A question about Butterbeer

[Jim Ferer <jferer@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 51752

JeanneBlade:" IIRC JK once said in a chat or interview (something of
the like) that Butterbeer was supposed to be like liquid butterscotch
or toffee. In that case, I would say that no, it isn't alcoholic. But
this is shown anyway in GOF. Not having my book to reference, either
Harry or Hermione (upon learning that Winly drinks six bottles of the
stuff everyday) states that it isn't strong (i.e. non-alcoholic), to
which Dobby replies "'tis strong for a houseelf."  That is obvious by
the Severely intoxicated Winky. But why it's alcoholic for a houseelf
I can't explain."

<Jim dons beermaker's hat>: I also have brewed root beer by old
fashioned natural processes.  The carbonation is added by a second
fermentation (in the case of beer) or a small amount of yeast added
for a slight "first" fermentation; that's how drinks got fizzy before
CO2 was injected into them.  If butterbeer was made that way, there
would be a slight alcohol content, insignificant to humans.

Winky is getting a tiny bit of alcohol, perhaps.

What I never could understand is pumpkin juice, which sounds too
disgusting for words.  Except for that, I don't think I'd mind eating
at the Hogwarts table in the least.  Some people have suggested the
good food at Hogwarts is intended by JKR to be a swipe at British
school food, although I'd say it was another shot at the Dursley's way
of underfeeding Harry.

Jim Ferer, imagining a cooking show hosted by a house-elf.