There’s lots said about the negatives of alcohol – and we can’t argue with the facts out there. From loss of common sense and subsequent poor decisions (ie; drink driving) through to negative effects on health, finances, relationships – there’s many more reasons why many choose to say ‘no’ to alcohol.
‘We’ don’t have to over consume or make poor decisions. Unfortunately ‘we’ often do. But not everyone.
As someone who grew up in a pub, brewed beer, distilled gin, toured more distilleries than I can remember and happily spend some ‘me time’ with a pint, possible a book and my thoughts – I am of course fascinated by the role pubs and alcohol in general can play in our lives.
Before I start, I want to be clear – I acknowledge the negative sides of alcohol consumption. Perhaps I’m not the type to get addicted to things (I don’t smoke, drink far more water/tea/juice on many more nights of the week than I do alcohol by a big margin), however I do not deny the existence of alcohol abuse. Sadly, it happens.
I also want to acknowledge that I’m a mental health advocate. I take note of how people are affected by things, both positively and negatively. For this blog, I am focussing on the positives.
The drinks industry supports jobs and generates income.
There’s still so much physical evidence of how the industry has supported employment – such as cottages near whisky distilleries and on vineyards. A trip to a producer will either tell a story of a ‘local family business’, or will employ people from the area. This is especially important in more rural locations such as the Scottish Islands. Tourism is huge of course, and these producers play their part – creating a destination for visitors which the knock-on effect of including local produce to enhance the experience.
If we want to look more specifically, The Scotch Whisky Association has some great figures;
- The Scotch Whisky industry generated £7.1 billion in the UK in 2022.
- The Scotch Whisky industry supports 66,000 jobs access the UK.
Impressive, eh?
Pubs can provide valuable community spaces
Pubs can be a place for people not just to socialise but also where relationships are fostered, and community connections made. Many stubborn males may find it hard to open up to a friend at home, but may do in a pub (or, for the sake of fact – playing golf, walking and other sporting activities too).
Community events meet at pubs, after-activity socialising is done at pubs and some people may simply enjoy the noise and conversation of other people – breaking their loneliness or social isolation.
There are mental health benefits
Well, yes, there are. Mental health and life satisfaction: Both *could* contribute to longer life expectancy. And this isn’t just an assumption. Here’s what the University of Oxford had to say in a 2017 study;
“New research shows that moderate alcohol consumption may be linked to improved wellbeing, thanks to the improved social interaction associated with having a drink with friends at a local pub.”
Professor Robin Dunbar of the University of Oxford’s Experimental Psychology department, went on to say:
‘This study showed that frequenting a local pub can directly affect peoples’ social network size and how engaged they are with their local community, which in turn can affect how satisfied they feel in life.
Longer life expectancy…? Really?
Again, another study – and this one relates to the so-called Blue Zones of the world – such as the Barbagia region of Sardinia, Italy, Okinawa in Japan, Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, and Icaria in Greece. They are the places in the world which have the highest life expectancy with the most centenarians.
Numerous books and articles have been written about the areas – attempting to uncover the secrets of long life.
Dr Kien Vuu, the author of ‘Thrive State’, is one such contributor to the theory of the Blue Zones. Writing about it in GQ magazine in 2024, he said that in one example it wasn’t so much about the health benefits of wine – but the benefits of the socialisation which comes “hand-in-hand” with having a drink now and again; positive relationships contributing to mental and emotional wellbeing.
The Stress Factor
“What if I have loads of friends anyway?” you may ask. “Lucky you” we say – but what about stress? It’s no secret that, according to heart experts, Stress and anxiety can result in higher blood pressure, poor sleep patterns and anxiety – which can in turn, impact heart health.
Findings by American scientists in 2023 discovered that alcohol in moderate quantities was associated with long-term reductions in stress signalling in the brain.
Personal experience
From my experience, pubs are and have been part of my life. I grew up in a pub. My brother formed a brewery. One of my closest friends works in the wine industry. For six years I helped organise a community / charity beer festival which has raised over £27,000.
I share time with my parents, brothers, son, nieces and nephews over a pint, glass of wine or perhaps half a coke with ice. I meet friends, I talk to strangers, I listen to bands and quite often I pat dogs.
I visit distilleries, breweries and vineyards and (marketing hat on) – I love to hear the stories of their formation, the trials and tribulations of their past and the history that they are part of in cities, towns and villages. I’m fascinated by how a drink can represent an area – it’s obvious with wine and it’s terroir of course, but it exists in whisky and beer too. Take this thought to other parts of the world and Sake has it’s own story in Japan, as does Mexico’s Mezcal and Sri Lanka’s Arrack.
So, whether you prefer light session ales, a strong porter, a glass of wine or a dram of whisky – remember to enjoy a drink, but in moderation. Support your pub. Support those local suppliers who hold a region’s identity. Talk to friends. Talk to strangers. Welcome in people you don’t know.
Acknowledging how alcohol can affect people differently, I wanted to include this link to Drinkaware. https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/