The US is experiencing record heat and heading into another scorching weekend. So is having an ice cold beer an antidote or not?

Views differ…

Yesterday it got up to 104.5 degrees in the United Kingdom that’s the hottest temperature ever registered as eastern England. And while the US is more accustomed to sometimes soaring temperatures it’s not like we’re not affected by a major heatwave.

Which brings us to the existential question, “Is beer the right refreshment when things get, hot, hot, hot?”

Standard thinking suggests that mixing alcohol with the summer heat isn’t the best idea.

Why, you might ask? Well the Cleveland Clinic has several answers…

“First of all, the consumption of beer, booze and wine reduces the release of an antidiuretic hormone (ADH) called vasopressin. This ADH works with your kidneys to keep your body fluids balanced.”

“At the same time, alcohol is a diuretic — which means more urinating and loss of fluid. Now, add in increased sweating from the hot sun, and it’s a recipe for dehydration disaster.”

(Courtesy New Belgium Brewing)

But not everybody’s on board with the idea that drinking beer during a heatwave is the end of the world…

Dr. Stuart Galloway, of the University of Stirling in Scotland argues that beer contains electrolytes, sugar and salt, which helps the body retain fluid, rather than it flushing it out straight away.

But Xtalks disputes Galloway’s thesis as wishful thinking…

“While beer is mostly water, it is still hypotonic, meaning it contains little to no electrolytes. Electrolytes are just as important as water for our bodies to function properly, and replenishing them after a workout is vital.”

And we do have to ask “if beer came with a decent amount of electrolytes what about all these post-workout beers that promote adding tons electrolytes to the brew to counter the dehydration process?”

And yes, beer is mostly water, but with the exception of Gose, most beers don’t come with enough salt to help our bodies retain water.

Galloway does add that moderation is key when drinking beer in the heat…

“You should be aware that alcoholic drinks will lead to dehydration with beer in particular if you drink more than two pints, it will most likely have a negative effect on your hydration status.”

So there’s that…

But at American Craft Beer, we fall into the camp that moderation can be less fun.

And if drinking beer in the heat was so dangerous, we, as well as most of our readers, would probably already be dead.

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