Hi, my name is Doug. It’s been a month and a half since I vowed not to drink beer for a whole year.

Realizing it’s been a while since I discussed how it’s going, I decided it’s time for a quick update on my situation. Avoiding beer drinking is actually going quite well. Last night I finally rid myself of the Red Stripe that had been lingering around in my fridge, taunting me. Other than that, I”ve been able to do all the fun things I normally do and find great alternatives to drinking beer – either not drinking at all, or enjoying a glass of wine or two.

One interesting effect of my choice to abstain from that most delightful combination of malts and hops is that I just drink less in general. I find myself in situations where normally I’d have a beer or two without thinking about it and since I can’t do that, I decide to have water or nothing at all to drink. And I think that’s where this choice is really going to make an impact for me. I’m not completely cutting myself off, but at the same time, I’m drinking a lot less and that has made me feel much better, health-wise.

I also started playing dodgeball one night a week, which has brought back some familiar injuries originating from my days as a box lacrosse player – specifically my weak knee. It’s been a struggle coming back every week without crumbling but I think the more abuse I give my body, the more it can take.

So I’m starting an ultimate frisbee team for the spring league – but I need more players (girls especially). Any0ne in Winnipeg who is interested, do me a solid and fill out this survey.

It’s been several days since I vowed not to drink beer for a year, and since I ran the gauntlet on my first beerless outing. Now, through either some karmic retribution or just horrible coincidence, or both, the universe seems to be repeatedly kicking me in the metaphorical junk for making this decision.

Let’s start with the other night. A repeat of my previous outing, wherein my guitarist comes over and we swap song ideas and then head out on the town. This time we make our way to Carlos and Murphy’s, a fine Mexican establishment in Osborne Village. We sit down and while pondering that near-impossible choice between burritos and enchiladas (I swear they’re exactly the same), the waitress takes our drink orders. One Corona and one water, please.

And wouldn’t you know it, she returns with two Coronas and no waters. Now I am forced to do two totally cringe-worthy things: number one, let that delicious beer sit untouched on the table, and two, tell the waitress that yes, I wanted a water and not a beer. She says “oh, I just assumed you wanted the same.” Under normal circumstances, yes, absolutely. But not for the next 362 days.

So, vow-breaking situation averted, I managed to get through the night without a beer again. I think I may eventually just have to remove myself from situations where drinking is encouraged. But I refuse to abstain, bull-headed as it may sound. But how, dear reader, can I remove myself from this?

Apparently staying home is even something I have to worry about – because my friends come over with beer and leave a single solitary Red Stripe in my fridge, just to taunt me. You bastards.

It’s been two days since I made a vow to myself not to drink beer for an entire year. I’m not going to make this the entire focus of the blog from now on, but I will post occasional updates on how strong my will is. Beer is delicious, but I am hoping I shall prevail.

So, Thursday night, my guitarist and I had a bit of a writing session and then went for a drink after at the Toad in the Hole, my favourite establishment in Winnipeg and probably the place where I consume the most beer. It was a virtual gauntlet-running for me, as I had to deny myself of routine: typically the first thing I do when I walk in the door is step up to the bar, and I don’t normally have to order. Cliff, the friendly neighbourhood beer-slinger, knows when I step up and give him a nod, it’s his cue to slide a cold pint of Keith’s my way.

Needless to say he was a little thrown off when I ordered a red wine. I happen to quite enjoy a glass of red wine, but it’s definitely not what the Toad is known for, as far as quality goes. Despite this, it was surprisingly potable. Delightful, even. But for fuck’s sake, it wasn’t a beer. I was met by confused looks from the regulars I normally see. What’s with the vino, bro? Oh, you’re not drinking beer for a whole year? Are you fucking insane? Yes, yes I am. And I’ll thank you to curb your follow-up questions.

The rest of the night was spent making my quest to avoid malts and hops a point of every conversation, getting advice on what the best low-cal drinks are, and trying some of them. Red wine turned to long island iced tea (definitely out, too much sugar content) and then to ceasars (also ixnayed, for its hangover-inducing qualities).

Last night, I tried a rum and juice on for size, which I’m also tossing out as an option, as the juice is just too heavy. I could only consume one before getting that feeling you get when you drink too much juice. You know, where it just sits in the pit of your stomach, sloshing around and reminding you not to drink too much juice? Yeah, that one. I ended up back at the Toad (I told you it was my favourite), and without a clue what to try next, stuck with water.

I have one concoction to try still, before I give in to just drinking vodka/waters, which I have a feeling aren’t particularly tasty. It’s something that my new twitter friends at Boozeblogger wrote a whole post on just for me … and it’s called The Resolute. Thanks boys! I’m going to give it a shot.