Craft Beer "A Bevvy with Benefits," Declares Dietician

Beer just as healthy, if not more so, than wine, claims dietician and American Dietetic Association spokesperson Andrea Giancoli in Winter 2011 edition of assn's mag ADA Times. Article titled: "A Toast to Good Heath: Craft Brew Trends Bring New Attention to the Benefits of Beer." In one of most positive media portrayals of beer and its benefits in years, especially in a health publication, Giancoli reminds readers that many health advantages often associated with just wine result from ethanol and therefore attached to beer as well. For instance, "moderate consumption of any alcoholic beverage," (her emphasis) aids cardiovascular health, and perhaps reduces risk of gall stones and type-2 diabetes. Giancoli simultaneously argues that beer specifically could reduce incidence of kidney stones and questions human body's ability to use wine's oft-touted antioxidants and polyphenols. Other reasons to raise a beer to your health include: beer's high percentage of water, which "contributes to fluid intake more so than wine;" possible instance of as many as 3.5 grams of fiber per liter of dark beer, according to a 2009 study in Spain; existence of over a dozen helpful micronutrients, like Calcium and Vitamin B12, which are laid out in a table comparing their levels in beer and wine as well as their recommended daily intake for men and women. Not just focused on health though, Giancoli describes acceleration of craft beer segment and utilizes every opportunity to educate readers about craft beer culture by providing pictures from Discovery's Brew Masters alongside comments by Sam Calagione, quotes from BA's Julia Herz plus their Craft Beer and Food Pairing Chart, as well as brief description of brewing process. She even points out beer is "kind to the wallet" compared to pricey wines. And she sums up: "As interest in artisan brewing gains momentum and emerging research reveals unique nutrition properties, craft beer is finding redemption not only as a classy libation with deep roots in nearly all cultures, but as a bevy with benefits." Can't ask for more than that.