BAROSSA VALLEY BREWING VITAMIN BEER
Suspect a mate might be floundering in the storms of life. Grab this sauce for the seafarers and head over to craft a conversation.
Origin – Tanunda, South Australia
ABV- 7%
Size- 330mL can
Style- Red Ale
Next time your spouse asks why you're still drinking with a mate, tell them you're fighting inflammation! While enjoying a craft beer is often viewed as a guilty pleasure and connected with causing everything from high blood pressure to cancer, recent studies suggest that two standard beers a day not only interferes with inflammation-causing compounds (all those hops in your cold craft have significant anti-swelling properties) but could actually add years to your life.
Scholars from the likes of the American Heart Association and the University of Spain Biomedicine Department argue that the benefits of a pint of beer go far beyond helping craft a conversation. One study that followed 80,000 participants for six years discovered that moderate drinkers were 42% less likely to die of heart disease. Another, that those reaching for a cold nectar at night were 23% less likely to develop Alzheimer's and dementia. The same research paper recorded that participants felt funnier, more attractive and more intelligent — an instant (if perhaps misguided) confidence boost. What's not to love?
While the jury is still out on the validity of the research, none can dispute that our most reached for alcoholic beverage is filled with antioxidants and B vitamins; supplying 9% and 8% of the RDI for vitamin B3 and vitamin B6 respectively per serving. If that's still not enough to convince you to reach for the elixir of life, this 2018 GABS release from Denham D'Silva's, the former banker come founder and owner of Barossa Valley Brewing, may just do the trick. Every 330mL dose of this special batch Vitamin Beer contains the superfoods cranberry, acai and goji berries, along with spirulina, all added to a big imperial red ale. Aside from apparently increasing libido, muscle and immunity, D'Silva cheekily suggests it even reduces the effects of ageing. Looking as appealing as a kale shake and, with a somewhat medicinal aroma on the nose, it, fortunately, tastes better than it looks or smells. In the mouth, it's big and fruity with intense berry flavours backed by some vegetal characters, along with sweet malts and slightly tart acidity.
If a beer a night can add years to your life, I wonder what two or three could do? I guess there's only one way to find out!