Buying Better Brews

Have you been to a tavern, watering hole, or restaurant lately? Make your way up to the bar and take a look at the taps that dispense beer. You know the ones with the ornate handles and intricate logos. Wherever you find yourself in the world, you’ll likely notice some new and unfamiliar brews on offer. There’s more taps than ever before yet some of the familiar brands have disappeared. That’s because there’s a craft beer renaissance happening. It’s taking place in factories, breweries, and even neighborhood garages. Wherever taste buds find themselves refined, that’s where the good news is brewing.

Beer is no longer strictly in business to get you intoxicated or make you more willing to do boring chores like mow the lawn, take out the trash, or watch your mother play gin rummy. It’s quickly become a liquid taste sensation that’s as complex as some of the gourmet entrées they wash down. Of course, you can still pair it with a hotdog at a ballgame. You can also continue to guzzle them down. There’s no need to get all dramatic and snooty like some wine aficionado, unless you really want to.

Did you know that in Germany, beer was until recently required to be amazing by law? It might sound preposterous, but who is really going to argue against ales and lagers having to be incredible? Even if you believe in absolute freedom and think people should at least have the option of buying mediocre beverages, you should consider giving Deutschland a pass on this one. Rules, regulations, and instructions can serve a purpose, even beyond the times you play gin rummy and other games.

Up until the eighties, the German Purity Law limited beer to include a short list of allowable ingredients. Even as a much more relaxed set of rules were introduced, German tastes continue to demand the best. You and your palate should follow their lead.