Here are some of the experiences, ideas, and challenges I have faced so far in the beer world while being pregnant. Luckily, this has not been such a bad experience so far. I still feel like I am a part of the community even though I have taken a small step back!
Beer and pregnancy: what a duo, right? These do not go together, so how is it possible to be blogging about beer… while pregnant?
“What are you going to do with your blog/Instagram while you are pregnant?”
That was the number one question I was asked when I first started breaking the news to people. It was like dropping eggs and watching them crack and splatter all over the floor.
My response: “Well, I can still talk about beer and promote my favorite places and enjoy all of the other aspects about beer. Just because I can’t drink it doesn’t mean I can’t talk about it.”
What a concept!
I’ll admit that a big chunk of my content is drinking and reviewing beer. After all, what is a brewery without its craft beer? Tasting beer is just merely scratching the surface of this deep and wonderful community. Craft beer is more than flights and IPAs, it goes beyond that. I love learning people’s stories: how they got into beer and what craft beer means to them. I also had goals to learn more about beer and try to brew it a couple more times while I was pregnant. Although I can’t really enjoy the fruits of my labor whenever I brew this year, I can practice my skills and sharpen them for the next time around.
The Roots and Passion for Craft Beer
When I go to a brewery, I love feeling the camaraderie and passion trickling down from the owners and brewers to the people pouring pints behind the bar. Those are the breweries that have a good story and probably have some of the best beers around. I love hearing the anecdotes and reasoning for some of the beer names on the tap room list. That’s what holds intrinsic value to a brewery and keeps me coming back for more! That is something I love to represent and share with people on my blog and social media. It might seem like a small piece of the puzzle, but it has a huge effect on the big picture!
Brewing Beer and a Baby Simultaneously
I definitely had goals to brew more this year–but with very little equipment and the expenses of a baby steadily approaching, buying my own home brewing equipment is out of the question. I also don’t really have the room for it in my house. I was relying on friends and maybe some collaborations (if anyone’s interested and wants to teach me the ways, e-mail me!) to give me the opportunity. I brewed one beer before I found out I was pregnant, and once it came time to bottle it, I couldn’t drink it! I still had a small sip to taste it; however, if you’re a craft beer drinker, you know a small sip doesn’t allow you to fully experience the complete flavor and taste of the beer.
Small Setbacks
Most of the challenges I have faced along the way are also largely due to the pregnancy itself. I haven’t been offered as many PR packages or invited to as many exclusive events that most of the other beer bloggers are receiving in the mail as I was before I was pregnant.
I do not think this is all due to the fact I am growing a human inside of me, but that is part of it. Let’s face it, if you want an event covered or a beer talked about, a blogger’s content is going to be much more valuable and interesting if the beer can be tasted and enjoyed.
Most of it has to do with my lack of producing content. Why has it been so hard for me to simply take a photo of myself, or snap a picture of beer?
Because it is not that easy, and it never has been!
It takes a lot of time and energy to create content, get a photo the way you like it, whip up a caption, and respond to the folks who follow you. Right now, those are two things I have been in short supply of: time and energy.
The first month before I even knew I was pregnant, I was EXHAUSTED beyond my normal ranges. Going to the gym and doing the bare minimum was getting hard for me. I would fall asleep a lot earlier on the couch. This didn’t occur to me until after I found out I was pregnant. Hey, it makes sense. All your body’s energy is being used up to produce another LIFE.
Also, two words: morning sickness. Which, I’m not sure if you knew or not, doesn’t necessarily only start or end in the morning. Sometimes it can happen randomly throughout the day, and sometimes last all day. Buckle up, buttercup! Food is not your friend during these times! What did I do when I was sick? I slept. It was the only thing I could really do. I also constantly looked like a hot pile of garbage with some stray strands of hair sticking out. That is not really what I want to showcase on my blog. Ahh, the finer moments of pregnancy! This made me want to steer clear of social media. It was already enough work for me to get my body and health under control. I couldn’t handle adding Instagram on my plate during those times. Doubt you all want to see the view of my life from the toilet, or all of the classy moments of me pulling my car over to throw up in front of a stranger’s yard. Oops!
I will be 18 weeks in two days. I’m almost half-way through my pregnancy and that is INSANE. Where did the time go?!
So, while this bun is baking in the oven, I hope that you will continue to follow my journey exploring things other than beer, like food or fun places in Orlando. I will still talk about and comment on beer releases, promote beer festivals and events, and continue to remain rooted in this craft community of Central Florida, and I will resume beer consumption after my pregnancy!
I’m learning every day and experimenting ways I can share the things I love with y’all. I will appreciate any feedback for the time being and if you have any input or ideas, comment below or e-mail me!
As always, thank you for your continued support. I feel so much love and positivity from all of you and I can never thank you enough!
–Ashley