As we have reviewed, Canadian politicians have no need to consider themselves second best when it comes to love of beer... or at least they have to admit their inferiority to beer in the great Canadian cultural pecking ladder. Sure it would help if we could get the whole beer betting thing right when put to it but we are generally led by those who know beer's place.
So, it comes with some amusement when we read about the President's little brewery. It's run by others who make his honey brown ale. See, it is not so much a home brewing set up Obama has as a staff brewing gig - and not a very sophisticated one at that given that it is brewing from syrup. How many people have others brewing for them and, then, those others don't even have to mash? Is this what wealth and power buys these days? Now, it is not my country and I am not one to point fingers so maybe this is the start of something, just an early stage in setting up a campaign story where home brewing takes it proper place at the highest level, part of a culinary and self-sufficiency narrative that will be used later in Election 2012. Could be. Maybe. Err... maybe not.
Not sure I buy it myself. But you know who needs none of it? Who needs no stinking tiny brewery? Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, that's who. Look at her up there. Click at take a good look at here draining that honking bucket of beer, the moment captured perfectly by the AP photographer today. She even keeps a gentle pinkie high as she looks well past the mug at those watching on in amazement or with pride. That's how you use beer as a political instrument, the moment as political theatre. Suddenly, I have an urge to invest in Euro-based government bonds.
Comments
SomeRandomGuy - September 4, 2012 12:14 AM
Malt syrup/extract brewing is nothing to be snubbed. Miller Brewing uses hop extract and they seem to be doing ok in the US.
Falls City in Louisville, KY made made Billy Beer for Billy Carter, contract brewing is very common commercially.
At least he's not forbidden by God to drink it like muslims and mormons or an alcoholic who can't handle a drink like George W.
Jeff Alworth - September 4, 2012 1:55 AM
I will not defend the US in a head-to-head beer bout versus Germany. Nevertheless, this is an unfair comparison. We have no idea how small Merkel's brewery is, or if indeed she even has a brewery. And our leader can drink with the best of them.
Apples to apples, please.
Syrup Home Brewer - September 4, 2012 6:15 AM
Dude.You know how many homebrewers use extract based recipes? Go check out the homebrew sites and see how many varieties of extract are being sold. Poor and Rich use it and it turns out good. As for Canada... what beer beers do the politicians enjoy from such a GREAT beer culture?
Alan - September 4, 2012 7:51 AM
He he he. It's so sweet that you care.
Pivní Filosof - September 4, 2012 11:43 AM
On a lighter note. I wonder what would have happened if Obama had been in a situation like this
Merkel, and pretty much everyone around her, acted as if they've seen something like that happen before....
Anyway, I believe Merkel can drink Obama (and more than a few world leaders) under the table without even breaking a sweat.
Alan - September 4, 2012 12:36 PM
See, I had no idea that this would become about stakes in a game about continental bravado and pride.
That being said, I am all for the conversation to devolve in that manner.
Jeff Alworth - September 4, 2012 2:04 PM
Hmmm, "Merkel Laughs At Obama's Tiny Home Brewery"--this seems at least a wee bit like table setting for continental (or at least national) pride. I thought that was the spirit of the thing. But nationalism is a lesser pursuit, I agree.
Alan - September 4, 2012 3:50 PM
"...laughs at tiny brewery..."
Ya think? ;-)
Jeff Alworth - September 5, 2012 12:22 AM
I seem to have lunged at your bait.
Alan - September 5, 2012 7:38 AM
It's only bait if you fear a hook is hidden within.
Uwe - September 5, 2012 5:06 PM
@pivni. Don't over estimate Mrs Merkel. I don't think she could drink too much. At least she shouldn't...