For USians, or as we call it, 'Muricans, try Karo dark corn syrup over in the mega mart pancake aisle. About $3 a quart. I've had lyles and like karo better
Well if you do stevia it wouldn't be artificial. Natural occuring sweet tasting protein.
Either diabetic blood test strips In a tester or ketone test strips.
Imho the problem is not so much where for great beer as it is which great beer where. The country if full of odd little pubs that brew. Sadly you don't have enough time. 40 years ain't enough time.