"Them's Fightin' Words" -- Responses to a vile act of calumny from "The Food Babe"

If you're on Facebook and/or browse the web, you might have encountered -- or had foisted upon you -- "THE SHOCKING INGREDIENTS IN BEER!" -- a piece of hysterical drivel from a food-purist (and non-beer drinker) regarding various "additives" to beer, revealing along the way the author's general ignorance about the brewing process altogether.

As the situation may warrant, here are some helpful responses from defenders of God's Gift to Man:

• Beer Wars: The Calumny of The Food Babe, by Thomas 'Tom' Cizauskas. Yours for Good Fermentables
• What’s In YOUR Beer? Or, The Dangers of Dumbassery Maureen Ogle.

The Secret of Trappist Ale

Philip Blenkinsop (Reuters' FaithWorld) discovers a startling surprise about Trappist ale:

It came as a surprise to discover that monks were no longer involved in the beer-making at Trappist brewer Westmalle during a visit to research for a feature of Trappist beers. With the exception of small-scale Westvleteren that is pretty much the case at all seven Trappist breweries in Belgium and the Netherlands. It is largely the result of demographics – the average age of monks at many monasteries in western Europe is up in the 50s, 60s or 70s, hardly an age to be pushing around barrels. [More]

Nonetheless, to merit the name, the profits from the sale of Trappist beer are used for the upkeep of the monastery, it's community and charitable causes. So you can still feel doubly good about yourself next time you imbibe a bottle of Chimay -- confident in the knowledge you're not only blessing your tastebuds but supporting the Lord's work as well. =)

(See also: "Ale and hearty: Aging Trappist monks brew on" (Reuters, October 20, 2009).

One presidential decision by Obama I can support.

4 Guys having a beer (Gothamist).

Gates & Crowley speak about their White House visit (Political Punch)