W.C. Fields Once Said, It Was a Woman Who Drove Me to Drink, and I Never Had the Courtesy

BLOG FOR MAY 7, 2016

W.C. Fields once said, “It was a woman who drove me to drink, and I never had the courtesy to thank her!” Well here I am sir. Drop me a note anytime.

Mr. Fields could be a cantankerous old bugger, but we women have known for centuries about the benefits of raising a frothy mug of beer and drinking to one’s good health. That’s because we’ve been adding leaves, roots, berries, tree sap, honey and other healing compounds to beer for their medicinal benefits as much as for a bit of flavour. Any good chemist will tell you that healing compounds like aloe and coriander easily dissolve in beer that otherwise wouldn’t dissolve in plain old water. Why, my great, great grandmother, Cerridwen, was known to add crusted earthworms and palm dates to her beer to encourage good and plentiful breast milk in women. (If you feel the need to explore my veracity, dear reader, check out the book “The Barbarians Beverage: A history of beer in ancient Europe” by Max Nelson).

Why do I promote the ancient art of beer brewing? Because good beer is good for you. During the process of fermentation, yeast and bacteria break down into easily digestible nutrients that can be quickly absorbed by the body. A number of quality research studies have found moderate beer consumption can lead to lower risk of cardiovascular disease, prevention of kidney stones, improved cognitive performance, increased Vitamin B intake, and decreased risk of diabetes.

Good beer is brimming with minerals, nutrients, vitamins, anti-oxidants, and fiber. But of course, it’s only as good as the quality of its ingredients. Which is why I’ll always reach for a locally crafted beer that is locally sourced - like the beer being brewed at the Saltbox Brewing Company. Have a chat with the folks at the brewery to discover the broad spectrum of flavours they’re creating.

As an FYI, the scientists tell me “moderate drinking” equates to about 1 beer a day. My well-read father, who was known to imbibe from time to time, might quote St. Augustine who once said, “To many, total abstinence is easier than perfect moderation.” I’ll let you interpret that as you will. I prefer to paraphrase my old pal Mark Twain: I never drink to excess – I drink in moderation, one beer at a time!

Enjoy this slice of wisdom and drink a beer that makes you happy!