Years ago, while still living in Missouri, I went to lunch with a friend. Soon after we ordered our food, her phone rang. She spent the majority of our lunch talking to the other person.

Needless to say, that was the last time we had lunch together. We still dined out in large groups, which made this annoying habit somewhat more tolerable; at least I had other people to talk to.

If that were to happen today, she wouldn’t be talking on her phone, she’d be texting. Or checking Facebook. Or tweeting.

I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of everybody’s phone being the third, fifth or 17th wheel during social events. I admit, I’m as addicted to my Smart Phone as the next person, but I also know when I’m out with others, my attention should be focused on them — not my twitter account.

That’s why when I got the press release about The Great Samuel Adams Boston Lager Log-Off, I had to share it.

According to Nielsen’s recent Social Media Report, we spend more time on social networks than any other site, increasing our social media usage by 37 percent over the past year to reach an all-time high of 121 billion minutes in July.

In another recent survey conducted by Wakefield Research for Samuel Adams, 9 out of 10 Americans age 21 and older reported that they have the best conversations with friends in person, such as at a bar or restaurant, yet less than a third said that their primary way of connecting with their friends is face-to-face.

To combat the disconnect between online relationships and face-to-face conversation, Samuel Adams is hosting The Great Samuel Adams Boston Lager Log-Off on National Lager Day (Dec. 10).

According to the press release, this event is about “getting back to basics and  a chance to close the computer and put your phone away for just a few hours , and kick back with a Boston Lager at your favorite watering hole in celebration of good beer and good conversation.”

How does it work?

On the night of Dec. 10, tweet your last tweet of the night, telling friends and Samuel Adams (@SamuelAdamsBeer) what bar you and your friends will be toasting at for the #BostonLagerLogOff.  Then, log off and enjoy some in-person technology-free conversation that won’t be interrupted by a text or e-mail.