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Beer has good health benefits. It doesn't have sugar in it, so it's something you can drink without damaging your teeth. It doesn't have caffeine, so it's not g

by Tycho 10y ago

Beer has good health benefits. It doesn't have sugar in it, so it's something you can drink without damaging your teeth. It doesn't have caffeine, so it's not going to stop you sleeping (hence why people meet for a coffee during the day and a 'drink' in the evening). Apparently it helps your cholesterol. It also kills germs/bacteria - when I was in India I tried to drink beer every day and I never got sick. In terms of taste, I think it becomes much more appealing in hot weather, as a chilled beer is very refreshing. Also, it's something you tend to sip gradually, which lends itself to situations where you are sitting with friends for extended periods. Similarly with wine. It does seem to cause people to lower their inhibitions which leads to easier conversation. Drunk people are very tiresome though.

deckiedan 10y ago
As a home brewer, I'd dispute "doesn't have sugar in it". The wort is stuffed with maltose, dextrose before fermentation. The yeast turns most of the fermentable sugars into alcohol, true, but some are left, and some are required. The yeast cannot work above a certain level of alcohol (%ABV), so any sugars added above that will not be fermented. Some styles have added non fermentables (lactose) to add sweetness. Also in cold weather, a mulled ale is amazing. :-)
tptacek 10y ago
Beer is about as caloric as sugar-sweetened soda and has comparable carbohydrates. It's not health food. :)
- Tycho 10y ago
  But as long as you realise that and monitor your intake/diet accordingly, why is that problem? Are carbohydrates necessarily bad?
rifung 10y ago
It's a bit unfair to only list the health benefits of beer and the downsides of other beverages. Alcohol is also a carcinogen and even if you stop drinking the effects still lingers for at least 15 years: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/alcohol/alcohol-fact-sheet https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/a...
dsfyu404ed 10y ago
>It doesn't have sugar in it, so it's something you can drink without damaging your teeth. I'm keeping this in my mental file cabinet for the semi-weekly "beer, wine or vodka and fruit juice" debate. >It also kills germs/bacteria I'd wager that moonshine kills them deader. >I think it becomes much more appealing in hot weather, as a chilled beer is very refreshing. >Also, it's something you tend to sip gradually Those aren't the same drink. Beer can be downed rapidly after finishing a laborious task. IPAs and other "beer inspired" substances are what you slowly sip when you have a lot of time on your hands.

by Tycho 10y ago

deckiedan 10y ago

As a home brewer, I'd dispute "doesn't have sugar in it". The wort is stuffed with maltose, dextrose before fermentation. The yeast turns most of the fermentable sugars into alcohol, true, but some are left, and some are required. The yeast cannot work above a certain level of alcohol (%ABV), so any sugars added above that will not be fermented. Some styles have added non fermentables (lactose) to add sweetness. Also in cold weather, a mulled ale is amazing. :-)

tptacek 10y ago

Beer is about as caloric as sugar-sweetened soda and has comparable carbohydrates. It's not health food. :)

Tycho 10y ago
But as long as you realise that and monitor your intake/diet accordingly, why is that problem? Are carbohydrates necessarily bad?

rifung 10y ago

It's a bit unfair to only list the health benefits of beer and the downsides of other beverages. Alcohol is also a carcinogen and even if you stop drinking the effects still lingers for at least 15 years: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/alcohol/alcohol-fact-sheet https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/a...

dsfyu404ed 10y ago

>It doesn't have sugar in it, so it's something you can drink without damaging your teeth. I'm keeping this in my mental file cabinet for the semi-weekly "beer, wine or vodka and fruit juice" debate. >It also kills germs/bacteria I'd wager that moonshine kills them deader. >I think it becomes much more appealing in hot weather, as a chilled beer is very refreshing. >Also, it's something you tend to sip gradually Those aren't the same drink. Beer can be downed rapidly after finishing a laborious task. IPAs and other "beer inspired" substances are what you slowly sip when you have a lot of time on your hands.