Drink Real Beer, Dammit

If you ask most Europeans, they say that American Beer sucks. And, for the most part, it does. The swill that macrobrew companies like Coors, Anheuser Busch, and Miller pass off for beer is hardly beer when compared the the hearty, full bodied beers of Europe. American microbrews are an exception.

Sure, Europe has its share of bad beer too, but even good American Beer is bad Bier.

A carbonated diuretic

Take for instance this low carb beer like Michelob Ultra. This is bascially for people who do not like beer, but just like to pee a lot. They market it to the health conscience. But if you were really watching your firgure and want a beer for after workouts, you would not drink any beer which contains alcohol which dehydrates.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a Miller High Life occasionally. My favorite everyday beer is Yuengling. All I am saying is that with the proliferation of these low carb and light beers Americans are forgetting what good beer is.

To understand where I am coming from you have to understand the basic ingredients of beer. The basic ingredients of a good beer are: (from most to least)
Water
Malted Barley
Hops
Yeast

By using different "roasts" of malted barley you affect the color and body. Hops imparts aroma and bitterness. And they type of yeast you use along with the type of fermentation also affects the beer's flavor and alcohol content.

An American beer like Budweiser includes: (from most to least)
Water
Rice or Corn
Malted Barley
Hops
Yeast

They use the rice or corn to impart a sweeter flavor, and to keep costs down. The difference is great. Imagine making soup with non-fat turkey broth compared to homemade chicken stock. You get the point.

So as you go to a bar, for a change, order something exotic. Order a microbrew, order a beer from Germany. Or if you are really adventerous, try a beer from Belgium, probably the best beer makers in the world.

Overall, enjoy beer, It's liquid bread afterall.

Posted by psugrad98 at November 19, 2003 06:24 PM