The "Joe Hermann Theory of Beer" revisited

3.2 Beer: The mystery solved

I am sure many of you have wondered the whole story on 3.2 Beer. Most people actually do not take 3.2 beer to be what it really is. Lets start with a little history....First of all 3.2 comes from prohibition. You could drink alcohol if it was less than 3.2% alcohol by weight. When it was abolished with the ST amendment some states decided to keep the 'low-point' alcohol in convenient and grocery stores. 4 states still do, Oklahoma, Kansas, Utah, and Colorado. (Terrible to think about isn't it?)

American consumers generally think of alcohol in terms of alcohol by VOLUME. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) uses the weight measurement. Thus we get 3.2% Alcohol by weight (or less) beer sold in Colorado grocery stores.So what does that mean. The conversion is quite simple. Multiply the alcohol by weight by 1.25. Or multiply alcohol by volume by 0.8.

Grocery stores sell beer that is marked as 3.2% alcohol by weight.3.2% x 1.25 = 4% alcohol by volume.

Some comparisons:New Belgium Sunshine Wheat - (Belgian style wheat beer) - averages between 4.8-5.2% alcohol by volume. Multiply by .8 and we get 3.8-4.4% alcohol by weight.

New Belgium Saison - (Belgian style saison) - 4.5-9% abv.New Belgium Tripple - (Belgian style triple)- 7-10%abv.Almost every American wheat beer averages between 3.5-5% alcohol by volume. This basically means that so called '3.2% beer." Is actually what we would call 4% beer.

We have all gotten drunk off a pack off Coors tall boys, and we have all gotten drunk off Sunshine. It takes just a little more Coors to get drunk off of. When comparing them to the beer of our wonderful microbrewery it's no argument that they are stronger. I think it's easy to believe that Coors light is 4% alcohol by volume, as Joe Hermann had stated.

Beer Myth: checked out! (correct answer). Great work Joe.

You can find all the info i used at:
How to measure the weight of alcohol
Essay on alcohol content in beer
3.2 Origins

After further review... my teams stink

I am quickly come to a realization that my teams are not so good (after further review). I recently wrote how well all were playing at 2-0 and since then my teams have followed the stock market... down, down, down...

CU got beat for a 3rd game in a row by a better team...

The Pack has cooled down and the loss of Al Harris is proving detrimental to the team...

The Bagders have lost 3 in a row against strong conference foes...

We went to the Broncos game yesterday, Melissa's first ever, and sat in 35 degree, overcast and drizzling conditions to watch 3 turnovers doom the Broncos against a motivated Jaguars team...

And to rub it all in my fantasy teams have strugged to 3-2 records after a 2-0 starts, respectively.

I'm not sure where to go from here, however I can only hope it gets better - and soon!! Time to go enjoy Columbus Day at el librario...

Conquering your fear of the public potty

We all know someone who can't "go" while in public. It has been laughed about in movies like American Pie where one character has to run home from school to use the bathroom. His nickname is "Shit Break". Quite hilarious.

I don't have too many friends "scared" to go in public, but I think public restrooms cause an uneasy feeling in most people. Said another way, not too many people are all that comfortable using public restrooms.

A solid article on CNN Friday regarding this fear. http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/10/03/bathroom.hygiene/index.html

They even had a great photo (see picture). Notice how someone was so ready to leave the bathroom that they left their drink!

Even websites are popping up to address the potty problem. Once place appropriately named Diaroogle.com posts this as their Mission Statement:

Diaroogle helps you find quality public toilets from your mobile phone.
It's for the discerning, on-the-go defecator who is brave enough to use a public bathroom, but still demands a hygienic and private bathroom experience. It is also a community authored database of Manhattan toilets.

Good luck to you,The Diaroogle Team

Or for a more "universal" site nationwide with more feedback you can check out MizPee

MizPee finds the closest, cleanest toilets in your area. You can add and review toilets, get some cool deals in your area and challenge your knowledge of toilet trivia. This is no laughing matter. You can also access MizPee via your phone and save your "favorites". How great is technology!

Keep this in mind the next time you "have to go" but can't find a nearby Starbucks or other place you trust to take care of your business. So whether you "hover" or cover the seat with tissue or just go bare, remember these new sites as they should help you in your next time of need.

And remember that if you get caught going in public, by a tree, you will get a hefty fine and if you are a teacher you will be a registered sex offender. Find a restroom of some sort.

Best of luck on your future journey's my friends, MfB.

Cubs fans crying continues for Day 2

Wrigleyville bars will be lonely and sad tonight. They may be full but will sound more like a wake than a wedding ceremony. Their mighty Cubs losing yet another game in the playoffs, at home no less. All the pressure and weight of the north side of the city is apparently crushing this year's record setting team to pieces. The Dodgers are up 2-0 with up to 2 games remaining in L.A. and a possible 5th back at Wrigley.

Watching the camera scope over the crowd during the 7th and 8th innings it's become apparent to me that the fans are so crushed and any air was quickly taken out of their balloon this evening. Just too much negative energy by all Cubs fans. They think about some curse, or Bartman or whatever other BS excuse/great tradegy that helps them deal with their team going down 0-2. After an earlier post mocking the Cubs luck hoping to change the luck in game 2 with an Onion post, it's time to be positive.

It made me think of a great poem about focusing on the positive and ignoring the negative. Here are some exerpts of the Winner vs. Loser. Cubs fans: let's be winners! This series is NOT over yet! Keep dreaming Cubbies!

The Winner is always part of the answer;The Loser is always part of the problem.

The Winner sees an answer for every problem;The Loser sees a problem for every answer.

The Winner says," It may be difficult but it is possible";The Loser says,"It may be possible but it is too difficult."

Winners have dreams;Loser have schemes.

Winners say," I must do something";Losers say,"Something must be done."

Winners are a part of the team;Losers are apart from the team.

Winners see possibilities;Losers see problems.

Winners see the potential;Losers see the past.

Winners make it happen;Losers let it happen.