First-Time Parachutist Needs a Beer
Cleveland, Ohio Plain Dealer columnist Michael Heaton recently recalled his first, terrifying parachute jump. After describing the jump, he concludes by writing, "When we finally did land, the guy from the airfield was there with a clipboard instructing me to the office, turn in my helmet and jumpsuit and sign some release papers. I marched past him like a zombie, got in my car with all the gear still on and didn't stop until I found a convenience store. I bought a six-pack of beer and pounded three cans in a row. In the store. With my helmet still on. The only other stop I made before I got home was for new underwear."

Estonians Win Wife-Carrying Contest For Third Straight Year
Margo Uusorg and Egle Soll won the world championship wife-carrying contest in Finland for the third straight year. Their prize is her weight, 45 liters, of beer according to the Associated Press. Estonians introduced the efficient style of carrying their partners upside down over their back in 1998 and have won every contest since. According to legend, the contest dates back to the 1800s when a man challenged other men in the village to prove their worth by carrying their wives—a proper wife, a stolen wife, or someone else’s wife—through an obstacle course.

"Quote, Unquote"
"I’m definitely having beer. I don’t know about ice cream, but you all know how much I like beer. I told the boys last night, ‘If I make it through tomorrow, we’re having beers tomorrow night.’ So beers are on me."
--Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong during this year’s event which he won for the fourth straight year.

"By not drinking alcohol, you’re increasing your risk of heart disease the same amount as people who either do not exercise or have high cholesterol."
--Morton Groenbaek, Institute for Preventive Medicine in Copenhagen, referring to 30-50% reduction in heart disease risk among moderate drinkers, as reported in the United Kingdom’s The Guardian newspaper.