New Year, New Beer

I gave up on New Year Resolutions a long time ago, realising that they were pointless, usually health based pipe dreams that would quickly be forgotten. Instead, I have goals for a year - things I WANT to achieve. Some of these are big, some not so big.

One goal this year that should be achievable is to drink a new beer every week. By new, I mean something I've never had before.

I've probably drunk a wider variety of beer than most people, but that's not much of a boast in a world where most people doggedly stick with big name lagers - Stella, Carling, Carlsberg, Fosters, etc - and probably think they are being adventurous by ordering a San Miguel on tap.

It's an easy trap to fall into, and even with real ale, you can find yourself sticking with what you know. So, I'm deliberately going to avoid it. I started out this week with a bottle of Wychwood's Goliath, a drink that I'd somehow avoided previously. A decent, solid ale that went nicely with the mature cheddar and rubbery Jarlsberg that accompanied it.

A new beer a week (and no, two new beers in one week doesn't count for the next)should be the easiest goal of 2010, and I invite everyone to join me on this important mission.

And if you are up for more 2010 challenges and are on Facebook, check out The 100 Pubs of 2010 -where you are encouraged to visit (wait for it) 100 pubs during the year. I'm on 4 so far, which is pitiful.