Difference between revisions of "Alcoholic drink"

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(The percentage of Americans who drink alcohol has been declining since 2010, when it was at 67% but fell to 60% by 2021)
 
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[[Image:Margarita.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A margarita, a popular alcoholic drink]]
 
[[Image:Margarita.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A margarita, a popular alcoholic drink]]
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An '''alcoholic drink''' is beer, wine or liquor, typically made from grain, potatoes or grapes. Forms of beer and wine have been fermented for thousands of years in many cultures; distillation to create a liquor was invented by Arabs around A.D. 800, and quickly spread to Europe and Asia.  Liquor is derived from fermented grains or other plants with a high starch content, that are then [[distillation|distilled]] to increase the alcohol content.  Liquors such as [[rum]], [[tequila]] and [[vodka]] are derived from molasses, [[agave]] and grain or potatoes respectively. Some liquors are aged for years to improve flavor.
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An '''alcoholic drink''' is any beverage containing ethanol, which is a byproduct of fermentation of grains, vegetables or fruits when yeast or bacteria reacts with sugar.  '''''The percentage of [[American]]s who drink alcohol has been declining since 2010, when it was at 67% but fell to 60% by 2021'''''.<ref>https://news.gallup.com/poll/353858/alcohol-consumption-low-end-recent-readings.aspx</ref>
  
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Alcohol has devastating effects on the health and well-being of people who drink frequently.
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The most common alcoholic drinks are beer, wine or liquor.  These drinks are typically made from grain, potatoes or grapes. Forms of beer and wine have been fermented for thousands of years in many cultures; distillation to create a liquor was invented by Arabs around A.D. 800, and quickly spread to Europe and Asia.  Liquor is derived from fermented grains or other plants with a high starch content, that are then [[distillation|distilled]] to increase the alcohol content.  Liquors such as [[rum]], [[tequila]] and [[vodka]] are derived from molasses, [[agave]] and grain or potatoes respectively.  Some liquors are aged for years to improve flavor.
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'''''Alcohol has devastating effects on the health and well-being of people who drink frequently'''''.  "Alcohol is never good for people under 40, global study finds."<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jul/14/alcohol-is-never-good-for-people-under-40-global-study-finds</ref> Alcohol even increases the risk of a stroke by people in their 20s and 30s, when they have "slightly more than one drink a day" (15 grams).<ref>https://www.aol.com/drinking-alcohol-may-increase-risk-103003050.html</ref>
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In the [[U.S.]], beer is more than four times more popular than [[wine]] and spirits combined: in 2020, [[American]]s drank 6.4 billion gallons of beer, compared with 931 million gallons of wine consumed and 635 million gallons in spirits.  Overall about 62% of Americans drink an [[alcoholic beverage]], while 38% of Americans abstain entirely.<ref>https://news.gallup.com/poll/509501/six-americans-drink-alcohol.aspx#:~:text=U.S.%20Drinkers'%20Preferred%20Alcoholic%20Beverage&text=Line%20graph%20showing%20what%20alcoholic,say%20they%20drink%20alcoholic%20beverages.</ref>  Among [[American]]s who drink, 37% consume beer, 29% drink wine, while 31% consume liquor.
  
 
==Drinking==
 
==Drinking==
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The drinking of alcoholic beverages is surrounded by many rituals—and since it produced fighting and violence, by criminal controls. Alcoholics become addicted and are useful targets for taxation.  The the 1840-1930 era, prohibition was a worldwide movement, especially led by evangelical Protestants, to stop the manufacture and sale of beer, wine and liquor. Alcohol is highly illegal in most Islamic countries, and if considered a sin or forbidden in some Protestant denominations.
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The drinking of alcoholic beverages is surrounded by many rituals—and since it produced fighting and violence, by criminal controls.
 +
 
 +
Alcoholics become addicted and are useful targets for taxation.  In the 1840-1930 era, prohibition was a worldwide movement, especially led by evangelical Protestants, to stop the manufacture and sale of beer, wine and liquor. Alcohol is highly illegal in most Islamic countries, and is considered a sin or forbidden in some Protestant denominations, primarily within fundamentalist and evangelical ones.
  
 
[[Taverns]] are public places that sell alcoholic drinks.
 
[[Taverns]] are public places that sell alcoholic drinks.
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==Alcohol and its effects==
 
==Alcohol and its effects==
 
The desired effects of drinking are a sense of euphoria, the easing of tension, stress and worry (the "happy hour"), and the relaxation of barriers among people to promote good fellowship. Too much alcohol results in intoxication or drunkenness (even death), impairment of speech, and aggressive outbursts that verge on violence.  Alcoholism is an addiction to alcohol—the patient cannot stop himself. Programs like Alcoholic Anonymous use a semi-religious treatment program to get the person to never take another drink, for even one drink is a dangerous relapse.
 
The desired effects of drinking are a sense of euphoria, the easing of tension, stress and worry (the "happy hour"), and the relaxation of barriers among people to promote good fellowship. Too much alcohol results in intoxication or drunkenness (even death), impairment of speech, and aggressive outbursts that verge on violence.  Alcoholism is an addiction to alcohol—the patient cannot stop himself. Programs like Alcoholic Anonymous use a semi-religious treatment program to get the person to never take another drink, for even one drink is a dangerous relapse.
  
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Alcoholic beverages contains [[ethanol]] (C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>OH), which is an addictive [[psychoactive]] [[depressant]], although the initial effects may resemble that of a [[stimulant]]. Alcohol consumption tends to lower inhibition, slow reaction time and decrease [[dexterity]]. Over-consumption can result in loss of consciousness, coma, or even death. Alcohol has been found in society for thousands of years and in some cases was used in a medicinal capacity. Alcoholic drinks come in a multitude of varieties.
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Alcoholic beverages contains [[ethanol]] (C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>OH), which is an addictive psychoactive depressant, although the initial effects may resemble that of a stimulant. Alcohol consumption tends to lower inhibition, slow reaction time and decreased dexterity. Over-consumption can result in loss of consciousness, coma, or even death. Alcohol has been found in society for thousands of years and in some cases was used in a medicinal capacity. Alcoholic drinks come in a multitude of varieties.
  
 
Beverages are considered "low-alcohol" if they contain less than 7 percent alcohol.<ref>[http://www.ftc.gov/opa/predawn/F93/cisco.txt Canandaigua Wine Co. agrees to advertising, packaging changes for Cisco fortified wine to settle FTC charges]</ref>
 
Beverages are considered "low-alcohol" if they contain less than 7 percent alcohol.<ref>[http://www.ftc.gov/opa/predawn/F93/cisco.txt Canandaigua Wine Co. agrees to advertising, packaging changes for Cisco fortified wine to settle FTC charges]</ref>
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[[Wine]] is usually made by the fermentation of grapes, but can be made using other fruits, or other parts of plants.
 
[[Wine]] is usually made by the fermentation of grapes, but can be made using other fruits, or other parts of plants.
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Wines, like beer, come in a variety of types with different bouquets and [[flavor]]s. In ancient times there were many gods of wine that were worshipped<ref>[http://www.wineintro.com/history/religion/index.html Wine, Religion, and Gods], ''Wineintro.com''</ref> (Bacchus, Dionysus, and Geshtin for example). As wine was part of the holy traditions in both Jewish and Christian customs it was important that this wine was not blessed for other gods (which would make it unclean). Kosher and sacramental wine was watched to be sure that it was properly handled and no idolatry was preformed with it.<ref>[http://www.gemsinisrael.com/e_article000033155.htm What Makes a Wine Kosher?], ''Gems in Israel''</ref> Roman Catholics believe that wine was transformed (and continues to be transformed) into the blood of Christ during [[communion]].<ref>Augustin Joseph Schulte,  [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01358a.htm  "Altar Wine." ''The Catholic Encyclopedia'' Vol. 1. (1907)].</ref>
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Wines, like beer, come in a variety of types with different bouquets (aromas) and [[flavor]]s. In ancient times there were many gods of wine that were worshipped<ref>[http://www.wineintro.com/history/religion/index.html Wine, Religion, and Gods], ''Wineintro.com''</ref> (Bacchus, Dionysus, and Geshtin for example). As wine was part of the holy traditions in both Jewish and Christian customs it was important that this wine was not blessed for other gods (which would make it unclean). Kosher and sacramental wine was watched to be sure that it was properly handled and no idolatry was performed with it.<ref>[http://www.gemsinisrael.com/e_article000033155.htm What Makes a Wine Kosher?], ''Gems in Israel''</ref> Roman Catholics believe that wine was transformed (and continues to be transformed) into the blood of Christ during [[communion]].<ref>Augustin Joseph Schulte,  [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01358a.htm  "Altar Wine." ''The Catholic Encyclopedia'' Vol. 1. (1907)].</ref>
  
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Jesus not only served wine at the Last Supper but performed his first miracle by turning water into wine during the wedding reception at Cana (John 2:1-11). Wine is mentioned 185 times in the Old Testament and 26 times in the New Testament.  
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There is debate about whether the wine mentioned in the [[New Testament]] in most modern translations was really grape juice.  Jesus served it at the Last Supper and performed his first miracle by turning water into wine (or grape juice) during the wedding reception at Cana (John 2:1-11). Wine is mentioned 185 times in the Old Testament and 26 times in the New Testament in a modern translation.
  
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As the ''Evangelical Dictionary of the Bible'' (1984) concludes, "No evidence whatsoever exists to support the notion that the wine mentioned in the Bible was unfermented grape juce." <ref>See Pierard (1984); <http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc12.w.vi.html I> benzinger, "Wine, Hebrew" ''New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge'' (1911) v 12 pp 382-3]</ref>  Some Muslims argue that Jesus—since he was a good Muslim prophet—would have converted water into grape juice because God forbids alcoholic drink. These Muslims find it "inconceivable" that Jesus would have produced a beverage that they blame for the "social and moral bankruptcy" of the West.
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As the ''Evangelical Dictionary of the Bible'' (1984) asserts, "No evidence whatsoever exists to support the notion that the wine mentioned in the Bible was unfermented grape juice."<ref>See Pierard (1984); [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc12.w.vi.html I> benzinger, "Wine, Hebrew" ''New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge'' (1911) v 12 pp 382-3]</ref>  Some Muslims argue that Jesus—since he was a good Muslim prophet—would have converted water into grape juice because God forbids alcoholic drink. These Muslims find it "inconceivable" that Jesus would have produced a beverage that they blame for the "social and moral bankruptcy" of the West.  But some Christians are also skeptical about whether it modern-day wine that Jesus used.
  
 
In 1 Timothy 5:23 Paul counsels:
 
In 1 Timothy 5:23 Paul counsels:
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== Dry churches==
 
== Dry churches==
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In the 1840-1940 era, many Protestant evangelical churches crusaded against alcohol and supported [[Prohibition]]. A few denominations continue their 19th century prohibitions against drinking, such as the [[Seventh Day Adventist Church]]. Mormons follow a law of health known as the [[Word of Wisdom]] which includes abstaining from alcoholic drinks. Many Baptist churches, including Southern Baptist and Independent Fundamentalist Baptist churches also continue to prohibit consumption of alcoholic beverages, and use pasteurized grape juice instead of wine during their communion services.
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In the 1840-1940 era, many Protestant evangelical churches crusaded against alcohol and supported [[Prohibition]]. A few denominations continue their 19th century prohibitions against drinking, such as the [[Seventh Day Adventist Church]]. Mormons follow a law of health known as the [[Word of Wisdom]] which includes abstaining from alcoholic drinks. Many Baptist churches, including [[Southern Baptist]] and [[Independent Baptist]] churches also continue to prohibit consumption of alcoholic beverages, and use pasteurized grape juice instead of wine during their communion services.
  
 
== Alcohol and Islam ==
 
== Alcohol and Islam ==

Latest revision as of 16:26, September 1, 2023

A margarita, a popular alcoholic drink

An alcoholic drink is any beverage containing ethanol, which is a byproduct of fermentation of grains, vegetables or fruits when yeast or bacteria reacts with sugar. The percentage of Americans who drink alcohol has been declining since 2010, when it was at 67% but fell to 60% by 2021.[1]

The most common alcoholic drinks are beer, wine or liquor. These drinks are typically made from grain, potatoes or grapes. Forms of beer and wine have been fermented for thousands of years in many cultures; distillation to create a liquor was invented by Arabs around A.D. 800, and quickly spread to Europe and Asia. Liquor is derived from fermented grains or other plants with a high starch content, that are then distilled to increase the alcohol content. Liquors such as rum, tequila and vodka are derived from molasses, agave and grain or potatoes respectively. Some liquors are aged for years to improve flavor.

Alcohol has devastating effects on the health and well-being of people who drink frequently. "Alcohol is never good for people under 40, global study finds."[2] Alcohol even increases the risk of a stroke by people in their 20s and 30s, when they have "slightly more than one drink a day" (15 grams).[3]

In the U.S., beer is more than four times more popular than wine and spirits combined: in 2020, Americans drank 6.4 billion gallons of beer, compared with 931 million gallons of wine consumed and 635 million gallons in spirits. Overall about 62% of Americans drink an alcoholic beverage, while 38% of Americans abstain entirely.[4] Among Americans who drink, 37% consume beer, 29% drink wine, while 31% consume liquor.

Drinking

The drinking of alcoholic beverages is surrounded by many rituals—and since it produced fighting and violence, by criminal controls.

Alcoholics become addicted and are useful targets for taxation. In the 1840-1930 era, prohibition was a worldwide movement, especially led by evangelical Protestants, to stop the manufacture and sale of beer, wine and liquor. Alcohol is highly illegal in most Islamic countries, and is considered a sin or forbidden in some Protestant denominations, primarily within fundamentalist and evangelical ones.

Taverns are public places that sell alcoholic drinks.

Alcohol and its effects

The desired effects of drinking are a sense of euphoria, the easing of tension, stress and worry (the "happy hour"), and the relaxation of barriers among people to promote good fellowship. Too much alcohol results in intoxication or drunkenness (even death), impairment of speech, and aggressive outbursts that verge on violence. Alcoholism is an addiction to alcohol—the patient cannot stop himself. Programs like Alcoholic Anonymous use a semi-religious treatment program to get the person to never take another drink, for even one drink is a dangerous relapse.

Alcoholic beverages contains ethanol (C2H5OH), which is an addictive psychoactive depressant, although the initial effects may resemble that of a stimulant. Alcohol consumption tends to lower inhibition, slow reaction time and decreased dexterity. Over-consumption can result in loss of consciousness, coma, or even death. Alcohol has been found in society for thousands of years and in some cases was used in a medicinal capacity. Alcoholic drinks come in a multitude of varieties.

Beverages are considered "low-alcohol" if they contain less than 7 percent alcohol.[5]

Beer

Beer is a drink produced through the fermentation of malted grains and the addition of hops. Hops, which became popular in the 15th and 16th centuries, give beer its distinctive bitter taste and act as a natural preservative. Preservation was essential before the invention of refrigeration in the late 19th century. In most of the world, two large corporations—both based in Europe—dominate the market. Anheuser-Busch InBev (based in Belgium) has 25% of the global market. It bought out the American firm Anheuser-Busch in 2008. SABMiller, in London, bought out Miller's in 2002. However, there are several thousand locally owned "microbreweries" that serve local markets. There are also many types of beers available, each with its own unique brewing method and history. The most popular type of beer in America is the pilsner, noted for its light golden color due to the use of lightly roasted grains. Gaining in popularity are other types of beer such as porters, lagers, wheat-beer, and ales.

Beer was discovered independently by many societies in the past.[6] In ancient Egypt, beer was used to help provide the calories needed and keep the lower classes happy.[7] Within Christianity, beer was often made by monks who used the heavy ales to ease hunger pains while fasting.[8] In medieval Europe, beer was frequently the main drink taken by the people, as healthy and wholesome water supplies were not always easily available.

Wine

Wine is usually made by the fermentation of grapes, but can be made using other fruits, or other parts of plants. Wines, like beer, come in a variety of types with different bouquets (aromas) and flavors. In ancient times there were many gods of wine that were worshipped[9] (Bacchus, Dionysus, and Geshtin for example). As wine was part of the holy traditions in both Jewish and Christian customs it was important that this wine was not blessed for other gods (which would make it unclean). Kosher and sacramental wine was watched to be sure that it was properly handled and no idolatry was performed with it.[10] Roman Catholics believe that wine was transformed (and continues to be transformed) into the blood of Christ during communion.[11]

There is debate about whether the wine mentioned in the New Testament in most modern translations was really grape juice. Jesus served it at the Last Supper and performed his first miracle by turning water into wine (or grape juice) during the wedding reception at Cana (John 2:1-11). Wine is mentioned 185 times in the Old Testament and 26 times in the New Testament in a modern translation.

As the Evangelical Dictionary of the Bible (1984) asserts, "No evidence whatsoever exists to support the notion that the wine mentioned in the Bible was unfermented grape juice."[12] Some Muslims argue that Jesus—since he was a good Muslim prophet—would have converted water into grape juice because God forbids alcoholic drink. These Muslims find it "inconceivable" that Jesus would have produced a beverage that they blame for the "social and moral bankruptcy" of the West. But some Christians are also skeptical about whether it modern-day wine that Jesus used.

In 1 Timothy 5:23 Paul counsels:

"Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities."

Dry churches

In the 1840-1940 era, many Protestant evangelical churches crusaded against alcohol and supported Prohibition. A few denominations continue their 19th century prohibitions against drinking, such as the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Mormons follow a law of health known as the Word of Wisdom which includes abstaining from alcoholic drinks. Many Baptist churches, including Southern Baptist and Independent Baptist churches also continue to prohibit consumption of alcoholic beverages, and use pasteurized grape juice instead of wine during their communion services.

Alcohol and Islam

Islam is highly intolerant of alcohol, as evidenced by the following verse:

"O you who believe! Strong drink and games of chance and idols and divining arrows are only an infamy of Satan's handiwork. Leave it aside in order that ye may succeed." (Koran 5(Al Ma'idah): 90).

Consumption of alcohol is banned in several countries including Iran and Saudi Arabia. Penalties for infractions are stringent and in conformity with conservative moral standards in Islamic states.[13][14]

See also

Further reading

  • Downard, William L. Dictionary of the History of the American Brewing and Distilling Industries. (1980). 268 pp.
  • McGovern, Patrick E. Uncorking the Past: The Quest for Wine, Beer, and Other Alcoholic Beverages (2009)
  • Pierard, Richard V. "Alcohol, Drinking of," in Walter A. Elwell, ed. Evangelical Dictionary of the Bible (1984) pp 27–29

References

  1. ↑ https://news.gallup.com/poll/353858/alcohol-consumption-low-end-recent-readings.aspx
  2. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jul/14/alcohol-is-never-good-for-people-under-40-global-study-finds
  3. ↑ https://www.aol.com/drinking-alcohol-may-increase-risk-103003050.html
  4. ↑ https://news.gallup.com/poll/509501/six-americans-drink-alcohol.aspx#:~:text=U.S.%20Drinkers'%20Preferred%20Alcoholic%20Beverage&text=Line%20graph%20showing%20what%20alcoholic,say%20they%20drink%20alcoholic%20beverages.
  5. ↑ Canandaigua Wine Co. agrees to advertising, packaging changes for Cisco fortified wine to settle FTC charges
  6. ↑ History of Beer, Fosters Australia
  7. ↑ Ancient Egyptian Alcohol, thekeep.com
  8. ↑ Beer in the Middle Ages, Eat Online
  9. ↑ Wine, Religion, and Gods, Wineintro.com
  10. ↑ What Makes a Wine Kosher?, Gems in Israel
  11. ↑ Augustin Joseph Schulte, "Altar Wine." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 1. (1907).
  12. ↑ See Pierard (1984); I> benzinger, "Wine, Hebrew" New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge (1911) v 12 pp 382-3
  13. ↑ Alcohol: Legal Status
  14. ↑ Alcohol consumption in Saudi Arabia
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