Boozin’ Blog

I’ve been fascinated to watch the anit-Anheuser-Busch Inbev movement over the last few months. Since the takeover of the American brewer by Belgium based Inbev a loud minority of beer drinkers have advocated a drink-American-only policy. Their latest efforts have focused on convincing Americans to drink Sam Adams on Super Bowl Sunday this weekend instead of anything from the big three.

I have to wonder if Jim Koch foresaw these events when he formed the Boston Brewing Company and established its flagship brew, Sam Adams Boston Lager almost three decades ago. Probably not. Back during the Reagan years who’d’ve thunk that the three brewers that dominated American beer, Anheuser-Busch, Miller and Coors, would all be foreign owned by the time the vice-president’s son’s administration was over. (And who’d’ve thunk that that son would be George and not Jeb but that’s another conversation.)

But that’s what happened and suddenly we have as the country’s largest domestic beer brand a beer that is so well branded with the name and image of one of the original American patriots that many know the beer better than they know it’s namesake.

Boston Brewing Company makes good beer. However if you really want to keep the money you spend close to home here’s my suggestion. Spend it on beer that’s brewed nearby. For most of you I’d imagine that Boston is more than a couple hours drive away. In that case, look for that regional brewer in your area that isn’t distributed nationwide and spend your dollars on a pack or two of their best.

Better still stop in at your local brew-pub. Chat up the bartender, taste some of their brews and pick up a couple growlers of your favorites. Talk about keeping you money local; this way it stays right in your community!

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If you’ve ever spent any time near a military base the idea of soldiers drinking beer probably doesn’t strike you as particularly extraordinary. But I’m talking about the US soldiers based in Iraq. There is a strict ban on any kind of alcohol there.

The ban is going to be lifted on Super Bowl Sunday. (Will it still be Sunday there when the game is played?) The army is allowing each soldier who wants them two beers on game day. With the announcement coming through now there should be plenty of time to get the beer shipped to the soldiers.

Not all are going to partake. Some soldier in combat units point out that they can be called up at any time and even two beers can really affect a person after not having had anything to drink for months. Shame that, but an admirable decision. I mean, if anyone deserves a beer it’s these guys and to decide to turn one down is respectable.

Of course my mind turns to what kind of beer will be served. No mention of that in the article but I’m going to be checking on this story to see if I can figure it out. I can get a little obsessive about things like this.

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