Entry # 73: September 23, 2006

Camp Slayer, Baghdad, Iraq

Many of you know of my fondness for beer. I prefer a pint of Guinness, but I’ll drink almost anything domestic, light, and cold. I have been devoid of my beloved beverage of fermented hops since early February. It is something I can do without. However, I choose not to. It is the second most delicious and refreshing potion that exists in the world. The first is Coke.

I was first introduced to beer in high school, like many of my peers in the South. I started with Natural Light Ice, which did not taste very natural, was rarely on ice, but was definitely light. From there I moved on to Busch Light, which at first made me want to head for the mountains (some of you will get that, most of you won’t), but eventually earned my affection, mostly because it was cheap. I blame Busch Light for my freshman college grades. After surviving my freshman year, I evolved into a Miller Lite drinker, the original light beer. To this day, it remains my favorite name brand domestic beer. After I decided to join the Army, I moved up in the beer world (thanks to a little extra jingle in my pocket from Uncle Sam). I discovered various microbrews, foreign concoctions, and exotic liquid remedies that excited my taste buds.

I spent a part of 2003 in Colchester, England studying Western European Politics and International Relations at the University of Essex. It was there I really developed an affection for Guinness in the dimly lit pubs watching football matches (of course, it’s soccer to us). My flat mates were still attached to simple lagers, building a nine foot tall beeramid of empty Carling cans (the UK version of Budweiser). We even strung it up with colorful lights during the holiday season. Those were fun times. And to think I was still able to maintain an A average.

Now, I am an Army officer in an environment that, while does not encourage drinking, does not prohibit it. On top of that, I live in Germany, the beer capital of the entire world. A place that is synonymous with Oktoberfest, perhaps the world’s largest party and celebration of beer. I have not gone to Oktoberfest, nor do I plan to. Why you ask? I prefer to drink beer in the company of friends and family and not make it the centerpiece of my entertainment. That being said, it can certainly liven things up a bit.

I can’t wait to return to Germany and to my sweet Georgia and enjoy, once again, beer with my buddies and my family. And so the Soldier’s life continues…