A Craft Beer for Menopausal Women

As Oktoberfest celebrations continue in Germany and around the world, craft beer which garnered attention in the 1990s is still winning fans and expanding it’s target audience.  And now there may the perfect brew for women experiencing symptoms of menopause.

According to a recent report by the American Association of Retired Persons, a New Hampshire brewery has just launched a craft ale blended with herbs and flowers associated with relieving symptoms of menopause.  Lemon balm, chamomile, motherwort other herbs along with a drop of Saphir hops blend to create what owners Matt Gallager and Joanne Francis describe as an ale that is spicy, fruity and earthy with a tangerine note and a golden straw color.   The ale, Libeeration, also claims to help with sleep, something many menopausal and premenopausal women struggle with.

While the beer might be fun to try, (hey, it’s worth a shot) it’s important to remember that alcohol can worsen some of the symptoms of menopause and women should limit themselves to one drink per day.   Alcohol can trigger hot flashes for some women and heavy drinking can lead to a greater risk for depression which women can be vulnerable to during menopause.

Other ways to combat bothersome symptoms of menopause include regular physical activity, avoiding caffeine, stopping smoking, eating a healthy diet and practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation.   Try to dress in layers and keep track of what may trigger hot flashes; spicy foods, stress, hot drinks and caffeine are common triggers.

At present Libeeration is sold at Portsmouth Brewery’s retail store and with enough demand, may be added to its permanent roster of craft beers.

To learn more about alcohol consumption and menopause, visit the North American Menopause Society here.