No subject

[Jesta Hijinx]

No: HPFGUIDX 65739

> > 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)

Tamera replied:

>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. ;)

Now me:
   I still think of butterbeer as being a type of soft drink. Just
because it is intoxicating for house elves doesn't mean it has an
alcohol content. IIRC, In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Wonka
remarked that the OOmpa Loompas couldn't drink his fizzy drinks
because it made them drunk.(Or something along those lines, it's been
a long, long time .) At any rate, it wouldn't be the first time in
literature that a food or beverage that is perfectly innocent in
terms of human consumption has detrimental affects on another species.


I have always thought of butterbeer as sort of like cream soda - but a 
slightly more butterscotch-flavored soda.  Popular with kids before they hit 
about 18-21 and their taste buds change somewhat (a physiological thing - 
has to do with stopping growing).  :-)

And I suspect that it's just the difference in biochemistry between humans 
and house elves that makes it a bit of a tipple for house elves.  Another 
fictional example:  Klingons and prune juice.  A warrior's drink.  ;-)

Felinia

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