A question about Butterbeer

[sagelyone <sagelyone@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 51715

Hello, 

I have a random question about butterbeer. Is it alcoholic? I ask 
because in the second visit to the kitchens scene in GOF, (sorry for 
not having a chapter and page number, my books are in storage) Winky 
is drunk off her little elf ears. 

Doby explains that it's due to the butterbeer, and Harry says, "Well, 
that stuff's not strong, is it?" 

"'Tis strong for a house elf," replies Doby. 

So I'm wondering if butterbeer is similar to a wine cooler, but warm? 
If so, why are these kids drinking it? For my British colleagues out 
there, is it acceptable to drink something with a low alcohol content 
even if you're underage? Forgive my ignorance... I only spent four 
months in London when I was 20, so I was too busy concentrating on 
the fact that I *could* drink in a cool, foreign country. Although 
the rules/social acceptance of drinking is much different in Europe 
than in the States, this thought seems to linger in my mind. 


sagelyone 

whose new year's resolution is to post more, lurk less.