is drinking alcohol an acquired taste?

[sunnycalifornia]

This is an interesting question that I've been thinking about lately.

for me personally, the first time I had alcohol I thought it tasted TERRIBLE. I don't remember what is was, it was probably just a Bud Light or some other kind of beer at a random party, but I hated it and just "pretended" to like it. As time went on and I had more experience with hard liquor, vodka, mixed drinks, etc., etc. alcohol started to taste better and better and hey, this stuff is actually pretty good.

The reason I find this interesting is because in college its funny that I see lots of people at parties that are clearly having alcohol for the first time and they absolutely despise it too - their facial expression gives everything away, but they also "pretend" to like it.

So.. do you guys think alcohol is an acquired taste?

[Zeno]

[ QUOTE ]
is drinking alcohol an acquired taste?

[/ QUOTE ]

No! But throwing up is. Aside from Andy Fox and John Cole (and Le Misanthrope), no one else on this forum is so acutely aware of this little-known juicy fact.

Le Misanthrope

[punkass]

aren't all facets of alcohol potentially an acquired taste?

[silver book]

I didnt like beer when I first had it, but now its the bestest.

[SL__72]

I think your body recognizes alcohol as a poison so you have to teach it to accept it.

I loved it the first time though, probably a bad sign.

[daveT]

Hm.

I think that the biggest problem is everyone's first beer is Budweiser. I could never acquire a taste for that schwagg.

My first beer was something different, and I liked it. Then I had bud, busch, the cheap stuff.

I didn't really enjoy a "good beer" until I had a good beer.

There absolutely is a huge difference between the tastes of beers. I have a fond for imports myself. But I do enjoy Killian's Red.

[katyseagull]

[ QUOTE ]
I think your body recognizes alcohol as a poison so you have to teach it to accept it.


[/ QUOTE ]

I agree. The first time I had hard liquor it felt like poison on my tongue. I knew it was bad for me. My body did not crave it at all.

I thought beer had a terrible taste up until my late 20s. Then I started to like it. It took a long time though.

[LetItBe]

Scotch #1: blah, gross, liquid dirt, etc.

Scotch #2: blah, gross.

Scotch #3: blah.

Scotch #4: ...

Scotch #5: Hmmm...not too bad.

Scotch #6: I like the oaky flavor of this one.

Scotch #7: Single or blended?

Scotch #8: WAITER!

[baumer]

[ QUOTE ]
Scotch #1: blah, gross, liquid dirt, etc.

Scotch #2: blah, gross.

Scotch #3: blah.

Scotch #4: ...

Scotch #5: Hmmm...not too bad.

Scotch #6: I like the oaky flavor of this one.

Scotch #7: Single or blended?

Scotch #8: WAITER!

[/ QUOTE ]

I think I'm at #6 on your Scale of Scotch enjoyment.

I'm 24 and I find my enjoyment of alcohol is largely situational. A beer after work is always good, but other times it may be a chore to finish. I suspect this is somewhat standard.

One thing I can never do is enjoy alcohol early in the day.

[tarheeljks]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Scotch #1: blah, gross, liquid dirt, etc.

Scotch #2: blah, gross.

Scotch #3: blah.

Scotch #4: ...

Scotch #5: Hmmm...not too bad.

Scotch #6: I like the oaky flavor of this one.

Scotch #7: Single or blended?

Scotch #8: WAITER!

[/ QUOTE ]

I think I'm at #6 on your Scale of Scotch enjoyment.

I'm 24 and I find my enjoyment of alcohol is largely situational. A beer after work is always good, but other times it may be a chore to finish. I suspect this is somewhat standard.

One thing I can never do is enjoy alcohol early in the day.

[/ QUOTE ]

i'm at least an 8 on this scale. i also love bourbon and gin, but i've liked them since the first time i tried them