Non alcoholic wine, beer and cider availability in Guernsey
Safe drinks for grown ups who want to be able to drink them and drive....
Is it easy to find a decent choice of Alcohol free beers wines and cider in Guernsey?
You've got to be kidding.... It looks like it’s really not cool to be tee-total in the Bailiwick or the British Isles. If you fancy an alcohol free night out and want to take the car there really isn't much to choose from at the pub when it comes to drinks. Where's the choice of alcohol free beer and wine? And how much are you charging me for that glass of coke?
In the British Isles we have the wrong attitude to alcohol. You just have to turn on the TV or open a newspaper and you will be swamped with stories about binge drinking, drink driving and alcohol related violence. Drink driving is probably the main thing that constantly grabs the headlines and yet the industry and government stand by and watch without really doing anything useful to help.
We started to research the range and availability in local supermarkets in 2009 with the main beers then being available Kaliber and Becks Blue. I just can't help thinking that if the pubs and clubs offered those who just don't want to drink a reasonable low cost alternative to alcohol, it could definitely go some way to help fix the alcohol related issues we are facing. Most pubs do now cater for non alcohol beer drinkers with a non alcoholic beer, rarely a choice, unfortunately the drinker has to pay dearly for the privilege of being responsible as the alcohol free beer is just as expensive, or in most cases, more expensive than the alcoholic equivalent. Not really likely to win over those who might consider staying sober or even coming out at all, is it? In a group with a designated non-drinking driver it will not encourage them to stay!
Also, what about pregnant women and people who have any condition which prevents them from consuming alcohol? Is diet cola and the odd OJ the best the local watering hole can offer? Governments and the alcohol industry need to pull their finger out and get a little more creative with choice and price. Some real alternatives and some good education is needed.
I am someone who can see all sides of the argument. I am a life member of The Campaign for Real Ale and enjoy a pint or two of beer and I like a glass or two of wine with a meal if I'm not driving . If I am ,I will not drink any alcohol at all. My partner is a long term recovering alcoholic who has not had any alcohol for over 20 years, together we enjoy a few glasses of non alcoholic wine or a beer with dinner and he was the one who pointed out that people with alcohol problems cannot go looking for safe drinks in the middle of alcohol aisles. This started me on this whole idea of this website to inform and educate. The research has opened my eyes and I hope will give food for thought to the reader.
Billy Connolly doing his bit for Kaliber...
And yes...this gem for Barbican from 1983 has Sean Bean starring!!!!
You've got to be kidding.... It looks like it’s really not cool to be tee-total in the Bailiwick or the British Isles. If you fancy an alcohol free night out and want to take the car there really isn't much to choose from at the pub when it comes to drinks. Where's the choice of alcohol free beer and wine? And how much are you charging me for that glass of coke?
In the British Isles we have the wrong attitude to alcohol. You just have to turn on the TV or open a newspaper and you will be swamped with stories about binge drinking, drink driving and alcohol related violence. Drink driving is probably the main thing that constantly grabs the headlines and yet the industry and government stand by and watch without really doing anything useful to help.
We started to research the range and availability in local supermarkets in 2009 with the main beers then being available Kaliber and Becks Blue. I just can't help thinking that if the pubs and clubs offered those who just don't want to drink a reasonable low cost alternative to alcohol, it could definitely go some way to help fix the alcohol related issues we are facing. Most pubs do now cater for non alcohol beer drinkers with a non alcoholic beer, rarely a choice, unfortunately the drinker has to pay dearly for the privilege of being responsible as the alcohol free beer is just as expensive, or in most cases, more expensive than the alcoholic equivalent. Not really likely to win over those who might consider staying sober or even coming out at all, is it? In a group with a designated non-drinking driver it will not encourage them to stay!
Also, what about pregnant women and people who have any condition which prevents them from consuming alcohol? Is diet cola and the odd OJ the best the local watering hole can offer? Governments and the alcohol industry need to pull their finger out and get a little more creative with choice and price. Some real alternatives and some good education is needed.
Within these pages we will try to educate and inform....
Who am I?... about the editor-
I am someone who can see all sides of the argument. I am a life member of The Campaign for Real Ale and enjoy a pint or two of beer and I like a glass or two of wine with a meal if I'm not driving . If I am ,I will not drink any alcohol at all. My partner is a long term recovering alcoholic who has not had any alcohol for over 20 years, together we enjoy a few glasses of non alcoholic wine or a beer with dinner and he was the one who pointed out that people with alcohol problems cannot go looking for safe drinks in the middle of alcohol aisles. This started me on this whole idea of this website to inform and educate. The research has opened my eyes and I hope will give food for thought to the reader.
And yes...this gem for Barbican from 1983 has Sean Bean starring!!!!
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Added October 2010
Health benefits of alcohol-free beer
New research suggests several advantages to alcohol-free beer. Softer suds have the same cardiovascular benefits as the hard stuff -- without courting the risk of abuse or addiction, according to a recent German study.
While excessive alcohol consumption actually increases the
risk of thrombosis, or blood vessel clotting, so-called "fake" beer
caused a significant decrease in clot creation. Best of all for those who
prefer six-pack-abs to beer bellies, non-alcoholic brewskies have half the
calories of alcoholic ales.
Until now, many researchers have credited ethanol, the
intoxicating agent in alcoholic beverages, as the ingredient responsible for
benefits such as higher HDL (good) cholesterol, lower blood pressure and
decreased stroke risk. But new findings suggests other compounds --
polyphenols, B vitamins, resveratrol, and non-alcoholic byproducts of
fermentation -- might play a larger role than previously believed.
Though more research is needed to determine the precise
mechanisms involved, there's evidence that certain health benefits of beer
might derive from the phytonutrients found in hops and barley -- not the
alcohol. According to Julie Walsh, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic
Association, B vitamins are another benefit from beer not dependent on
alcoholic content. B vitamins, including folic acid, may lower blood levels of
the amino acid homocysteine, which when elevated increase the risk of heart
disease and bone fractures.
With thanks to our helpful researchers from www.whynotguernsey.com
