Friday Drinking Thread: Dry January, anyone?
Here we go, friends. The Friday before the CFP Championship game and I’m ready to party down with a tall, frosty… ice water with lemon. I, uh, I got nothing else…
Neg me if you must but my wife and I use most Januaries as an opportunity to reset our livers (and health in general) so we can continue to root for Michigan Football for many years to come. I’m a barrel-aged beer type of guy so naturally a break from beer does my wallet and waist size a huge favor.
If you feel like sharing, here are some drinking questions to consider before next Monday night:
- Do you participate in Dry January and if so, what’s your alternative of choice? What do you hope to gain from your break with alcohol other than a reprieve from hangovers and the possible drunk text or two?
- If you’re abstaining from the drink, what’s the first thing on tap Feb 1st?
- For the iron-liver folks, what’s going to be your CFP Championship game day routine, drink of choice, and ballpark your state of inebriation by the 4th Q.
** Lastly, I believe there is a Mod Sticky related to addiction and getting help if you need it. There’s never a wrong time to reach out and put your mental/physical health first!
Go Blue! Beat the Huskies!
January 5th, 2024 at 4:04 PM ^
I do a modified damp Jan. Essentially I call it college week where I don't drink Sunday through Thursday afternoon. So far so good. I have lost more weight then I should which is probably an indication I am drinking too much? No sure.
edit* Obviously Michigan beer during the championship. Bell's and Founders
January 5th, 2024 at 4:06 PM ^
Same here. I drank on new years but nothing since. Of course Michigan had to win and blew the hell out of my no beer plan.I’m doing a, no beer Sunday through Friday. Except this Monday cause that don’t count.
January 5th, 2024 at 8:02 PM ^
Thanks for the reminder! gotsta grab some Bell's for Monday.
January 5th, 2024 at 9:19 PM ^
I still love Bells and Founders, but unfortunately they've both been sold to larger, non-michigan entities. If you want the pure Michigan experience, my go-tos are Jolly Pumpkin (headquartered out of Dexter I believe) and Shorts.
I used to not like sours (which is what JP brews almost exclusively), but it is definitely a taste worth acquiring.
January 5th, 2024 at 4:05 PM ^
Work's been too busy to drink this week. Booo.
January 5th, 2024 at 5:17 PM ^
I am more than willing to pick up the slack while you are predisposed with employment endeavors. Sounds like y'all had a great time in the Keys.
Currently sipping on some Journeyman Corsets, Whips and Whiskey. A Christmas gift from my BIL.
Go Blue and beat dem huskies 🏈💪
January 5th, 2024 at 6:07 PM ^
I haven't unpacked enough yet to find my btac. Will be sending you more gts soon! Have faith!
January 5th, 2024 at 6:29 PM ^
No worries my special friend!!!
I'm sure there is so much to unpack 🤪
Go Blue 🏈
January 5th, 2024 at 4:06 PM ^
Never understood dry-January but I have learned I am less human than most as I struggle to comprehend many of the trendy human things.
But, I am curious if anyone has tried any of the alcohol free bourbon and this seem a fitting thread!
Bet 〽️
January 5th, 2024 at 4:20 PM ^
I can totally see how it's become a trendy, seasonal activity and some people really feel the need to push their new found, albeit temporary, sobriety onto others but I'm thinking there are worse trends out there. Just off the top of my head... JNCO jeans... puka shell necklaces... and blonde frosted tips.
Sorry for those visuals. I just got done watching YouTube Clips of Woodstock '99 for some reason and as a 90's kid, I cringe that I participated in those trends as well.
Cheers!
January 5th, 2024 at 4:06 PM ^
I half commit to dry Jan. Sober all week only 1-2 drinks a night on weekends.
Keeping it classy here. Win will get me into my bottle of Red Breast or Green Spot (1 rock). Just 1 drink with a late night and work in the morning.
January 5th, 2024 at 8:08 PM ^
The savvy drinker knows why do something in January that you can do in February (which is also only 28 or 29 days).
January 5th, 2024 at 4:08 PM ^
Watching the US win Gold over Sweden in the WJC. Having a blue light, cuz hockey.
EDIT: Congrats to McGroarty, Brindley, Casey and Nazar!!
January 5th, 2024 at 4:15 PM ^
Some say that Swede's broken stick is still in the netting to this day.
January 5th, 2024 at 4:18 PM ^
He was definitely trying to throw that at the Americans but at the same time make it look like he wasn't.
January 5th, 2024 at 4:08 PM ^
I am on day five, and I am cracking like an old plastic chair under a great, big fat guy. I am most likely going for IPAs and a burger tonight.
January 5th, 2024 at 4:57 PM ^
first week is the most difficult. After that, it is no biggie. And it is a money saver
January 5th, 2024 at 4:09 PM ^
i'm doing the dry january for the 15th year
January 5th, 2024 at 4:11 PM ^
Quasi-participating...gave myself a pass on Monday and will do so again for the championship game (possibly).
My wife likes to do it as a reset so I just go along with it.
I've tried some of that alt, non-alc liqours and they are pretty gross. I mostly just swap it for tea or ginger-flavored sparkling water (from Whole Foods).
January 5th, 2024 at 4:12 PM ^
I don't drink much at all -- like practically a teetotaler. I've had a few of the non-alcoholic spirits and found them interesting but probably wouldn't drink them regularly. I'm a diet coke drinker which is its own poison so maybe i should abstain from that and have a couple beers.
January 5th, 2024 at 4:19 PM ^
Haha, no lie I started drinking more beer to get over diet coke because I figured at least it was natural.
January 5th, 2024 at 4:24 PM ^
Another day, another Onion piece:
https://www.theonion.com/man-who-drinks-5-diet-cokes-per-day-hoping-doctors-work-1819575868
January 5th, 2024 at 4:28 PM ^
I'm nearly the same. I rarely drink alcohol and am slowly killing myself with Coke Zero, thank you very much.
January 5th, 2024 at 5:02 PM ^
Diet coke is healthy for you. People don't want to hear it because there's such a consistent social pressure against artificial sweeteners, but there's no quality evidence to back any of that up. It's nearly 0 calories and beverages require small amounts of sweetener to match the level from large quantities of sugar.
Good study that got released showed that people who drank 1/2 water and 1/2 diet pop lost more weight and gained more muscle than those that drank only water. It helps satiate you and keep lower calories from being eaten.
Today I'm down 75 pounds over 10 years and switching from pop to diet pop was a huge component of it. I'm in fantastic physical shape any way you slice it. I think I'll drink a coke zero cherry right now...
January 5th, 2024 at 4:16 PM ^
Who the hell wants to do dry January? I just got 5 cases from Treehouse. Ready for a wet year.
January 5th, 2024 at 5:31 PM ^
What's your favorite? I find most of their beer to be too sweet and too alcoholic. They have some amazing hoppy lagers and pale ales but they don't brew those that much.
January 6th, 2024 at 8:52 AM ^
Very green is one of my favorites but I like it all
January 5th, 2024 at 4:17 PM ^
I lost interest in alcohol years ago. Plus I stopped consuming refined sugar in 2019. So every month for me would basically be a “dry” month, but this January I am avoiding all processed food entirely (unless you count black coffee). So I am pretty much boring AF. If Michigan wins I think I’ll open a can of Liquid Death to celebrate.😆
January 5th, 2024 at 4:28 PM ^
No alcohol, processed food, AND listening to Radiohead? SMS 988 if you need it Brother/Sister.
January 5th, 2024 at 6:39 PM ^
My wife keeps suggesting we eliminate meat from our diet. I told her I’d rather die 2 years sooner while actually enjoying life!
January 5th, 2024 at 4:20 PM ^
I am taking January off this year. It is my first time doing so. Had 9 holiday parties in 12 days to end the year. Drank moderately at every party and felt like a huge POS when it was all said and done.
My current alternative choice has been Water. Lots of it. I'll mix in a Celsius if I need a pick me up during the day.
First thing on Tap Feb 1st will be either a CBS or I open an Old Forester Single Barrel. Decisions Decisions.
January 5th, 2024 at 5:24 PM ^
Open both and enjoy each one!!!
Two quality adult beverages you can't go wrong with. Maybe grill a nice steak to go with the CBS and have the OF Single Barrel for dessert 👍
January 5th, 2024 at 4:21 PM ^
A dry January --- or at least a "damp" January --- is a good investment in yourself. In addition to rehabbing the liver, alcohol abstinence even for one month is said to promote better sleep, weight loss, and blood pressure reduction, among other benefits (saving a little $ for one). My January drink of choice? --- sugar-free Gatorade.
And by the way --- I'm 85 years of age (note I did not say "85 years old"). I believe one of the reasons I've made it this far is that I've generally (not always) treated alcohol with a fair amount of caution. Anyway, try going alcohol-free, even for a few weeks; you might be pleasantly surprised at the results. Go Blue!
January 5th, 2024 at 4:23 PM ^
Some of us will just have to drink more to compensate for the dry folks. Plans for Monday, while UM dismantles UW, are to finish my fifth of Captain (Captain & Coke), then polish off a 6-pack of New Glarus (a town/brewery here in WI). Then go dry for the rest of the evening at least..
January 5th, 2024 at 5:25 PM ^
I wish New Glarus was available outside of Wisconsin. Really like what they have to offer 🍺
January 5th, 2024 at 4:27 PM ^
Dry January here, and started on NY day. What a day to start!
January 5th, 2024 at 4:27 PM ^
Not going dry but cutting back. I've also been cutting back because at age 55, I find that when I drink, I just don't sleep as well. We bought these for my mother in law who avoids alcohol now due to her age and atrial fibrillation and they are really tasty.
January 6th, 2024 at 9:27 AM ^
thanks for the tip, these N/A Negroni etc look great.
January 5th, 2024 at 4:29 PM ^
As a retired Alcoholic.... I stopped counting at 1000 days.
January 5th, 2024 at 4:57 PM ^
That's awesome! I drink only occasionally, but like several others on here, I imbibe more than my fair share of Diet Coke. I cut way down with a recent medical scare, but I haven't quit. Proud of you, Kong.
January 5th, 2024 at 6:21 PM ^
Congratulations. My best friend is 6 years sober. He's now happily married with a good job. Not so much before.
January 5th, 2024 at 4:34 PM ^
I need alcohol for medicinal purposes to get through Michigan post season games so it won't be dry for me. Scotch on the rocks is my current drink of choice.
January 5th, 2024 at 4:36 PM ^
This will be my 13th Dry January, although I actually quit for good in October. Have lost 5 lbs and sleep sooooo much better. I don't begrudge anyone for drinking, just decided for my overall health (mental and physical) that I was done drinking. No regrets. Handy tips....Heineken 0 or soda water with a lime at parties are a great way to appear like you are drinking at functions and not having to explain to everyone why you arent drinking...most people really dont care. While I was drinking, dry January was a great "reset" and will make you more aware of your relationship with alcohol...you might be suprised by some of the positive impacts you werent expecting. GO BLUE!
January 5th, 2024 at 4:37 PM ^
Absolutely, as long you're asking me how I'd like my martini.
January 5th, 2024 at 4:37 PM ^
I’m on the dry train! And it’s just good to hear others are partaking, although I failed to consider the national championship game. That’s gonna be a test for me either way. I hope this resets my baseline and I drink less overall. For me it’s always been more for socializing than anything else.
First thing on tap…. A good red most likely. If not, something hoppy and or stouty.
Kudos to all trying and good luck.
January 5th, 2024 at 4:48 PM ^
Good on you. A break is a good thing.
I'm also drinking water tonight
January 5th, 2024 at 4:50 PM ^
During a National Championship run? Psh!!!
January 5th, 2024 at 4:50 PM ^
I am, as some of you know, dry for the remainder.....of my natural life.
So, "dry January" is easy enough now, at least compared to several years ago, when a dry hour was troublesome most days.
January 5th, 2024 at 4:53 PM ^
avery white rascals...goes good with the finebaum show that I've recently added to my YT library.
January 5th, 2024 at 4:54 PM ^
Dry January was fun at one point, but dammit we've got a national championship on tap!
Will be imbibing my new favorite Monday night... Pistachio cream ale from Indeed.
Nothing tonight sadly. Driving obligations.