The 80S: Beer, Wine, And The Drinking Age

The 1980s were a time of excess, and drinking culture was no exception. While the drinking age in the US was raised from 18 to 21 in 1984, this didn't stop underage drinking, which was reportedly rampant at the time. In the UK, the drinking age was 18, and it was common for underage drinkers to loiter outside off-licences, asking adults to buy alcohol for them. In the 80s, popular drinks included Long Island Iced Tea, White Zin, The Slippery Nipple, and Bartles & Jaymes Wine Coolers. Home brewing was also popular, with shops selling kits and catalogues dedicated to the hobby.

The rise of home brewing

The 1980s saw a boom in home brewing, with a variety of factors contributing to its rise in popularity.

In the UK, the 1980s home-brewing trend was an extension of the home-brewing boom of the 1970s, which was fuelled by a variety of factors, including the "Good Life" do-it-yourself trend and advertising campaigns. By 1978, it was estimated that there were more than 2 million home brewers in the UK.

In the US, the 1980s was an exciting period for beer lovers, with the craft beer scene gathering pace. While mainstream commercial brands like Budweiser, Miller, and Coors continued to dominate the market, more and more microbreweries were opening each year, and imported beers such as Corona were gaining popularity. By the end of the decade, there were over 100 microbreweries in the US, offering craft beer lovers more choices than ever before.

The rise of craft beer in the US can be attributed to a revived interest in home brewing in the early 1970s, along with a reduction in taxation for smaller brewers and the legalisation of home brewing across the country. Additionally, the acclaimed drink writer Michael Jackson published "The World of Beer" in 1977, which ignited the interest of American beer drinkers in different beer styles from around the world.

The 1980s also saw a shift in drinking culture, with an increase in the popularity of sweet and flashy drinks. Drinks like the Long Island Iced Tea, the Slippery Nipple, and Bartles & Jaymes Wine Coolers became hugely popular during this decade.

The drinking age was 18

In the 1980s, the legal drinking age in the US was 18, although this varied by state. In 1984, President Reagan passed a bill requiring states to raise their drinking age to 21. However, some states chose to maintain a drinking age of 18, including Wisconsin, New York, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, and Colorado.

During this time, it was relatively easy for minors to access alcohol. Underage individuals could often purchase alcohol from certain stores or bars without being carded, or by using fake IDs. Additionally, individuals of legal drinking age were often willing to purchase alcohol for minors. The 1980s also saw a rise in home brewing, driven by factors such as retro trends, economic considerations, and a desire to show off.

The drinking culture of the 1980s was characterised by sweet and flashy drinks. Popular cocktails included the Long Island Iced Tea, The Slippery Nipple, and the Alabama Slammer. Wine coolers, such as those offered by Bartles & Jaymes, were also trendy. Light beer gained traction during this decade, with major brands like Miller and Bud Lite leading the way.

The 1980s offered a unique drinking landscape, with a lower legal drinking age and a culture that embraced sweet and colourful cocktails. It was a time when drinking norms were more relaxed, and access to alcohol was more readily available to those below the legal drinking age.

Fake IDs were common

The process of creating fake IDs has also evolved over time. In the 80s, the lack of security features on driver's licenses made it relatively easy to alter these documents. Individuals could change their date of birth by simply removing the insert from the plastic pocket and replacing it with a modified version. The advent of Polaroid instant cameras also enabled the creation of more sophisticated fake IDs that duplicated the format of official IDs.

The culture of drinking in the 80s also played a role in the prevalence of fake IDs. There was a sense of nostalgia and excess associated with alcohol consumption during this decade. Sweet and flashy drinks were particularly popular, and drinking was often seen as a form of entertainment or escapism. This allure of drinking likely motivated underage individuals to go to great lengths to obtain fake IDs and gain access to bars and alcohol.

The consequences of underage drinking were also not as widely understood or enforced during this time. Drinking and driving, for example, was rampant in the 80s, and there were fewer laws and regulations in place to prevent it. The social norms and attitudes towards drinking were different, and there was less stigma associated with underage drinking. As a result, minors felt more emboldened to use fake IDs without fearing the potential repercussions.

Overall, the combination of varying drinking ages across states, lax ID checks, evolving fake ID creation methods, a glamorous drinking culture, and less stringent enforcement of underage drinking laws contributed to the common use of fake IDs in the 80s.

Bartles & Jaymes Wine Coolers

The brand became well-known for its folksy commercials, featuring the older gentlemen founders. Their distinctive advertising helped Bartles & Jaymes dominate the wine cooler market in the '80s. The drink was often associated with good times and relaxation, and was marketed as the perfect beverage for picnics, parties, and other social gatherings.

The wine coolers came in a variety of flavours, including watermelon, mint, ginger, lemon, grapefruit, green tea, cucumber, and lime. The use of real fruit flavours and wine created a unique and refreshing taste that became synonymous with the brand.

Drinking culture

The 1980s saw a rise in home brewing, with shops dedicated to the hobby springing up across the country. For those who didn't want to brew their own, the drink of choice was often sweet cocktails, with Long Island Iced Tea, The Slippery Nipple, and Alabama Slammer being popular options. These drinks were typically made with a combination of liquor, liqueurs, and juice, resulting in a powerful, sweet beverage.

Wine coolers, such as Bartles & Jaymes, were also a go-to choice for those looking for something a little less strong. These drinks were often marketed with folksy commercials that appealed to an older demographic. For those who wanted something lighter, beer was also widely consumed, with light beer gaining popularity towards the end of the decade.

The 1980s also saw a fascination with blue drinks, likely influenced by the movie *Blade Runner*, which depicted a futuristic world filled with bright, neon lights. Drinks like the Blue Lagoon, made with Blue Curacao, were popular choices to fit this trend.

Overall, the drinking culture of the 1980s was characterised by excess, with powerful, sweet drinks and flashy colours taking centre stage. It was a time when drinking norms were more relaxed, and creative, sugary cocktails were all the rage.

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