OK. I’m going to put something out here that’s a little different. Not a review, not a pairing or a suggestion, but rather a quick thought I had the other day…
There are a slew of what one may call “good beers” out there. From your standard Guinness to the more exotic (and recently reviewed on this site by Jeremy) Three Philosophers Quadrupel Belgian-style Ale , there are plenty of tasty suds to keep the wandering palette busy. But don’t forget about all of those, as I like to call them, Standard Issue Pilsners (SIPs).
According to Wikipedia (read as “anonymous web resource”), the American-style lager is “…categorized by a light-gold or straw color, moderate alcohol content (4-6% abv), and muted to nonexistent hop character (carried to an extreme in dry beer). Malt flavor is generally rather light, with a very light-bodied mouth feel.”
While I agree with this description, I also like to be reminded of how important this often taken-for-granted style of beer really is to those of us who enjoy the more exotic brews. You can call them Pilsners, American Lagers, Rice Beers or whatever you want, but don’t forget that they are the ones that keep your booze brokers in business and bring many alien ales to the good old US of A. Now, I’m not going to quote a bunch of statistics or figures to you (I’m a beer drinker not a grad student) but let’s just think about the simple under-lying process behind it all.
There are many, many more beer drinkers in this country who prefer the Budweiser and Miller Light (SIPs) to the Smithwick’s or New Castle. Hence, more SIPs are sold per capita bringing more revenue to the stores that sell beers. Without the income that the SIPs bring in, stores wouldn’t be able to spend extra coin on the less purchased exotics (domestic or imported) that some of us prefer.
What is my point here? Well, what it really comes down to is this: Don’t forget to support your SIPs. Buy some of the cheap stuff every once in a while and drink too many of them. Forget about how good your Warsteiner goes with a Bratwurst or how rich and delicious and dark that Murphy’s Stout is. Go get a case of your favorite SIP, call a few good friends over to watch that televised sporting event and make your way towards having to piss every five minutes. It all goes to a good cause: paying the man who controls the inventory.
And as Ernest Hemingway once said: “Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.” Cheers!
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4 Responses:
September 28th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Personally, I’m lucky enough to have a father who keeps his spare fridge stocked with enough of the SIP’s to allow me to wander guilt free down the fermented path less traveled. I figure he’s definitely buying enough for both of us. Here’s a toast to Dear ol’ Dad!
Suggestion: any thought to reviewing something from the Flying Dog Brewery? (a personal favorite)
Love what you guys are doing here.
Zum Wohl!
PK
September 28th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
It’s on my list. I actually picked up some of the Hefeweizen.
And I actually disagree with Krahn completely. There are plenty of people out there who HAPPILY pick up SIPs and bypass the good-stuff. I don’t know if they are not interested in trying something new or are focused on the SIP’s generally low cost. Quite frankly, I don’t care. God bless the SAPs and their SIPs. It will be a cold day in hell before I pick up Budweiser for anything other than boiling ribs. And I don’t feel remotely guilty about it.
Thanks for your comment, Paul.
October 1st, 2007 at 11:21 am
Oh now, Jeremy, let’s not forget our motto here:
lagersandloungers.com: Beer Reviews, Pairings and Suggestions for the Everyman
I prefer the good-stuff to the SIPs anyday, but I also am just an “Everyman” kind of guy. Do you really never buy SIPs to drink? I bet you have a hell of a time at a football stadium. Can I be invited to your next party? 
Thanks for the comment, Jeremy. I’m anxious to read your next post, your Three Philosophers review has me on the hunt. Take care!
November 7th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
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