Skip to main content

What is "Sober-curious"?

After trying out a bit of zero and low alcohol beers myself at the beginning of the year (something that I said I would never do), I became a little bit interested in this growing sober-curious movement.

"Sober-curious" describes a movement and lifestyle choice taht it focussed on questioning and modifying your relationship with alcohol, rather than complete abstinence. It's not about adhering to strict rules or labeling yourself as an alcoholic, but rather exploring how alcohol fits into your life and making conscious choices.

As a beer reviewer I tend to have an alchololic beverage most days, but because of weight and sleep issues I became keen to explore being 'sober-curious', to see if it's a lifestyle choice that would suit me!

Here are some key characteristics of being sober-curious:

Exploration:
It's about asking yourself how alcohol affects your sleep, energy, mood, productivity, and overall well-being. What are the benefits and drawbacks of drinking in your life? Consuming even a small amount of alcohol everyday as I tend to, can't be a good thing!

Choice:
Unlike traditional sobriety, it's not about forced commitment. You might choose to be completely alcohol-free for a period, this year I tried "Dry January," and had a two week period of alcohol-free days. Even if you don't want to throw yourself into drinking alcohol free, then perhaps simply be more mindful about when and how much you drink.

Motivation:
Reasons for being sober-curious vary. Some people are driven by health concerns, others by a desire for more clarity and focus, and others simply want to break free from social pressures to drink. For me, it was around weight and sleep issues (apparently I snore after a few drinks!)

Focus on wellbeing:
It's not about deprivation or judgment. It's about making positive choices for your mental and physical health.

Community:
The sober-curious movement offers a supportive online and offline community where people can share experiences, tips, and encouragement.

Here are some additional points to consider:

  • Being sober-curious doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing approach. You can experiment and find what works best for you.
  • There are many resources available, including books, blogs, podcasts, and online communities, to support your journey.
  • You don't have to explain your choices to everyone 9and interestingly, not very many people seem to ask anyway!). Focus on what feels right for you.

Remember, it's a personal journey, not a competition. Take it at your own pace and explore what works best for your health and happiness; for me, I tried it, I still prefer the taste and feel of an alchoholic beverage, but I can see myself drinking lower alcohol beers from time to time when it's right for me to do so.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

My Three Top Posts

Vatted Black Beer - What!

On a recent trip to Eastbourne, I had the great pleasure of bumping into this 'style' with the Monolith Vatted Black Beer from Burning Sky Brewery. Wow, what a beer, I scored it 10/10 . I've never come across this beer style before, so I was interested in learning a little more about it. What is Vatted Black Beer? Vatted black beer is a dark ale aged in wooden vats, Burning Sky Monolith was aged in Chianti barrels for three years. Like all similar beers, this leaved a rich, complex flavour that’s really is amazing and hard to beat. Sometimes these beers might have wild yeasts introduced or other micro-flora. The efforts that brewers go throught to produce these beers cannot be over-exaggerated, they are time consuming to produce and there are financial risks of cellaring beers, but the results can be stunning.  A VERY Brief History Lesson This beer style dates back to the 18th century. Back then, brewers used wooden vats to store their beer. Over time, they noti...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Rich History of Guinness: From Humble Beginnings to Global Icon

Love it or hate it, you can't disagree that Guinness, the iconic stout beer, has become synonymous with Irish culture and heritage, think of Ireland and you'll instantly think of Guinness. It has been enjoyed by millions of people around the world for over two centuries now, and while I'm not a fan of this brown beer, the history of Guinness is a fascinating.   How It All Started The story of Guinness goes all the way back to 1759, when Arthur Guinness, signed a 9,000 year lease for a piece of land that became the St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin, Ireland. With an initial investment of just £100, Arthur Guinness set up his brewery on a modest four acre plot.  He initially brewed traditional beer, but he soon switched to a style of beer known as a Porter, which he had noticed was gaining popularity in London at the time.  Porter is a dark beer made with roasted barley, this produces a distinctive flavour and appearance that sets it apart from other beers. This switch p...
Post a Comment
Read more

Timothy Taylor's Knowle Spring - better than Landlord?

Welcome to what could be a controversial blog post, and let me get straight to the point ..  I prefer Knowle Spring over Landlord; I know, probably not something you hear often, but let me explain. I think that Timothy Taylor's Knowle Spring, has a fairly unique character and delightful flavours. As we explore this blonde beer, we'll also draw some comparisons with its beter known sibling, Landlord, to help you understand why I think Knowle Spring is probably the best beer in the Timothy Taylor family (but only just!).   Introducing Knowle Spring to You All I first had this wonder beer about five years ago in a country pub in Yorkshire (the name escapes me), but I instantly fell for this beer.  This 4.2% ABV Knowle Spring is a relatively recent addition to Timothy Taylor's lineup, having been introduced in 2017. This Golden Ale was created to offer a lighter, more refreshing option compared to some of the brewery's other offerings. The name actually comes from the sprin...
Post a Comment
Read more