Cocktail Corner: Beer is Good for You!

A Spirited Toast to All Things Alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg 

We can all use some good news these days, so here goes. There’s yet another good reason to say cheers to beer! A study recently came across my desk that there is new research indicating that drinking beer may be good for your health.

Researchers from Pennsylvania State University presented their findings in a poster presentation at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions in New Orleans in November. They followed more than 80,000 participants for six years and found that while HDL, or the so-called good cholesterol, declined over time, those who drank beer had a slower decrease in HDL, therefore a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases.

(This particular study was conducted in China, but previous studies suggest that other populations would experience a similar effect.)

 Some other findings:

  • Moderate drinkers (defined as 1-2 servings/day for men; 0.5-1.0 servings/day for women) had the slowest decline in good cholesterol.
  • Beer consumption had a positive effect on HDL levels even among heavy drinkers, but for hard liquor only light to moderate drinking was beneficial. (defined as 1 serving/day for men; sadly 0-0.4 servings/day for women).
  • Note: there were not enough wine drinkers represented in the study to test the effects on HDL.
  • These effects were still present when the analysis was restricted to people without diabetes, hypertension, obesity, fatty liver and elevated inflammation status.

In summary, now’s the time to resolve to drink more beer.

Want to get a tasty head start on your resolution to imbibe (for your health, of course!)? Why not plant yourself at The Garden at the Santa Barbara Public Market on Jan. 28 for a special beer pairing dinner with Allagash Brewing Company. It starts at 6 p.m. and reservations are required.

Here’s the four-course pairing menu designed to highlight some of the best beers that Allagash has to offer:

FIRST COURSE

AHI CRUDO SERVED WITH WATERMELON RADISH

PAIRED WITH ALLAGASH WHITE

SECOND COURSE

CHICKEN MOLE ON A CRISPY POLENTA CAKE

PAIRED WITH ALLAGASH HIBERNAL FLUXUS

THIRD COURSE

PORK TENDERLOIN REMOULADE STUFFED WITH BLACK CHERRY

PAIRED WTH ALLAGASH SIXTEEN COUNTIES

FOURTH COURSE

APPLE TART TATIN , APRICOT GLAZE WHIPPED CREAM

PAIRED WTH ALLAGASH JAMES BEAN

Tickets to this event are $49, which includes gratuity & tax. Tickets can be purchased here or by calling The Garden at 805/ 770-7700. 

Sounds pretty good, right! Cheers!  Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Leslie Dinaberg

When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”

 Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on January 20, 2017.