thoughts on Butterbeer

[Tamara]

No: HPFGUIDX 64891

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "magicalme9" <magicalme9 at y...> 
wrote:
> If this has been discussed before I'm sorry and could someone be so 
> kind as to point me to the message number(s).
> 
> In GoF, can't remember which chapter, but it's the scene when HRH 
are 
> down in the kitchens and watch Winky drown herself in Butterbeer. 
Ron 
> says something along the lines that at least it is not strong and 
> Dobby replies that it is strong for a house elf. I don't know how 
the 
> laws are in England, but in my country anything with a bit of 
alcohol 
> isn't allowed for kids under 18 (or 16 for beer I think). I know 
the 
> young wizards aren't allowed to drink Firewhisky, as 
> Hermione "reminds" Ron in OotP, but could anyone tell me why 13 
year 
> old wizards and witches are allowed to drink Butterbeer? Maybe the 
> bit of alcohol doesn't have much influence in magical people, but 
it 
> strikes me as somehow odd and it's been bothering me for the last 3 
> books.
> magicalme (desperately waiting for some answer)

I don't think the wizards go by typical muggle laws when it comes to 
everything.  Before that mention about Winky, I always kind of 
thought of Butterbeer as being like rootbeer.  I wonder what it 
tastes like.  And pumpkin juice too. Don't these people ever drink 
milk or water???  And why doesn't Hogwarts serve pizza or hamburgers? 
I'm not sure I could survive the food there. ;)

Tamara