Ideal Bite

What are the best kind of beer goggles?

08.30.2006

Submitted by idealbite on Wed, 08/30/2006 - 5:00pm.

The Bite:

A pair that only lets you see organic brews (and forces you to drink in moderation). We can't promise 20/20 vision, but you can be sure there'll be some mighty tasty pay-offs for the planet.

The Benefits:

Convenience. Even the big guys like Anheuser-Busch have started selling their own organic brews.
Cheers to your health. A 2003 FDA study found about 17% of barley and 32% of wheat products sampled had pesticide residues. We prefer the less than 5% offered by organic beer.
Smaller microbreweries like Wolaver's have made a commitment to sustainable agriculture. Organic farming reduces topsoil erosion - 1/3 of which has disappeared due to modern farming.
Most organic brews compare in price to regular microbrews (about $8/6-pack). And if more of us buy organic, it will drive prices down even more.

Personally Speaking:

On one too many occasions, Jen has made "beer and chips" her dinner of choice. Luckily the old advertising slogan "Guinness is Good for You" may be true after all - see the nutritional facts of beer in today's blog.

Wanna Try:

Eel River - Jen highly recommends the IPA or Amber.
Wolaver's - Heather's favorite organic is the best-selling in the US, for good reason - the taste.
Samuel Smith - the old English fave now has organic brews.
Stone Mill Pale Ale - nice and light, but not without a bite.
Wild Hop Lager - a refreshing lager from the makers of Bud.
Seven Bridges - brew your own with easy-to-use kits ($26-38).
The Complete Joy of Homebrewing - from pilseners to porters, learn how to brew it all at home ($10).

Got some favorite brews to suggest? Bring 'em to the blog.

Cocktail Fact

According to a Glasgow University study, people who've drunk a moderate amount find potential partners 25% more attractive than they do sober. (You don't say.)