SustainLane - Green Beer All Year Round

February 2008
Edition 42

Greetings!

The first archeological evidence of beer dates back 7000 years ago to what is modern day Iran. In those days (and for most of human history) beer brought families and communities together for the harvesting, brewing, and consumption of this magical beverage.

Beer still brings people together today, although more likely over a delicious meal than they are over the success of a harvest. Renewed interest in beer is attributable mostly to American microbreweries, who are once again leading the world in creating inventive and tasteful beers, using organic and quality ingredients, and properly safeguarding the environment. This, coupled with recent studies showing beer is as healthful as wine, means that the time is finally ripe for beer to regain its status as a symbol of taste, community, and sustainability.

Read on to see which organic English ale Tammi B. recommends above all others, what brewery Aydee V. prefers for its taste as well as its environmental and social message, and how Adam W. plans on saving the world just by drinking beer (and reading a book about it).

Plus, check out a new cancer fighting German beer in our Green Video of the Week, and read up on all the new beer related environmental and health stats in our In the News section.

Featured Product: Samuel Smith's Organic Lager

Lager beer is the beer of choice for most large American breweries. According to Tammi B. however, those watery lagers have little in common with their robust English ancestors (which, unlike Budweiser, don't use GMO rice). Read on to see what she recommends if you want to taste a real organic English lager.

Click here for Samuel Smith's Organic Lager

One of the best beers out there - organic or otherwise

"And I know beer! What can I say? I rarely give anything 5 stars because there's always something that could use fixing. That's not the case with this beer. While I'm hard-pressed to be able to articulate in beer-connoisseur lingo what makes this beer so special, I'll tell you..." click here to read more

Have you tried this Samuel Smith's Organic Lager? How about a different organic beer? Write a review at SustainLane.com and share your thoughts.

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Green Video of the Week - Healthy Beer

Remember when 12 servings of carbs a day was still considered part of a balanced diet? This week's Green Video of the Week turns another old standard on it's head by outlining some benefits of a drink most people don't associate with health.

Thoughts about fighting cancer with beer? Have any ideas for next weeks green video of the week (the topic is Organics)? Please e-mail us at community@sustainlane.com and let us know!

Reader Response

We asked for your input, and as usual, you delivered. We received so many responses to last weeks Green Video of the Week that it was almost impossible to choose our favorite. Almost. Here's what Joel F. thinks about the BBC's attempt to disprove homeopathy (For anyone who missed the video, you can watch it here):

"The scientific half-truth presented in the video linked to in your newsletter suggests that homeopathy cannot offer anything but a placebo effect. That conclusion relies on the laws of chemistry while wholly ignoring the underlying physics of those laws. Atomic scans of homeopathic solutions reveal clear differences when compared with untreated water, suggesting that the succusion process does, in fact, leave a resonant image of the original element. That is not to suggest that proves the law of similars or that homeopathy works. That is an entirely separate discussion. But the argument that it can't work is ignorant, empty and completely blind to the laws of physics."

Congratulations Joel F., you are the winner of a very fashionable (if we do say so ourselves) SustainLane T-shirt!

Featured Business: New Belgium Brewing Company

It's always good to see a food/beverage company use organic and sustainable ingredients, but how often do you see one that is itself completely sustainable? (and we're not talking offsets here) Let Aydee V. tell you about one such employee owned company who can expect my resume in the mail.

Click for New Belgium Brewing Company

Who thought drinking beer could be sustainable?

"This brewery is awesome; I had a tour of the place this summer. The building is designed to let natural light though most of the day. All the plants around the building are native zero scape. Each employee gets a new bike to ride to work for their 1 year anniversary with the brewery. They use wind energy from Wyoming. They have their own..." click here to read more

Have you tried any New Belgium Brewing Company Beers? How about other organic or sustainable beers? Write a review at Sustainlane.com and let everyone know!

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Beer, Health, and the Environment in the News

No one knows who made the first beer, or what that beer was made from. What we do know is that beer is extremely popular today, and that what it's made from and how it's made has major ramifications for both our personal health and the health of our environment. Don't believe us? Read on.

A complete history of beer, presented by the only trustworthy modern resource for these things.

National Geographic reports on how an antibiotic beer gave ancient Africans a health buzz.

The Anderson Valley Brewing Company is bringing solar powered beer to the people.

When beer is healthier than wine.

Giving credit where credit is due.

Mother Earth News suggests brewing your own.

You can't read a newsletter about beer and not see this.

Thoughts about these headlines? Email us at community@sustainlane.com and let us know!

Staff Pick: Drink Beer and Save the World

Drink Beer? Check. Save the World? Check. The only problem? What to do with the rest of your afternoon.

Click for Fermenting Revolution

Five Stars

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

"This book is pure genius. I picked it up after hearing Christopher Mark O'Brien, the books author, speak at a Green Festival 2 years ago in Washington DC. He made me realize that beer is so much more than just an alcoholic beverage. While I was already part of the craft brew movement (I made my own beer in my dorm room all through college) he showed me that there is more to beer's relevance to social movements..." click here to read more

Have you read Fermenting Revolution? How about a different book on beer and social movements? Write a review at SustainLane.com and share!

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