Smart Drinking: by Eric Ryder

Okay, we are going to get one thing out of the way.  No one here is going to tell you to "not drink".  When someone suggests to me "why don't you try to stop drinking?", I give a little chuckle and pretend like it never happened.  We are drinkers.  Servers, bartenders, we drink.  It's what we do.  So before you think I'm going to waste my time on here saying that drinking is bad, remember why this brand was created.  Beyond The Bar is dedicated to those in the industry who are looking for guidance, for advice, or just someone who understands this upside down world we live in as industry workers.  Most of us are too naive to the fact that this industry does have a bad side, because we are so blinded by size of the good (money) side.  Enjoy that drink.  Sip on that cocktail.  Savor that beer.  No one is taking that privilege away from you.  Just be SMART while doing it.

Did you know that drinking actually has some health benefits related to it?  This proves that everything you consume can be good for you, in moderation.  Too much of anything is bad for you.  Think about it.  Food is essential for your health and to survive.  We need food.  However, binge eating is life threatening.  Same for binge drinking.  Don't over do it.  Be smart.  

First thing I am going to say, is earn your alcohol.  You want to go out and grab a couple drinks?  What did you do to earn that margarita or martini?  Studies show that exercise can in fact counteract against diseases directly related to alcohol consumption.  

"Exercise, on the other hand, is known to help people stay healthy and live longer. In fact, the study authors write, physical activity and alcohol consumption “may be linked to chronic disease through shared pathways but acting in the opposite directions.” HEALTH

Develop and maintain this mindset.  Plain and simple, if you want to enjoy alcohol and have drinks with your friends, you MUST incorporate a physical healthy lifestyle within your daily routine.  Luckily for you, you have one of the best in the biz, Ryan, here to help you with this.  

Now that we are on the same page that alcohol is a reward, lets try to keep it on the healthy side.  Yes, there are healthy alcohols out there.  Not your frozen daiquiri's or rum and cokes (stop drinking soda!).  What helped me become aware of this is treating alcohol as dessert.  That double IPA you want most likely has the same sugar content and calories as a piece of cake.  First, did you earn that cake today? Second, how much of that cake do you really want to eat?  

Now, I love beer.  I have been told I am somewhat of a "beer snob" as I sometimes unknowingly brag about my level 1 Cicerone.  But, I also know that the better the beer, the more shit is in it.  More shit = more calories.  If we start viewing alcohol as calories, the same way we do with food, we can generate healthy drinking habits.  I'm sure we have all heard the rule about nutrition labels on food packaging.  The less ingredients, the healthier it is.  Well, add that mindset to your drinking.  No more soda, grenadine, juice, etc.  

If you're looking to be healthier while drinking alcohol occasionally, these are the healthiest alcohols you can choose from. The 6 healthiest alcohols you should be drinking.

There are ways to make this crazy industry of ours beneficial not just financially, but healthy as well.  We must become knowledgeable and aware of what we expose ourselves to.  Become physically active, if you are not already.  Maintain a routine and reward yourself with alcohol.  Remind yourself that there are ways to drink healthy.  Overall health is the main thing standing between you and success in this industry.  Be smart.  Drink smart.