Tuesday 23 February 2010

Information overload

I'm considering taking a rest from my endless research. A week or so without brewing logs or old books. I need it.

Information overload. It's going to become common, evidently. The internet's to blame. Makes a change from it being parents. (When our kids misbehave I always say: "It's their parent's fault.") Humans are still learning to live with instant access to all information.

I'm struggling. I admit it. When I noticed that, rather than reading the newspaper on my way to and from work, I was thinking about the production method of brown malt, I knew something wasn't right. Or when my mind wanders away from the conversation I'm having, off to the London brewhouses of the 19th century. Definitely not healthy.

A week in Germany, that's what I need. Bavaria, really, is where I need to be. With nothing to think about, other than where my next sausage is coming from. To sit under spreading boughs, a glass of something lagery in my hand and fritter time away in a 100% unproductive fashion. A beer holiday. It's the only way of stopping myself thinking about beer the whole time.

That won't be happening until June. When Mike and I will live a worryless week in Northern Bavaria. It can't come too soon.

9 comments:

Oblivious said...

I look forward to the posts from your trip!

The Beer Nut said...

Love the photo. I could use some sunny outdoor beer action right about now. Brrr.

Elektrolurch said...

Franconia is just wonderful.
i live here for over three years now. before i used to taste beers, make tasting notes, hunt for rare beers- now i just enjoy franconian brews. its simple and it makes you think, why bother when the good taste is easily readily aviable

Elektrolurch said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Matt said...

That beer garden looks fantastic, especially on a dark, chilly afternoon in the North of England!

I had been planning to visit Munich for the first time this summer but the more I read about Franconia the more I'm tempted to go there first.

Ron Pattinson said...

Matt, my advice is go to Franconia and get out into the countryside. Great, individualistic beer in a stunning setting.

Rob Sterowski said...

I'd say go to Munich first, so you can enjoy it. Once you've been to Franconia, Munich beer may strike you as distinctly mediocre.

Gunnar H said...

Great, but please don't call Franconia 'northern Bavaria', especially not when you are there.

Ron Pattinson said...

Gunnar, we're going to the Oberpfalz as well as Franconia.