This is Spinal Tap...Drunk

I knew rock had a lot of weird sub-genres, but I wasn't aware that "death metal drinking music" was one of them.

Well, leave it to the folks at NPR to enlighten us in this recent story. Apparently there are bands out there with names like Tankard and Alestrom that specialize in writing songs that are angry and loud, while also offering dubious advice on such matters as resisting the urge to remain sober, and pretending you are a pirate so you can go "looting" for beer.

While it's somewhat entertaining to listen to this stuff, I think I'll choose Yo La Tengo and moderation.

Fast Company Interviews Jim Koch, Founder of Boston Beer Company

Here's a neat little interview with Jim Koch, founder of the Boston Beer Company, better known as the brewers of Sam Adams:



I love how the brewery's location came about -- through a nonprofit development corporation dedicated to creating jobs for the local community of immigrants.

I also love Sam Adams. I'm not a dad yet, but I think it's the quintessential "Dad Beer."

Going to your kid's annoying friend's birthday party? Bring Sam Adams. Thirsty after jogging with a stroller? You need a Sam Adams. Watching a baseball game and listening to it on the radio? Sam Adams is already in hand.

Finally, I like following Fast Company writer (and author of this FC article) Ellen McGirt on Twitter. She knows what's up.

Hey, Ladies...It's Not Beer, It's Medicine

Hey, Ladies ... It's Not Beer, It's Medicine
By: Tom Jacobs August 11, 2009 05:05 PM (PDT) Comments
Recent studies found habitual beer drinkers had higher bone density than habitual wine drinkers or teetotalers. This discovery suggests that "other beer components besides alcohol" are likely at play.stockxpert.com
New full-bodied research finds beer drinking increases bone mass in older women.
We at Miller-McCune carefully track countless lines of scientific research, but we keep a particularly close eye on the ongoing inquiry into whether drinking beer is good for you. Well, a newly published study suggests that if you’re an older woman concerned about bone fractures, you might want to pop into the pub for a pint.
In February, a Tufts University research report revealed that, among older adults, regular, moderate alcohol intake is associated with greater bone mineral density. Now, a Spanish study in the journal Nutrition finds that the specific type of alcoholic beverage makes a significant difference, at least for females.
Researchers from the University of Extremadura in Cacerus, led by Dr. Juan D. Pedrera-Zamorano, examined the health records of nearly 1,700 healthy women living in their region. The mean age of participants was 48.4; approximately half were premenopausal and half postmenopausal.
They found habitual beer drinkers had higher bone density than habitual wine drinkers or teetotalers. This discovery, they write, suggests that "other beer components besides alcohol" are likely at play.
While it’s unclear exactly what those components are, the researchers point to beer’s "phytoestrogen content." (Funny – that never gets mentioned in those high-testosterone television ads during sporting events.) It turns out beer contains two phytoestrogens, apparently because "the female flowers of the hop plant have long been used as a preservative and flavoring agent." Previous research has suggested these compounds have "a protective effect on bone."
"Beer is also a major source of silicon," the researchers add. "It has been demonstrated that dietary silicon intake may have salutary effects on skeletal health, especially cortical bone health in premenopausal women."
The researchers do not recommend drinking beer to strengthen one’s bones, presumably due to the numerous health problems caused or exacerbated by excessive alcohol intake. But maintaining bone density into old age is certainly a good thing, especially given the prevalence of osteoporosis among the elderly.
The study concludes with the caveat that further research is needed to refine these results. (Will the subjects be known as Guinness pigs?). But if the benefits of beer are confirmed, the phrase "six-pack abs" may someday be replaced by "six-pack bones."

DC Beer Week -- the Best Thing Until ATL Beer Fortnight

It has come to my attention that our nation's capitol is starting a beer week.




Sounds good, y'all.

However, as a native Atlantan, pompous civic boosterism and one-up-manship course through my veins.

I read about DC Beer Week and my first thought was not, "Good for the citizens of that fair city." Nor, "Ah, I wish I could attend." Folks, my first instinct said: "We need a beer week in Atlanta! And it shall be bigger and better than that of DC!"

And thus, I humbly submit: the Inaugural ATL Beer Fortnight.

Someone: call Hop City and Sweetwater and ABC and Monday Night Brewery and those guys who were in Creative Loafing. Someone else: figure out the details. Then let me know when the greatest fortnight of our lives begins, and I will gladly take credit for the idea.