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Beer Facts and Trivia

Trivia

One of George Washington's first acts as Commander of the Continental Army was to proclaim that every one of his troops would receive a quart of beer with his daily rations.
In their efforts to regulate beer quality, the ancient Babylonians, who were among history's earliest brewers, decreed that any commercial beer maker who sold unfit beer would be drowned in his/her own libation.
Bottle caps, or "crowns," were invented in Baltimore in 1892 by William Painter. Painter proved his invention's worth when he convinced a local brewer to ship a few hundred cases of beer to South America and back and they returned without a leak.
The first beer cans were produced in 1935.
There are 27 different styles of beer, with a further breakdown of 49 sub-styles.

Q: What king is known as the "patron saint of beer?"
A: King Gambrinus (not to be confused with St. Arnold, the patron saint of brewing).

Q: What was the length of Prohibition?
A: Prohibition lasted 13 years, 10 months, 19 days, 17 hours, 32 ½ minutes

Q: What is the best selling brand in the Western Hemisphere outside of the United States, and where is it brewed?
A: Brahma Beer. It is brewed in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Beer Facts

(Source: - National Beer Wholesalers Organization, www.nbwa.org/health - The Benefits of Moderate Beer Consumption; The Brewers of Europe 2002)

Health Benefits of Beer
Studies have shown that moderate consumption of beer can:

Lower rates of heart disease. Consuming alcohol in moderation (defined by the U.S. government as no more than two drinks per day for men or one drink per day for women) may lower coronary heart disease risk for some people by 30 to 60 percent, even those at high risk because of diabetes, hypertension or a previous heart attack.
Aid in bone formation. Beer contains silicon, a mineral that helps build bone mass. Dietary silicon has been shown in one study to improve bone density in the hips of men and premenopausal women.
Prevent cell damage that can lead to cancer and heart disease. Hops and malt used to make beer are rich sources of disease-fighting antioxidants. Beer also contains polyphenols, the same antioxidants found in wine, fruits, vegetables, and green and black tea. Ales and lagers generally contain more antioxidants than light and nonalcoholic beers.
Lower rates of diabetes. In one 12-year study, regular light to moderate alcohol intake was associated with a 36-percent lower risk of diabetes. Moderate consumption has been associated with reduced insulin resistance and reduced diabetes (conversely, heavy drinking and alcohol dependence is associated with increased insulin resistance and increased diabetes).
Protect against ischemic stroke (responsible for 80 percent of all strokes), Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Moderate consumption has been linked to improved cognition and memory.
To drink moderately is to drink within the limits set by your health, the society in which you live and your obligations towards your family and friends.
Moderate consumption of alcoholic drinks can be good for your heart. Numerous studies throughout the world have shown that there is strong evidence that people who are moderate drinkers of beers, wines and spirits have a substantially reduced risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack, when compared to teetotalers and heavy drinkers.
Per drink (of equivalent alcohol content), beer contains more than twice as many antioxidants as white wine, although only half the amount of red wine. However, many of the antioxidants in red wine are large molecules and may be less readily absorbed by the body than smaller molecules found in beer.
Beer does not contain fat or cholesterol and is low in free sugars. The calories in beer come largely from the alcohol content.

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