A recent report by Ernst & Young has shown the importance of beer consumption, both as an indicator and as a principal dynamic to the economy. Commissioned by Brewers of Europe, a beer industry trade group, the study highlighted several key points which will help justify why you should be having a pint or two tonight.

While almost three-quarters of the jobs associated with beer consumption have nothing to do with breweries, there are tons of other jobs that are linked to the all the malt and hops. Think about all those jobs in restaurants, hotels and bars, all these jobs in these related industries support jobs in other industries. All of a sudden, you get a sense of how tugging on one string unravels everything else, and not just beer, but every industry. Unfortunately, the economic downturn has precipitated a decline in beer consumption. Remaining consumption has to a large extent shifted to in-home, which means corollary job losses in industries closely tied to away-from-home beer consumption.

The ripple effects don’t stop there. People who are unemployed don’t pay taxes and collect benefits. Governments wind up footing the bill while taking in less income. If this double whammy is serious enough, which it has been during this downturn, governments are forced to cut spending through layoffs, which further reduces beer consumption. It’s a vicious cycle that feeds on itself. Something worth toying over a pint…

But using the bottle cage to carry beer only allows for 1 can or bottle, which as you would agree, isn’t going to be enough. So our Number 1 fan came across an invention being sold online and sent it to us. It’s a 6-pack holder secured to the horizontal bike frame, perfect for a quick sip while riding! It’s retailing for US$22 and we’re both hoping our wives read this blog in time for Christmas this year!

Bike 6-pack holder from UberReview

With commercial flights to space on the horizon, there’s been a surge of activity by companies to start developing products for the first batch of space tourists. Running down a checklist of things to pack for a space trip, apparently a case of beer appeared on the list. This may have been included as a celebratory item or a potential “I come in peace” offering to any wide-eyed aliens encountered along the way. Remember how the early adventurers and colonialists brought with them barrels of rum which was shared with the local natives of the New World?

Well, a special Vostok Space Beer has been brewed between Saber Astronautics Australia and 4-Pines Brewing Company. But what’s so special about this Space Beer?

1) Due to the zero gravity atmosphere in space, the carbonation in beer won’t form, hence these geniuses have created a Space Beer to counter that.

2) Vostok Space Beer uses a stout base with enhanced flavours as tastebuds are numbed when in space.

It’s already being retailed at some outlets in Australia and we’re hoping every 6-pack comes with a light saber.

We’ve actually been to the original Cheers pub in Boston and it’s a must-do when you’re in the city. But there’re 2 Cheers locations, the original, where the sitcom was based on is located at the basement of 84 Beacon Street. But if you prefer a more contemporary environment, go to the replica at the Faneuil Hall Marketplace. They do have a good variety of drafts and since you’re in Boston, you have to drink the Samuel Adams Lager! And they do have their own Cheers lager too.

Basement entrance into the pub

When in Boston, support the patriots with Sam Adams Lager.

Rich -Thanks for sending the Buffalo Beer Theory, it’s nice to know you read this even though you don’t drink. But that means, there’s more beer to go around!

Here it is…

This is the best lesson we’ve learnt all week, as frequent business travellers ourselves, we’ll now always remember, if all else fails, at least we have beer.

Does beer float?

For more interesting stuff, check out Free Steve Slater.

Milk and bananas. Mmm...

Milk and balls. Hmm...

Milk and red underwear worn externally. Ermm...

Milk and uncontrolled hair growth. Brrrr... actually milk is supposed to build strong bones and teeth. We didn't know calcium contributes to Adamantium bone density. I guess we learn something new with every beer.

You guys must have seen the supermodels of the world sport a milk mustache in this series of ads some years ago. It was a campaign to drive awareness of the benefits of drinking milk, utilising familiar runway and Hollywood celebrities to pitch in the message. And not just supermodels, even superheroes got into the act. I think it certainly got some attention. Did more people in America drink milk after that campaign? We don’t know.

But here’s a parody of another cause closer to our hearts and hopefully yours too. Modeled by my good friend, fellow beer fan and well-known Singapore tech journo Koh Siang Liang aka @chsaeba . In many countries, beer IS SAFER than water. Now that’s a message worth spreading by the WHO. Why did you think the wise ancient civilisations brewed and drank beer otherwise? We read this off a National Geographic website – so it must be well-researched and true, right?

All that's missing is a beer moustache. Actually there probably is, but good 'ol Siang Liang's just camera shy

And here’s one of us sporting a Guinness moustache. Generally, did the beer or Guinness facial hair appear first, historically?

Guinness moustache - it's cream, not milk, silly!

Believed to be 230-years-old, 30 bottles of champagne were discovered at a depth of 55 metres. Possibly from the house Veuve Clicquot, it’s thought that it was sent by France’s King Louis XVI and bound for the Russian Imperial Court.

Somewhere in the world

It’s already beer o’clock

And I am still here