and stuff I guess, didnt really have a plan.

3) Do not accuse me of drinking light beer, I wrote good beer for a reason.

So here is what I am getting from my fellow brew lovers. Continue to drink in the way I currently do, just less and keep track of how many I am drinking. Also up my cardio and lower my calories before I indulge.

AND for all you people who do not thinking brewing is healthy, I can carry a full carboy around my house like the worlds strongest man competition

SacrificeSufferSalvation

For my fellow home brewers. This batch of beer is completely my own.

Malt extract amber, steeped 1 pound of Weyermann (R) Cara Amber for 30 minutes, some Coopers brewing yest 7g and I am going to put some sugar in the bottles (about 1/2 a teaspoon). Going to let it set for a week, bottle and then chill it for 21 days... I will let you know how it is.

Mr_Knight

Have beer once a week follow by a day of purging and increase exercise through out the week. Thoughts?

Treat it as food - which it is - beer is a classic recovery food for cyclists.

Log it, work it into your macros, and enjoy.

Oh, and move to all-grain brewing ASAP.

UpEarly

2) By purging I meant like a fast of lots of water and lighter food for the day. Salads and stuff I guess, didnt really have a plan.

Phew! Thanks for that clarification. I think a lot of people were picturing you 'purging' in the bulimic/eating disorder sense of the word.

I always eat lighter/healthier the day after I've had too many beers. Lots of fruits and veggies, lean meat and a ton of water.

nikigmoney

My husband is a professional brewer and home brewed before that. I only indulge once a week and allow for the extra calories. This seems to help because nothing will make you gain faster then beer. Just remember that moderation is key........Good luck with the brewing! Cheers.

richardheath

Have beer once a week follow by a day of purging and increase exercise through out the week. Thoughts?

Treat it as food - which it is - beer is a classic recovery food for cyclists.

Log it, work it into your macros, and enjoy.

Oh, and move to all-grain brewing ASAP.

+1 on this, especially the all grain! And stop lugging carboys around - have you seen the mess they make when you drop them? Move to Better Bottles!

richardheath

For my fellow home brewers. This batch of beer is completely my own.

Malt extract amber, steeped 1 pound of Weyermann (R) Cara Amber for 30 minutes, some Coopers brewing yest 7g and I am going to put some sugar in the bottles (about 1/2 a teaspoon). Going to let it set for a week, bottle and then chill it for 21 days... I will let you know how it is.

Where are the hops?

Oh, and move to kegging too!

:drinker:

SacrificeSufferSalvation

Honestly this is my 5 batch, I bought all kits before. So I just picked a ingredient that seemed "right." I take the wort from the carboy into a bottle bucket and then bottle it. It seems like a pain, but I didnt know if I should just use the bottle bucket from start to finish. It is air tight. Do you guys have a good all grain recipe?

richardheath

Honestly this is my 5 batch, I bought all kits before. So I just picked a ingredient that seemed "right." I take the wort from the carboy into a bottle bucket and then bottle it. It seems like a pain, but I didnt know if I should just use the bottle bucket from start to finish. It is air tight. Do you guys have a good all grain recipe?

Sorry man - we are just giving you a hard time! I'm sure that you will get a good beer from this!

You do want to rack from your fermenter to a bottling bucket, as it helps remove the beer from the trub. Glass carboys (I'm assuming you meant glass) are just very heavy, and will cause a huge dangerous mess of broken glass and beer if dropped. Buckets or better bottles are a bit safer.

There are lots of good all-grain recipes out there, but do you have the equipment for that yet? You'll need a pot to do a full boil (plus the means to heat it - usually a propane burner), a mash tun of some sort (a 10 gallon cooler works well), and an immersion chiller.

DavidSTC

I will say that I can lose more weight if I don't drink any alcohol. I've done it. It's not just the extra calories ... it's the alcohol that your body burns before it burns the extra calories.

But, I promised myself that I was in this for the long haul and I would not give up everything that I loved. I have never looked back and missed fast food, candy, cookies and other empty calories. I love real, nutrient-dense food now, and I feel way better these days. But, if I had to give up beer ... and to a lesser extent wine ... it wouldn't be worth it to me. A great beer with a nice meal makes for a great end to a long day. I just have to stop imbibing on the weekends unless I put in the cardio. The weekends are already hard for me because we usually eat at restaurants quite a bit.

SacrificeSufferSalvation

Haha, I dont have all that stuff yet. Maybe in the future

sijomial

I go out to a pub quiz most Tuesdays..... Most Tuesdays just happen to be my high intensity cardio days when I burn a load of calories.

Beer is good, beer you have earned is even better!
:drinker: