Happy New Year!

For New Year’s Eve, Mrs. Adventures and I attended 2 parties. It was fun to see old friends and make some new ones. Although most of my old friends were of the flesh and blood variety, 2 were liquid and came in a bottle – Ommegang Hennepin (farmhouse) and Sam Smith Winter Welcome (English Ale). Both are classics of their style which I enjoyed sharing with friends, a great way to ring in the New Year.

Let’s start off the New Year right. No one knows what the future offers so let’s reflect on some beer related quotes from the past.

“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” 
― Ben Franklin

Sadly, Ben Franklin preferred wine to beer. The misquote above probably comes from a letter written in French to Mr. Franklin’s friend Abbe Morellet which was actually about wine:

“We hear of the conversion of water into wine at the marriage in Cana, as of a miracle. But this conversion is, through the goodness of God, made every day before our eyes. Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards, and which incorporates itself with the grapes to be changed into wine; a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy!“

“Work is the curse of the drinking classes.” 
― Oscar Wilde

“I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer.” 
― Abraham Lincoln

“Whoever drinks beer, he is quick to sleep; whoever sleeps long, does not sin; whoever does not sin, enters Heaven! Thus, let us drink beer!” 
― Martin Luther

“A man who lies about beer makes enemies” 
― Stephen King, from Pet Sematary

On occasion, I have been mistaken for this “King” of Horror. (Ask me about it, next time you see me.)

“Beer, if drunk in moderation, softens the temper, cheers the spirit and promotes health.” 
― Thomas Jefferson

“In a study, scientists report that drinking beer can be good for the liver. I’m sorry, did I say ‘scientists’? I meant Irish people.” 
― Tina Fey

“Most people hate the taste of beer—to begin with. It is, however, a prejudice.” 
― Winston Churchhill

“Beer, it’s the best damn drink in the world.” 
― Jack Nicholson

“I have respect for beer.” 
― Russell Crowe

“Beer’s intellectual. What a shame so many idiots drink it.” 
― Ray Bradbury

“For a quart of Ale is a dish for a king.” 
― William Shakespeare

“Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza.” 
― Dave Barry

“There is an ancient Celtic axiom that says ‘Good people drink good beer.’ Which is true, then as now. Just look around you in any public barroom and you will quickly see: Bad people drink bad beer. Think about it.” 
― Hunter S. Thompson

“Give me a woman who loves beer and I will conquer the world.” 
― Kaiser Wilhelm

“He was a wise man who invented beer.” 
― Plato

Many thanks to First We Feast and goodreads for these quotes. Also, thanks to Porchdrinker for clarifying Ben Franklin’s quote and providing Ben’s letter to Abbe Morellet  online.

May your 2019 be filled with happiness, success and tasty beer!

Cheers!

Warren