Tag Archives: beer

Indianapolis Local Restaurants Weigh in on Super Bowl Specials, Price Gouging, and Menus

Even with road closures, more time spent in traffic, and parking rates unusual for the Circle City, it is hard to find anyone complaining in Indianapolis. We are all excited and proud to be a Super City. Despite the spike in business and catering orders that restaurant owners were already seeing the two weeks before the Super Bowl, I was able to interview a few local business owners to hear the truth about how they are or are not doing things differently for the Super Bowl.

One major rumor is that restaurants are jacking up prices to gouge out of towners this weekend, but Monon Food Company in Broad Ripple and Thr3e Wise Men Brewing Company/Scotty’s Brewhouse assured me that they are not. The Scratch Truck food truck may have to cover additional expenses during the week leading up to the Super Bowl because they will be hiring additional staff and renting out extra space for all the food preparation that they need to do, which they anticipate being up to six times what they do during a normal week. While they may not be increasing prices, all the restaurants I spoke to assured me that they will be bringing in additional staff to ensure the best service possible.

Since Indianapolis is host to the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” – the Indianapolis 500 – every year, which sells three times the tickets that the Super Bowl will, as well as other major racing events that bring in fans from around the world, we are no stranger to crowd management. However, all of the restaurant representatives agreed that the Super Bowl is different. Tim of the Monon Food Company explained that the “press experience around [Super Bowl XLVI] far exceeds other events, so there is more excitement and more spectators who are coming to town just to party,” even if they are not going to the big game on Sunday. (more…)

Posted on February 2, 2024 by Brooke Randolph

Fast Food Chains Adding Alcohol to Their Menus

“I’d like a double cheeseburger, the jumbo fries, and a DIET soda.” Does this fast food order sound familiar? The patron stressing the diet soda to lighten some part of the gut busting meal is a pretty common occurrence. Now, we might start hearing something like, “…and a LIGHT beer” tacked on to a fast food order. Alcohol is now being served at fast food chains around the U.S.

Very popular chains like Burger King, Sonic, and even Starbucks have begun introducing alcoholic menu concepts at select locations. The controversial change could be a result of the economy, as many say alcohol will allow them to compete with the casual dinning restaurants in the evening. While that fact may be true as adults may want to eat somewhere that has an alcohol option on the menu, that addition to fast food menus could cause more harm than reward.

Thankfully none of these restaurants allow for alcohol to be ordered from a drive-thru or car stall, but there are still some possible hazards. The risk of getting a quick meal and a quick beer and then driving off pose obvious dangers. However, assuming that adults are responsible enough to gauge what’s appropriate consumption, what about the health factor?

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Posted on July 7, 2023 by Lacy

Iowa Man Follows All-Beer Diet for Lent

Two glasses of beerUnder the guidance of a Presbyterian pastor and a local doctor, J. Wilson of Corning, Iowa will be subsisting on a diet of only beer and water this Lent. Wilson is re-creating the traditional observances of Franciscan monks in the seventeenth century, who would follow a liquid fast. “I could drink bacon grease if I wanted to–it’s a liquid after all–but I’m just simplifying this whole landscape to beer and water,” he wrote on his blog.

“It’s not something I’m taking lightly. My health is important to me. I’ve got a wife and two kids that are very, very important to me. So, it’s not like a joke,” Wilson told KCCI. Each day, he plans to drink four pints of his own Doppelbock home brew, unless his doctor begins to see any complications. Wilson, who is a newspaper editor, is consuming 1,200 calories per day, and intends to avoid inebriation. Technically,

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Posted on March 11, 2024 by Margaret

Low Calorie Irish Beers for St. Patrick’s Day on a Diet

St. Patrick’s Day has very little (in fact, nothing) to do with drinking. According to legend, St. Patrick was responsible for ridding Ireland of bothersome snakes. One can’t believe everything one hears, but St. Patrick is in fact the patron saint of Ireland. His feast day, March 17th, has been celebrated by the Irish for centuries but the first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place in New York City during the year 1762.

Even though the origins of the holiday have little to do with the U.S., it’s nice to celebrate the rich culture of the Irish and in the process, have a few Irish drinks. Porters and stouts, while they pack a lot of flavor, contain large amounts of calories. The very nature of Irish beer is the exact opposite of light. Irish style drinks are delicious, and certainly essential to your St. Patrick’s Day festivities, but watch out. Alcohol has a way of packing on the pounds so indulge carefully and as always, drink responsibly.

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Posted on March 8, 2024 by Theresa

How Many Calories are in Your Favorite Super Bowl Ads

I wait all year long to watch the Super Bowl. Part of the allure is the game itself – I’m a huge football fan. The other big draw for me would be the commercials. I love to see how imaginative and creative the companies become, all in an effort to get your attention and your future purchases. Have you noticed, though, that the vast majority of the foods featured in the Super Bowl commercials aren’t healthy? Let’s take a look at some of them.

Doritos – One serving of Doritos is one ounce, between 12 and 14 chips. With 150 calories, 7 grams of fat and 18 grams of carbohydrates, these salty chips make it difficult to stop at one serving.

Coke/Pepsi – Soda is a dieter’s worst nightmare. It’s full of high fructose corn syrup and caffeine and the carbonation can cause stomach troubles. One 12 ounce can of Coke contains 143 calories, one can of Pepsi contains 150 calories and each has more than 40 grams of carbohydrates.

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Posted on February 1, 2024 by Carmen

Healthy Holiday Beverages for Every Party Guest

It’s prime-time party planning pandemonium across the country. The end of December is here and it came a lot quicker than any of us expected. Food, entertainment, decorations, etc.- there is so much to consider when throwing a holiday get-together. Beverages are often considered a no-brainer; pick up a bottle of wine, some beer, sparkling cider for the kids and you’re good. Don’t forget the eggnog, right? Although there’s no reason to stay away from festive drinks, it’s important to include them responsibly. What do all festive drinks have in common? Either alcohol, sugar or caffeine, which can all wreak havoc on a sensible diet. Scale back on the trinity of diet saboteurs and everyone will have a happier holiday!

First of all, don’t underestimate the power of water. H2O can be enhanced with numerous herbs and garnishes such as lavender, lemon, cucumber, berries or mint. Try freezing whole cranberries in an ice cube tray with pomegranate juice for a pretty presentation and a splash of flavor. Mix up a refreshing pitcher of your choice or create a festive water-bar for guests to enjoy. The same goes for good ol’ fashioned tea, cider or coffee.

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Posted on December 23, 2023 by Theresa

Why Marathon Runners Eat High Calorie and Sugary Snacks

Marathons and endurance races have become extremely popular in recent years. Most races are hosted by certain charities or other local or community organizations. These races push the body to the limit, with proper hydration and nourishment being vital to preventing the body from cramping or shutting down.

During these long races the body burns through nutrients rapidly and depletes every single energy store, making it crucial to replenish and provide the body with “quick burning carbohydrates,” such as any soft sugary candy (licorice or gummy bears), chocolate, beer, fruit drinks, or any other form of high-calorie foods (pretty much anything that you are normally supposed to avoid). Likewise, cold beer and pizza is often awaiting runners at the finish line as a refreshing and filling source of carbs. These foods provide the body with quick energy that fuels the body to help prevent cramping. (more…)

Posted on October 19, 2023 by Matt

Top 10 Lowest Calorie Beers

I don’t know about you, but fall and winter mean football season, which in turn means party season. That’s right, weekends become a bit more of a dietary challenge than the rest of the year. One such challenge is the lure of a beer or three during football games.

Everyone needs some time to kick back and let loose a little. Some of us just do it by having a few pops in front of the tube rooting for our favorite team.

Luckily, not all is lost. That’s because not all beers are heavy on the calories. If you choose to partake in a little gridiron partying, here are a few brews that won’t sack your diet efforts. (more…)

Posted on September 24, 2023 by Jason

Healthier Beer Choices for Oktoberfest

When you hear “Oktoberfest“, what comes to mind? If you are anything like me, it’s beer. Beer can be a caloric bomb, though, next bringing to mind the term “beer belly”.

Beer doesn’t contain fat; however, it does have tons of carbohydrates, protein and alcohol- and that’s it. Beer is the epitome of empty calories, giving you all the calories with no vitamins, minerals or redeeming health qualities whatsoever. A gram of carbohydrates has 4 calories, a gram of protein 4 calories, and a gram of alcohol has a little over 7 calories. This is why different beers can have higher calorie counts in relation to their alcohol content.

To keep things in perspective, I found this information online at realbeer.com: “A five-ounce glass of wine contains about 125 calories; one ounce of distilled spirits, 90 proof, 75 calories. Beyond the world of alcohol: an eight-ounce glass of milk has 160 calories, one ounce of potato chips 160 calories, a banana split 550 calories, and a Burger King Whopper 650 calories. Oh yeah, just six French fries have 12 grams of fat (about as many calories as a light beer).” (more…)

Posted on September 16, 2023 by Carmen

Diet Disaster: Fried Beer

Image via Telegraph UK

Inventor Mark Zable said it took him three years to come up with a method to fry beer, but he has finally succeeded. The result of his effort is a ravioli-like squares of pretzel dough that are filled with beer and fried. “Nobody has been able to fry a liquid before. It tastes like you took a bite of hot pretzel dough and then took a drink of beer,” Zable says. Fried Coke does exist, but it is really a solid dough that’s Coke-flavored.

The deep-fried beer will officially be unveiled at an upcoming fried-food competition in Texas. Five of the squares will sell for $5.00. The Texas Alcoholic commission ruled that you must be over the age of 21 to taste it.

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Posted on September 1, 2023 by Health Buzz

Health Benefits of Beer

It’s common knowledge that red wine boasts heart-health benefits with its ample supply of the antioxidant, resveratrol. But beer is competing with vino lovers for its health benefits.

As you head into the fridge and twist off the cap of your favorite brew, read on to find out what you need to look for in a beer to enjoy all of the health benefits of the country’s most popular alcoholic beverage.

Heart benefits

Beer contains the same heart-protective benefits as red wine. In fact, a very large study done by Kaiser Permanente survey showed that male beer drinkers had a lower risk of coronary artery disease than men who drank red wine, white wine or spirits. The heart-healthy benefits may come from beer’s stock of B-vitamins and folates. Both of these nutrients keep homocysteine blood levels in check. High levels of the chemical have been linked to increased risk of heart disease.

In addition, the massive Nurses Health study showed that women who drank one beer a day had less risk for hypertension or high blood pressure than women who drank wine or hard alcohol.

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Posted on August 25, 2023 by heather