SINGLES and albums don’t sell as much these days as they used to. It’s all downloads at knock-down prices – that’s if people can be bothered to pay for music at all.
Given that recorded music isn’t the cash cow it was once, ageing rockers have been forced on to the road to perform concerts for loyal fans who are paying eye-watering ticket prices to get a glimpse of their idols.
Naturally enough, said fans will want to hear the classics, while the artists themselves see it as an opportunity to push their new material. It’s a delicate balance to strike, but if they really want to have a rousing finale, they will have to pull out the old favourites.
That’s the scenario which came to mind recently when I spoke to a local brewer who told me of the challenges of giving people new brews every few weeks while plugging away at their core range.
Certain aspect of craft beer have become so specialised that some drinkers are like collectors of old vinyl, desperate to get their hands on something new and rare.
However, trying to keep pace with the latest trends can be exhausting and sometimes the comfort of an old favourite can be just as satisfying.
For me, my go-to beers include Kinnegar’s Rustbucket, a 5 per cent rye pale ale which rarely disappoints. Beers like Maggie’s Leap from Whitewater, Full Sail from Galway Bay or a Boundary Export Stout also hit the spot when required for me.
The thing about relying on old favourites is you know you aren’t taking a chance with your hard-earned cash. You know what you’re getting for your money. A bottle of Orval Trappist ale can set you back a few quid, but at least you’ll know that it’s money well spent.
Sometimes, by drinking beer we know, we can feel like we’re missing out. However, even if they aren’t coming up with new creations every few week, brewers themselves are constantly tweaking and improving the beers in their core range.
Drinking beer has always been a bit of an adventure for me, and I’m always keen to try out new brews, but sometimes being bombarded with new names every week can make you forget how satisfying it is to tuck into the classics.
