re: Do hops trigger migraines in anyone else?

Yes. I can’t drink Budweiser because of it.

When it first started, it was awful. I’d be at a gathering and drink one beer and maybe a half and 30-40 min later, it’s time to go home and lay down.

I’m not a beer connoisseur like it seems you all are, but here recently, I can drink Shiner Bock with no issues whatsoever. Crawford Bock is ok too. I see a pattern, but i don’t know the ingredients because I’m not a beer scientist.

In the mid 80s I drank a Miller Lite on draft and suddenly got an upset stomach and half of my face, just one half, turned beet red and very hot. Slightly numb also. Thought I was having a stroke or something.

Next day went to doc, still red/numb, and he ordered a CAT scan to rule out a stroke. Nothing. Then sent me to a neurologist. All was fine.

After all that money spent and being poked and prodded, I decided to investigate on my own. Drank a Miller Lite draft. Bingo! Face turned red and got slightly nauseated.

Called doctors and told them I had diagnosed the problem myself but no refunds. But they did agree that beer is the most allergenic drink out there because of the fermented grains, particularly HOPS. They said it was both sides of my face because the reaction was dilating my arteries but that the flushing on one side was just more pronounced.

I could have saved more money by just drinking another beer the next day.

Steer clear of beer now except for occasional Michelob Ultra — and just one. And I can reproduce those same old effects if I choose to feel lousy.