Beer Tax Rates and Morality

The Atlantic reported today that Chuck Weed (great name), a Democratic New Hampshire state representative, is proposing raising the tax on beer in his state. Supposedly the tax hike would garner $4 million in revenue a year if it were to go into effect. The map below, provided by The Tax Foundation, shows current tax rates on a gallon of beer per state.

How much does it cost to drink?

New Hampshire’s democratic Governor Maggie Hassan said however, she’ll veto such a bill if it crosses her desk. Cheers to you Governor. Keep beer cheap for the working man! The article itself is a great study in beer consumption and tax rates and shows how the two relate to a states moral reputation. Have a look, then a drink.

 

Crafty Charlatans Would Have You Believe Their Beer is Better

CraftBeer.com and the Brewers Association offer this neat list of those American brewers, who would have you believe their beer is independently owned, well crafted and/or small in size. Well the word’s out, again. You should probably avoid these brands at all costs, despite the sale on the 36 pack. Click the image for a larger view.

CraftBeer.com asks:
Who brewed that beer you’re drinking? Is it craft…or crafty?
In other words, is it a product of a small and independent brewer, or is it from a crafty large, multinational brewer, seeking to capitalize on the mounting success of today’s small and independent craft brewers?

“Craft Beer” officially in the dictionary!

LA Weekly reports today that craft beer has officially been added to Merriam-Webster’s 2012 dictionary. Also making the cut is gastropub. The recognition is great, and is enough convincing to get this blogger back on track. Cheers! Let this be the rebirth(again) of this blog.

Vintage Beer Propaganda

An advertisement that possibly still rings true today. The best part? The phrase “beverages of moderation.” Some of us have neglected to remember that little part.

From the text:

“The winter wind pokes icy fingers at the window panes. Mittens, sock and ski-boots sit drying on the hearth. The ruddy fire-light flickers over glowing healthy faces.

The day’s runs and jumps, and spills too, are re-lived once again… over glass of richly mellow beer and ale.

Nothing adds more to the simple pleasure of such an evening than a glass of beer or ale.

Made from Nature’s wholesome grains and hops, beer and ale are so deeply satisfying, so delightful to your taste.

Called by men, since the dawn of time, the “beverages of moderation” these two brews can do so much to make your hours of leisure more restful, more relaxing.

More and more, in these difficult days, Americans are realizing that beer and ale… with their nutritious ingredients, their gentle nature, their matchless flavor… belong to a wholesome and balanced way of life.”

Cheers!

Meet Carrie Nation, The Hatchet-Wielding Temperance Advocate

Today marks the 100th anniversary of Carrie A. Nation’s death. Who, you ask.

Trusty hatchet and bible in hand

Carrie Nation was a temperance advocate in pre-prohibition America. In the early part of the twentieth century, Carrie was so much against alcohol she could be found destroying entire bars with her coveted hatchet. Later, she marketed mini replicas of her hatchet as souvenirs for her fans and even wrote a newspaper titled The Hatchet. Gary Paulsen eat your heart out.

Her vandalism became widely known and bar patrons began to use the slogan “All Nations Welcome But Carrie.” Clever! In the course of ten years she was arrested close to 30 times for her “hatchetations” as she came to call them. This bitch is crazy! Anyway, she’s gone and we have beer. SO, cheers?!

Tonight raise a pint to Carrie, if for the very least, to honor her perseverance.

Corona Tries To Salvage Taste With New Bottles

Attention Canadians: Please be on the look out for the following ‘flavor enhancing’ bottles from Modelo Molson Imports.

Though this is only packaging aimed at the summer season and will probably disappear as soon as the temperature drops(just how long is the summer season in Canada), it would probably benefit Modelo Molson to use opaque bottles for their portfolio of beers. Though I guess their brands aren’t really created to be savored or enjoyed for more than minute. Or at least not longer than the time it takes to successfully complete a kegstand.

Designed by Shikatani Lacroix these special edition bottles(which I actually really like) were supposedly created to “help consumers find their happy place, wherever and whatever that may be.” Featuring relaxing imagery such as mountains, lakes, and beaches the designs are targeted at reminding you that Corona is “an approachable, confident, smart, timeless, easy going and fun loving premium quality brand.”

Gag.

I used to approach Corona at the grocery store, but that was before my tastebuds had matured and acquired some integrity. Back when they were just starting out and shiny golden liquid in a clear container looked appealing. Ha! Silly tastebuds. You damn idiots.

All images property of Shikatani Lacroix

Australia’s Hahn Super Dry Made In A ‘Super-Amazing’ Factory

I have no idea what Hahn Super Dry beer tastes like (their website says it’s a European Style Lager) but from this commercial I’d say it’s a pretty ‘amazing’.

Probably not. Hahn is owned by Lion National – an alcoholic beverages conglomerate with a distribution portfolio that includes Corona and Budweiser alike.

If Hahn is anything like the mega brands of America then it’s most likely pretty bland. Still, cool ad. I can appreciate that at the very least.

Hipster Beer Now Headquartered In Los Angeles

The official beer of young people acting as if they don’t come from money hipsters – Pabst Blue Ribbon – is moving it’s headquarters to Los Angeles per a LA Times story.

Hipster Bromance. Must be the beer.

The irony of it all is PBR is owned by billionaires – the antithesis of hipster ideals. Currently PBR is the fifth largest beer supplier in the country – sounds too mainstream to be hip.

Craft beer seems to be a more appropriate “non-mainstream” choice – it’s often local, obscure and independent. Now that sounds more in line with the “hipster” aesthetic.

Bonus Hipster + Pabst Blue Ribbon Pics:

Dames In Big Frames - Don't Forget The PBR

A Blunt & Pabst Blue Ribbon; Ironic!

Pabst Blue Ribbon Hide & Seek

Mustache + PBR = Hipster Romance

Man Defaces House With Shitty Beer

This is Luis Torres. A Fort Worth, Texas man who decided it would be a genius idea to decorate his house with empty beer cans.

AB InBev Develops Beer For Children, Recovering Alcoholics

It’s been touted as a “watered-down lemon Fanta” and “sweet dish soap” by taste testers, but the truth of the matter is, what do kids say about Ab InBev’s latest product: Hoegaarden 0,0 (or H-Zero)? Afterall, a sparkling beverage with a hint of lemon flavor(and of course 0.0% alcohol) would only be developed for children, right? The colorful packaging looks like any other soda on the store shelves, and of course we all know the 11-18 year old demographic loves shiny, fancy products; so the question is: “Why is Hoegaarden 0.0 being called ‘beer’?”