Regardless of what People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) claims, beer does not "Do a body good," according to Boston University Clinical Assistant Professor Joan Salge-Blake.
Salge-Blake said low-fat milk or skim milk provides an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D, which are especially important for college students to consume as their bones continue to grow. She said while milk is a good source of protein and rich in nutrients, the same cannot be said about beer.
"There are no ways in which beer is healthier than milk," Salge-Blake said.
Although PETA pulled their "Got Beer?" campaign two years ago, after groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) said the ads were irresponsible, they have re-instituted it on college campuses across the nation. Dan Shannon, the Vegan Outreach Coordinator for PETA, said PETA does not mean to anger MADD, but said he believes the organization misinterprets the advertisements.
"We respect MADD very much," Shannon said. "We just don't think they understand our message. It isn't a pro-alcohol campaign, we are simply using beer as a metaphor to inform people to how bad milk is."
However, Salge-Blake disagreed with even having the two beverages in the same sentence.
"[Milk and beer] shouldn't even be compared," said Salge-Blake, who is also the Dietetic Internship Director. "They have nothing in common except that they are both liquids."
However, Shannon said beer and milk made an "interesting comparison.
"We hope that this campaign will make people think 'Wait a minute, that can't be right. Beer is better for you than milk?' and then research it, and realize that it really is true," Shannon said.
However, Salge-Blake responded to the statement, saying PETA was only comparing it using facts that were beneficial to their claim.
"PETA seems to be saying that because milk has some fat and beer has none means beer is better than milk," Salge-Blake said. "But beer is full of calories, and all calories in excess will make you gain weight; any time you consume more calories than you burn off, you will gain weight."