The drinking age: the United Kingdom VS the USA

It is hard to believe that drinking was considered a taboo and a vice not long ago, but luckily for us today we can freely enjoy a glass of our favorite liquor. Our whole western world has developed this drinking culture that revolves around our social life and even young people are a part of it. There are, of course, some legal imitations, but consuming alcoholic drinks is a part of our lives and we cannot deny it. We need to embrace it while enjoying and drinking responsibly, but be aware of all variations in the drinking culture around us. If you travel to the UK and enter any pub, you shall feel a different vibe than when dancing in any US nightclub, and that is fine and that is a good thing.

A Brief History Of Alcohol

Both British and Americans have a different sentiment toward alcohol, and that is the result of how drinking was perceived in their past in the US and UK respectfully. Do not get us wrong, both British and Americans love drinking, but the United States is more squeamish about it in some ways. They even tried to prohibit alcohol consumption during their Great Depression Era which only gave rise to illegal booze trafficking. While Americans were trying to stay sober, their English cousins didn’t have such inhibitions and they enjoyed drinking jinn when not drinking tea. It is fair to say that the British never shy away from drinking which is evident in their social life that revolves around pubs and bars.

While Americans are more reserved historically speaking, they do not drink any less, as underage drinking is one growing issue in the US, despite restrictive laws. It is somehow ironic that one can get his driver's license when turning 16, but cannot have a beer before turning 21, or maybe that is a good thing, at least in theory. History made beer equally popular on both sides of the Atlantic, but US booze lovers prefer hard liquor like whiskey over any ciders or jinn and tonic. While British students prefer English ale, their US colleagues will drink almost anything they can get their hands on due to restrictive law.

Unique Drinking Culture

One has to be at least 18 years old so he can enter any pub in England and make a toast with his buddies while watching teams like Manchester United play. Many tried writing a petition or lowering the drinking age essay but in vain. There is an ongoing debate about lowering the drinking age in the UK but conservatives strongly oppose this suggestion. They think that even with their 18 years limit, young people still indulge in enormous alcohol consumption. It seems like it is not about law or restrictions but about pub culture that pressures young men into consuming liquor.

There is also an element of cheering their favorite football teams during weekend games which is something folks in America can relate to. It is just about different sports in the US, like baseball or basketball, but their drinking game remains the same. All UK students can drink freely, so their colleagues across the Ocean can only envy them while they smuggle whiskey bottles onto their campus party. While drinking age restrictions are a strong stimulus for breaking any rules, it is also one great excuse for gathering with your friends as long as they all enjoy partying in a responsible manner. Young soldiers in America can have a beer or two inside their bases, even if their drinking age for the military is 21, but this is more like some tradition of turning a blind eye.

New Wave Coming

Although we like to think about how alcohol consumption is on a rise, there is one new wave coming with health-conscious Millenials and Gen-x members. These new generations seem to take care of their health more than their predecessors, and non-alcoholic beverages might be their preferred choice when coming into a bar. Every major liquor brand is adjusting its game by producing healthier drinks to accommodate new trends among young people across our globe. We do not believe that health consciousness will eradicate partying but it will change the game on both sides of the Atlantic. Perhaps young adults may start taking more care of their health, students will be students, while campus parties will be campus parties forever.

Say what you want about alcohol consumption, but it brings people together, especially young people who crave socializing and having a good time. This is true, of course, if this consumption is responsible and moderate. Bottom line, the consumption in the US is about partying while in the UK it is more about pub culture and sports events. Millions of pints of beers are consumed every year with some additional jinn shots, while students from New York will prefer shots of tequila and some cocktails. These cocktails are a big part of nightlife in the US while British may look down upon these soft but delicious mixtures as they prefer hard liquor. Perhaps in a few years, both parties shall enjoy non-alcohol black Guinness or Bud beers together as this is the current trend worldwide.

Whether you are from the Isles or a hard-core NewYorker, enjoy some well-earned glass of your favorite liquor after a day of hard work. Just be moderate and responsible about it and do not forget to buy your buddies a round or two. If you are a US citizen visiting the UK, act like any British and have a pint of black Guinness in their local pub with some peanuts while watching a local football game.