Alcohol Free?

[Gareth J]

Two reasons... One because people are reluctant to try something new, so by making it look familiar they hope to tempt the faddists across. The other is to pacify the macho types who think that it is an affront to their manhood to eat cruelty free and so it appears that they don't. Vegans and vegetarians rarely buy it because they don't want to be reminded of the cruelty and suffering that is animal farming.

Probably the machismo situation drives alcohol free drinks too. If it looks like beer, then it is apparently more 'manly' than asking for a soft drink.

I think that a lot of people who choose to stop eating animal products and/or alcohol genuinely miss it and look to try to replicate it. There's clearly a market for facsimiles. And plenty of "lapsed" former V's and dry January folk.

 

[julianf]

I gave up drinking when I was about 18 (I'd had some years prior, so some experience)

Anyway, for virtually all of my adult life, I've drank non ethanol beverages. It's never stopped me going to the pub or whatever.

I used to drink grapefruit juice, as it tastes so foul that you don't just swig it instantly but I have more control now. I just drink whatever now.

I find going out to be more about who you are with than what liquid you are consuming.

 

[ajlelectronics]

I think that a lot of people who choose to stop eating animal products and/or alcohol genuinely miss it and look to try to replicate it. There's clearly a market for facsimiles. And plenty of "lapsed" former V's and dry January folk.

Yes, that is another good point.

When I first made the connection at 17 and stopped eating meat, my mother was determined that if I wasn't going to eat meat, then I HAD to eat something that looked like it. At the time, the total range appeared to be Quorn mince, so that is what I got when visiting. Not the finest product in the world, I would have been happier without, but that was never going to be permitted.

 

[ajlelectronics]

I find going out to be more about who you are with than what liquid you are consuming.

Yes, but then you are a normal and decent man, rather than the stereotypical Neanderthal who are more concerned about such appearances.

 

[julianf]

Some people don't eat meat because they don't like the taste of it.

Some people don't eat meat even though they like the taste of it.

I think that explains the existence of meat-a-like vegetarian food stuffs?

 

[premmington]

Yes, that is another good point.

When I first made the connection at 17 and stopped eating meat, my mother was determined that if I wasn't going to eat meat, then I HAD to eat something that looked like it. At the time, the total range appeared to be Quorn mince, so that is what I got when visiting. Not the finest product in the world, I would have been happier without, but that was never going to be permitted.

My wife is veggy and always has been - I eat a lot of veggy food (I also eat a lot of fish and meat).

Quorn I could live without. Won't do you allot of harm - but it does lack taste...

I think I could live without meat - but not fish...

I am eating lessor quanties of meat of late - but the meat I do eat is better quality - lived a better life.

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There is word for someone who just eats fish - not sure what is it - "pres?????????"

 

[ajlelectronics]

Some people don't eat meat even though they like the taste of it.

I used to enjoy eating it, but never made the connection until I had a girlfriend who lived on a farm. The family were big meat eaters and looking out of the window at dinner made its origin crystal clear, which is why I cut it right down* until I was able to go (pardon the pun) cold turkey. Now I don't miss it at all. The plus side is that I have discovered enjoyable, good and healthy food which I would otherwise have left untouched.

*I have to confess to occasional bouts of hypocricy, to my shame.

 

[Gareth J]

Yes, that is another good point.

When I first made the connection at 17 and stopped eating meat, my mother was determined that if I wasn't going to eat meat, then I HAD to eat something that looked like it. At the time, the total range appeared to be Quorn mince, so that is what I got when visiting. Not the finest product in the world, I would have been happier without, but that was never going to be permitted.

No, I mean many people who are veg genuinely miss animal products. I get that you don't but lots do, not just their mum's! But yea, given the choice, I'd also rather make something tasty without meat or whatever than have a vaguely meat shaped object with the texture of soggy cardboard. But we digress. Comparing with alcohol isn't really sensible - with the spectres of alcoholism and slow poisoning involved with that.

 

[brightspark]

never drink before 8 thirty on a night and was drinking 5 cans a night started doing night time callouts so only had 2 cans a night for 15 years id rather keep my licence . even now i dont do em just have 3 a night

 

[roofman]

tea total here for pretty much 20 years, but i do like a pint of Strongbow when we have a pub lunch during the summer. Even when i used to drink i never ever drunk in the house, was always a social thing for me.

 

[premmington]

never drink before 8 thirty on a night and was drinking 5 cans a night started doing night time callouts so only had 2 cans a night for 15 years id rather keep my licence . even now i dont do em just have 3 a night

I like a beer and was doing two/three bottles of proper beer a night - I just have a few days off every week now - give my liver a rest.

Sort of halved my consumption!

I never been a hard/binge drinker - just a regular one.

 

[keithski122]

Two reasons... One because people are reluctant to try something new, so by making it look familiar they hope to tempt the faddists across. The other is to pacify the macho types who think that it is an affront to their manhood to eat cruelty free and so it appears that they don't. Vegans and vegetarians rarely buy it because they don't want to be reminded of the cruelty and suffering that is animal farming.

Probably the machismo situation drives alcohol free drinks too. If it looks like beer, then it is apparently more 'manly' than asking for a soft drink.

or its a good alternative to drinking the fizzy type drinks which keep me awake all night.

 

[rich_c]

I stopped one day just over 10 years ago, poured half a bottle of cheap wine and third of a bottle of expensive scotch down the kitchen sink in a symbolic gesture and never went back. I'd probably drunk more than enough for one lifetime by the so it'll all average out in the end!

The lack of good beer alternatives in pubs though sometimes makes you feel like having one, just to save yourself from the fizzy sugary monotony

 

[RichardM]

I like a beer and was doing two/three bottles of proper beer a night - I just have a few days off every week now - give my liver a rest.

Sort of halved my consumption!

I never been a hard/binge drinker - just a regular one.

I try not to have a beer Monday to Thursday. Haven't touched spirits since last March, much to wifeys' disapproval as I have two unopened bottles of Captain Morgan.

 

[premmington]

The problem is: Is what to drink if you don't drink beer.

Up until about a year ago - I really only drank tea with no sugar and skimmed milk - real beer - and tap water when it was really hot. Odd decent scotch on high days and holidays.

Plus maybe about one black coffee and one glass of orange juice a week.


Since cutting down on beer - I tried all the non alcoholic stuff and it is vile - I don't like fizzy pop or carbonated water. I've never had an energy drink in my life. I imagine they just too sweet.

So I been drinking more tap water - more orange juice - plus believe it or not - I been buying tomato juice and having it with Lee & Perins, Tobasco. celery salt and splash of lime juice.

I don't mind this lime juice - just in tap water for flavour (not squash but lime or lemon juice).

 

[addjunkie]

never drink before 8 thirty on a night and was drinking 5 cans a night started doing night time callouts so only had 2 cans a night for 15 years id rather keep my licence . even now i dont do em just have 3 a night

My first thought was never before 8.30in the morning. Though chopped up fruit thats about to go off soaked in Havana Club is quite a good hangover cure!

My days of binge drinking are long gone, I cant cope with the after effects, rarely drink in the house, the odd glass of wine. But do enjoy-a few pints in the social setting of out local pub, but never enough to do me any harm.

 

[mrsbruce]

Many years ago, during a period os serious home wine making (especially fizzy wine), an American chappie gave me a recipe for ‘gaiterpee’. It was a way of reusing the ‘dregs’ in the demijon by adding some sugar, yeast(?), and lemon juice, leaving it a couple of days, then bottling it.

You ended up with a low alcohol, fizzy lemon summer drink. It was not bad at all, if I remember.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

There is word for someone who just eats fish - not sure what is it - "pres?????????"

Pescitarian.

 

[ajlelectronics]

Pescitarian.

Is that like a Pastafarian?

 

[premmington]

Pescitarian.

@slim_boy_fat