Beer may seem like the drink of the crass. Put a whole keg of it in a college dorm room, and you’ve got yourself a live episode of Jackass. Which is why it’s surprising to learn that beer is actually enjoyed as a fine beverage all over the world (even if people tend to act like Peter Griffin after binging on it).

Acting like Peter Griffin does have its moments, though.

But whether you’re just starting to fall in love with beer, or looking into becoming a better social drinker, here’s a guide to help you on your way into alcoholism.

1. I’m drinking beer for the first time. Any tips?

Take it easy.

It’s not a race. Take sips or gulps, and don’t chug. To appreciate beer, start off with lighter-tasting varieties. Mild and subtle beers won’t overpower your taste buds, so they help ease you into the fuller-flavored stuff. San Mig Light will do, but brands like Stella Artois have a cleaner taste, are less bitter, and can make you look cool, too.

Say “Stella” when you order, for that sosyal touch.

Don’t drink on an empty stomach.

Eat something before you reach for that beer. Your body will absorb alcohol faster if it’s not busy digesting anything.

If you really want to enjoy your beer longer, you can chow down on some food while drinking, too.

Don’t drink and drive.

Seriously. Just don’t.

2. What food goes well with beer?

Plenty! And not just Sisig or Crispy Pata. Here are some classic combinations:

Pale Beer and Mussels

Mussels are great whether they’re steamed, sautéed, or baked, as shown in our recipe for Persillade Baked Mussels. These shellfish also have an affinity for beer, and are sometimes cooked in the stuff.

You can try mussels with light and golden ales, or lagers.

Full-Bodied Beer and Meaty Dishes

Steaks go well with almost any kind of beer. But flavor-packed stews and barbecued meats are exceptional with a glass of amber or darker-colored beers. Stouts, dark lagers, and porters are all examples of what you can drink alongside a meaty entrée. Try drinking them with a Beef Wellington, also!

In general, tangy, spicy, or subtle dishes go well with light, pale beers. Meals with very strong, meaty flavors deserve full-bodied beers. Point is, your beer should complement the flavors of what you’re eating, not drown them out.

Did you know?

The term “beer belly” is a misnomer. Consuming more calories than you burn is still the main culprit for weight gain, and not beer alone. Perhaps it’s that Chicharon or Crispy Pata that you keep reaching for while drinking that’s to blame?

3. What’s with all the beers you mentioned?How are they different from our local brews?

Beer comes in two main types:

Ales - Brewed with top-fermenting yeast, and at higher temperatures. The flavors are often complex and fruity. Ales taste good even when they’re not that cold.

Lagers - Brewed with bottom-fermenting yeast, and at lower temperatures. This results in a clean and crisp taste. Lagers are great when chilled.

But these two basic categories have spawned a multitude of brewing methods, resulting in hundreds of different beers (and a hundred different ways to get drunk). They differ in taste, color, and alcohol content, with each one suiting a unique preference.

After deciding to give all the different beers a try, I also found it difficult to remember what happened that night.

Craft beers also offer a wide selection of fine brews. These beers are brewed in small batches, and have distinct flavors of their own. Locally, we also have an active craft and home brewing community.

So, how do we classify our local beer? San Miguel Beer Pale Pilsen is a golden lager in the style of a Pilsner (a pale lager with a golden hue, clean taste, and a distinct bitterness derived from hops). The major breweries here all make lagers in different variants like Dark, All-Malt, and Light.

Did you know?

San Miguel Beer is also famous in Spain. It’s even promoted by Pau Gasol, NBA all-star and LA Lakers player, for the Spanish National Team!

The way Gasol has been playing clearly proves the local brand is better, though.

It’s not the same San Miguel Beer from the Philippines though. The Spanish brand was the product of an agreement between Spanish and Philippine breweries. However, the Spanish brewery has since been bought out, along with the right to brew under the San Miguel name, which is now independent of its Philippine namesake.

4. How do I avoid the ill-effects of beer?

This is why I schedule all meetings at 2 PM.

Losing Your Lunch

Don’t rush, either with drinking or eating. Vomiting is your body’s reaction to an overload, so go easy during happy hour.

Hangovers (Prevention)

Swallowing a large spoonful of olive oil before a night of drinking is said to protect the tummy from alcohol.

If you’re going to drink a lot, stick to one drink. Don’t mix copious amounts of beer and hard liquor. Remember to drink lots of water too.

Stick to the good stuff. Cheap beers give the worse hangovers.

Hangovers (Cure)

Hair of the dog. Consuming more alcohol keeps your liver busy for a while, delaying hangover symptoms. As the maxim goes, “You can’t get hung-over if you’re still drunk.”

Drinking Coke or coffee may help, since caffeine and sugar will help boost your metabolism.

Eating a Bacon Sandwich has been shown to cure hangovers. Not only does the sandwich boost your metabolism, bacon also contains nutrients to clear your head.

Pepper’s Bacon Beast Burger will slay your hangover and your diet at the same time.

You can also try our Kori Coke for a quick pick-me-up. Coke, with the zing of ginger, can help kick-start your appetite. The succeeding food binge will help drive the alcohol out of your system.

Did you know?

If you must take medicine, avoid Paracetamol. It can be bad for your liver, especially when you’re still reeling from the effects of too much alcohol.

Now you’re all set to chill with that cold bottle of beer. And if this article has helped you in any way, feel free to buy me one as well. Cheers!

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