The beers with half the emissions of your favorite domestic brands

Alcohol is a powerful drug used weekly by 40% of Americans old enough to drink. Its easy to find, seen as a way to unwind and is often intertwined with social activities. But as fun as alcohol may be, many don’t recognize the tipping point between moderation and excess. Now more than ever, it’s crucial for America to reevaluate its relationship with alcohol—ensuring our enjoyment doesn’t inflict lasting damage on our health, society or the planet.

In today’s issue:

• Health: Poison or remedy?

• History: A biblical brew

• Feature Story: The science of brewing

• Early Adopters: powerful grains with a light, hoppy punch

HEALTH

Poison or remedy?

The impact of alcohol on health presents a complex spectrum, ranging from potential benefits to severe risks. One significant risk is alcohol dependency, which can lead to alcoholism. Alcoholics, who often consume 7+ drinks a day for at least 5 years, are at a higher risk of developing alcoholic cardiomyopathy, a heart condition with a 50% survival rate over 4 years (2011).

The World Health Organization further highlights that younger individuals face a higher risk of binge drinking (5 drinks within 2 hours) and alcohol-related accidents. In addition, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen for 5 different types of cancer (2020).

A few health risks of a heavy drinkers compared to a moderate drinkers:

1. Stroke: 191% higher risk (1999)

2. Heart Disease: 53% higher risk (2010)

3. Liver Cancer: 43% higher risk (2015)

4. Colon Cancer: 37% higher risk (2015)

5. Poor Sleep: 31% higher risk (2021)

6. Type 2 Diabetes: (men) 16% higher risk & (women) 70% higher risk (2009)

For some, the risks associated with regular drinking may ultimately outweigh any potential benefits. On the other hand, there is also research that points to how moderate drinking—defined as one drink per day for women and two for men— can offer several health benefits when compared to both heavy-drinkers and non-drinkers. The American Heart Association advises against alcohol consumption if you don't already drink. Habitual drinking can lead to alcohol dependency if not managed carefully.

A few health benefits of moderate drinkers compared to non-drinkers:

1. Stroke: 49% lower risk (1999)

2. Heart Failure: 20% lower risk (2015)

3. Mortality: 14% lower risk & leading factor in the Mediterranean diet (2009)

4. Type 2 Diabetes: 13% lower risk (2009)

5. Bones: 4% denser (2009)

6. Kidney Function: 2% lower risk (2021)

If you choose to indulge, the key is moderation. In fact the first 1 or 2 drinks have a stimulating affect, making you feel talkative, while additional drinks shift to a sedative and anxiolytic effect, leaving you feel drowsy and anxious. You can learn more about how alcohol affects the brain from this video:

HISTORY

A biblical brew

Beer is one of humanity’s oldest beverages, with its origins tracing back to 7,000 BCE in Mesopotamia, located in modern day Iran, Iraq & Syria. It is believed that barley and wheat, left to soak in water, combined with wild yeast to create an early form of fermented beverage. This primitive beverage played a central role in expanding empires, serving in ceremonies & healing wounds.

As trade routes expanded, brewing knowledge spread, especially in central & northern Europe where barley was abundant. The Romans, who initially preferred wine, relegated beer to the northern regions, where wine production was difficult. In these areas, monks began refining the brewing process. In 822, a German monastery pioneered the use of hops to preserve and flavor beer, replacing the herb and spice mixtures common at the time. This not only extended the shelf life of beer, but also improved its taste and made it a safe source of drinking water for the community. In fact, beer became so vital that it was allowed during fasting periods, earning the nickname “liquid bread”.

As new trade routes developed and immigration flourished, beer continued to spread and its consumption exploded. Various governments, however, attempted to restrict alcohol due to concerns over crime, poverty, productivity and food scarcity. During Prohibition (1920-1933), which banned the production, sale and transport of alcohol, consumption temporarily halted but caused a backlash where consumption exploded in the 1940s.

The Golden Age of Advertising (1950 - 1970) saw television and consequently ads reach more and more Americas. Big Beer, primarily Anheuser-Busch, used this opportunity to normalize beer consumption as a part of everyday American life. This is when the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales were showcased and when Budweiser was branded “The King of Beers”. This targeted Baby Boomers who helped grow the culture of drinking from social events to leisure activities.

Today beer remains a cornerstone of American culture. From mass-produced lagers to the craft beer renaissance, consumption continues to trend higher and higher. However, there is one group that isn’t following this trend. The Consumption Habits poll found that Gen Z are 18% less likely to consume alcohol (2021).

FEATURE STORY

The science of brewing

The world of beer is a journey of discovery, offering a vast spectrum of flavors and styles. From the hop-forward boldness of an IPA to the smooth, malty warmth of a stout, the beer you choose often reflects your personal tastes in more ways than one.

Yet, despite this incredible variety, 71% of US beer drinkers stick to brands from the industry’s largest players:

1. Anheuser-Busch (34%)

2. Molson Coors (22%)

3. Constellation Brands (15%)

What’s in your beer?

The centuries-old Beer Purity Laws of Germany, Austria & the Czech Republic limits beer to just 4 ingredients: water, barley, hops & yeast. These standards emphasize balance and heritage, ensuring a clean, headache-free experience often associated with European beers. In comparison, American beers have on average 4 additives to create bold flavors, extend shelf-life and improve appearance.

Transforming these ingredients into beer is a highly scientific process that balances art and chemistry. To gain a deeper understanding of how each step of the brewing process contributes to the flavor of the final product, check out this video:

Why does beer produced in the US give you a headache?

US beers often take a more business-friendly approach compared to European producers. One common practice among American brewers is using 40% of a less ideal grains, like corn or rice, to reduce production costs. When fermented, these grains produce higher level of histamines, a known trigger for headaches.

Additionally, many US beers rely on a shorter fermentation cycle, leaving behind residual byproducts like fusel alcohols, that can also contribute to headaches. Compared to their European counterparts, American beers often have higher carbonation levels and higher alcohol by volume (ABV), both of which are significant headache triggers due to their dehydrating effects. Lastly, the use of sulfites, a preservative to extend shelf-life, contributes to headaches and are commonly found in US beers.

Despite these differences, the cost-effective approaches to American beer has attracted consumers away from the time-tested European beers.

EARLY ADOPTERS

Early adopters still love beer, in fact so much so that they are reshaping the culture of drinking to one thats sustainable; moderation. This mindset is not only applicable to beer but also extends to other resource-intensive foods, where overconsumption has become the norm. Luckily, moderation is 1 daily drink a week for women and 2 for men.

These early adopters are seeking beers made with 100% barley, to align closely with the Beer Purity rules. However, this doesn’t fully prevent US brewers from using additives. While you can easily find these pure barley beers at any pub in Germany during Oktoberfest, they are rarer in the US, although a few do exist.

Popular Barley Brands:

1. Lagunitas Daytime IPA

2. Siera Nevada Pale Ale

3. New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale

Early adopters are also turning to wheat or oat-based beers, which are more commonly found in craft breweries than in mass-produced options. This is because over 90% of the top domestic brands rely on corn or rice in their brewing process. Wheat and oat-based styles are seen as more sustainable, as alternative grains like corn, rice & rye, tend to be more resource-intensive to produce.

Popular Wheat Styles:

1. Hefeweizen

2. Wheat Ale

3. Witbier

Popular Oat Styles:

1. Hazy IPA

2. Oatmeal Stout

When it comes to resources needed to produce a pint of beer, the grain mix plays a significant role:

Early adopters prefer lighter-colored beers such as pilsners or blonde ales. These beers require less malting, fewer grains and a shorter brewing time compared to darker beers like stouts and porters. In addition, ale styles opposed to lagers use fewer resources since fermentation happens faster and at ambient temperatures.

Furthermore, lighter-colored beers like IPAs or Kölschs are often hop-forward benefiting from the absence of pasteurization—a process that extends shelf-life but can diminish the delicate flavors of hops and yeast. These ingredients are crucial to any beer, yet their resource demands are negligible, allowing brewers to embrace their nuances without compromising sustainability.

If none of these options appeal to you, consider joining the homebrewing community to eliminate the middleman entirely. Alternatively ordering whats on tap at your local pub can reduce emissions by avoiding the need to transport heavy glass bottles or manufacture aluminum cans, both of which are single-use containers compared to a reusable keg.

TIGHT 5

• Modelo Especial: The top selling beer in the US, beating out Bud Light which held the title for 22 years (2024).

• Super Bowl: Where Americans drink 2.6 billion pints of beer.

• Consumption: The average American (21+) consumed 2 pints (women) & 6 pints (men) a week.

• Blue Moon: The most popular wheat beer in the US.

• Czech Republic: The drunkest country in the world with 5.7 pints a week, 43% more than the average German.

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Thanks for tuning in to learn about small changes that make a big difference. That being said, consider professional advice (not me) when changing your lifestyle.