Although beer contains elements of nutrition and can promote some positive physiological and psychological effects, let’s face it, we drink beer because we enjoy the flavor and we enjoy the effect that alcohol has on our bodies and minds, hopefully in moderation. In today’s culture we don’t drink beer because of its nutritional value, though in olden times beer was most purposefully brewed and consumed for health and nutritional value. But one must take this into perspective since healthy food options were limited in centuries past.
Regardless of the reasons we drink beer—beer continues to have some nutritional value when consumed in moderation. For most people, alcohol when consumed in moderation can provide limited nutritional value. As an energy source, it is much more readily assimilated by the body than sugar, but it is a depressant, and as the intake increases, it can have a debilitating and toxic effect. Toxicity is indicated by dose and not by substance.
Beer provides varying amounts of nutrition, including calories, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Fat and cholesterol are totally absent in most styles of beer. The amounts of some nutrients can vary quite drastically with the style of beer. A high-gravity beer, for example, may have an overall higher rating of the above nutrients. An unfiltered beer and especially bottle-conditioned beer will have a much greater amount of B vitamins. Let it suffice to say that nutritional value will vary with beer style.
Hops and other herbs can contribute added health benefits. Hops are a soporific and diuretic, helping create a relaxed mode, promoting sleep and enhancing appetite, digestion and water transport from the body. Alcohol is also a diuretic, and taken in excess, it can lead to dehydration.
There are many special interest groups that promote the healthful aspects of beer, while other special interest groups promote the unhealthful aspects of beer. Just as we must take individual responsibility to enjoy beer sensibly and with respect, we must individually take the responsibility for assessing the “facts” and “studies” for what they are. Take all that you read and learn into perspective, be wary, be smart, make your own beer, appreciate beers that others make and think about what you are being told, who is telling you and why.
Perspective and moderation are important keys in assessing the value of the 10,000-year-old tradition of brewing and of your own enjoyment of beer. If you realize you don’t have the ability to moderate your own consumption, respect yourself and consider alternatives. There is nothing wrong with appreciating and respecting beer while not being able to drink it.
Nutrient: Kilocalories
Typical American Light Lager: 148
German Wheat Beer with Yeast: 179
German Doppelbock: 273
U.S. RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) for Healthy Males 25–50: —
Nutrient: Protein
Typical American Light Lager: 0.94 g
German Wheat Beer with Yeast: 2.09
German Doppelbock: 3.39
U.S. RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) for Healthy Males 25–50: 75 g.
Nutrient: Thiamine (B1)
Typical American Light Lager: 0
German Wheat Beer with Yeast: .044
German Doppelbock: 0.170
U.S. RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) for Healthy Males 25–50: 1.5 mg
Nutrient: Riboflavin (B2)
Typical American Light Lager: .07 mg.
German Wheat Beer with Yeast: 0.164
German Doppelbock: 0.206
U.S. RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) for Healthy Males 25–50: 1.7 mg.
Nutrient: Niacin
Typical American Light Lager: 1.8 mg.
German Wheat Beer with Yeast: 3.03
German Doppelbock: 6.3
U.S. RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) for Healthy Males 25–50: 20 mg
Nutrient: Pantothenic Acid
Typical American Light Lager: 0.169 mg.
German Wheat Beer with Yeast: 0.77
German Doppelbock: 0.765
U.S. RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) for Healthy Males 25–50: 10 mg.
Nutrient: Pyridoxine (B6)
Typical American Light Lager: 0.18 mg.
German Wheat Beer with Yeast: 0.153
German Doppelbock: 429
U.S. RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) for Healthy Males 25–50: 2.0 mg.
Nutrient: Folic Acid
Typical American Light Lager: 20 mcg.
German Wheat Beer with Yeast: —
German Doppelbock: —
U.S. RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) for Healthy Males 25–50: 400 mcg.
Nutrient: Vitamin C
Typical American Light Lager: 0
German Wheat Beer with Yeast: —
German Doppelbock: —
U.S. RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) for Healthy Males 25–50: 65 mg.
Nutrient: Calcium
Typical American Light Lager: 14 mg.
German Wheat Beer with Yeast: 5.5
German Doppelbock: 6.7
U.S. RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) for Healthy Males 25–50: 1,000 mg.
Nutrient: Copper
Typical American Light Lager: 0.292 mg.
German Wheat Beer with Yeast: 0.47
German Doppelbock: .008
U.S. RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) for Healthy Males 25–50: 2 mg.
Nutrient: Iron
Typical American Light Lager: 0.11 mg.
German Wheat Beer with Yeast: .043
German Doppelbock: 0.11
U.S. RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) for Healthy Males 25–50: 18 mg.
Nutrient: Magnesium
Typical American Light Lager: 35 mg.
German Wheat Beer with Yeast: 30.8
German Doppelbock: 44.2
U.S. RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) for Healthy Males 25–50: 400 mg.
Nutrient: Phosphorous
Typical American Light Lager: 50 mg.
German Wheat Beer with Yeast: 12.6
German Doppelbock: 212
U.S. RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) for Healthy Males 25–50: 1,000 mg.
Nutrient: Zinc
Typical American Light Lager: 0.18 mg.
German Wheat Beer with Yeast: .003
German Doppelbock: .039
U.S. RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) for Healthy Males 25–50: 15 mg.
Data for American light lager taken from U.S. Department of Agriculture, Human Nutrition Service, listing in September 1981 “Provisional Table on the Nutrient Content of Beverages.” Data for RDA taken from The Essential Guide to Vitamins and Minerals, copyright 1992 by Health Media of America, HarperCollins Publishers, New York, NY. Data for German Doppelbock and Wheat Beer taken from “Biere Aus Aller Welt,” by Professor Anton Piendl, Brauindustrie, Schloss Mindelburg, Germany.
There are many reasons why people can develop allergies to beer. If allergies do develop, they are often allergies to one or a combination of the following:
yeast
barley
corn
wheat
rice
hops
alcohol
If yeast is the cause of an allergy, then filtering beer using a filter with a porosity of less than 0.5 micron will enable the brewer to eliminate yeast from the final product, but often compounds from within the yeast cell walls will dissolve into solution if yeast cells burst or autolyze due to adverse situations. Consult your physician if you are allergic to yeast. Consider yourself fortunate if you are not allergic to yeast.
Barley, corn, wheat and rice are the most common ingredients in commercially available beer and most homebrewed beer. If these grains or other modern cultivated cereal grains cause allergic reactions, consult with your doctor about the possibility of tolerating ancient nonhybridized grains such as spelt (also known as kamut or dinkel). Beers made from these home-malted grains may afford an alternative.
Not to worry is the homebrewer or the lover of beer who develops an annoying allergy to hops. Remember beers were made with many different kinds of bitter herbs and plants before hops became popular about 100 to 200 years ago. This is an allergy that can be most easily circumvented.
If you are allergic to alcohol, well, relax, don’t worry and don’t have a homebrew. Find other passions in life that will allow you similar satisfaction and pleasure. They do exist.