The Politics of Beer

Thanks for the info! I felt badly telling my husband, as that is one of his favorite beers, but we needed to know.

Yet another reason to stick with the Trappist Ales. Not only are they the tastiest and most um, potent? beers around, they are brewed by Monks. It's also good to know that every penny goes to worthy cause.

Here's a link to my favorite: http://www.trappistwestmalle.be/en/page/brouwerij.aspx

I switched to Danish beers after the Mohammed cartoon riots.

Man. This is the perfect example of a situation where ignorance is bliss. My favorite brewery is an abortion advocate. That's like a sucker punch, Jeff. I refuse to buy Samuel Adams because of what they did. But now Sierra Nevada? That just hurts.

yes, summit is very good, brewed right here in St. Paul, MN. hard to find outside the twin cities, but not impossible.

Thanks for the info! I will make it a point not to order those beers again! God bless! Padre Steve

Hm... in my case, I would need to know the politics of the various candy companies. I only have a beer once in a long while, and then I prefer the imported stuff.

Just reiterating what Mike says here: drink Trappist ales. For my money, the best beer in the world.

When you go into a liquor store, look for the Belgian ales with a little black-and-white triangle declaring "Authentic Trappist Product." That way, you know you're buying something the monks brew.

Miller is swill. Never been much for Sam Adams, though I have one occasionally. And I'll certainly be staying away from Sierra Nevada.

Oh, and one other: Budweiser. It's the Court Jester of all beers, not the King, as it tastes worse than Miller. And supporting them is a round-about way of supporting the St. Louis Cardinals, something I'd never consciously do.

"... and so I don't think their there is any real need for a boycott ..."

simple mistake. im sure it was an accident.

also, on the guinness front, i dont think we'll need to worry about boycotting them until the pope does... cheers!

Guinness' brewery was traditionally a Protestant firm where the vast majority of the foremen and management were also Freemasons. Their famous 100,000 year lease on the St James's Gate site was only possible (in 1755) because "Uncle Arthur" was a member of the Protestant Church by law established. (Catholics in Ireland were forbidden to own land at that time.) However, that's all history as they are now part of a multinational conglomerate which, rumour has it, will sell off the old brewery in a year or two. Sic transit gloria mundi ...

A while back, I decided the safest thing to do is to drink beer from breweries too small to be able to afford to advertise.

Jeff,

You are more than welcome to come over for some homebrew. My husband's oatmeal stout is particularly yummy.

For the record, a reader at my blog noted that Jim Koch, president of Boston Brewing Company, did indeed apologize. So I think there's no need avoid Samuel Adams beers anymore.

But in the end homebrewing is definitely the way to go to avoid all corporate entanglements (oh, wait, what are the malting and yeast companies supporting???)

Ack, beer. Ugh. Can't stand the stuff.
I was at a party back in my USMC days when (in a candid moment) another marine told me, "No one likes beer. We just drink it for the alcohol."

Now rum is another story...

[ I was at a party back in my USMC days when (in a candid moment) another marine told me, "No one likes beer. We just drink it for the alcohol." ]

Ah yes, but given what they were probably drinking (MillBudCoors), alcohol is just about all it's good for. Behold the nefarious effects of Prohibition.

Being in Texas, I hope I never have a reason to boycott Shiner beer...it's a good local one from Shiner, Texas. Which coindenidentially has a beautiful painted church... But I digress!

I'd like to hear your thoughts of this Father Pflager fiasco up in Chicago.

And now this: "Vatican: Excommunication for female priests" ( http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080530/ap_on_re_eu/vatican_women_priests)

Something I know you've already made mention of previously, but what's a second time for old times sake? But, seriously, what is this world coming to?!

Peace...and may you have a blessed Feast of the Sacred Heart.

Ah, Jeff. I thought you were a good man before and now I think it more than ever. Guinness is my preferred beer. After traveling throughout Europe in 1985 and sampling some very tasty brews (that had substance, doggonit!), I could never drink another Bud Lite or Coors, again.

I'll be looking for Summit, too. I miss Sam Adam's spicy Winter Lager. Very nice taste.

I adore the dark goodness of Guinness, but I'd rather have a good irish whisky. I will take this information politico and share it with my people.

Catholic Beer Review. Awesome!

"I do hope I never find a reason to have to boycott Guinness."
I'm with you, there, Jeff. I do hope Sam Adams will behave, though, b'cause I only drink Guinness (stout) on St Patrick's Day! In any case, as long as I have a dark substitute for Sam in the event he goes awry ( a rye?) I'll be satisfied.
If Becks and St Pauli Girl ( who also make dark beer) fall off St Brigid's path, we'll have to start a beer index, or s'thing.
As to ale, isn't ale, ale? And beer, beer (lager?) One doesn't necessarily replace the other, does it?

I may be wrong, but I believe that Shiner is a major sponser of the Sts. Cyril and Methodius parish picnic (in Shiner Tx) -- I am at least sure that they sponsored the Polka band that played there. And it is great beer, try the Bohemian Black if you get the chance

Boy, I am glad that I have already discovered Chimay in my youth. Mmmm blue lable! And I get to help out monks? Heck yeah!

If you need another reason to drink Trappist Ales (aside from the ones already mentioned in the comments section), consider doing so as a form of tithing. Seriously!

With 5% going to your home parish and about 1% towards your diocese, who's to say that the remaining 4% earmarked for other religious groups and charities ought not go to support these wonderful monastic communities?!

(For those of you new to this wonderful practice, I suggest Chimay or Konings hoeven.)

I believe KC's Boulevard Brewery is pretty Kosher...er, as it were.

-J.

P.S. Shame about Sierra Nevada. Any news on Anchor Steam? (They ARE based in San Francisco...)

Sts. Cyril and Methodius...That's the one! Thanks, Brian. Yes, I wouldn't be surprised with the size of Shiner, Texas. That's news to my ears. I had their black lager today at a good Catholic wedding (decent taste if I liked the heavier brews). Today's a good day.

By the way, Jeff, thanks for addressing the Fr. Pflager fiasco. Prayers are certainly needed for that.