Thursday’s ad is an Independence Day ad featuring Early American Pioneer Ben Franklin. In this ad, he’s flying a kite — at night, oddly — but I guess that’s so we can see the three-ring Ballantine logo in lightning.
Archives for July 4, 2013
July 4 Infographic
Today’s bonus infographic, since this is the only day I can really use it, is about all things “4th of July.” It was created by DegreeSearch.org, and includes a mention o beer as one of the historical factoids in the infographic.
Click here to see the infographic full size.
Surly Brewing Reveals New Brewery Images
Last year, the Twin Cities’ Surly Brewing announced that they would be building a “destination brewery” in Minneapolis’ Prospect Park neighborhood. The StarTribune has recently released images of what the proposed brewery is going to look like. Take a look at the architect’s renderings of the new $20 million brewery.
Presidential Drinks Of Choice
Today’s infographic, in honor of Independence Day, is entitled Presidential Drugs of Choice, showing each out U.S. Presidents favorite alcohol, tobacco or other pleasures. It was originally part of a Kickstarter campaign by Turncoat Wine. It shows each president and then lists their preferences, of which a dozen list beer as one of their favorites.
Click here to see the poster full size.
A Beer A Day Is Good For Your Heart
A new study out of Greece, conducted by the Harokopio University in Athens, appears to show that drinking a pint of beer a day may be beneficial to your heart. According to the abstract from the journal Nutrition:
In a randomized, single-blind, crossover study, 17 healthy, non-smoking, men (ages 28.5 ± 5.2 y with body mass index 24.4 ± 2.5 kg/m2) consumed on three separate occasions, at least 1 wk apart: 1. 400 mL of beer and 400 mL water, 2. 800 mL of dealcoholized beer (same amount of polyphenols as in the 400 mL of beer), and 3. 67 mL of vodka and 733 mL water (same amount of alcohol as in the 400 mL of beer).
Each time aortic stiffness (pulse wave velocity), pressure wave reflections (AΙx), aortic and brachial pressure (Sphygmocor device), and endothelial function (brachial flow mediated dilatation) were assessed at fast and 1 and 2 h postprandial.
Aortic stiffness was significantly and similarly reduced by all three interventions. However, endothelial function was significantly improved only after beer consumption (average 1.33%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.15–2.53). Although wave reflections were significantly reduced by all three interventions (average of beer: 9.1%, dealcoholized beer: 2.8%, vodka 8.5%, all CI within limits of significance), the reduction was higher after beer consumption compared with dealcoholized beer (P = 0.018). Pulse pressure amplification (i.e., brachial/aortic) was increased by all three test drinks.
From which, they drew the following conclusion. “Beer acutely improves parameters of arterial function and structure, in healthy non-smokers. This benefit seems to be mediated by the additive or synergistic effects of alcohol and antioxidants and merits further investigation.” So the results are preliminary and further studies need to be done. Still, it’s a step in the right direction if drinking beer in moderation can add one more benefit to the growing number of reasons why having a beer day isn’t just an enjoyable way to live, but may also be good for you, too. I’ll drink to that.