Did The Cheers Cast Really Drink Beer?

The cast of the hit TV series Cheers, which aired from 1982 to 1993, recently revealed that they were not drinking real beer during filming. George Wendt, who played Norm Peterson, a beer-loving barfly, shared that the cast drank flat, salty, non-alcoholic beer, also known as near beer, which had an alcohol content of around 3% and was enhanced with salt to create a foamy appearance. The revelation sheds light on the behind-the-scenes secrets of the beloved sitcom, which centred around a group of characters who frequented a bar in Boston.

George Wendt, who played Norm, drank flat beer

While George Wendt's character, Norm, was a beer lover, the actor himself was not a fan of the flat, salty, non-alcoholic beer he had to drink on set. Norm's hefty bar tab was a running gag on the show, and Wendt had to play the part of a beer enthusiast, despite his personal preferences.

Wendt shared his experience during a reunion panel, revealing that the non-alcoholic beer used on set was far from appealing. Due to the producers' preference for draft beer, the cast had to drink warm and flat beer with added salt to enhance the appearance of bubbles. The specific type of non-alcoholic beer they wanted was not available in kegs, so the cans were put into soda dispensers, causing the beer to go flat by the time it was used on-screen.

According to Wendt, pretending to enjoy the flat and salty drink required "some serious acting." He even wrote a book titled "Drinking With George: A Barstool Professional’s Guide to Beer," in which he references his experiences on the show. While Wendt shares an appreciation for beer with his character, he also noted some differences between them. For example, while Norm was ambivalent about his wife, Vera, Wendt actually likes his wife in real life. Additionally, Wendt mentioned that unlike Norm, he does get drunk when he drinks a lot of beer.

Despite the challenges of drinking flat beer on set, Wendt's portrayal of Norm earned him six Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. "Cheers" ran from 1982 to 1993 and became a successful sitcom, with Norm becoming a well-known and beloved character.

The beer was non-alcoholic

Wendt has expressed his dislike for the beverage, stating that pretending to enjoy it required "some serious acting". The term "near beer" typically refers to low- or non-alcoholic brews with less than 0.5% ABV. This term first appeared during Prohibition when brewers like Anheuser Busch and Pabst created low-alcohol beverages. While Wendt does enjoy beer in real life, he has also noted some differences between himself and his character, such as his relationship with his wife and his drinking habits.

Salt was added to the beer to improve its appearance

The beer consumed by the Cheers cast was not always real. In fact, the actors often drank flat, salty, non-alcoholic beer. During a reunion panel, George Wendt, who played Norm Peterson on the show, revealed that the beer was "near beer" – a low- or non-alcoholic brew with less than 0.5% ABV. To make the beer appear more appealing on screen, the props team added salt to the beer mugs. This simple trick enhanced the appearance of bubbles without the need for carbonation. The salt briefly formed a foam head when combined with the beer's carbon dioxide, creating the appearance of a traditional draft pour.

The use of salt in beer is a clever technique to improve its appearance, especially under the hot studio lights. By adding salt, the production team ensured that the beer maintained a frothy head, creating the illusion of a freshly poured drink. This was particularly important for Wendt's character, Norm Peterson, who was known for always having a beer in hand.

Wendt shared his experience during the panel, recalling that the beer was "warm and flat, and the prop man put salt into it". The result was a less-than-appetising concoction that Wendt described as "warm, flat, salty, non-alcoholic beer". Despite the unappealing taste, Wendt had to pretend to enjoy the drink, showcasing his acting skills.

The addition of salt to beer is a well-known practice, especially when dealing with low- or non-alcoholic beverages. By adding salt, the production team could ensure that the beer looked fresh and inviting on camera, even if it didn't taste as good as it looked. This attention to detail helped maintain the show's authenticity and immersive experience for viewers.

While the salt may have improved the beer's appearance, it did not enhance its flavour. In fact, Wendt revealed that the flat, salty drink was far from enjoyable. However, he had to make it seem like he was genuinely enjoying the beverage, showcasing his dedication to his craft. The use of salt in the beer is a testament to the show's commitment to creating a believable and engaging viewing experience, even if it meant the actors had to endure less-than-tasty drinks.

The beer was served from a soda dispenser

The beer served on the set of Cheers was far from appealing. While the actors were not drinking real beer, the non-alcoholic substitute was also unappetising. The show's producers wanted the fake beer to be served on tap, but the specific type they used wasn't available in kegs. Instead, the cans of generic non-alcoholic beer were put into soda dispensers. This process began long before filming, so the beer was flat by the time it was served on-screen.

The soda dispensers were used to serve the non-alcoholic beer, which was described as "near beer" by actor George Wendt, who played Norm Peterson on the show. "Near beer" typically refers to low- or non-alcoholic brews with less than 0.5% ABV, a term that first appeared during Prohibition when brewers created low-alcohol beverages.

To improve the appearance of the flat beer, the props team added salt to the mugs. This technique, according to Renegade Brewing, creates the illusion of carbonation by briefly forming a foam head when combined with the beer's carbon dioxide. The addition of salt enhanced the appearance of bubbles without the need for actual carbonation.

Wendt recalled that the beer was "warm and flat, and the prop man put salt into it", creating an unappealing combination. Despite the efforts to improve its appearance, Wendt described the acting required to pretend to enjoy the drink as "serious". The challenge of making the beer look appealing on screen highlights the creativity and attention to detail that went into producing the show.

The use of soda dispensers to serve the non-alcoholic beer was a practical solution to the production team's desire for draft beer. While it may have improved the appearance of the beer, the process of preparing it in advance resulted in a less-than-desirable beverage for the actors to consume during filming.

George Wendt wrote a book about beer

George Wendt, best known for his role as Norm Peterson on the classic television show Cheers, wrote a book titled "Drinking with George: A Barstool Professional's Guide to Beer." The book, published in May 2010, is part memoir and part humorous guide to beer, with Wendt sharing his own drinking adventures and exploring the cultural history of brews.

In "Drinking with George," Wendt invites readers to join him at the bar for a cold beer and a fun and frank discussion about his relationship with the beverage. He shares stories from his childhood in Chicago, including his first sip of beer, which was his grandfather's Bud, and recounts beer-fuelled adventures with his Cheers co-star Woody Harrelson and the U.S. Women's Synchronized Swimming Team.

The book also delves into the differences between lager, stout, and ale and offers tips on how to convert your partner into a beer lover. Wendt even provides advice on what to do when your beer is warm, and you want to drink it immediately.

Wendt's book is a celebration of beer and the good times, great stories, and trivia associated with it. It provides an insightful and entertaining look at the world of beer through the eyes of a self-proclaimed beer lover and one of television's most famous bar patrons.

While Wendt's character, Norm Peterson, was often seen with a beer in hand on Cheers, the actor himself was not a fan of the non-alcoholic beer used on set. In fact, he found it quite nasty and deserving of an acting award for pretending to like it. However, in real life, Wendt does share an appreciation for beer and has even stated that he likes to try new and different craft brews when he goes out.

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