Not trying to start any sort of debate here, this is all just my opinion of course, but maybe spin it by reading D&C 89 verses 5 and 17:
5 That inasmuch as any man adrinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.
17 Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain.
Beer is a mild drink made of barley, in fact in my opinion beer is probably exactly what was referred to in that verse. Wine, whiskey, vodka, etc., are strong drinks, and beer is a mild drink. Anyone who has tasted wine/whiskey/vodka and beer will tell you the same thing, that beer is definitely mild compared to the others.
Reading the section "The Word of Wisdom - From Principle to Requirement" at this link also gives background on how the WOW has been changed by the brethren:
http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/doc...&CISOSHOW=6510
Based on that reading it's not a stretch to conclude that changes in the WOW since JS's original revelation were simply based on how certain brethen felt about it at the time rather than through revelation.
Anyway, maybe you can't spin knocking down a cool one every once in awhile, but some might.