Let’s raise a toast to dog days of summer – and International Beer Day!

Article content

Always on the first Friday of August, International Beer Day has the world celebrating what is considered the oldest alcoholic beverage in the world.

Article content

Today, (especially with the hot weather we’ve been having) many are taking the elbow salute and quaffing down a cold one, be it alcoholic or non-alcoholic, in praise of beer.

Why today? Why beer? Research shows International Beer Day came about thanks to a young Californian who, while enjoying a brew or two back in 2007 with some friends in a Santa Cruz bar, decided to honour the pint with a small party that later blossomed into a global soiree.

In fact, International Beer Day is today a worldwide celebration spanning some 100 countries and hundreds of cities across six continents. So – cheers to beer, we say! Especially Canadian beer, a favourite on the world stage thanks to its rich and refreshing texture and proud heritage: 85% of the beer consumed in Canada is made right here, using the country’s excellent ingredients.

Article content

Apart from being part of Canadian identity, beer has contributed to the country’s economy – a 2018  Conference Board of Canada report showed the beer industry contributes $14 billion to Canada’s economy, with beer sales generating some $5.7 billion annually in government tax revenues.

That said, was Canada’s beer industry impacted by the pandemic? According to Beer Canada, (an organization dating back to the 1940s and whose members account for 90% of the beer brewed in the country) Canada’s beer and brewing industry “has faced various challenges and changes amid COVID-19,” with production and sales down during this time.

That said, “beer continues to have a substantial impact on Canada’s economy. Conference Board of Canada figures show beer supports 149,000 Canadian jobs, with a labour income of $5.3 billion…this impact is due in large part to the domestic nature of Canada’s beer industry,” notes the website, www.beercanada.com.

Article content

Today, according to Beer Canada, Canadian beer drinkers have access to one of the largest selections of different beer brands and styles available anywhere in the world. Last count, the country was home to more than 1200 breweries and 5800 domestically made brands.

And it’s a given that “Canadians are really good at making beer,” with small batch companies vying for status among the big beer corporations. Today, there are beer courses being taught much like wine courses, beer competitions and plenty of beer festivals blanketing the country.

And there is no one flavour for beer, of course, but hundreds of various nuances. For example, there are beers barrel-aged in bourbon and whiskey caskets (something like an Innis & Gunn, who recently created a limited-edition Islay Whiskey Casket ale) and there’s a whole chapter based on beer used as  the main ingredient in all sorts of recipes, be they sweet or savoury.

Article content

So – let’s raise a glass to beer, and celebrate its rich history to go with its rich taste, always being mindful of  drinking responsibility. To this, we say – cheers!

WHAT’S IN BEER? Beer is made from natural ingredients, including malted cereals (most often barley), hops, yeast and  water. Thanks to these, beer contains minerals, vitamins, fibre and polyphenols that can positively contribute to a  person’s diet. – www.beerandhealth.eu

DID YOU KNOW: Canada’s first recorded brewer was Jesuit Brother Ambroise, who began making beer in 1646 after the  foundation of New France. – Beer Canada

THE GREAT DEBATE: Should beer be served cold or warm? Some countries wouldn’t think of serving a brew other than at room temperature. And then you have the purists who insist on an ice-cold beer (especially after mowing a lawn!) But, according to industry experts, there really isn’t a particular temperature – it all depends on the type of beer.

Article content

“When in doubt remember this rule of thumb: light body and low alcohol beer tastes better cold while full body and high alcohol examples are better warmer,” says columnist Dave Carpenter on https://beerandbrewing.com.

AND WHAT ABOUT THAT HEAD OF FOAM: Also known as a collar, beer foam is one of the industry’s most hotly debated subjects. Research shows a good foam is excellent with a cold beer, but a smaller foam is perfect for a warmer beer.

The famous Belgium beer, Stella Artois has elevated the ritual of “sacrificing” the foam into an artform, as part of the company’s nine-step program of serving the perfect pint. At one point, with much drama, the foam is ceremoniously whipped off, and success is judged when nary a drop of sacrificed foam appears on the glass’s side.

Article content

MOST POPULAR BEER IN THE WORLD? There isn’t one particular beer, (although Statista.com reports Budweiser was acclaimed the most valued beer brand worldwide in 2021) but industry analysts point out top countries producing the finest beers are Belgium, Ireland, and the Netherlands.

HERE’S TO BEER TRIVIA:

– Ancient Egyptians built the pyramids while consuming a healthy amount of beer – about four litres a day. And ancient Babylonians took the seriousness of brewing to a whole new level – if a batch went bad, the brewer was drowned in it.

– In 4300 BC, Babylonians wrote out recipes for beer on clay tablets.

– Beer contains a high level of silicon, which increases calcium deposits and minerals for healthy bone tissue. A  Finnish study showed that each bottle of beer you drink reduces the risk of developing kidney stones by 40%.

– In 2018, archaeologists in Israel found the world’s oldest site for alcohol production. It’s believed the beerlike beverage may have been served in ceremonies 13,000 years ago. – www.brewers.org.au