Everyone knows about New Year’s resolutions. Who doesn’t make some sweeping goal to “save more money” or “eat better” when January rolls around? But what you probably don’t know is that New Year’s resolutions have a long history.
The earliest examples of New Year’s celebrations were actually festivals the Babylonians held to celebrate the Spring Equinox more than 4,000 years ago. People would promise to change habits in order to gain favor from the gods. Sounds pretty familiar, right?
Change It Up
As our calendars have changed, so has the New Year’s celebration — from the Romans to the Middle Ages to our current calendar — yet the concept of making resolutions has never gone out of style. About 41 percent of Americans still make a New Year’s resolution, but only 9.2 percent achieve that goal.
So what’s the key to being in that 9 percent? It’s simple: Set specific, measurable goals. And it doesn’t hurt to get some support from your family and friends. The most popular resolutions for 2017 were pretty much what you’d expect: get healthy, get organized, live life to the fullest, etc.
We at Visit Tri-Valley support you, the resolution maker, and are here to help. Want to know the cheat code to achieving your New Year’s goals? Beer. Don’t believe us? Keep reading. Here are five of the most popular resolutions for this year and tips on how you can easily knock them all out on our beer trail:
- Get Healthy
Maybe you indulged a little too much during the holiday season and its influx of parties — that’s OK! Resolutions are all about reinvention, and beer can help. “But what about all the calories in beer?” you might be thinking. Beer is actually packed with antioxidants and B vitamins, including heart-healthy ones like niacin, folic acid, and B6.
Not convinced? Beer not only reduces your likelihood of developing kidney stones, but it also contains silicon, which can improve your bone strength, among many other health benefits. Your health matters, so have a beer and get your daily dose of antioxidants.
- Get Organized
If you’ve declared 2017 the year you’re finally going to get your act together and perfect your “adulting” skills, then what better way to start than by checking steps off an organized list?
The Tri-Valley Beer Trail can act as your guide — take the stress out of planning office happy hours and weekend excursions (at least until you’ve completed the trail). Not only does participating in the beer trail take care of your weekend plans, but the passport also lets you neatly document which breweries you’ve visited and which you have yet to explore.
- Save More Money
Did the train wreck that was 2017 wreak havoc on your finances? Believe it or not, drinking beer can help get you back on track.
On average, if you spend a night out on the town in San Francisco, you’ll be shelling out at least $71. But beer’s here to keep your wallet volume high and your social life vibrant. You can get just about any type of beer for $10 or less in any Tri-Valley brewery — and that’s before happy hour specials are applied.
- Travel
If your biggest goal for 2017 is to be more adventurous and see the world, there’s no better way to do so than by following Tri-Valley’s beer trail. No matter which of our four towns you stop in for the night, you’ll have a refreshing beer waiting for you.
Whether you’re searching for mountains to hike, valleys to explore, or water for sailing and kayaking, this region has it all. With trail participants in Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, and Danville, tasting a beer at each stop will help you fully explore the region’s cities and geographical features.
And let’s be real: Having a post-hike beer is half the fun of conquering the region’s peaks.
- Live Life to the Fullest
Not everyone’s 2016 was so #blessed. Maybe your goal for 2017 is simple: to live each day to its fullest before you can say, “Lord, beer me strength.”
Touring the Tri-Valley and its many breweries isn’t just a great way to taste unique brews and see gorgeous sights. It’s also a good way to make friends with fellow beer tasters and be inspired by the passion local brewmasters have for the region and the craft.
The easiest way to fulfill your New Year’s resolution is to make sure it’s something you want to do. So come have a beer in the Tri-Valley to stay strong with your resolutions. We have faith in you.