The evolution of drinking culture

The story of alcohol is as old as the chronicles of humankind. The tale spans from the ancient rituals of lost civilisation to the bustling pubs of modern London. Alcohol has been used for everything from worshipping the gods to celebrating special occasions to a universally accepted currency.

Today, alcohol remains an integral part of British culture, with two vibrant cities, Leeds and Liverpool, proudly claiming spots in the global top ten for the highest number of pubs per capita. This connection to the pub and the pint illustrates the enduring and evolving relationship between Britons and their beloved brews.

To understand today’s drinking culture, it’s essential to explore its origins. As we embark on this historical journey, we witness the global development of alcohol’s role in our lives – a role that has become both vital and, at times, contentious.

The ancient world

In the tapestry of ancient civilisations, alcohol was often interwoven with religious rites, social practices and daily life. Its significance was much more than just a beverage; it was a symbol of divine intervention, a medium for social discourse, and a mark of affluence.

Sumerians and Ninkasi: Beer as divine nectar

The Sumerians, one of the earliest known civilisations, had a special place for beer in their hearts. Located in present-day Southern Iraq, people from every strata of society frequented Sumerian taverns known as “sikaru shops” and the Sumerians left behind clay tablets inscribed with hymns dedicated to Ninkasi, the goddess of beer. These hymns, dated around 1800 BC, weren’t merely words of reverence; they acted as recipes, outlining the ingredients and brewing process in poetic verses.

Greeks and Dionysus: Wine as the elixir of intellect and revelry

To the Ancient Greeks, Dionysus was not just the god of wine, but also the symbol of its dual power: to inspire and to intoxicate. Dionysia, festivals held in the god’s honour, originated from rural celebrations but evolved into grand urban affairs in Athens with copious drinking and theatrical competitions. Plays by renowned playwrights like Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes debuted in the Theatre of Dionysus, showcasing the intricate relationship between wine and culture. Drinking wine was also a staple of the symposium, an intellectual and recreational gathering of the Grecian elite who would recline, sip the latest vintage and engage in philosophical debates, poetry recitations and music.

The middle ages

Alcohol also played a central role in the mediaeval period, bridging societal divides and becoming a staple in the daily lives of the elite and the commoners.

Mead: The nectar of the Norsemen

Intrepid Norse explorers and warriors, the Vikings had a special affinity for mead, a honey-based brew spiced with herbs or fruits. Skalds, the poets of the Norse world, sang praises of grand feasts in mead halls, where warriors would gather to celebrate their victories and remember fallen comrades. However, mead’s significance was more than just recreational, and sharing a drinking horn filled with mead was also a sign of alliance or truce, helping to bind Norse society together and forming a cornerstone of their culture.

Alehouses and taverns: The pulse of English society

While the Norse had their mead halls, England had its alehouses and taverns. These weren’t just establishments to quench your thirst; they were central to the community’s social fabric. Given the often unreliable quality of drinking water, ale, being boiled during its production, became a safer alternative, consumed by adults and children alike.

Alehouses were lively, humming with news, stories and the latest village gossip. They were the social media platforms of their day, where news travelled word-of-mouth, deals were struck, and relationships forged. Taverns catered more to the travelling folk and the upper class and offered wine, a status symbol at the time due to its import nature.

The Renaissance and beyond

The Renaissance was an age of rediscovery, enlightenment and a transformation in how people looked at the world around them. Alcohol, with its age-old presence, was no exception to this revolution.

Alcohol as medicine: From monasteries to apothecaries

The belief in alcohol’s medicinal properties had deep roots. Monastic communities, especially those of the Benedictine order, were known for their herbal knowledge, and their liqueurs were believed to aid digestion, alleviate pain and even act as life-extending elixirs. With the rise of apothecaries during the Renaissance, many of these monastery-born recipes found their way into the hands of the early pharmacists and spirits like brandy began to be prescribed as solvents for various medicines for people across society.

Absinthe: The Green Fairy

Absinthe’s story begins in the Val-de-Travers region of Switzerland in the late 18th century. Originally formulated as an all-purpose remedy, it contained a range of botanicals, including wormwood, anise and fennel. Wormwood, in particular, was believed to be a cure for many ailments, but it was also the source of thujone, a compound with psychoactive properties that contributed to the drink’s eventual notoriety.

By the 19th century, absinthe had crossed the medicinal-recreational boundary. Parisian cafés and bars, with their bohemian clientele, turned “l’heure verte” or “the green hour” into a daily ritual. It’s supposed hallucinogenic effects, combined with its high alcohol content, made it the drink of choice for many artists and writers, and Vincent van Gogh and Oscar Wilde were among its famous aficionados.

The drink’s popularity, however, was also its downfall. Fuelled by rising concerns over its addictive and psychoactive effects, a potent mix of public hysteria, political agendas and emerging temperance movements led to its ban in many countries in the early 20th century.

Colonial times

The colonial period marked a significant chapter in global history, but as trade routes crisscrossed, the oceans and territories changed hands; one constant amidst this flux was the rise of one particular drink – rum.

With its tropical climate, the Caribbean was a fertile ground for sugarcane cultivation. As European powers established plantations across the islands, they began to use the by-product of the sugar-making process, molasses, to distil rum.

The drink quickly gained popularity among the general public due to its robust flavour and economical production, while European navies, especially the British Royal Navy, recognised its long shelf-life and morale-boosting qualities. Rum soon became an essential ration for sailors, known as the daily tot, and this practice continued well into the 20th century, with British soldiers in the First World War trenches receiving 2.5 fluid ounces (about 70ml) a day.

The Prohibition era

Prohibition is an intriguing stop of the journey through the history of drinking culture. For decades, concerns over American public health and morality had gained momentum, culminating in the Volstead Act, which turned the US dry – at least legally.

While Prohibition may have closed the legal taps, the American thirst for alcohol remained unquenched. An entire underground industry sprouted almost overnight with moonshiners distilling spirits in hidden backwoods operations, rum runners smuggling alcohol from Canada and the Caribbean and the infamous bootleggers trafficking illegal booze across cities and states.

Speakeasies: Jazz, flappers and rebellion

As law enforcement grappled with the challenges of curbing the illicit liquor trade, the landscape of urban nightlife underwent a profound transformation. Speakeasies, those hidden gems concealed behind unmarked doors, guarded entrances, and secret passwords, became far more than mere drinking establishments. They evolved into powerful symbols of defiance against the establishment.

Within these clandestine walls, sipping a cocktail took on new significance. Bartenders crafted concoctions designed to mask the harsh taste of bootlegged spirits, and in doing so, they unwittingly created expressions of identity and resistance. These venues were the backdrop for a unique convergence of cultures and ideas. Different races mingled freely as the soulful tunes of black jazz legends like Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong set the scene. Meanwhile, flappers, the liberated women of the Roaring Twenties, danced the Charleston, redefining femininity and challenging societal norms.

Modern drinking

The globalised world has brought diverse drinking cultures onto the same table. The chic cocktail bars of New York echo with the clinking of whiskey glasses, reminiscent of the izakayas in Tokyo where sake flows freely. Meanwhile, the vineyard trails of Bordeaux in France, Tuscany in Italy and the new world wineries in California and South Africa export their bottles to wine bars and dinner tables worldwide.

Yet, the widespread acceptance and celebration of alcohol come with inherent challenges. Pub culture, deeply ingrained in British society, often witnesses pints raised not only in celebration but also to drown sorrows, cope with stress, or escape the mundanity of everyday life.

The rise of binge drinking, especially among the younger generation, remains a major concern. The ‘lad’ and ‘ladette’ culture of the 1990s and 2000s, characterised by alcohol abuse and rowdy behaviour, illuminated the difficulties of moderating this deep-seated cultural practice. Even among the best and brightest, university towns during Freshers’ Week experience a surge in alcohol consumption, often resulting in health hazards, accidents, or regrettable decisions.

Awareness, acceptance, and action

Fortunately, the information age has also ushered in an era of awareness. The rise of ‘mindful drinking’ and the popularity of non-alcoholic beverages highlights a shift towards conscious consumption, with the beverage industry evolving to cater to those who wish to partake without the hangover or health concerns. There is also growing recognition of the dangers of alcohol addiction and abuse, with organisations like UKAT playing a pivotal role in offering support, resources and alcohol rehab to those grappling with alcohol addiction.

Final thoughts

Alcohol has played a major part in the human story. While it continues to be a binding thread in the fabric of social rituals, celebrations and traditions, it also poses significant challenges that cannot be ignored. The key lies in awareness, moderation and the ability to seek help when the line between occasional indulgence and dependency blurs. The future of drinking, ideally, is one of balance, responsibility, informed choices and the availability of effective alcohol rehab services for those who fall into the grips of alcoholism.

If you are struggling with alcohol addiction or have concerns about your drinking, contact Liberty House today.