Discover the world of beer with Beerologist Allen Winn Sneath. You can even ask your own questions online.

Why is kegged beer called draft beer?

Do you have an explanation for what causes a hangover?

Is Guinness really good for you?

What does the term 'shelf life' mean exactly and does it differ from one type of beer to another?

How many calories are in a regular pint of beer?

The Royals love their beer.

What does the term 'tied house' mean?

The original king of beers.

The single most expensive "component" in beer is the tax.

How does the term "rule of thumb" relate to the brewing process?

What is Cenosillicaphobia the fear of?

What is the most expensive beer in the world?

How to clean your beer glass

Please explain what a beer engine is.

What is your view on the Molson Coors takeover of the Creemore Springs microbrewery?

What country has the most individual beer brands?

We enjoyed your talk on the history of beer and brewing at the Oakville Historical Society last Wednesday. Very informative and entertaining. Are you available for other such speaking engagements? Also, we wanted to purchase a signed copy of your book but they were sold out. Are there any available?

Why were so many of the early breweries destroyed by fire?

What are the most popular brands in Ontario?

Why do British pubs have such colourful names?

Do you know how many brands of beer there are in the world?

I know more guys drink more beer than most women, but how much more?

Can you please explain the term 'short beer'.

Other than the malt, yeast, hops and water basics what other ingredients can be used to make beer?

What makes a great beer?

Beer saints are beer's blessing from the past

What brands are considered the world's most popular beers?

Beer taxes are a legacy from the past

Can you tell me what Black and Tan beer is?

What is the significance of the letter X to beer?

All about the world's first beer

Now tell me what lambic beers are.

I believe that ordinary drugstore medicines contain alcohol.

How many carbohydrates are contained in a bottle of beer?

How is the Belgian Gueuze beer made?

When were twist-off caps introduced in Canada?

When was beer first bottled?

What is the price split between the brewer and the government on a case of beer here in Ontario?

During two separate stays in Japan I noticed that the normal procedure for an evening out starts with a Kirin beer before the meal, but only one. Then the men switch to sake or liquor drinks. Is this the norm throughout Japan? If it is, what a shame.

Is malt liquor considered to be a beer?

The undeniable link between beer and religion

What is the most extreme recipe for beer that you have come across?

I know Molson makes Rickard's beer, but is there a real person named Rickard?

What is a seasonal beer?

Correction to the Bluenose story, with thanks to reader Alan Brown

What causes 'chill haze' in beer?

What is the origin of the word 'growler'?

The Molson-Coors Saga: A critical time line that helps define this high-profile merger

Here is a further clarification on the role of the ale-conner, thanks to regular reader, Alan Brown.

Labatt boasts that their Classic brand is krausen-brewed. What does this mean?

Is there a 'seasonality' to beer sales in Canada?

What determines the difference between a brewpub, a microbrewery, a regional brewery and a major brewery?

What is an ale-conner?

What Maritime brewery sponsored the Bluenose schooner?

What is 'audit' ale?

I recently saw a documentary on the Halifax disaster. What details do you have on the impact it had on the local breweries.

What is your take on this Molson-Coors deal?

Is the brewing of beer older than wine making?

I have heard brewers refer to the use of a 'clarifier'. What purpose does this serve in the brewing process?

What do the double x's on the Dos Equis Mexican beer label signify?

Can you provide a review of newsworthy events for the year 2004.

Can you unravel the partnership agreements between American and Canadian brewers for me?

What does the beechwood aging process mean?

Why is the head on beer important?

How important is water in the brewing process?

Please explain Gravity Brewing.

Is it true that eggnog was originally made with beer?

The Firkin Pub I go to is referred to as a 'free house'. What does this mean?

What is your favourite beer?

What information do you have about the origins of saké?

Does milk stout actually contain milk?

What is 'lager ale'? I thought these two basic styles were the opposite of one another.

Have you ever heard of a drink called 'shandy-gaff'?

What does the term 'growler' mean?

The latest rumour is that Bill Sharpe is the man behind the takeover of Northern Breweries. Can you confirm this?

Canadian brewers describe their production volume in hectolitres. How much is a hectolitre?

A Canadian company is purchasing Northern in Sudbury. Any news on which company?

Who invented beer, the Egyptians or the Chinese?

Is there any evidence of a brewing tradition among the early Jewish people?

Have you ever heard of a drink called 'black velvet'? How is it made?

How do you make an ale flip?

Some English friends use the term 'half & half'. What does this mean?

Business reporters refer to a brewery's market share as an indictor of their success ranking in comparison to the competition. What is the dollar value that relates to that market share?

In the U.K. pubs serve 'cask conditioned' beer. How is that beer different than the pub draughts we serve in North America? Are there different ingredients in the two styles of beer?

In the foyer of the Esplanade Bier Markt in Toronto, there is a small statue of a boy urinating in a fountain. What connection does this have with beer?

What happens to the beer during the aging process?

Does the term 'alewife' refer to the brewer's wife?

I think your Altbier definition needed a sentence or two more to explain how Altbier differs from ale.

Is it just me or is there something in Belgian white beer that gives it a hot, peppery aftertaste?

What innovations have Canadian entrepreneurs made to the beer industry?

What is altbier?

What does the term 'bride ale' mean?

Why is copper used for the tanks in a brewery?

I have been unable to find your Brewed In Canada book in the bookstores. Can you tell me where I can get a copy?

Do you have any info on the potential closing of Sudbury's Northern Breweries?

Where, when and who made the first 'dry' beer?

Is dark beer stronger than beers of a lighter colour?

Are bottles of Corona served with a wedge of lime to improve the weak taste?

My girlfriend claims there are no health or nutritional benefits to drinking beer.

The Rickard signature appears on the Rickard's beer labels. Is he a real person?

What is the origin of the word "beer"?

Is it true that draft beer is fresher than bottled beer?

What effect has the introduction of 'low-carb' beers had on the beer market?

Is it true that Canadian beer is stronger than American beer?

Do you believe beer tastes better in a frozen glass?

Does the beer foam cheat me out of a full measure of beer?

What connection was there with a maritime brewery?

The TV commercials say "Fosters is Australian for beer", but a friend of mine told me that the beer is actually from the U.K. Is this true and if so, would that not be false advertising?

Will drinking beer will give you a beer belly?

What is the significance of the red star on the Heineken beer label?

Is it a myth that the darker the beer, the stronger the beer?

How is light beer made?

Who brewed the first light beer and when was it introduced?

Why is beer considered a 'blue collar' cousin to wine?

What brewery is considered the smallest and where is it located?

What insider info do you have on the Coffaro beer that is seen on the Sopranos TV series?

Brick brewery takes credit for re-introducing the 'stubby' bottle. When was the stubby introduced?

Why is the "standard" alcohol strength of beer in Canada 5%, and not some other number like 5.5% or 6%? Is it regulated by the government, or is it something historical?

What's the story behind the Guinness book of world records?

Do you know the origin of a "yard of ale"?

Is there any truth to the idea that beer is a good hair conditioner?

We know that a lot of whisky was smuggled to the States during prohibition. Was beer smuggled as well?

What special care is required for draft beer?

What is "small beer"?

How does Cream Ale differ from regular ale?

What does the term "steam beer" mean?

Why does draft beer in some places seem flat, with no head?

Why were illegal drinking clubs called 'blind pigs'?

Can you suggest some food pairings with beer?

How does the process of making "dry" beer differ from regular beer?

Do you know what beer used the slogan "If you are going to have more than one beer, have (brand name)"?

Any idea why I can't find a brand called Moose Drool anymore?

Why do some breweries use adjuncts? Do they improve the flavour?

What is the normal shelf life of beer?

What is the origin of the word 'speakeasy'?

Can you offer some beer styles with similar taste characteristic to wines?

Are imported beers stronger than American beers?

Why do people believe the best beer is sold in green bottles rather than plain brown?

Is it true that all wheat beers should always be served with a slice of lemon?

I like drinking my beer out of the bottle. A friend of mine says this is wrong. Beer should be drunk from a glass. How so?

How long ago did Labatt purchase the Alexander Keith brewery in Halifax, Nova Scotia?

Is there any truth to the story that bock beer is the left over beer at the bottom the tank?

They say beer is an acquired taste. But do all beers have a bitter taste?

Is it true that dark beer is fattening?

When were the stubby brown bottles introduced in Canada?

Is dark beer stronger than beers of a lighter colour?

What do you say to people who believe beer doesn't go with food?

In a recent question, you listed Canada as 16th in the world in terms of beer consumption. Was that gross consumption (number of total litres), or per capita consumption (average number of litres per person)?

I read recently that beer has many positive effects on older people. Can you shed any light on this?

On a global scale, how does Canada rank in beer consumption?

What is the difference between stout and porter?

Are oysters actually used to make oyster stout?

Is there any truth to the idea that drinking dark beer helps improve a mother's breast milk?

Why is barley wine classified as a beer?

Allen knows his subject matter well. As an ad agency executive for over 25 years, he developed some of the Canadian beer industry's most memorable campaigns. He was a founding partner in the Algonquin Brewing Company, one of the country's first generation microbreweries. Allen is the author of Brewed In Canada, the only book documenting Canada's colourful 350-year-old brewing industry. The work was awarded the Quill & Tankard Trophy by the North American Guild of Beer Writers. Allen is available for informal and entertaining speaking engagements. You can contact him direct via email at ad-vantage@rogers.com.