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Steel Reserve can liven up holidays

The search for the perfect beer is something that has plagued mankind (and in some cases, womankind) ever since the invention of mass distribution. With so many choices it's easy to buy, quite literally, a real stinker.

Sometimes beer drinkers look for smooth taste and quality of the brewing process. Others look for value. Getting more of a medium-grade brew for less money by buying in bulk is a turn-on for some. But then there's the sort of beer drinker who drinks beer because they either don't like the taste of hard liquor or just want to cut the bull and get loaded.

That's where Steel Reserve High Gravity Lager comes into play. Recognized for its shiny aluminum can with a rust-colored "211" emblazoned upon it, Steel Reserve HGL is probably the best buy out there.

The "211" is the medieval symbol for steel. Each 24-ounce can (1 pint) contains 8.1 percent alcohol and is brewed for a minimum of 28 days. The product of that meticulous process is a so-so tasting beer that packs a buzz at about a dollar per can. Well, at least it doesn't taste as bad as Stag or Carling's Black Label.

Instead of blowing your money on shots or higher priced beers, it's worth giving Steel Reserve a try. After about one can, you feel all right. After two cans, it's on. After three, that long walk to the bathroom gets increasingly harder to make.

A lot of people complain that Steel Reserve doesn't taste good. There's some truth to this, but who ever drank beer because it tastes good? I mean it's malted barley and hops! That's the kind of stuff people feed their horses. But for $3 or $4, Steel Reserve High Gravity Lager provides all the "obnoxious, drunk jerk" you could ever want out of a beer. And according to the brewing company, because of how it's manufactured, it's not a malt liquor as some would believe. Apparently it's a true lager.

As to what "high gravity" actually means, it's anyone's guess. It doesn't really make me feel heavier when I'm drinking it. Perhaps it's because it makes the drinker feel they're wearing really heavy boots after the second can.

As a helpful Thanksgiving tip, try serving Steel Reserve High Gravity Lager along with the turkey and the fixings. Just have it for the adults though. I don't advocate underage consumption. It probably shouldn't be given to old people either, because most elderly have a hard time keeping their balance as it is. And when an old person gets the shakes, it's usually not from lack of alcohol in their blood stream.

There's a negative image associated with Steel Reserve, mostly due to its low price.

Perhaps if the price were increased, there would be a greater level of respect for it from the beer-drinking community. But then again its low price is all part of its charm. Much like myself on a Saturday night, Steel Reserve is simple, cheap and full of alcohol.

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