Corn does not belong in beer
Not long ago I found out that my go-to all-purpose draft beer, Guinness, contains high-fructose corn syrup. Corn does not belong in beer. High-fructose corn syrup doesn't belong in anything. I no longer drink Guinness.
I've since investigated the ingredients of other beers. By investigate I mean I go to the website of the manufacturer--I use the term advisedly; some of these companies don't deserve the title of brewer--and read the posted ingredients. If the language is weaselly, "We use the best ingredients such as..." or "Our key ingredients are..." rather than "We use only the following ingredients..." I email the company directly and ask. It's not hard. I recommend trying it for your favourite beer/s.
If you drink microbrews/craft beer, you're probably fine--as long as it really is a microbrew you're drinking, not something that used to be a microbrew but is now owned by a mega conglomerate. But I tend to drink beer for gulpability--that wonderful combination of taste and volume that is so satisfying at the end of a hard-working day. I'm not a fan of anything over 6% alcohol by volume and prefer weaker than that--one of the reasons I used to love Guinness so much (it's only about 4%).
I've always found American big-label beverages (yes, I'm being very specific with my word choice today) unpleasant so I didn't even bother checking brands such as Bud Light, Coors, Rolling Rock, or Miller. I dread to think what's in them. But I did check my always-keep-some-in-the-fridge beer, Corona--and found it's stuffed with corn. Tuh. It's now off my party list.
However, I'm pleased to report that the following beers are deliciously pure:
Fullers ESBGrolschHeinkenAmstel LightOranjeboomJust thought you should know, seeing as summer is here...
I've since investigated the ingredients of other beers. By investigate I mean I go to the website of the manufacturer--I use the term advisedly; some of these companies don't deserve the title of brewer--and read the posted ingredients. If the language is weaselly, "We use the best ingredients such as..." or "Our key ingredients are..." rather than "We use only the following ingredients..." I email the company directly and ask. It's not hard. I recommend trying it for your favourite beer/s.
If you drink microbrews/craft beer, you're probably fine--as long as it really is a microbrew you're drinking, not something that used to be a microbrew but is now owned by a mega conglomerate. But I tend to drink beer for gulpability--that wonderful combination of taste and volume that is so satisfying at the end of a hard-working day. I'm not a fan of anything over 6% alcohol by volume and prefer weaker than that--one of the reasons I used to love Guinness so much (it's only about 4%).
I've always found American big-label beverages (yes, I'm being very specific with my word choice today) unpleasant so I didn't even bother checking brands such as Bud Light, Coors, Rolling Rock, or Miller. I dread to think what's in them. But I did check my always-keep-some-in-the-fridge beer, Corona--and found it's stuffed with corn. Tuh. It's now off my party list.
However, I'm pleased to report that the following beers are deliciously pure:
Fullers ESBGrolschHeinkenAmstel LightOranjeboomJust thought you should know, seeing as summer is here...
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Mandy, I've written directly to Guinness to get a plain answer. I'm not in the least bit worried about food colouring, or isinglass, or whether or not the grain in my beer is GMO. I'm only concerned about the corn/maize.
I do understand that conventional wisdom tells us that use of corn syrup is only to boost the fermentation--but I haven't seen data regarding food allergies and the resulting product so I'm unwilling to take the risk if Guinness, for example, uses corn.
So we'll see what the company has to say. I'm perfectly prepared to apologise to all if I'm wrong!
Thanks for the updated blog entry on Guinness. I think it's a win-win situation - you can drink it again! Woohoo. :)
Mandy wrote: "Thanks for the updated blog entry on Guinness. I think it's a win-win situation - you can drink it again! Woohoo. :)"Yes, I'm very happy :)
I suggest reading the following article, as it is extremely well-done and invites some experts to the table to discuss the points you raise, educate on the brewing process, and to debunk some common beer myths.
http://maureenogle.com/maureen-ogle/2...
It is also re-blogged here, in a more reader-friendly format.
http://blog.timesunion.com/beer/debun...
Enjoy reading. I hope you continue to partake in the delicious beers out there - it would be a shame to give them up for naught.