I think it has something to do with the 21 yr old drinking age aswell. Sure, we all drank underage, but there is nothing like going to a pub and drinking yourself catatonic legally . We have 3 years on them .
I still wouldnt be able to legally drink in America, which is barbaric. I could join the army, vote, get married, have kids, yet couldnt drink...
One of the hardest things for me as a doorman is turning away members of the Armed Services because they are under the age of 21.
IMO, if you are old enough to fight and die for your country, responsible enough to carry a weapon or wear a uniform, then you are responsible enough to handle a beer.
While I was never a fan of Guiness, I must admit, the U.S. just can't compete with the plethora of beers that Europe has to offer.
I miss that aspect of living in Europe... Octoberfest.... real Hefeweizen served in yard glasses...
Best beer experience I recall was in Germany. At a place near Wildflecken there was a monastery and the monks served this really thick beer. I recall some of the folks I was with saying that it was opium based. Don't know if that's true, but that beer was so thick you could knock over the glass, pick it up and not lose a drop of beer. It poured like ketchup (catsup for some folks).
One of those for the uninitiated American and they were toast. Two for the hard core drinkers.
Beer is one reason I'm so proud to be Quebecer. We've got a very, very good variety of good quality microbrewery beer; of which the mainstream is thankfully a lot more aware of than in the US (yes, I've been to the US, and I know that while there are good microbrews there, they are faaaaar from mainstream.
Unibroue? Yes, that's us. Well, that was, until Ontarians bought it. Now we don't like to drink it anymore, but we export it
The drinking age used to be 18. Unfortunately, so many 18 year olds were killing themselves in alcohol related car accidents that they recended it. And yes, deaths went down significantly after they recended it. You can whine all you want, but the fact is more Americans under 18 drive then anywhere else and when you combine that with alcohol, you get large mortality rates.
WOW!!! I never realized how out of touch middle America and the east coast really is toward beer. Out here in the Pacific Northwest we have microbrews on about every corner. Pork-Land (Portland OR) has the largest volume of MB per-capita in the world. The NW is home to the largest and oldest of the US's Micro's. The oldest Brewery in the nation is actually in PA and that's Yinglings. Good beer if you're in the mood for a lager.
Personally, I'd have rather increased the legal driving age rather than the drinking age. Irresponsible driving is more dangerous (as it endangers not only the person doing it). Also, if someone gets used to alchool younger, they won't be tempted to go on irresponsible binges when they finally have the right to.
And more importantly, it's too easy to circumvent the law and get alchool before being 21. At least, I don't think many would risk the same with a driver's license.
So the west coast is better, huh? I've been sorely disappointed by the east coast offerings. I've heard there are interesting beers there, but I've not seen anything else than regular catpiss or over-rated imports (Stella) in the gaz stations along the east coast.
I'd try west coast beers, but the west coast is kinda far And I wouldn't be able to buy it in the US anyway. So what west coast beers do you suggest? I'll have a look for them at my local imported beer joint. And no lagers, please; not that I hate lagers, but I want to be impressed, not merely satisfied
If I can't hold my liquor, I sure as hell am not responsible enough to kill people. Lovely how our government feels it is ok to call young men and women into combat to die, but doesn't even have the decency to give them a good stiff drink before they go.
Yeah the Pac. NW is really the land of great micro-brews and there is also a very large home brewing community up that way. Beer isn't really all that hard to make - especially these days with so many different home brew kits available. I did it years ago and we certainly had good success in emulating many beers from overseas. For a very small amount of work - you to can enjoy home-brewed beer!!!
You have that right. I have several mates who home brew. Some are good at it, and some are well, Not! I've tried to brew myself, I fit the "Not" group. At least I realized it and gave in.
You'll be happy to know as I'm typing this I'm drinking Guinness Extra Stout to wash down a plate of mahi tacos, spanish rice, fresh tortilla chips and guacamole and a quesadilla from Baja Fresh
An Irish beer with Baja Mexican cusine, who'd have thought they'd go so well together. What a country!
EDIT: and when I'm done I have a six pack of Bud...