Got Beer? Some Sobering Words About Beer

Here are some wise (and diverse) words to live by: “Drink responsibly.” “Moderation in all things, especially moderation.” “The brewery is the best drugstore.” “Alcohol is the anesthesia by which we endure the operation of life.” Now let’s dive into these wise (and wide-ranging) health-related words vis-à-vis your favorite beverage.

Beer Is Good For You! Some of the health benefits (and/or claims) that have been attributed to the liquid: It fights inflammation; prevents respiratory infections; aids digestion and keeps gut bacteria in check; helps build bones; lowers the risk of heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and kidney stones; blocks bacteria that causes gum disease and tooth degradation; enhances your creativity; and some chemicals in beer help prevent cancer.

But Too Much Beer Is Bad For You! Some of the health detriments associated with long-term consumption are weight gain (see next item), liver disease, memory loss, heartburn and other woes. And then there’s the matter of moderation. There is a wide range of interpretation for that word, but the stats from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reflect the conventional wisdom. Men shouldn’t top four drinks a day or more than 14 per week, and the limit for women is three a day/seven per week; the American Heart Association counters with a two-per-day cap for men and one for women, with the same weekly total. Dr. Kari Poikolainen, a former alcohol expert at the World Health Organization, said in 2014, “The weight of the evidence shows moderate drinking is better than abstaining and heavy drinking is worse than abstaining — however, the moderate amounts can be higher than the guidelines say.” An intriguing prescription!

Those Pesky Empty Calories! You put on the pounds thanks to the carbohydrates produced by the malt sugars in the fermentation process. The higher the alcohol by volume (ABV), the bigger the beer belly. A 12-ounce brew with a 5% ABV has about 150 calories; a 9% imperial IPA contains about 270; and that 14.3% Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout packs a whopping 430 units. Some perspective: A large order of McDonald’s fries is 510 calories. So stick to the beer!

Last Call! You know your limits and what‘s good and bad for you, so proceed accordingly. And if you’re a fan of craft beer, the cost of the good stuff likely helps you toe the moderation line. (Though the amount of consumption documented on a few local craft beer sites indicates that many people blast past the guidelines on most days that end in “y.”)

Cheers (in moderation) to you and your health!

Bonus Beer News! Cheers to Armando DeDona, who finally cut the ribbon at Long Live Beerworks, the first microbrewery in the capital city, on January 9. Head to 425 West Fountain Street for tastings and growlers of ’Nuff Said IPA, Black Cat Pale Ale, Milk Milk Stout, and other treats Wednesday – Friday from 4 – 9pm and on Saturday from 1 – 8pm.

The last beer in Narragansett’s H.P. Lovecraft series is I Am Providence, an imperial red ale (8% ABV). The brew should be in stores the second week of February.

The first brew fest of 2016 is happening January 16 from noon – 6pm at the Historic Warren Armory (11 Jefferson St), but the bad news is that it’s already sold out. The Winter Beer Blast features 20 brewers (including a half-dozen locals and some regional and national standouts) plus food, music, raffles and more. Get all the details at facebook.com/riwinterbeerblast.

And don’t dawdle — get your tickets now for the fourth annual Rhode Island Brew Fest, which will take place on January 30 (1 – 4pm and 5:30 – 8:30pm) at the Pawtucket Armory. The big bash features more than 50 breweries (including most of our locals) pouring 175-plus beers. Three-quarters of the tix were gone when we typed these words. Hit ribrewfest.com to get yourself through the doors.