I have the best husband in the world :-)

I have posted on previous threads that my husband and I are "beer snobs". We really love a good beer and taste and collect micro-brews just like wine connoisseurs collect good wines ( we do that, too :-).

I have read about the dangers of carbonation and I know that many doctors, including my own, really want you to stay away from it. It broke my heart to make the decision to have the band surgery knowing that I may never have another beer, but of course my health is way more important!

So last night, I opened the refrigerator to get a drink, and stared wistfully at the Gordon Biersch Marzen inside. It is beautiful, crisp fall weather here and there is nothing better than the malty, caramel taste of a Marzen in October.

So, my husband took the beer out of the fridge, took a pint glass and poured the beer straight into it so that it formed a big, creamy head. He then took another pint glass and stood at the sink for a good five minutes, pouring the beer from one glass to another, waiting for the foam to settle each time.

He then handed me the beer. Almost all of the carbonation was gone, and it actually made the beer taste better!! I drank it slowly and savored every single drop.

Now I know beer is empty calories, so I won't make this a habit, but I am so thrilled that once in a while I will be able to enjoy a beer. If you are a beer lover reading this, try this technique and see if it works for you.

Heather, I laughed when I read your post... We live in Michigan, but my hubby travels to CA for work every few months. Whenever he visits he has to hit Gordon Biersch for a Marzen.

Personally, I'm not a beer person, but if my DH ever gets banded he'll be relieved to know he can still indulge once in a while...

It's good stuff. One of our favorites. But I just realized how silly I am going to look when we actually GO to GB. Sitting there in the brewpub pouring my beer from one glass to another :-)

Glad you enjoyed it. I've read where folks will shake up diet soda and when it goes flat they drink it. Where there's a will there's a way LOL !!!! I know I'll be a shaker

I have a beer once in a while. I don't make a habbit of it, but sometimes you just gotta have one. I just drink it slowly, and it doesn't bother me. I know some folks just can't drink it though.

i am soooo going to try that. In canada there is no better way to spend a sunday then watching football ( GO DETROIT) and having a few beers. I have not had a beer since before my banding.(march 05). i can't wait to try this!!!

Secretly I think the reason my hubby wont consider a band just yet is the thought of giving up beer. Aussie men and their beer, sheesh! He'd be run out of town if he didnt drink beer, lol.

I will drink beer very occasionally but you make it sound delectable.

No beer for me, just the smell would do me in. Vodka doesn't really have a smell, and I try to keep it healthy, OJ is good for your right???

I love Dos Equis draft with mexican food. Once I get over the hump, it will probably be my one guilty pleasure.

HarleyNana, my surgeon is more adamant that I stay away from citrus juices than beer. Something about the acidity?? I live in California for God's sake- the though of never eating fresh oranges again BUMS ME OUT!

I have found that dark beers (which are the best tasting) have less carbonation. I usually order a glass and drink it down slowly. After about 1/4 is gone, I swirl my beer to release the gasses. People don't say anything about it. Quite an improvement from my first post-op beer when I used a fork to whip the gasses out.