Trader Joe's Tuesday Treats

Mix & Match Six Packs: Lone Soldier Beer

Let me be frank: I hate beer.

I find it disgusting. There has never been a beer that I actually liked, and even the ones I find most palatable are those most distinct from the traditional styles. Miller High Life may sell itself as the “champagne of beers,” but certain artisanal brews are actually light and effervescent enough to closely mimic that most incredible style of wine. Even still, it’s a pass for me.

Levose Cross

recently asked: “Can any non-alcoholics in the chat explain why non-alcoholic beer exists?”

In my snarky disdain for the stuff, I hit back with “the richer question is why beer even exists at all?”

But

Andrew Lang

shut me down hard: “safer to drink than water in 1750.”

And there it is. Yeah, beer gets you drunk. And yes, some folks take genuine pleasure from its flavor, body, and alcoholic essence. But at its origins—like many alcoholic beverages throughout history—beer developed as a safer alternative to water.

We know the water in our country is increasingly unfit for human consumption. We should fight to undo the environmental and regulatory wreckage, but while we do, relying on more filtered and bottled beverages remains a perfectly reasonable response. I’ll pass on beer, but for those who actually like it, Trader Joe’s lone soldier program provides the opportunity to indulge in variety without splurging on a six-pack of anything you wish to try.

This is something I really love about TJ’s. As you know, I take advantage of their individually sold and pro-rated bottled water. But did you know they do this with beer as well? You can pick and choose from their beer selection and build your own six-packs. Mix and match. Trader Joe’s welcomes it, with no individualized upcharge.

If you’re a beer lover, take advantage of Trader Joe’s lone soldier program to experiment with new and unusual brews. If you’re throwing a party, impress your beer-drinking friends and family by providing an extensive array of options. Or if you’re feeling creative and ambitious, plan a six course meal with beer pairings without breaking the bank (at least on the beverage portion of the dining experience).

Fair warning: beer hangovers are some of the worst in recorded human history. Imbibe with intention, with water, with good hearty food, and at a reasonable pace. And even with all of that, if you plan to have more than two or three, very seriously consider pregaming with a prebiotic such as Myrkl or Zbiotics to proactively fend off a morning after filled with regret.

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