Beer has been around since the dawn of civilization. In fact, there are many evidences that suggest beer played a significant role in the formation of human civilization. For a significant portion of time the beer brewed in the community was safer to consume than the water, as the brewing & fermentation processes kill off most of the bacteria and germs harmful to humans. What’s more, there are many benefits cited in the responsible consumption of alcohol – from aiding in the fight against heart disease to the potential warding off of cancer, as cited in recent studies. In essence, beer is good.

That understood, like anything we love (coffee, food, cell phones, cars and you-name-it) the abuse and misuse of alcohol can have devastating consequences. Whether is drinking to excess, driving while intoxicated, or a number of other consequences; the abuse of alcohol is no laughing matter. The good news is it seems most Americans have gotten the message. In recent years the number of traffic accidents and deaths that involve alcohol have dropped significantly across the United States – from 26,173 in 1982 to below 14,000 in 2008. Clearly there is more work to be done, but if we all do our part and designate a driver, pay for a cab/bus/light rail to get home safe – we will continue to see a dramatic decline in the number of alcohol-related accidents in our city, state and country.

The organizers of Sacramento Beer Week ask that you take advantage of safe transportation options and is facilitating this for you by working with local companies to keep intoxicated drivers off of the road.  In the end, however, it is UP TO YOU.  Please plan ahead when celebrating Sacramento Beer Week.

ON HEALTHY DRINKING

The USDA suggests men consume no more than four units of alcohol per day, women three. In terms of beer, let’s call one unit of alcohol equivalent to one twelve-ounce bottle of average-strength beer to be a unit of alcohol.

While this isn’t a legally-binding tool, the Brewers Association of America has put together a handy little Blood Alcohol Calculator. Check it out and see, generally, what a pint or two of beer at your local watering hole will do to your BAC levels.