After living in Dallas for over 10 years, I moved to Denver two years ago due to my wife's job transfer.

It's a well-known good area in Denver, and the school district is not bad, so we can send our kids to public schools... Above all, the summer here is not too long, so I was okay with moving. Compared to Texas, which has almost no mountains, the high peaks of the Rocky Mountains are famous here, making the view from the backyard really nice.

After moving, I enjoyed the mountain-surrounded scenery while drinking beer, and as my wife suggested, I cleaned the grill we brought from Dallas and started grilling meat. However, unlike when I lived in Dallas, I discovered the real fun of barbecue only after coming to Denver.

On weekends, I got completely hooked on grilling meat in the backyard with friends.

At first, I started small. I bought a few hamburger patties, some chicken legs, and a few packs of cheese sausages from Costco and began grilling.

I thought grilling was no big deal, but oh, how wrong I was. The smell of meat and sausages cooking over charcoal drives people crazy.

Moreover, the combination of white rice with lettuce and gochujang, along with well-cooked napa cabbage kimchi or young radish kimchi, is fantastic.

Especially, the smoky aroma from the steak cuts or chicken legs is incredible.

When the fat from the meat drips onto the charcoal...

The amazing aroma spreads everywhere (sniffing makes me hungry), and even the neighbors passing by can't help but turn their heads towards our house.

Interestingly, when you only eat meat, it feels like something is missing, but when you add a cool beer or a fizzy soft drink, it naturally brings out exclamations of delight.

It feels as if someone is shouting from behind, "This is the essence of barbecue!" One day, my wife's colleague asked, "Why does the combination of meat and beer work so well?" I was curious too, so I looked it up.

It turns out there is quite a scientific reason. The 'Maillard reaction' that occurs when grilling meat is a fragrant chemical reaction that happens when proteins and sugars meet at high temperatures, which is responsible for the unique umami and flavor of the meat. However, what helps this rich and salty flavor spread better in the mouth is none other than 'cold carbonation.'

Carbonation washes away the fat in the mouth, and the refreshing fizz resets the taste buds, allowing you to experience the meat's flavor even more distinctly. So, soda or beer is not just a simple drink, but a "perfect partner for barbecue."

Moreover, we have a stronger instinct to gather around the fire than we think.

Just a thousand years ago, humans grilled hunted meat over fire, forming communities while sharing stories in the process.

Whether this instinct is still deeply ingrained in our DNA, whenever there's a barbecue party, everyone becomes more cheerful. Even strangers become friends with just a piece of meat and a beer, and conversations flow easily with questions like, "What's your seasoning?"

Denver is a clean city with bright skies, perfect for barbecuing in the summer.

The sun can be quite hot during the day, but it's cool in the shade, and in the evening, a refreshing breeze makes it perfect for enjoying a beer in front of the grill. As the sun sets and the lights come on in the backyard, the sound of sizzling meat mixes with laughter, and when the smoky haze rises into the sky, I feel like I'm truly living.

These days, my grilling skills have improved quite a bit. It's basic to score sausages for a crispy outside and juicy inside, and I marinate chicken legs in a soy sauce and lemon juice base to ensure the flavor penetrates well. Sometimes, I even say, "Today, I'm going for smoked chicken," and try smoking with wood chips. On such days, a friend often jokes, "Are you going to start a barbecue YouTube channel?"

Now, this has become a small but precious happiness in my life after moving to Denver, or should I say, a 'valuable time of smoky flavor.'

My barbecue journey began on a summer day, and it continues to flourish as I grill meat, drink beer, and share stories with friends.

What is life? Living healthily, eating well, and getting along with those around you is true happiness.