Every Wednesday I offer tips for adulthood.
I’ve aways been a beer drinker. In my youth, when quantity tended to weigh more heavily on my mind than quality, I wasn’t terribly discerning about what I drank. Budweiser…National Bohemian…Coors Light – it was all the same to me.
As I’ve grown older, however, I’ve come to be much pickier about what I drink. This is partly a function of my growing awareness that hangovers in adulthood aren’t nearly as much fun as they used to be. I also suffer from migraines, and – for better or for worse – I can no longer drink anything but beer (and only one at that), unless I want to bring on a bad headache. And, let’s face it. I didn’t want to be another one of those middle-aged women drinking to excess.
But here’s the good news. Now that I’m confined to only one type of alcohol – and very limited quantities therein – I am far choosier when it comes to what kind beer I’m willing to drink.
Here are five “grown up” beers that I can recommend:
1. Kasteel Cru. This is actually a champagne beer – (not to be confused with Miller High Life, the so-called “Champagne of Beers.”) It’s made of champagne yeast that comes from malted barley. I sampled it the other night when my husband and I went out to celebrate our anniversary and we wanted to try something different. It’s got a clean, elegant taste and if you love normal champagne but it doesn’t love you, this is the beer for you. It’s also the ideal alcoholic drink for those of us who can’t decide if we’re really high-brow or low-brow in our tastes.
2. Badger Golden Glory – Admittedly, this sounds like some kind of moonshine you might get from your distant uncle’s farm in Appalachia. But it’s actually a quite refreshing premium ale subtly flavored with a hint of peach. And amazingly enough – despite the peach extract – it doesn’t come off as at all fru-fru. One of my more “manly” guy friends recommended it and I’ve been sold ever since.
3. Corona – Here’s a beer that never goes out of style. When I first began drinking it as an adult, I used to feel horribly guilty – like I’d never quite outgrown that Spring Break in Cancun during my junior year in college. (Yup, been there; done that; got the tee-shirt.) But when it’s like 100 degrees outside and you need a cool pick-me-up, there’s nothing better than a Corona with lime. Click here for easy instructions on how to put the lime into a Corona. If nothing else, you’ll score lots of “cool points” with those who’ve never seen this done before (speaking of not growing out of Spring Break…).
4. Daas Blonde – I love Belgian beer. But this one – which I was recently introduced to via my organic grocer – is a real gem. It’s a premium organic Belgian beer that uses fresh Wallonian spring water, organic wheat and barley and is certified organic by the Belgian and UK Soil associations. Because, really. If you’re going to consume all those calories, you need to know that it’s also good for the planet. But, seriously folks. Delicious.
5. Beer Ice Cream. OK, I haven’t actually tried this one yet. I only learned about it last week when my colleague Joann Weiner talked about it on her post about the unusually relaxing week she spent in Washington, DC and beer ice cream made a cameo. I’ve subsequently learned that beer ice cream has been around the U.K. for seven years now. I’m terribly excited to try it. As someone who loves ice cream *and* beer, I don’t think I’ve been this excited about a twofer since they invented the Fluffernutter sandwich!
Photo by Wil Stewart on Unsplash
July 29, 2010, 7:48 am
As a Wisconsin native with German heritage (in fact, I’m now living in Germany again), I feel obliged to mention my passion for local beers:
In Wisconsin:
Spotted Cow, a “cask conditioned” ale said to be especially good with cheese curds (I can only speak to its fresh tingle when accompanying a grilled bratwurst)
Point Special and Point Bock, two brews (one seasonal) that I “grew up with” and are still the best beer value around (though only in Wisconsin)
In northern Germany:
Flensburger Weizen, because I’m not a Pilsner fan, this is one of the only regional alternatives (Weizen beers are generally produced in southern Germany). The plop! opening of the swing-top bottle is half the fun, but the beer stands on its own (really – the foam stands up).
It’s nice to see a serious discussion of beer among women!
July 29, 2010, 10:38 am
Thanks for weighing in, Paula! I love Pilsners so will def check out the standing up Weizin…thanks for the tip!
July 29, 2010, 10:09 am
July 30, 2010, 3:05 am
I too am a beer drinking woman. When I need a Corona type beer, I choose Tecate. I will have to look for some of your suggestions. I lean toward IPAs and Pale Ales. And being from Austin, Shiner Bock.
July 30, 2010, 10:22 am
Love tecate! thx for reminding me of it!
July 30, 2010, 3:38 am
http://sos.abita.com/#load
We tried this tonight- a charitable pilsner. Although I have like the Abita Amber better, this beer is good. I have a similar situation with all alcoholic beverages- I have found a few beers I can enjoy! ( I live in New Orleans. )
July 30, 2010, 10:21 am
thanks, Liz. I love pilsners!
July 31, 2010, 12:32 am
For a good lager, try Pilsner Urquell. But I must confess to a fondness for very dark beers — let’s hear it for Guinness! According to my (very)late father-in-law the ideal beverage for nursing mothers. When I was one, he kept me well supplied.
July 12, 2012, 6:43 pm
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