This Nazarene's favorite would have to be
a tall frosty Sh'mu'el Adam.

http://www.samueladams.com/verification/

Crispin
South Dakota

Actually, most authorities allow the use of wine for havdalah during the nine days, although the beer option is recommended by some. But hey, it's not mutually exclusive, right?

Hands down, the most appropriate beer for havdalah is Hebrew - Messiah Bold.

**Toby's Comments**

That's interesting. Here's where I got that it is prohibited:

http://www.hillel.upenn.edu/~ocp/3weeks.html

Fat Tire is good stuff. However, I like Black Butte Porter from DeChutes Brewery in Oregon. It is GOOD STUFF.
Shalom!
Aaron

Wow Toby…this is bold.

I have to say that my beer of choice would be Stella Artois (pronounced Stella Ah-twa). Here are the reasons for this particular choice:

1.) It is my personal favorite beer.

2.) It is a very Messianic beer. Allow me to share. Stella Artois was first brewed in Leuven, Belgium in 1366 as a Christmas brew, and named Stella after the Latin for “star.” Its inaugural brewing was in celebration of the birth of the Messiah—thus connecting it to the One that lead me to do Havdalah.

3.) It is said to be the oldest draft beer still available today. And, since I am all about returning to the past, and this beer is the closet one that we have to the time of the Messiah, it is like returning to the roots of beer.

4.) As I already mentioned, Stella means “star” another name for the Messiah. This was first prophesied in Number 24:17, “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel…” This vision was then seen as they asked, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2:2) So it is easy to make connections with this beer for the Havdalah service and then connect it to the Messiah for emphasis and teaching purposes.

5.) If I recall correctly, Havdalah was a traditional service created in the Middle Ages. Thus, this beer could have been the “hops of choice” for hundreds of years during this once-a-year Havdalah ceremony.

It is always prudent when discussing matters of the Torah to refer to God’s unmerited grace; to center things back on Messiah; to connect our motives to our love for Messiah and as a response to God’s grace.

Likewise, when discussing alcohol it is prudent to mention moderation. We live in a world that—at times—knows no limits and many people have been hurt or affected by people who have not demonstrated moderation in drinking alcoholic beverages. It is a sin to drink excessively—it would be a violation of discipleship to drink without temperance.

Boaz

http://www.stella-artois.com

Toby,

The link that you provided specifically states "Similarly, one may drink the wine of Havdallah."

Peace
Aaron

**Toby's Response**

Guess I need to read more carefully! Oh well. I'm going with Beer anyway.

I would have to say that if it's not Guiness, it's probably a sin.

dtl

Anyone for a Molson Canadian? :D
~ Anne

I believe my choice would have to be my father's choice. Although not acceptable by Halacha Baileys Hagen daz Ice cream is darn good. http://www.haagendazs.com/products/product.aspx?id=79

I just find it funny that we received so many comments in such a short period of time when we reference beer.

Please, enjoy Havdallah responsibly.

Daniel,
You and I will have to get together some day and share one of those Guiness'. You know the good thing about it is nobody will ever take your beer.

First, I have to agree with Daniel. Guiness should always be the havdalah brew of choice when wine is not in use. A good second choice would be Barney Flat's Oatmeal Stout which is from the northwestern U.S.

Also, it should be noted that halachah allows one to perform havdalah over beer, liquer, coffee, or any other beverage which brings one joy. This halachah applies not only to times of mourning but to the whole year. For more on this see Shemirath Shabbath published by Feldheim.

I was searching the article for an explanation of what 'Havdallah' actually was. It says 'morning' - so does that mean we all celebrate something every a.m.?? Or is it supposed to be 'mourning' - for something lost from us? Please help with an explanation. Thanks,
P.S. Oh yes, and if it beer in the discussion, then I'm for a very cold 'Labatt'.

***Here's a good explanation:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havdalah

Kokanee Glacier Beer. It doesn't get any colder than that. Although in this day and age of global warming ...

I have to say...I'm going to have to agree with Toby that Fat Tire was pretty good for Havdallah.

....just another beer comment. I wonder if anyone has thought..."Hashem, we thank you for the harvest........and more beer!"
(Note: excessive havdalah beer drinking may cause severe candle wax burns and spice filled noses.)

Are you kidding me? A black current Lambic and whatever is left in the refidgerator, since we drank all the wine on Shabbat. AT