I've switched almost completely to traditional ales, preferably without any hops. Besides tasting great the switch seemed to have resolved a pesky health issue that almost made me give up beer completely.

A couplafew years ago I began experiencing severe joint aches and sinus headaches within an hour or two of drinking just a couple of my usual cheap beers -- Milwaukee's Best, Miller, even some decent Sam Adams and other brand lagers and pilsners.

It seemed to coincide with a worsening of a longtime bout with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. While I'm skeptical of all things woo and most "natural health" websites, I did a lot of reading of consumer oriented forums and found many other folks who reported similar ailments (ale-ments?). There were lots of theories but nothing definitive. The consensus seemed to be that maybe it's the hops, maybe it's the preservatives, mebbe-this, mebbe-that. But several folks reported the discomfort subsided when they switched to traditional ales.

I tried it several months ago. Seems to work for me. A couple of times I've switched back to drinking various lagers and pilsners after long breaks of months away from the stuff, and immediately experienced the same joint aches and sinus headaches. I'd like to believe I'm not susceptible to the placebo or reverse-placebo effect.

Anyway, my current favorites include Rahr "Iron Thistle" and Real Ale's "Devil's Backbone" (a Belgian tripel style). Both have a feel on the tongue like good strong but smooth coffee, only slightly sweet (less "sweet" tasting than Miller High Life), with a bit of caramel and fruit undertones. Very tasty with a good punch (both are 8%, I think). Rahr is local so I plan to visit their various open house samplers and try some more. Real Ale is in Texas too and so far I've found only three of their offerings locally: Devil's Backbone (my favorite so far), Lost Gold IPA (also pretty good), and Fireman's #4 blonde ale (meh, too lightweight, more like drinking club soda compared with the others).

Last night I tried Widmer's "O-mission" pale ale, which was surprisingly tasty. I wasn't expecting much because it's touted as "gluten free", which seems too faddish and I don't have celiac disease. But it was on sale and I was curious. Pretty good stuff, medium body, slightly caramel and fruity, smooth, not sweet or bitter. I'd buy it again just for the flavor, regardless of the marketing hype. And if you have friends who are into the "gluten free" thing, buy it for them so they won't turn their noses up at whatever else you have in the fridge.

BTW, these ales are all tastiest at temps in the mid-50s to 60s. Chilling too much mutes the complex flavors. So pour into a glass pre-warmed in hot tap water, or a thin glass that warms quickly in the hand. They're even good flat and at room temperature, but that's an acquired taste. Can't say the same for most lagers and pilsners, which taste nasty when not chilled.

Only problem? Ales seem extra gassy. I could rival a herd of cattle for methane induced global warming.