Yet another example of fascist, Bible-thumping neo-Prohibitionism that demonizes even responsible consumption as the equivalent of getting drunk, whined one.
"Enjoying a morning beer doesn't make us alcoholics," said another.
Of course not, but like Sheryl Crow sang, there are times when "I like a good beer buzz early in the morning." And I've got a feeling I'm not the only one.
Gives the whole day a different, vital perspective. A crisp, bracing glass of a.m. beer sharpens the focus, brightens the gloom and puts a smile on my face. Even "The Today's Show's" Matt Lauer can't ruin a day that begins with a frothy glass.
Foreclosure? No job? Who cares?
Maybe I'm just numbing reality, but don't wag your finger - not when Americans spend $12 billion a year on antidepressants. I guarantee, my lager tastes a lot better than your Zoloft.
And here's something else: Maybe if those greedy bastards on Wall Street had suds in their mugs instead of caffeine, we wouldn't be in this fix right now. I never met a beer drinker who put money before people.
Which leads me to the point of this column: What makes a good breakfast beer?
It's tempting to reach for something that pairs well with your meal. A rich, silky glass of Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout is a natural complement to a bowl of cinnamon-and-raisin Quaker Oats.
But don't take that too far. Otherwise some morning you'll find yourself facing a pint of scrapple-flavored Fruit Loops pilsner.
In my experience, it's the Bavarians who pour the perfect breakfast beer: hefeweizen. Wander through Munich, Germany's, outdoor Viktualienmarkt at 10 in the morning, and you'll see happy Germans washing down a pair of weisswurst with a tall, half-liter of hefeweizen.
A hazy, golden glass of this unfiltered wheat beer looks almost like o.j. Put your nose to the foam, and you're met with a sunny waft of banana and citrus, sensuous aromas that are the product of yeast fermentation.
