Organic Beer

America is awash in beer. The recent Super Bowl weekend was an orgy of beer guzzling and snack food consumption. If you’re tired of subjecting your digestive system to all that processed food and the accompanying additives, one immediate course of action would entail moving up in style, stature and healthiness by switching to an organic beer.

North American sales of organic beers grew from $9 million in 2003 to $19 million in 2005, according to the Organic Trade Association and will continue to rise as the demand for all things organic explodes. As with any organic product, organic beer can cost a little more, but if you’re already accustomed to paying for imported beer (for its flavor or image-enhancing qualities) the switch to organic brews should not hurt financially.

The guidelines for certification of organic beer are the same as for all organic foods: the ingredients must be grown without toxic and persistent pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and in soil that has been free from such chemicals for at least 3 years. No genetically modified (GMO) ingredients can be used in the brewing process.

Heavy to moderate drinking is obviously a health no-no but studies do indicate that one drink per day of any type of alcohol lowers heart disease risk by nearly 25%. Beer, then, offers the same heart benefits, contains more B vitamins, and is a source of unique flavonoids (beneficial phytochemicals) found in barley malt and hops. Studies also indicate that where antioxidants are concerned, the darker beers pack more of a wallop.

Though organic hops may be difficult to come by and thus lead to higher prices, brewers state that they typically offer a better and stronger aroma. Organic malts and hops have no chemical residues to interfere with the fermentation process and thus may possess more flavor. So if you must have a cold brew and/or you had the Bears in the Super Bowl - try going organic, you just might like it.
Some organic beer distillers:

Butte Creek Brewing

Peak Organic

Wolaver’s Organic Ales

Bison Brewing

Freedom Lager (Europe)

Additional benefits of going organic are that you’re supporting organic farming practices and local or “more” local smaller businesses (micro-brewery).

Cheers!