The Herald on beer... again!

[Geoff Griggs]

The Herald makes another of its rare excursions into the world of beer...

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/health/news/article.cfm?c_id=204&obje...

In a damning report on strong beers being sold in supermarkets the writer highlights the "problem" saying, "The strongest - 12 per cent Gordon Finest Platinum - has the same alcohol content as many wines."

Shock horror!!!

The implication here is that while it's perfectly normal for wine to be 12 percent or more, it is not acceptable for a beer to be that strength. Why?

In Blenheim - and, I suspect, elsewhere - supermarkets routinely offer budget wines for $7 a 750ml bottle, or less. That works out at $9.33 for a litre containing 12 plus percent alcohol.

According to the Regional Wines website the Dutch brew Pirate retails at $4.75 for a 500ml bottle. That's $9.50 per litre containing 8.5 percent alcohol.

Which drink then should be being singled out for criticism for offering the biggest (potentially most harmful) bang for the buck?

Answers please to The Herald.

[Reviled]

Is this possibly the makings of another realbeer law fight ala the infamous 'radler' incident?

If it is, let me get my popcorn :o)

Some damn good points guys!! I fully agree with glen, I grew up in lower hutt and there was allways people getting into trouble, fighting, stealing etc under the influence of alcohol - but as glen says, I never saw a Gordons or Pirate beer be consumed, more cheap beer and even cheaper liquor such as missisipi moonshine and kentucky gold bourbon :oP YUCK!! And I wonder why I never drank till I came to auckland? hahaha

[Greig McGill]

Because the Herald is possibly the lowest standard of journalism in NZ. And NZ is not exactly a jewel in the gleaming crown of classy journalism. In other words, the worst of the worst, and something one should only use when caught short a mile from the nearest long drop.

It's far easier to copy a foreign trend (the UK ragging on beer), ramp it up a notch with local colour (what's cheap at the local megastore), and then wag the tutting finger of doom. Best we get Nanny on the job post haste. We obviously are irresponsible and need a good spanking.

Damn I'm mad now. I might have to get drunk on Piraat, and get my smash on, ala denimglen!