Your Comments, Criticisms and Contributions - September 2008
I found your site while looking for answers as to why I get terrible sinus headaches from drinking certain beers. Last night (4:30PM) I drank one 22oz bottle of Heineken over a 30 minute period. Fifteen minutes after finishing the beer, I began developing a headache that lasted the entire night through to the next morning. My nasal passages were blocked and breathing was difficult while in bed.
I have experienced this after drinking 1 Budweiser and to a lesser extent after drinking 3 to 6 Coronas. From past experience, I'd found Heineken to be not to my liking but tried it to see if I could drink it without developing a headache, as this condition has started in the last few years.
It seems that I can drink Amstel Light without getting the a splitting headache, although whatever beer I drink, I drink sparingly as the thought of a sinus migraine looms.
Regards,
Mark
I'm making some progress on this front, Mark. It's starting to look as if the culprit might be certain compounds formed during fermentation, which depending on the yeast used may be present in greater or lesser amounts. Specifically, I've heard that acetaldehyde could be the factor, although it's only been mentioned in connection with headaches, not specifically sinus headaches.
Again, if anyone has further insight on this front, please send it along.
Would love it if you posted a synopsis of your seminar (on beer cocktails) at Tales of the Cocktail. I'm very much interesting in cocktails using beer as an ingredient! Hope you had a good time there, everyone I know who went certainly did... :>
- Margaret
I certainly did have a good time, Margaret, as I always do in New Orleans, whether at Tales or not! I've an "On Beverage" column coming up in Nation's Restaurant News that recaps my seminar, but as such, I can't really do it at World of Beer for a little while, at least. If you get the magazine, keep an eye out for it, and if not, register for free at nrn.com and watch for it there.
I'm going to Helsinki and Stockholm soon and am looking for some good beer bars. I remember an article you wrote for Ale Street News that contained some Helsinki beer bars, but of course, I don't have that issue. Can you refer some to me?
- Mark
Lots to choose from, Mark.
In Helsinki:
St. Urhos, Museokatu 10, 00100 Helsinki; Phone: (09) 440 815; www.botta.fi; open Sunday Thursday 3 p.m. to 1 a.m., Friday Saturday 3 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Janoinen Lohi, Linnankoskenkatu 12, 00250 Helsinki; Phone: (09) 4780 3344; www.hyvat-olutravintolat.fi; open Sunday Thursday noon to 2 a.m., Friday Saturday noon to 3 a.m.
William K Annankatu, Annankatu 3, 00120 Helsinki; Phone: (09) 680 2562; www.oluthuone.com; open Sunday Thursday 3 p.m. to 1 a.m., Friday Saturday 3 p.m. to 2 a.m.
One Pint Pub, Santakatu 2, 00180 Helsinki; Phone: (09) 562 6101; no web; open Sunday Thursday 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., Friday Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
For more information on Finnish beers and pubs, visit www.posbeer.org
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