5 Reasons to Love Beer!

Beer is a wonderful thing - but you already know that. Still, there are certain misguided potions of the population who either dislike the greatest beverage ever made, or even more unbelievably, actually disapprove. At best, these people need convincing, and, at worse, they can be persuasive enough to actually make you doubt your own love of beer. This is not to be tolerated. Whether you need to hold your own in a conversation with unbelievers, want to remind yourself about what's so darn great about beer, or just need a excuse to have another, here are five reasons to love the cold foamy stuff.

1) Variety. Wine people love to talk about subtleties and flavor profiles, and don't get me wrong - wine is great. With hundreds of styles, more complex brewing practices, and a vast array of available ingredients, beer puts wine to shame in terms of variety. Stout, porter, brown, Belgian, lambic, bock, light lager, Irish red, wild ale, wheat, rye... that's just a few of the beer varieties that we, as beer lovers, can enjoy. Pairing beers with food and cheeses is becoming a much more popular and common activity.

2) History. My goodness, beer history is fascinating. As one of the world's oldest beverages, there's a lot of neat stuff to know about it. From style origins (where did lagering start?) to political impacts (how did American prohibition impact beer?), it's fascinating stuff!

3) Health. Believe it or not, beer is actually good for you! Years ago, everyone was screaming and yelling about the health benefits of a good red wine - for some reason, no one's talking about the fact that a nice dark beer is EVERY BIT as good for you as a glass of wine. Beer is a great source of B vitamins, anti-oxidants, and even some protein. Moderate drinking of beer (one or two drinks a day) can significantly reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke, and dementia. Beer is fat and cholesterol free, and is an effective stress reliever and sleep aid. Need I say more?

4) Sharing. Done right, drinking is social. The prospect of sharing a couple of beers with friends at your local pub may well be the motivation you need to get up and out of the house in the evening. Besides sharing beer, you'll share thoughts, opinions, and ideas. Regular social activities are well-known to help reduce stress, improve your sense of self-worth, and fight depression.

5) Fun. Beer has alcohol in it! Sure, alcohol is a contributor to the health benefits listed above, but it also gives you a buzz. Moderate drinking, and even the occasional heavier night at the pub has little negative effect on the mind and body, and some pretty big positives. If drinking wasn't fun, our species wouldn't have such a rich history of doing it. Drink responsibly, for sure, but it's a lot of fun to let go from time to time, provided you know your limits.

No one really needs a reason to love beer, but just in case you wanted a few more, I aim to please. Have a pint tonight for me.