Why do the Brits drink as if there is no more going to be made?
It may be no more than a much maligned reputation or legend, or it may be true, that compared to probably the rest of the world, the Brits take great pride in sinking 10 or 12 pints or more in a session, whilst the rest of the world saviour a sip at a time over a leisurely lunch or evening.
Having just spent Christmas at my brother in laws (splendid) home in Treveren , just out side of Brussels, and having enjoyed his stock of beers (lowest ABV at 7%) I reckon I know the reason we drink the way we do ; its our culture what does it!
Now culture comes from history and practice, and of course, until the advent of Premium Lagers and for hundreds of years before that fatal day, we have been drinking ale and the like at about 3.5% ABV, so of course the lads knew they had to sink 12 pints to get even a glimmer of the brain altering effect of the hop, yeast, water and barley.
Following the 12 pints and 12 visits to the loo, lads got a reputation as being great drinkers “Cor you want to see him down his ale” was a frequent praise heard from less talented mates. This in turn caused every new and young drinker to believe it was the quantity sank that gave them the stripes and so a self fulfilling prophecy of drinking more and more has been continued.
Problem is that now we have 5 + % products, the Brits haven’t caught on that you need less of it!! And what do you know; the Gals have joined the lads but have come straight in at 12 pints @ 5%! I do not wish to be unkind but a lass with 12 pints on board is less attractive than one with a few sips! (in my opinion) (Oh and experience)
12 pints of Stella (great product that it is) needs a bit more respect than 12 pints of the local 3.2% bitter, when will they learn?
Well let’s tell them when they are young and educate them before they leave school and join the12 pint a night team.
Changing a culture is a long process, education at a young age might be a start point, I’m a governor at a secondary school and what do you know; its not on our agenda! (Yet)
