Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Why I drink beer
I just read Tim Webb’s article in the May issue All About Beer. He touches on the quandary of beer and health. Over the past several years, the beer society as a whole has been grasping at straws the way the wine industry has by making scientific claims of the “micro” advantages of its consumption . Let me clarify. I am not using the term micro to define the beer industry. I am using the term micro to define any medically relevant consumption of beer or wine may have on our health, as in microscopic.
If one to consume enough beer or wine to benefit from the qualities that are remarked as healthful; it would definitely be a cause for concern. I would not think of it as responsible drinking to consume the quantities necessary to receive any health benefit touted by either industry. We would all be lining up for a liver transplant. The last thing this nation needs is an excuse to exercise another Prohibition Act.
We have spent so much time and resources appreciating the true art of brewing beer. The development of styles would disappear much like the German recipes that disappeared during it’s Reinheitsgebot period. We understand that marketing does not a beer make. Have we learned nothing over the years?
Of course writers are learning to include disclaimers or qualify statements by saying in “moderation“.
I once had a person tell me that if I consumed more than a six pack a day then I am an alcoholic. Just like that. One day, one six pack an alcoholic I am. How could I explain to this person that I spend some of my weekends starting to imbibe by nine o’clock in the morning and over the course of the day can easily consume 72 ounces of beer. Does that make me an alcoholic. Do I tell her it is all in a days work of a beer judge? Maybe this is where I take Tim’s cue and realize that some things are better left unspoken.
This leads me to a question, “Why do I drink?”
Before I answer that question I would like to touch very briefly on why beer and wine as a beverage was a household item in the first place. First of all, it was a way to gain nutritional benefits. That is definitely the case with beer. Second ,it was a sanitary source of drink. Third, it had mood altering effects.
So, do I drink beer for the health benefits, the nutritional benefits, the sanitary benefit or the mood altering benefit?
I don’t kid myself in thinking that a pint of any beer or wine for that matter will provide sufficient anti -oxidants to prevent cancer. I certainly am not so deprived of fresh meat and vegetable that I need to drink it for nutritional reasons. I live in the city so I have sanitary potable water to drink. The mood altering effect is short lived on me. I admit it, I am a light weight.
So, why do I drink beer? I drink beer because I enjoy it. Everything about a good beer lends itself to pure enjoyment. The sound of the pour. The rise of the head. The jewel-like tones in the color. The aroma of rich malt balanced with aromatic hops. The feel of the body on my tongue. The complex balance of barley and hops. The nuances of the yeast aromas which contribute anything from a clean finish to a tart or horse-like aftertaste. The dancing of the carbonation created by the yeast.
There is no shortage of descriptors when it comes to a good beer. Just as enjoyable as the beer is the social aspect. Getting together for a game, a party, a romantic dinner, a festival, to wind down or meet up with friends, co-workers or family. Or even to share one with your neighbor. Regardless of the reason, beer is a great social element.
Do I need an article featuring 10 health benefits of drinking beer to justify my pint? I can think of 10 reasons why I enjoy my pint and I don’t have to justify it. Oh, and the subject of moderation, well, let’s just say I do my judging in moderation as well.
I appreciated Tim Webb’s conclusion in his article “ On Leading a Double Life”, While Tim’s perceived ability to have uncanny abilities and to understand trends in public policy he contributes it to nothing more than having a chat with his beer buddies. No doubt at the local pub.
If one to consume enough beer or wine to benefit from the qualities that are remarked as healthful; it would definitely be a cause for concern. I would not think of it as responsible drinking to consume the quantities necessary to receive any health benefit touted by either industry. We would all be lining up for a liver transplant. The last thing this nation needs is an excuse to exercise another Prohibition Act.
We have spent so much time and resources appreciating the true art of brewing beer. The development of styles would disappear much like the German recipes that disappeared during it’s Reinheitsgebot period. We understand that marketing does not a beer make. Have we learned nothing over the years?
Of course writers are learning to include disclaimers or qualify statements by saying in “moderation“.
I once had a person tell me that if I consumed more than a six pack a day then I am an alcoholic. Just like that. One day, one six pack an alcoholic I am. How could I explain to this person that I spend some of my weekends starting to imbibe by nine o’clock in the morning and over the course of the day can easily consume 72 ounces of beer. Does that make me an alcoholic. Do I tell her it is all in a days work of a beer judge? Maybe this is where I take Tim’s cue and realize that some things are better left unspoken.
This leads me to a question, “Why do I drink?”
Before I answer that question I would like to touch very briefly on why beer and wine as a beverage was a household item in the first place. First of all, it was a way to gain nutritional benefits. That is definitely the case with beer. Second ,it was a sanitary source of drink. Third, it had mood altering effects.
So, do I drink beer for the health benefits, the nutritional benefits, the sanitary benefit or the mood altering benefit?
I don’t kid myself in thinking that a pint of any beer or wine for that matter will provide sufficient anti -oxidants to prevent cancer. I certainly am not so deprived of fresh meat and vegetable that I need to drink it for nutritional reasons. I live in the city so I have sanitary potable water to drink. The mood altering effect is short lived on me. I admit it, I am a light weight.
So, why do I drink beer? I drink beer because I enjoy it. Everything about a good beer lends itself to pure enjoyment. The sound of the pour. The rise of the head. The jewel-like tones in the color. The aroma of rich malt balanced with aromatic hops. The feel of the body on my tongue. The complex balance of barley and hops. The nuances of the yeast aromas which contribute anything from a clean finish to a tart or horse-like aftertaste. The dancing of the carbonation created by the yeast.
There is no shortage of descriptors when it comes to a good beer. Just as enjoyable as the beer is the social aspect. Getting together for a game, a party, a romantic dinner, a festival, to wind down or meet up with friends, co-workers or family. Or even to share one with your neighbor. Regardless of the reason, beer is a great social element.
Do I need an article featuring 10 health benefits of drinking beer to justify my pint? I can think of 10 reasons why I enjoy my pint and I don’t have to justify it. Oh, and the subject of moderation, well, let’s just say I do my judging in moderation as well.
I appreciated Tim Webb’s conclusion in his article “ On Leading a Double Life”, While Tim’s perceived ability to have uncanny abilities and to understand trends in public policy he contributes it to nothing more than having a chat with his beer buddies. No doubt at the local pub.
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