Alcohol in OOP

[gishstar1]

No: HPFGUIDX 68941

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Rach" <rachrobins at h...> wrote:
> Was anyone else impressed by JKR's treatment of alcohol in OOP? 
> There are the usual references to Butterbeer (which I assume is a 
> light beer) and several references to fire whiskey - I just loved 
> the scene in the Hogs Head when Ron wanted to try it! 
                          <snip> 
> I think JKR's approach was very mature and age appropriate, 
> accepting teenagers need to experiment. The story just wouldn't 
> ring true without at least some of the kids wanting to let their 
> hair down and get well and truly sloshed after their OWLs. The UK  
> after all does have liberal, dare I say very sensible, liquor 
> laws.   (To save a hearty rendition of `Flames across America' let 
> me add that this is just my opinion, I am an Australian (we also 
> have far more liberal alcohol laws than the US) and I drink. no 
> offence meant to those who might not share my views on this, just 
> an opinion and kudos to JKR for treating the subject so well!)
> 
> rach

-- rach

I guess I could say that I, too, was impressed with the alcohol 
references. When I read that Ron wanted to get some firewhiskey in 
the Hog's Head, and then there was one other reference that some kid 
knew where to get some/make some... I was like "Oh no you di-nt. 
Don't you even think about it Ronald Weasley"... so yeah. I'm 
American, and it's my opinion that we are a little 'strict' with the 
liquor laws. Although some of it well deserved (again, my opinion) I 
am against under-aged drinking. I was president of a couple anti-
drinking/drugs/tobacco campaigns, in high school. I still feel that 
alcohol to teens is like throwing fresh steaks to starved lions (I'm 
20 and don't drink, but only 2 months left till 21). But this isn't 
about liquor laws world-wide it's about Harry Potter, moving on... 

So yeah, I am glad that she did put that in there, because that is a 
real part of being a teenager. If she didn't let it (alcohol) happen 
then she really would be creating a complete fantasy world.. ha ha. 

Ari