Beer is the most common alcoholic drink available to people, and with the advancement of the brewing process, countless flavors and varieties have sprung up. The alcoholic content in beer is usually not more than 5% at best and even less in the case of light beers.
So, leaving classy drinks and strong liquors, such as wine, vodka, gin, etc., aside, ever wonder what makes this drink rise so much in popularity? It may be due to a minimal cost compared to other counterparts or low alcohol content.
But with innovation came the technology to brew other blends at affordable rates, but still, this popularity didn’t suffer much. It begs the need for the question.
Why do people drink beer?
The reason behind drinking beer lies in the vibe and sense it creates. The development of comradeship between people, connecting different communities, contains less alcohol, has health benefits, a drink for watching sports, the variety, and the ease with which it goes down.
Here, we will give you an insight into the points discussed as to why people drink beer.
Reasons Why People Enjoy Beer
The answer to this question is both simple and complex. For some, beer is simply a refreshing beverage to enjoy with friends. But for others, there’s more to it than that.
For many people, beer is about more than just quenching their thirst. It’s about relaxation, socialization, and even exploration. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top reasons why people love beer.
Keeps You Upbeat
According to a study, drinking beer can make you feel good. It happens due to the triggering of dopamine. The role of this neurotransmitter is to give you this joyous/rewarding feeling. The taste of beer triggers this neurotransmitter; the alcohol in beer has nothing to do here.
While taste is the prime factor that keeps people hooked on beer; however, many people find the generic taste a bit too much for them. So, the taste factor can be a bit controversial, but there are countless flavors to choose from.
So, that’s why most people love drinking beer to uplift their moods and deal with stress or as a relaxing drink to release the built-up tension from the whole day’s work, i.e., to let loose.
Creates a Sense of Community
The role of beer doesn’t end with making you feel good or letting you dampen your stress. Another crucial aspect of beer is creating a sense of community among people who drink it.
It doesn’t only cater to modern people who drink at bars or pubs; even in ancient civilizations, beer was considered a celebratory drink and a drink for war.
The role of beer in the war was pretty versatile. It brought soldiers together and loosened the tension while creating a sense of brotherhood.
Drinking beer at a bar or pub expands your social circle, and having a large social circle helps you to maintain a healthy mind. It makes beer one of the best drinks to serve at a party, joyous celebration, or wedding.
Beer has deep roots in the culture of many countries, e.g., Munich’s Oktoberfest is one of the biggest beer festivals in the world. Even people from other countries come to see this festival.
Low Alcohol Content and Is Natural
Compared to 20-40% alcoholic content of liquors, beer is ¼ to ⅛ times lighter with an alcohol content of just 5%. But there are also even lighter beer options.
Also, another benefit comes in the form that beer is a natural drink, meaning it doesn’t need artificial preservatives.
So, this makes alcohol the best drink to have a chat over or a long talk because it won’t make you feel tipsy anytime soon, but remember, it goes down easy, so you won’t be able to hold yourself back from drinking once you start.
Sports and Beer
In Football, Baseball, NBA, or any other sport you can think of, fans in the stadium prefer a cup of one thing, and yes, i.e., beer. So, beer has found its way into sports, and the enthusiasm, competition, and fiery spirit are incomplete without holding a beer cup.
It doesn’t end with just a stadium drink holding a beer can to watch your favorite sport has become popular too. Also, for most sports, beer reigns on top as the drink of preference. Also, the image of your regular American fan holding a cup of beer has become the norm.
Beer is Beneficial For You
Arguably, the main reason beer has become so popular with people is its health effects. Unlike popular liquors, beer has almost non-existent side effects, and you don’t have to worry about a nasty hangover unless you gulp large quantities.
Following is the list of beneficial effects of beer:
1. Good for the Heart
The relationship between the heart and alcohol is a complex one. It depends on how much you drink. Beer and alcohol, when consumed in moderation, are beneficial for your heart. Contrarily, if intake is large, it may cause more heart complications.
However, drinking 1 or 2 beers (per day) can keep the heart functioning smoothly and prevents the risk of heart disease.
2. Increases Cognitive Functions
Beer and alcohol can increase your brain function and cognitive abilities if drunk in moderation. It has also been linked to reducing the risk of dementia, but if you are a heavy drinker, it may as well reverse the benefit.
3. Is Low on Calories
A standard 12 oz. of alcohol contains 150-160 calories and no fat, with 10-15 grams of carbs and roughly 2 grams of protein, based on the brand, akin to your run-off-the-mill orange juice.
Some drinks with lower calorie content than alcohol are black coffee, water, plain tea, etc. There are some other diet drinks with zero calories, but they come packed with sweeteners and preservatives. So beer reigns over them.
Some other health benefits of beer are; it reduces Cholesterol, can help prevent the formation of kidney stones, is thought to reduce the risk of cancer (no-scientific finding yet), can prolong bone health, etc.
Conclusion
So, to finish off, there may be several reasons why people drink beer. It can be to deal with the stress of your daily work or to keep your mood happy, as a means to interact with others and form friendships.
Also, it may be to enjoy a sports event; or for the benefits, it has on people’s health. But whatever the reason may be, the one thing to be mindful of is moderation is the key. Enjoy!
