Mood:  chillin'

I'm convinced that many of my fellow countrymen drink their beer too cold.  I'll blame part of this behavior on the macro-brewers who push the idea of "ice cold beer" as being a great thing and the rest on American refrigeration technology.  Anyway, my pursuit of flavor has lead me to drink my beer from a fluted glass or mug and allow it to warm slightly as opposed to drinking it straight from a bottle or can cocooned in a cold-preserving coozie. Beer has flavor, but it is hardly discernible when it is cold enough to numb your taste buds.  I recall that when I was in China the beer wasn't served as cold and seemed to have more flavor.

A couple things that I've learned along the way:

1. Avoid so-called "light beers" because they're not worth the normally less-than-fifty calorie savings over regular beer and their lower alcohol content actually encourages you to drink more "empty calories" to feel satisfied.  Also sells more beer - ain't capitalism great?
2. The truly awesome beers are often more expensive and harder to find, but there are plenty of good beers out there that won't break the bank.  I really enjoy Abita Turbodog ale, but plain ol' Miller High Life is also quite good for eveyday consumption and less expensive.
3. Respect the beer.  Sip it, taste it, savor it  - don't chug it.
4. Taste is subjective - especially when it comes to beer. YMMV.

Where was I going with this?  I forgot . . . blame it on the beer.