Jason Wagner
The Amish are a religious group with a variety of beliefs and practices. While some may assume that the Amish do not drink alcohol, this is not entirely true. The answer to the question Can the Amish drink beer? is that it depends on the individual and the community they belong to.
Some Amish communities abstain from alcohol completely, while others may consume it in moderation. The Old Order Amish, the most prominent sect, generally allow alcohol consumption in moderation, as it is mentioned in the Bible and was consumed by Jesus. However, they typically drink privately to avoid judgment due to the social stigma attached to alcohol use. On the other hand, the New Order Amish, a subgroup that split from the Old Order Amish in the 1960s, strictly prohibit alcohol consumption.
Ultimately, the decision to drink alcohol or not is a personal choice for each Amish individual and is influenced by the community they belong to and their interpretation of religious teachings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Drinking alcohol | Some Amish communities and individuals drink alcohol in moderation, while others abstain completely. |
| Reasons for drinking alcohol | Religious, medicinal, social, and personal reasons. |
| Reasons for not drinking alcohol | Religious objections, dislike of taste, medical concerns, and family history of alcoholism. |
| Alcoholic drinks consumed | Beer, wine, cider, and hard liquor. |
| Alcohol consumption by youth | During Rumspringa, Amish youth may experiment with alcohol, but this is not universal or encouraged by the Amish church. |
| Alcohol consumption by adults | Adults may drink alcohol at celebratory events or at home, but excessive drinking is generally frowned upon. |
| Alcohol consumption by different Amish groups | Old Order Amish generally allow alcohol in moderation, while New Order Amish prohibit alcohol consumption. |
| Alcohol-related problems | Alcohol abuse is less common in Amish communities than in English communities, but it does occur. |
What You'll Learn
Amish drinking laws vary between communities
The Amish are often assumed to be teetotal, but this is not the case for all Amish communities. While some Amish groups are very much against alcohol, others are quite accepting of it in various forms.
The New Order Amish, for example, are completely against alcohol consumption. This subgroup of Amish emerged in the 1960s and wanted to promote more spiritual awareness and eliminate practices they saw as questionable, such as the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and bed courtship (bundling). The New Order Amish are the best-known Amish affiliation against alcohol.
However, other Amish groups, such as the Old Order Amish, allow alcohol consumption in moderation. The Old Order Amish is the most prominent sect of the Amish religious group and they are the largest population-wise. Since alcohol is mentioned in the Bible, they don't see any reason to prohibit it entirely. Some Old Order Amish people even make their own beers, ciders, and wines, and may drink alcohol at celebrations such as weddings.
The Swartzentruber Amish and Swiss Amish also consume alcohol, despite being considered very traditional and conservative groups.
The rules and attitudes surrounding alcohol vary between different Amish churches and communities, and of course, individual preference also plays a role. Some Amish drink alcohol in moderation, while others may abstain completely or only drink it for medicinal purposes, such as homemade dandelion wine to help with sleep.
During Rumspringa, a period when Amish youth are allowed greater freedom to explore the world outside their community, some Amish teens may experiment with alcohol, although this is not a universal practice and is not condoned by the Amish church.
While there is no unified rule on alcohol consumption across all Amish groups, the decision to drink or not drink is influenced by the community an Amish individual belongs to, as well as their personal and religious beliefs.
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The New Order Amish prohibit alcohol
The New Order Amish are a subgroup of the Amish that emerged in the 1960s, primarily in two regions: Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and Holmes/Wayne County, Ohio. They are known for their desire for clean" youth courting standards and their stance against the consumption of alcohol and tobacco.
The New Order Amish have a strong focus on community and family values, prioritizing the well-being and spiritual health of their members. They view alcohol as a harmful substance that can endanger an individual's well-being and potentially lead to sinful behaviour. This belief is reflected in their religious and church rules, known as the Ordnung, which outlines the expectations for Amish individuals to abstain from alcohol use.
The New Order Amish are more progressive than other Amish groups in terms of technology use, but they draw a hard line when it comes to alcohol consumption. They believe that maintaining a conservative stance on alcohol will appeal more positively to potential converts and help them spread their faith and participate in missions.
While the specific rules and beliefs may vary between different New Order Amish communities, the general consensus is that alcohol is prohibited. This prohibition extends to both medicinal and recreational use, with some groups even debating the use of alcohol for medicinal purposes.
The New Order Amish's stance on alcohol sets them apart from other Amish subgroups, such as the Old Order Amish, who generally allow alcohol consumption in moderation. The New Order Amish's strict avoidance of alcohol is an important factor in their identity and religious practices.
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The Old Order Amish allow alcohol in moderation
The Old Order Amish are considered the original division and the most prominent sect of the Amish religious group. They are the largest population-wise. In general, Old Order groups allow alcohol use in moderation. Since it was mentioned in the Bible countless times, they don't see any reason to prohibit it entirely. Some Old Order Amish people even make beers, ciders, and wines in their homes or barns. Unlike many English folks, however, most Old Order Amish drink alcohol on special occasions, such as weddings. No Old Order Amish member can be seen drinking alcohol in public places such as bars. They usually drink alcohol privately, like inside their homes, to avoid judgment due to the social stigma attached to alcohol use.
The Old Order Amish emerged mainly in two regions: Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and Holmes/Wayne County, Ohio. In Lancaster County, the New Orders wanted a lot more new stuff, but they also wanted to be a little bit more spiritual. In Holmes County, the New Orders wanted to be a lot more spiritual, but they also wanted a little more stuff.
The Old Order Amish and alcohol consumption vary among different communities and individuals. Some Amish drink alcohol in moderation, while others may abstain completely. Some Amish people drink alcohol for medicinal purposes, like homemade dandelion wine, while others may prohibit it altogether. Ultimately, the decision to drink alcohol or not is up to each Amish person and the community they belong to.
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Amish youth and alcohol
Alcohol consumption among the Amish varies depending on the community and individual preferences. While some Amish groups abstain from alcohol, others consume it in various forms, including homemade wine, beer, and hard liquor. This diversity in attitudes towards alcohol extends to Amish youth as well.
During Rumspringa, a period when Amish teenagers are allowed to experience life outside their strict religious rules, alcohol consumption is common. Many Amish youth experiment with drinking, and some even develop problems with alcohol abuse. This has led to concerns and interventions from parents and community leaders, who collaborate with law enforcement to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. Some communities have implemented supervised youth groups and alcohol education programs to address these issues.
The Swartzentruber Amish, a conservative group, are known to consume alcohol, and it is common to see their members purchasing cases of beer from grocery stores. On the other hand, the New Order Amish, a more progressive group, strictly forbid alcohol consumption as part of their religious beliefs.
While alcohol laws apply to driving buggies, there have been instances of Amish youth being charged with driving under the influence. Additionally, some communities have gained a reputation for Amish young people holding parties where alcohol is present, with Geauga County, Ohio, and northern Indiana being notable examples.
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Alcohol abuse in Amish communities
Alcohol abuse is not a significant issue in Amish society, but it does exist in some communities. While there is no centralised ban on alcohol consumption, some Amish communities are more accepting of it than others. The New Order Amish, for example, are completely against alcohol consumption, while the Swartzentruber Amish and Swiss Amish do consume alcohol.
Alcohol abuse is more prevalent among Amish youth, particularly during Rumspringa, a period when Amish teens are allowed to experiment and explore before committing to the Amish way of life. During this time, they may engage in heavy drinking and partying. Alcohol abuse among Amish youth has led to the creation of supervised youth groups and alcohol education programs in some communities.
Alcohol abuse can also occur among adults in the Amish community, although it is less common. Amish people who struggle with alcohol addiction can turn to their faith, as well as their brothers, friends, and elders for guidance and support.
Overall, while alcohol abuse exists in Amish communities, it is not as prevalent as it may be in wider society. The Amish do not have a drinking culture, and alcohol consumption is generally limited to wine or beer rather than hard liquor.
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Frequently asked questions
The Amish are not banned from drinking alcohol, but their consumption varies across communities. Some Amish groups are very plain and traditional and do not drink alcohol, while others are more open to technology and the outside world and are accepting of alcohol in various forms.
The Amish tend to drink beer, wine, and hard liquor. They also have a tradition of making their own homemade wines, such as dandelion wine and beet wine.
The New Order Amish are a subgroup of the Amish that do not condone alcohol consumption. They split away from the Old Order Amish in the 1960s due to differences in beliefs, including their stance on alcohol.
During Rumspringa, a period when Amish youth are allowed greater freedom to explore the world outside their community, some Amish teens may choose to drink alcohol. However, this practice is not universal and is not condoned nor encouraged by the Amish church.
