Friday, May 2, 2025

Nineteen sixty-one

In our nearby beverage mart, I was paying for a twelve-pack of Athletic Free Wave Hazy IPA (aka non-alcoholic beer). “Nineteen sixty-one,” the cashier said.

“Is that supposed to be the year of my birth?” For a moment I didn’t realize she was telling me the price.

“You could pass for thirty-five,” she said.

I removed my cap to reveal the sparsely populated terrain that is the top of my head.

“Thirty-five,” she insisted.

I asked her when she had last been to the eye doctor. “A compliment is a compliment,” she said.

“And I need to figure out how to accept one,” I said.

But I still don’t believe I look thirty-five.

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comments: 8

Anonymous said...

hey! i drink that brand but the one called run wild ipa. or as we used to call it "near beer." i don't think ours is that price!!! it's a great tasting beer.
kirsten

Fresca said...

She was off by a decade: you look close in age to a coworker of mine who is 45.
True, he had a rough life...

I want to try non-alcoholic beer.
Is that a good one? Are there others you would recommend?

Matthew Schmeer said...

35? No. But maybe a 42 who's lived through some trauma.

Michael Leddy said...

My daughter recommends Athletic’s Run Wild. I think Best Day Hazy IPA is a good one too. Very hoppy. I bought a twelve-pack.

If I see this cashier again, I’ll stay mum about these doubting comments. :)

Michael Leddy said...

A twelve-pack of the Free Wave, that is.

Sean Crawford said...

Because Fresca asked: You can't go wrong with Budweiser zero, in a white can with black lettering. Tastes good and real. Lately I've been doing other near beers, as well as unconventional real beers, simply because I have a recent craving for strange taste—even for Guinness near beer.

Michael Leddy said...

My daughter recommends NA Guinness too. As a fan of IPAs, I'm amazed by how good these NA versions are.

Frex said...

Thanks everyone for the recommendations! I will try some.
—Fresca