Published: March 04, 2008 02:29 pm            

Tap the right beer for the right holiday

“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy” ...Ben Franklin

I like to think that when it comes to beer, I’m a pretty smart guy.

Algebra, geography and how to use a hyphen, maybe not so much, but beer - now there something I know a thing or two about.

After all, I spent a significant part of my adult beer-drinking life in Seattle, Wash. — a city widely considered one of the beer-brewing capitals of the country. In Seattle, the only thing more abundant than coffee shops and 19-year-old Microsoft millionaires are breweries. So while I was sitting around one recent Sunday afternoon at a local watering hole — OK, actually It was late one Sunday morning — drinking one of my favorite Seattle-brewed beers that only recently became available in my Midwest area, the bartender ask me if I had any big plans for National Beer Drinking Day.

I was shocked! I had never heard of National Beer Drinking Day, so eagerly I pressed for more information and ordered another pint.

According to my bartender, National Beer Drinking Day was just around the corner. Move over Mother’s Day, there’s a new holiday in town. With only a couple of weeks to prepare for this newly discovered holiday, I finished my pint and hustled home.

The following day, I excitedly informed our features editor of my discovery and asked if I could write a story for the Let’s Eat section singing the praises of all things beer. Maybe I would someday wind up the grand marshal of the National Beer Drinking Day parade. A boy can dream, can’t he?

The editor reluctantly agreed, and my search for more information about the sudsy holiday was on. That’s when things took a disturbing turn.

I sat down at my computer and started Googling away, searching for any sign or link to learn more about National Beer Drinking Day, but no luck.

I had — it seems — been had. Could National Beer Drinking Day be another legend like Big Foot, the Spook Light or the Loch Ness Monster. I decided I needed someone to help with my quest. The truth is out there, as they say, and I needed a beer expert to help me find it.

I dropped by May’s Drug Warehouse, 1410 E. Seventh St. and asked to see their beer guy.

Darren Hardaway, an admitted “beer nut” and the store’s liquor department supervisor, was happy to help me out.

“Beer’s my thing,” Hardaway said. “I love it.”

Although Hardaway had never heard of the elusive National Beer Drinking Day, he did suggest a few brands that would add a little cheer to some other upcoming holidays that we know are really holidays.



Get your Irish on

With St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) right around the corner, Hardaway pointed me to three brands sure to put a smile on your shillelagh.

“Boulevard Irish Ale is a great seasonal beer that appeals to adults of all ages,” he said.

The Kansas City-brewed beer has had a lot of success in this area and may be found on local store shelves.

Sam Adams Irish Ale appeals to Hardaway as well.

“Everything Sam Adams makes is great,” he said. “It’s a good brand name to remember when you are shopping for beer.”

And, if you are looking for a tried-and-true St. Pat’s favorite, he suggests a Guinness Draught. “It’s a traditional Irish stout and a St. Patrick’s Day tradition for a lot of older adults,” Hardaway said.



Down Mexico way

When you think of beers for Cinco De Mayo (May 5), almost everyone recognizes the brand name Corona.

“It’s the Jose Cuervo of beers,” Hardaway said. “It’s what most people think of when they talk about Mexican beer. Everybody around here grew up knowing the name.”

Hardaway also suggests trying one of the lesser-known beers from south of the border.

“Dos Equis is a very good amber beer that a lot of Mexican restaurants have on tap,” he said. “It’s full-bodied and smooth.”

For the beer drinker looking for a little adventure, Hardaway told me Negro Modelo is a good choice.

“It’s darker than Dos Equis and has much more taste,” he said. “It’s for someone who doesn’t drink lighter beers.”



All summer long

When it comes to summer, Hardaway said it’s no secret that that American light — or lite — beers rule.

“Light beers are king — especially Bud Light," he said. “It’s probably everyone’s biggest seller.”

Hardaway informed me that American light beers account for about 90 percent of his suds sales, but he added that sales of craft beers like the Boulevard and Sam Adams brands are increasing.

“Around here, a lot of people really like the Boulevard Wheat Beer,” he said. “It has a unique taste and is a strong regional brand. Its very popular.”



Fall favorites

When you think of traditional beer-drinking holidays, Oktoberfest quickly comes to mind. Celebrated from late September through mid-October, the annual holiday draws thousands of revelers to Germany to sample the suds.

“The Germans are the ones who really know how to make a great beer,” Hardaway told me. “Sam Adams Octoberfest is great American-brewed, German-style beer, Spaten is a traditional German beer that’s popular, and Beck’s is always a good option.”

Even though Thanksgiving is still many months away, he said that when the leaves begin to turn, you should consider turning to a seasonal specialty beer like a pumpkin ale.

“For Thanksgiving, the pumpkin ales are good,” he contends. “Some of them taste like a piece of pumpkin pie with nutmeg and spices.”

He also suggests picking up a six pack of Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale from California or Boulevard’s Nutcracker Ale, a regional favorite.

After I left May’s that afternoon, thanks to Hardaway, I felt like I had a better understanding of all things beer, but was no closer to tracking down the ever-elusive holiday.

I headed back to the bartender who had initially told me about National Beer Drinking Day to see if he could provide me any additional information that would help me pin down a date to celebrate. When I came in and sat down at my regular bar stool, I jokingly called the bartender on the carpet for providing me with misinformation. He laughed.

“For me,” he said with a smile, “every day is National Beer Drinking Day.”

Well, that cleared things up.





Dave Woods, The Joplin (Mo.) Globe, dwoods@joplinglobe.com





Saints and suds

Other days designated for beer appreciation:

St. David’s Day (March 1): St. David was a six-century Welsh monk known to only drink water. Welshmen around the world celebrate St. David’s Day by going to church, parading and drinking beer.



St. Arnold’s Day (July 8): St. Arnold, often called the Saint of Suds, is the patron saint of hop-pickers and brewers. He is known for encouraging local residents to drink beer — instead of water — because of its medicinal qualities.



St. Stephen’s Day (Dec. 26): St. Stephen was the first Christian martyr. He was stoned to death in 36 A.D. Because of this, beer drinkers are encouraged to celebrate the Feast of St. Stephen as the first beer holiday - especially if they are trying to decompress after Christmas.

Source: www.beerquest1k.com



For further celebrations, try:

American Craft Beer Week (May 12-18): American Craft Beer Week is designated as a time for all legal-drinking age Americans to explore and celebrate the flavorful beverages produced by small, traditional and independent brewers. Source: www.beertown.org.



International Beer Day (Aug. 5)

First celebrated in 2007, International Beer Day is a holiday recognizing the greatness of beer and it the human spirit. Source: www.internationalbeerday.com.



Dave Woods, The Joplin (Mo.) Globe, dwoods@joplinglobe.com

        

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