Wine vs Beer: Annual Pop Quiz

By Janet Eastman

So, the Great American Beer Festival started yesterday in Denver and the web is sudsing with news. But in Ashland, we’re not one-kind-of-drink imbibers. There’s a time for beer and there’s a time for wine.

Sure, these are two distinct types of beverages and both have nutritional, cultural and social benefits. But sometimes it’s just better to have wine than beer.

We asked Ashlanders when they feel like popping a cork rather than popping a beer tab.

Here are the top answers:

“When you have a wheel of stilton in front of you.” --Dee Clooney of Dragonfly Café and Gardens

“Red wine is better than beer with red sauces and red meats. A delicious pasta with a marinara or Bolognese sauce just calls for a rich red wine. A juicy tenderloin steak paired with sautéed mushrooms and a hearty red wine is such a treat. To my taste, either white wine or beer can be enjoyed with seafood, Mexican food and Asian foods.”  -- Sally Peterson

“I never drank a beer in my life.” -- Porscha Schiller of South Stage Cellars

“When you can afford a decent wine and you want to treat yourself." -- Dirk Woods 

Others answered with photos:

With figs, gorgonzola and honey

While watching the rain

After a grape stomp

When you want to look silly and cool

At a wedding anywhere in the world

With chocolate

With cherries

With fish

When Warren Winiarski is taking you on a tour of Stag's Leap

When you're thanking your guy for sending you roses

THREE SITUATIONS WHEN BEER IS MUCH BETTER THAN WINE

When eating steamy Chinese food

At a luau

Eating with teenagers!

For more info: Send your ideas of when wine or beer is best to janeteastman@mind.net.