I. What is Moonshine? Moonshine is slang for distilled spirits made without governmental authorization. The term may have originated because much of the distilling, packaging and distribution was done at night. Or it may have come from “moonraker.” That was an early English word for a smuggler. Other common terms for illegally-made spirits are mountain …
Category: Policy
Amethyst Initiative: College Presidents Lead in Reducing Alcohol Abuse
The Amethyst Initiative is a group of college and university presidents across the U.S. They promote public discussion about the unintended consequences of current alcohol policies. This includes the minimum legal drinking age of 21. Amethyst Initiative presidents invite new ideas on how best to prepare young adults to make responsible decisions about alcohol use. Dr. …
Alcool versus Alcohol: What We Can Learn from the French about Drinking Alcohol
by Lynne Breaux What can we learn from the French about drinking alcohol? A recent sojourn of Paris’ splendid cafe society spotlighted the French respect for, and the American disrespect for alcohol. Many enjoyable hours were spent imbibing in historic, treasured brasseries and never was an intoxicated patron observed. What was observed were cheerful friends and …
Minimum Age for Bartending: Bartender Age Laws by State
The majority of states in the U.S. permit adults age 18 to 20 to tend bar in on-premises establishments. Below is the minimum age for bartending in each U.S. state. I. Background Generally the term “bartender” refers to a person who dispenses alcoholic beverages. On the other hand, “server” refers to a waitperson. On-premises establishments …
Minimum Age to Serve Alcoholic Beverages in On-Premises Establishments
Thirty-seven states and D.C. permit adults age 18 or older to serve alcoholic beverages in on-premises establishments. Only three states require a server to be age 21. One state permits persons age 17 to serve alcoholic beverages. Waiter! Generally the term server refers to a waitperson (waiter or waitress). On the other hand “bartender” refers …
Alcohol Medical Emergency Amnesty at Colleges and Universities
Alcohol Amnesty Alcohol medical emergency amnesty policies at colleges and universities are to save lives. They give a higher priority to protecting students’ safety and lives than to enforcing alcohol rules. Hundreds of colleges and universities have medical alcohol emergency amnesty policies. Clemson University implemented such a policy after a major tragedy. The existence of an …
Alcohol Enforcement ABCs at University of Virginia: Problems in Enforcing Alcohol Policies
Alcohol Enforcement is Important Alcohol is part of the University experience. Frat parties, bar hopping and tailgating before football games are just as collegiate as classes and exams. Then there’s alcohol enforcement. Yet it caught most everyone by surprise when [University of] Virginia’s new Alcohol Beverage Control [ABC] officer stationed in Charlottesville started bringing down …
Drinking Age Should Be Lowered Says International Expert
Lower the Legal Drinking Age Interview with Dr. Ruth Engs The minimum drinking age continues to stir controvers. However, the minimum legal drinking age should be lowered says expert Dr. Ruth Engs. She’s Professor Emeritus of Applied Health Sciences at Indiana University in Bloomington. Dr. Engs is interviewed by David J. Hanson. Hanson– Dr. Engs, …
Alcohol Amnesty Policies (Medical Amnesty) Save College Student Lives.
College Emergency Alcohol Amnesty Policies College policies for medical emergency alcohol amnesty are widespread. They place protecting the health and safety of students as a college’s very highest priority. These policies have one primary goal. It’s to protect the health and lives of students who over-consume alcohol and need medical help. It assuring them that …
Responses to Arguments against the Minimum Legal Drinking Age
The federal government is spending taxpayer money in a political campaign to defend the minimum drinking age. “Responses to Arguments against the Minimum Legal Drinking Age” is by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). In it, the the federal government identifies arguments against the minimum legal drinking age. It then suggests counter …