Your Beer, Your Kids And Your Attitude

[wakkatoo]

my kids help me brew beer, so I let them taste the beer. Small sip each followed by a bit of discussion about the flavours (both were right into Junior Masterchef, so they are full of big words!)
Ages are 6 and 9 and they've been doing this for at least 4 years. It is my hope that I am modelling an appreciation of the drink, rathen than the abuse of it.

 

[Tanga]

Im sure that on a homebrewing forum that I couldn't offend either the drug making industry or those who support Islam. But hey, thats just me
GF

Errr... Why not? I'll put my hand up as 'supporting Islam' if it means not making snap judgements about them based on some kind of conspiracy theory (with no evidence).

You do realise that Muslims are actually as much a part of Australian history as white people, yeah? Burke and Wills wouldn't have gotten anywhere without the Muslim camel handlers. They supplied materials and labour for much of the early infrastructure (railway, telegraph, etc) and traded. I am born and bred* South Australian - my great, etc, grandmother was the first white woman in this region, and their farm relied on the Muslim traders. I'm pretty sure they carried our liquor too =). They certainly carried it for Burke and wills.

Beer in the outback is and was pretty widespread - Muslims didn't stop us drinking when they could, why would they start now?

Sorry to rant guys, but really?

EDIT: *bred (not bread) - our balfours tradition is great, but not that great =D.

 

[Sinfathisar]

I also believe that Australian's have to loosen the bonds between drinking and many of our everyday activities. It is inconceivable for many people to go to a party and not have a few drinks. It is also impossible for many to think about celebrating an occasion (birthday/xmas/anniversary/end of the week) without a drink. As an example at my workplace if you do something above and beyond you get a bottle of wine. If its the end of the week you have a beer. If you have an after-hours meeting you have a beer. Much of the Friday conversations revolve around 'gee I could murder a beer' etc etc.

For me this is one of the most important points raised. We actively socialise our kids into alcohol as a reward. Had a long/bad/whatever day at work? Come home and have a drink. Going out? Take a drink etc. This behaviour is also modelled on television and becomes insidious, an almost unseen socialising factor. It is like going to the movies now equates with popcorn and soft drink not just the film as entertainment, the treats are an accepted, almost necessary, part of the experience package.

 

[drew9242]

This thread has been a interesting read. My kids are younger then 2 so i'm not sure on what i will do when they get older. But i will teach them about the art of brewing. And when they grow up will give them a sip to taste what we have made. But other then that i will take it as it comes and decide when the time comes. All i hop is that my kids don't get stuck into those alcopops, nasty things they are.

 

[Hatchy]

For me this is one of the most important points raised. We actively socialise our kids into alcohol as a reward. Had a long/bad/whatever day at work? Come home and have a drink. Going out? Take a drink etc. This behaviour is also modelled on television and becomes insidious, an almost unseen socialising factor. It is like going to the movies now equates with popcorn and soft drink not just the film as entertainment, the treats are an accepted, almost necessary, part of the experience package.

I had a thought along these lines a year or 2 ago. I got home from soccer training & realised I was boozed after training, not even a game. It made me realise that everything I enjoy doing involves beer. I decided that night to go a couple of months without a drink (after the footy season finished). I lasted 13 days but held myself to 7 beers in 7 weeks. It made me realise that I don't need beer but also made me realise what I already knew. That I really like beer.

The beer after a bad day at work is a dangerous one. It can easily lead to a worse next day at work.

 

[Dave70]

In the sixteen years I've been with my wife, I could count on one hand the amount of times I've her even tipsy.
I hope my son grows up with his mothers indifferent attitude toward alcohol.
And I certainly wont be jump starting his interest by letting him sip dads beer.

People like to cite the French example 'Oh, let them drink from a young age, and take away the novelty' - ********, its a myth, the frogs are dropping dead from cirrhosis of the liver and heart disease per capita faster than Americans, and that's saying something.

Plenty of my family are comfortable letting their kids have a sip, and that's fine for them, but it's not for me.

 

[petesbrew]

My kids enjoy helping me out measuring the grain, and stirring the mash tun (when it's safe to do so).
As far as the alcohol is concerned, sure they've dunked their hands in the froth and tasted that, but I'm not letting them drink any till they're 18.
Yep, I when they're teenagers they're going to try and steal a drink sometime or another. I'll have to sort out a lock for my fridge when that time comes. Give the crafty buggers a challenge.

Hatchy, SWMBO & I are starting to cut back our drinking. Getting into a bit of a habit, but after a few week long dry spells we're realising, we don't need it, we just like the flavour.

 

[Steve@PMF82]

People like to cite the French example 'Oh, let them drink from a young age, and take away the novelty' - ********, its a myth, the frogs are dropping dead from cirrhosis of the liver and heart disease per capita faster than Americans, and that's saying something.

A bit OT

Id like to see the statistics for this claim?
My understanding , from books, docos that i have watched is that the French have less incedence of things like obesity,
heart disease, diabetes.

They have some of the best quality control measures on their food on the world, they pride themselves on this.
They tend to eat smaller portions of rich and less processed foods.
I acutally know of someone that was diagnosed with diabetes and now follows a strict French style diet, he is now better
than he has been in a long time.

 

[DanRayner]

People like to cite the French example 'Oh, let them drink from a young age, and take away the novelty' - ********, its a myth, the frogs are dropping dead from cirrhosis of the liver and heart disease per capita faster than Americans, and that's saying something.

I think you're half right.

It's true that the "French Paradox" is a myth but not because of the incidence and prevalence of heaet disease in France. Americans are around two and a half time more likely to die of heart disease than the French.

But the French are almost twice as likely to die of liver cirrhosis as Americans and they drink about 1.5 times the amount if alcohol (per capital) of Americans, and it seems that binge-drinking from a young age (12-14) due to their more relaxed alcohol laws might be a cause? (now I'm just theorising). That said, I think the legal age of alcohol in the US is stupid. Surely if you can vote, go to war or go to prison as an adult you should be allowed to drink too...

 

[DanRayner]

A bit OT

Id like to see the statistics for this claim?
My understanding , from books, docos that i have watched is that the French have less incedence of things like obesity,
heart disease, diabetes.

They have some of the best quality control measures on their food on the world, they pride themselves on this.
They tend to eat smaller portions of rich and less processed foods.
I acutally know of someone that was diagnosed with diabetes and now follows a strict French style diet, he is now better
than he has been in a long time.

Even Wikipedia sees flaws in the French Paradox - though they are not about the difference between heart disease in the US and France. France seems to have similar rates of heart disease to neighbouring countries who do not have the same consumption of wine. Eat less and you probably won't be obese nor die of heart disease. Drink less and you probably won't die of liver cirrhosis. Pretty straight forward, eh?

 

[seemax]

In the sixteen years I've been with my wife, I could count on one hand the amount of times I've her even tipsy.
I hope my son grows up with his mothers indifferent attitude toward alcohol.
And I certainly wont be jump starting his interest by letting him sip dads beer.

My wife has never (i mean EVER) drunk alcohol, primarily due to family history of alcoholism and other addictions. Her father died young from liver and throat cancer. She still went out and partied and had plenty of fun and still to this day wonders why everyone around her feels the need to drink or binge. Sadly it's an Australian establishment.

Luckily for us our kids are both gluten free and can't even drink beer if they wanted to, but have never asked anyway. They see me drink beer occasionally during dinner on Fri/Sat nights, but never on weekends. They understand it's a grown up drink and that I drink it because I really enjoy the flavour, much the same as they do for diluted juice and ice cream. They help crack grain sometimes and I explain I make beer for fun, much like we make bread, cheese and icecream together.

If I had to make the choice, I would probably sway towards saying no until it's legal.

 

[Mark Van Moolenbroek]

My two sons, one in his mid twenties and the other in his late twenties, were both bought up with a sip/taste of wine or beer from mum or dads glass. They both had their moments with underage binge drinking once or twice probably more from peer pressure than anything. Both of them these days have a very occasional social drink and once or twice a year the big binge. They have not developed the finer taste for beer or wine and seem more driven to drinking cheap spirits and cordials by peer and sporting group pressure on the rare occasion they do.

From my experience I do not think whether giving young kids a taste of alcohol at a young age or not will have much effect on how they take to it as they grow up, there are far greater influences out there in driving them to those feared poor behaviours. One thing I have always found with kids, if you hide it or say don't touch then be assured, its the best way to spark their interest in obtaining and trying without your consent.

For me, I was bought up with the try and taste method with little concern from my European born father. It has taken me many years to develop a proper taste for it. I like to have one or two tallies a night and perhaps an additional one or two over the weekend. Probably a bit too much for my best health but my days of running marathons are happily over, and I am not wanting to change what I am drinking. I usually use a few beers as an incentive and reward after a couple of hours of work around the block, I love it ,specially now I have done a few AG brews. What could be more natural, growing a few vegies, keeping a few chooks, home cooking and home brewing???

 

[bear09]

Great thread.

I let my older son (3) take the occasional sip. I love how he says "oh thats good" when really I know he doesnt like it.

I love a beer but to control myself I dont buy it - I brew it. I only get to brew once every couple of months (at best) and this gives me 18L or 2 slabs exactly. Sometimes I do hit it a little hard but when I run out I have to wait for weeks and I can do it easily.

I consider myself to be a pretty normal bloke. When in my teens I wrote myself off more times then I could count and I loved it. Geez I had some fun times.

Then I got a little older, then I got a little smarter, then I had kids - now I will only ever get a little merry and then I pull up. I have found I can go all night no worries and I feel great the next day.

I loved getting pissed when I was a teenager. the excitement of it and the feeling of loosing yourself was awesome. Waking up and not knowing where you were or who you had been with - it was the funnest time ever. I know my boys will do the same and Im scared to think of it. Im going to try and mitigate it but I wont bother trying to stop it - they are going to do it.

Beer for me now is to enjoy and savor - not get blind on. Perhaps I can use this angle to help my sons realise that the pissed guy asleep in the corner will always be the last to get laid .

Great thread.

 

[sydneyhappyhour]

I think I got my first taste of Tooheys New or Tooheys Draught as it was known at the time sitting on my pops lap and when I look back they are still some of the fondest memories of spending bonding time with my pop. Some of the earliest photos of me as a kid have me sitting in my Great grandfathers truck with a can of XXXX it was how I learnt how saw grown men interacting with each other and of course wanted to be part of it. My parents on the other hand were teetotalers and I grew up in a house devoid of alcohol, I grew up drank to excess, still do at times.

One of my childhood friends family own a winery I still often work there to this day at vintage his family has a very strong French heritage and drink at every meal bar breakfast, but the way they eat and drink has alway been foreign to me. Their drinking is never rushed or their eating and I have never seen them drunk,I believe our culture psyche to be at fault mainly.

Alcohol like most things in life is a double edged knife, it has its good it has its bad upbringing,set and setting play a massive part.