I wish I could say that the first time I tasted beer that the heavens opened up and that I heard angels sing.  The reality was quite the opposite.  It was more like the can opened and I began to cringe.  Most kids get their first sip of a beer from their dad before they’re even able to read.  My story is a little different.

I was probably still in Jr. High because it was while my parents were still married.  My brother (three years older) and I were staying at a friend of the family’s house (I didn’t know it at the time…but he was going to be my step-dad one day) while my parents were off doing something. While staying the night, I had my first opportunity to taste of the nectar that I love so much now.

My parents didn’t drink.  They weren’t against drinking beer…they just didn’t drink. So I had never been around alcohol.  I had seen my friend Coy’s parents drink beer all the time, and I was very intrigued.  But I  never had the chance to try it until then.

I still remember the experience like it was yesterday. After a few beers, all the adults had gone to bed for the night (well passed out), and my brother and I had free reign on the house.  After watching a porno (I forgot to mention this was pre-Christ), the following conversation ensued:

My brother: “Have you ever drank a beer.”
Me: “No.”
My brother: “I have.  I drink beer at my friends house all the time.  His dad doesn’t care.”
Me: “What does it taste like?”
My brother: “It tastes really good.  You should try it.”

At this point we went into the other room and got one of the left over beers.  The tall silver can seemed to glow in the light of the tv-lit room.  My mind began to race with excitement at the thought of tasting this adult-only beverage. As I began to lift the warm half-drank beer to my lips, I had images of grandeur in my head.  But I was snapped back into reality as the warm cat’s piss flavor filled my mouth.

Fighting back my gag reflex, I did what any Jr. High boy would do in my same situation.  I told my brother that it tasted awesome and continued to finish off the can.  It was nearly a decade before I would try beer again.

We could talk all day about the things that are wrong with this story (and probably should do that with a therapist at some point), but I’m more curious as to what everyone else’s first beer experience was like.  What was your first beer?   Did you like beer from the start?  Who introduced you to the world of beer? Inquireing minds want to know.