The folks over at Yelp, the online business review community, have developed one heck of a gadget during the Yelp “Hackathon”: behold the Kegmate. Combining Beer and technology, the geeky engineers have hacked an iPad and combined it with a supply of beer to create the ultimate tech beer accessory.  According to GeekSugar.com, the ipad attaches to your keg, measures the amount of beer you (and others) drink, how much beer is left in the sacred keg, and keeps track of who is drinking how much (drinkers must scan an RFID chip to use the keg). It even allows users to rate the beer.

Check out the Yelp Hackathon KegMate Video

Okay, perhaps you should continue to take your Omega-3’s everyday, but according to Self Magazine, the consumption of beer – in moderation of course! – has some real health benefits. Isn’t that just music to your ears? Let’s explore what researchers are saying about the golden grog.

It May Prevent Osteoporosis

Researchers at the University of California took on the very tough job of analyzing 100 commercially-available beers and found that most of them contained enough silicon to benefit bone health (past studies have found that women who are light to moderate beer drinkers have better bone density than non-beer drinkers). Recommended daily dose: No more than two cold ones. And opt for Ales and Pale Ales, which have higher levels of the bone-bolstering silicon than darker varieties.

It May Lower Risk of Heart Disease

A number of studies have shown that moderate consumption of alcohol–beer included–may lower your risk of heart disease. In one Harvard study, healthy-minded types who rated their alcohol intake as moderate had 40 to 60 percent lower incidence of heart attack.

Hops May Lower Cholesterol

Research has found that hops–the bitter flavor that balances out the sweetness of beer– is a great source of polyphenols, which lower bad cholesterol, fight cancer, and give your immune system a boost.

It’s a Brain Bev

A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that moderate drinking may be associated with better brain function. Women who consumed up to two drinks a day scored 20 percent higher on a cognitive functioning test than those who had less than one drink.

It Can Keep You Hydrated

Researchers at Granada University in Spain say that beer beats water when it comes to hydration. Subjects ran on a treadmill in 104-degree temps until they couldn’t take it anymore, then their hydration levels, motor skills, and ability to concentrate were measures. Half of the runners were given two half pints of Spanish lager while the other half were given good ol’ H2O. The beer drinkers scored slightly better–a result that’s attributed to sugars salts, and bubbles in the beer enhancing the body’s ability to soak up water.

Check out the full article HERE at msn.com and enjoy your happy hour consumption with added confidence tonight.

This is a tale of transformation

And should be read with exclamation

For all those who love a beer with hops

This is the tale of how skunk beer flopped

And from its ashes rose a tasty ale

that now from bar to bar regales

So back to the 1700’s we travel

Where British soldiers were about to unravel

All the Brits wanted was some beer in their life

while causing the Indians hardship and strife

As they manned their posts in Calcutta & Bombay

The delicious beer was spoiled on its 10,000 mile way

For in those hard days of pre-refrigeration

Brewers set to work to solve the situation

George Hodgson of London was up to the task

he invented a solution to ensure the bad taste was masked

His weapons of choice where alcohol and hops

Both added as astringents to make the funkiness stop

The glorious result was a bitter, alocholic sip

And alas! the brew was drinkable at the end of its long trip

Eventually, breweries opened up in the East

and modern refrigeration saved all the yeast

India Pale Ales are now something to savor

packed full of hops and hops for flavor

From New York to Moscow , the East to the West

IPAs are simply the best

Drinking game we’re dying to play here at Kegblog.com:

The Vegetable Game

This game works best after a few drinks and with a lot of people.  The object of the game is to speak without ever showing your teeth by hiding them with your lips curled over them. The game starts by each person choosing the name of a vegetable. That will be their call name. The first person to go will say their name twice then choose another person by saying their name twice. That person will then continue by saying their name twice and “calling” another person.

Example:
First Person: Broccoli, Broccoli calls Asparagus, Asparagus
Second Person: Asparagus, Asparagus calls Lettuce, Lettuce

Usually people feel, sound and look so ridiculous trying to say their names that everyone starts laughing – thus showing their teeth – resulting in a drink fest. If you can laugh and still hide your teeth then you haven’t had enough to drink beforehand.

Courtesy of The Webtender

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Why does this sound so fun?  Well, let me divulge some background.  I’ve been out of college for over a year, and what a year of transformation it has been.  I was once the girl who reveled in the Ohio State University night-life, worked at a 24-hour rock ‘n roll pizza shop and stood proud in the front-row to see every rock band who made it onstage of the seedy Ohio venues around me.  This last year, however, I’ve experienced the thrill of graduation, the joys of motherhood, the agony of living with in-laws and the adventure (and stress) of moving across the country.

While I see my transformation as a revamping rather than a deformation, there are obviously parts of my “youth” that I miss:  kegs and eggs, sleeping till dusk, punk rock karaoke…and drinking games!

Those cold Ohio nights spent gathered around a hand-me-down coffee table with cards, a keg and friends seemed like just a way to pass the time, but now I see it was a way of releasing stress, making memories and dragging out our immaturity.  Now that I’m a mom with a nine to fiver, drinking games sound more thrilling than ever!  For the above game to be entertaining, it would take about 1.5 beers and just me looking into a mirror with my lips curled saying “potato, potato”.

There’s really no point to drinking games.  There’s no preparation necessary, no mistakes to be made (unless you miss the last shot in a beer-pong match) and absolutely no way that you cannot have some laughs while playing.  This is what I’m after.  The thrill of bouncing a quarter into a glass…and drinking.  Or watching “Lord of the Rings” and gulping down a cold one with every mention of “the ring”.  So this will be my new goal – to regress in my maturity, make daddy play babysitter, and go out with my girls for some Kings, Quarters and kegs. ‘Cuz you’re never too old, or liable, for some light-hearted libations!

What are some of your favorite drinking games?  Let us know and we’d love to try them out!

Summer is officially here (as of nine days ago) and the time has come when people go out and live it up during those long summer nights and at their upcoming 4th of July celebrations!

If you’re a beer lover (like most normal Americans) then you are probably concerned with one or both of the following two things: (1) which beers taste great, and (2) which beers are the healthiest. Since the best-tasting things in life are often high in calories (think fried foods, ice cream, cookies, and basically anything with chocolate), we’ve assembled our list of the ten highest-calorie beers (and thus, some of the best-tasting), and the ten lowest-calorie beers.

Top Ten Highest-Calorie Beers

1. Sierra Nevada Bigfoot: 330 calories
2. Samuel Adams Boston Lager: 180 calories
3. Guinness Extra Stout: 176 calories
4. Pete’s Wicked Ale: 174 calories
5. Harpoon IPA: 170 calories
6. Heineken: 166 calories
7. Killian’s Irish Red: 163 calories
8. Long Trail: 163 calories
9. Molson Ice: 160 calories
10. Anheuser Busch Natural Ice: 157 calories

Top Ten Lowest-Calorie Beers

1. Budweiser Select 55: 55 calories
2. Beck’s Premier Light: 64 calories
3. Miller Genuine Draft (MGD) 64: 64 calories
4. Amstel Light: 95 calories
5. Michelob Ultra: 95 calories
6. Natural Light: 95 calories
7. Miller Light: 96 calories
8. Heineken Light: 99 calories
9. Budweiser Select: 99 calories
10. Coors Light: 102 calories

So get out there, make wise choices, and remember:  Stay Thirsty My Friends*

*Courtesy of Dos Equis’  ”Most Interesting Man in the World”

This time our Beer Link Roundup is a little different.  In addition to a few links to interesting stories involving cerveza, we’ve included some of our most recent favorite cartoons, images, and commercials.  Enjoy the madness!

-The Czech are inventing new beer-inspired ways of getting out the vote among the youth.

-In a down economy, one job might be able to not only give you a paycheck, but also a way to pick up your spirits!

Cartoons and Images:

In case you’ve ever wondered what a house party with the U.S. President, the British Prime Minister, and the German Chancellor would look like:

Commercials:

Guy with his priorities straight:

Always have an answer ready:

- Apparently, the recession has even hit the beer industry. Isn’t this the opposite of what’s supposed to happen?

- Keep the beer flowing! It’s good for your bones.

- If I had known they got to study beer making in Agricultural Studies, I might have changed majors.

- I hope we can all live this long and continue celebrating the same way.

- Of course, Wired would win the “Geekiest Super Bowl Party” award.

- Pennlive.com offers up some good Valentine gift ideas for the beer lover in your life. And they’re not just Penn-centric.

- No longer worry about leaving the bar with your tab still open, there’s a new iPhone app to make opening and closing your tab very simple. Created right here in Austin.

- Want a free beer mug? You don’t even have to give them your email address.

- The Collectors Weekly has images of cone top beer cans. That’s right, cone tops. They’re apparently worth money, so if your grandfather was a hoarder, you should go through his things for one of these.

- If you plan on cooking real food instead of just serving pizza and/or chips and dip for the Superbowl, The Daily Beast has 5 food and beer pairing recipes you should try.

- Budweiser launches a 55 calorie beer. This is the most expensive water you may ever buy that doesn’t hydrate you. How much flavor can there really be in 55 calories?

- Go vote for the new St. Pauli Girl poster! Try to ignore how fake the beer bottles look in both.

- Test your Beer IQ! I got “pretty good.” Missed 4 questions (two I just didn’t really think about). Post your score here and tell me how much smarter you are than me.

- On Sunday, the beer can turned 75 & Treehugger looked into why canned beer is only popular in the US.

- The Super Bowl is now less than 2 weeks away! Do you know what beer you will be enjoying during the game? According to The Stew, it’s most likely domestic.

- This grocery store knows its audience and caters to it well.

- Raise your glass and toast to the fact you are not in Belgium. Unless you are in Belgium, in which case, I am very sorry you are being deprived. Let’s hope this situation is settled soon.

- It looks like Burger King really does want us to have it our way. However, thanks to an unpleasant food poisoning incident I will still avoid the Whopper Bar, so someone else will have to let me know how good it is.

- If you’re like Tim and still wondering how you can get beer in your shower, Young & Hungry has found the answer: Beer Shower Gel. Apparently, there’s a Czech company that produces an assortment of beer beauty products.

- Is LA ready for a craft beer revolution? Does LA need a craft beer revolution?

Part II in a weekly series

Pabst Blue Ribbon – Even though this low priced fixture is now furiously linked to the “hipster” movement, that is soon to have run its course. Yes, not too far in the not distant future, the hipsters will find PBR decidedly un-ironic and will see its ubiquity makes not them a beautiful or unique snowflake but rather part of yet another marketing group like anything else. Then finally the Blue Ribbon will be returned to the masses that have a need for a six pack but only have a five spot in their pocket. Of course, now it’s hard to find a sixer of PBR for under $5 in many places as its new found popularity has driven the price up throughout the country. Still, it can be found.

The iconic blue ribbon is for the beer’s 1893 victory at the Chicago World’s Fair, and its patriotic red, white and blue colors and (in many places) its red “Union Made” stamp give away its blue collar, Midwestern roots. It’s design is largely unchanged for decades, and is easily one of the most recognizable brands in the country.

PBR doesn’t have that strong of a taste, but of what it does have is a sweet and grain-like flavor with a malt finish. It it’s fairly light, meaning these are (sometimes a little too) easy to pound down one after the other, which is largely how we’ve seen them consumed.

So long as the price doesn’t continue to sky rocket, PBR still remains a good deal, especially with the larger cans. Even so, the recent price hikes knock this down a bit in the rankings, putting it at a #2 of 2. As it stands:

1. 1. Miller High Life

2. 2. Pabst Blue Ribbon