I've just remembered a horrible mistake.
I went to a do sponsored by a gin manufacturer billed as a tasting evening.
I really like gin.
I, and just about everyone else, assumed it would be a massive piss-up and were very excited.
When we arrived we were handed very well-made gin and tonics but I uncharacteristically stuck to one because it was only 6.30pm and I'd only had a sandwich at lunchtime so wanted to pace myself, especially until they fed me.
We were divided into groups for a talk on the history of gin-making.
Because I'd been there for about an hour and was a bit peckish I reached for the crisps to go with my shot glass of neat gin. I don't mind neat gin and this was a good one.
Except they weren't crisps. They were slivers of ginger and orange peel and you were supposed to sniff the gin, not drink it, and then sniff the aromatics and listen to the gin blender bore on about the history of the company 
.
He and the PR spoke to me as though I was a heathen and an alcoholic.
I might be, but it was unkind to point it out.
The others round the table said nothing but sneaked me sympathetic glances that said: 'If you hadn't been first, we'd have done that too.'
At the end of the do there was drinking but you could only have one of three gin cocktails that were flavoured with ginger, pomegranate or orange. They were disgusting
You couldn't get a gin and tonic at a party thrown by a huge gin company. There were a few small bowls of almonds that I fell on with a glass of water.
I went home sober and starving.