[HPforGrownups] Ok, Stupid Question

[Sherry Gomes]

No: HPFGUIDX 121943

OK I know this is a stupid question, but I figured I'd go ahead and  ask
it anyway. (Hey, it's not like it ever stopped me before right!)
 
What is Butterbeer, and why, seeing that it contains alcohol, are the
students allowed to have it?
 
 
Chancie

Sherry now:

no stupid questions.  But I have one back.  How do we know it is alcoholic?
I know it makes Winky drunk, but she is a different creature, not human, and
her system must react to butter beer that way.  Is there anywhere in the
books that butter beer is explained and said to be alcoholic to humans?
I've always sort of been curious about it, too, but I can't remember
anything except Winky's reaction.

Sherry