Jamie East & The World Cup of AFJamie East & The World Cup of AF
Wet and Dry
Brewdog vs Aldi
35:18•16 Oct 2020
Jamie East, AF Beer Battles and a Sobriety Check-In
Episode Overview
- Geoff is nine months into a year off drinking and is torn between staying sober and attempting moderation once the year ends.
- Matt blind-tastes BrewDog’s Nanny State against Aldi’s The Lowdown and unexpectedly prefers the cheaper Aldi alcohol-free beer.
- Jamie East used Sober October as a way to stop drinking more permanently and later turned to AA, despite not seeing himself as a stereotypical alcoholic.
- Jamie suggests that friends’ negative reactions to someone quitting drinking can come from fear, as sobriety highlights their own relationship with alcohol.
- Running and extra time gained from not drinking have helped Jamie maintain sobriety, and he feels he is now a better husband, father and employee.
“I’m a better husband. I’m a far better father. I’m a better employee. My work’s better. I’m happier.”
What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? Wet and Dry tackles that question with its usual mix of banter, honesty and a lot of beer chat – alcohol-free beer, that is. Geoff is nine months into his year off drinking and edging towards some big decisions about whether to stay sober or try moderation.
Matt, proudly “wet”, is still the pub-lover in the friendship, so you’ll hear both sides of the fence: the sober experimenter and the mate who worries their relationship might change. Their back-and-forth about curfews, early pub kick-outs and Britain’s attachment to booze will feel very familiar to anyone who’s ever said, “Just one more.” A big highlight is the launch of the “World Cup of AF”, with Matt blind-tasting BrewDog’s Nanny State against Aldi’s The Lowdown.
He ends up picking the Aldi beer – and then finds out it’s 69p a can, about a third of the price. There’s plenty of light teasing about AF packaging, substitute beers at barbecues, and why non-drinkers shouldn’t be treated like the “weirdo” at the table. The heart of the episode comes from guest Jamie East, who’s marking three years without alcohol.
He talks about using Sober October as a “smokescreen”, AA meetings, and the quiet but relentless drip of daily drinking at home. Jamie explains how friendships shift when one person stops drinking, and suggests some reactions are “fear” because sobriety reflects others’ habits back at them. Running has become his new high, and he sums up his decision simply: “I’m a better husband, I’m a far better father… my work’s better.
I’m happier.” If you’re weighing up your own relationship with alcohol – or worried how mates might react – this mix of humour, honesty and AF beer geekery might be just what you need. What would your own “World Cup of AF” look like?
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.