The Beer-Drinking Bear: Fact Or Fiction?

Bears drinking beer is not a common occurrence, but there have been several instances of this happening. In one notable incident, a black bear was found passed out on the lawn of a campground in Washington due to drinking a 36-pack of beers. The bear had a preference for Rainier Beer over Busch Beer and returned the next day for more. This incident sparked a discussion about whether beer attracts bears and if campers need to be concerned about this attraction. While beer may attract bears due to its odour, experts advise that following standard bear-safety practices is sufficient to mitigate the risk of bear encounters.

Bears have been known to drink beer, with one instance of a black bear drinking 36 beers

Bears are attracted to the smell of open beer, and they are known to be attracted to fermenting fallen apples, with reports of the animals getting drunk on the fruit. They have also been observed biting into closed aluminum cans, having learned that they often contain food or drink. While there are no reports of bear attacks triggered by beer, campers are advised to follow standard bear-safety advice when drinking in bear country: choose a clean, open campsite that is away from trails and streams; do your drinking at least 100 feet away from your tent, and preferably downwind; use a bear barrel or build a food cache; and keep all smelly items stashed away when not in use.

In the case of the black bear at Swift Creek Campground, the bear was so drunk that it couldn't walk straight and climbed a tree to take a nap. Park officials tried to chase the bear away, but it was too intoxicated to find its way out of the campground. The bear eventually woke up several hours later and was safely removed by rangers.

The bear returned the next day, but this time the wildlife officials were prepared. They set a trap baited with donuts, honey, and two open cans of Rainier Beer, and successfully lured and captured the bear, relocating it for a second time. The story of the beer-drinking bear went viral on social media, although no video of the incident was ever taken.

Beer is not the only human food bears have been known to eat

While the story of a bear drinking 36 beers and passing out on a lawn is amusing, it is important to remember that beer is not the only human food that bears have been known to eat. Bears are attracted to a variety of human foods and can be very resourceful when it comes to finding something to eat. They have been known to bite into closed aluminum cans, knowing that they often contain food or drinks. Bears also have a sweet tooth and are attracted to honey and donuts, as seen in the case of the beer-drinking bear, which was lured with these treats.

In addition to beer, bears have been known to drink other alcoholic beverages such as wine and liquor. There are reports of bears licking whiskey, wine, and beer droplets from unwashed bottles in recycling facilities. They have also been known to get drunk on fallen, fermenting apples in orchards. While it would take a large number of apples to make a bear even slightly tipsy, the alcohol content can still have an effect on their behavior.

Bears are also attracted to a variety of other human foods. They have been known to raid campsites and coolers in search of food, and will eat whatever they can find. This can include leftover food, open food containers, and even toiletries and cosmetics. They are also attracted to strong-smelling foods, such as fish, and will go to great lengths to get their paws on a tasty treat.

Bears are curious and intelligent creatures, and their sense of smell is extremely powerful. This means that they can easily track down food sources, even if they are well-hidden. As a result, it is important for people who live in areas with bear populations to take precautions to avoid attracting bears. This includes properly storing food and garbage, and being bear-safe when camping or spending time in bear country.

Overall, while the story of a beer-drinking bear is certainly entertaining, it is important to remember that bears are attracted to a wide variety of human foods and will go to great lengths to get their paws on a tasty treat. So, if you're looking to avoid any bear encounters, it's best to keep your food securely stored and out of reach!

Bears have been known to drink alcohol besides beer, including liquor

Bears have been known to drink alcohol, and not just beer. While there are several accounts of bears drinking beer, they are also known to consume liquor.

In a particularly amusing incident, a black bear was found passed out on the lawn of the Swift Creek Campground in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest due to drinking a 36-pack of beers. The bear had a clear preference for Rainier Beer, leaving all the Busch Beer cans untouched. This bear returned the next day for more, but was safely trapped and relocated by wildlife officials.

However, bears have also been known to drink liquor. In Michigan, there are occasional reports of drunken bears that have indulged in abandoned apple orchards, getting wasted on vinegary-fermented apples. Additionally, there are reports of bears in Anchorage raiding recycling facilities to lick whiskey, beer, and wine remnants from unwashed bottles.

Bears are attracted to the smell of alcohol, and anything with a scent is considered "food" to them. This includes canned goods, bottles, drinks, and even cosmetics. They have been observed biting into closed aluminum cans, knowing they often contain edibles. While beer may not be the primary attractant in bear attacks, it is still advisable to follow standard bear-safety practices when camping, such as storing food and drinks securely away from your campsite.

So, while bears are mostly known for their love of honey, they have been known to indulge in a variety of alcoholic beverages, including beer and liquor, when given the opportunity.

Bears can get drunk on honey

While it is uncommon, there have been instances of bears drinking beer. In one instance, a black bear was found passed out on a campsite lawn due to drinking 36 beers. However, it is important to note that bears can also get drunk on naturally occurring substances.

In 2022, a brown bear cub in Turkey appeared to be intoxicated after consuming a large amount of a substance called "mad honey," which has psychoactive elements. This honey contains neurotoxins known as grayanotoxins, which can cause poisoning and intoxication when ingested. While deaths from consuming this type of honey are rare, it can cause irregular heartbeats and other health issues.

Mad honey is produced when bees pollinate rhododendron flowers, which contain grayanotoxins. This type of honey is the most expensive in the world and is known for its bitter, sharp taste. It has been used for centuries in various parts of the world for its medicinal properties, including as an aphrodisiac and a treatment for gastrointestinal disorders.

While it is unclear if bears can get drunk from consuming regular honey, they are certainly attracted to sweet substances. This is why it is important to take precautions when camping or picnicking in bear country. All food, including leftovers, containers, and utensils, should be stored securely and disposed of properly to avoid attracting bears and other wildlife.

In summary, while bears may be attracted to the smell of beer and other sweet substances, they can also get drunk on naturally occurring substances like honey. When spending time in bear country, it is crucial to follow safety guidelines to avoid negative encounters with these fascinating creatures.

Beer is not the only drink that can attract bears

While beer is certainly one drink that can attract bears, it is not the only one. Bears are attracted to pretty much anything with a strong odour and calories that can be digested. This includes toiletries and cosmetics, as well as food and drink.

Stephen Herrero, a Professor Emeritus at the University of Calgary and the author of Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance, states that "pretty well anything that has an odour and digestible calories, bears will be attracted to". This includes toiletries and cosmetics, as well as food and drink. Bears have been known to get drunk on fermented apples in orchards and, according to Herrero, are attracted to fermenting fallen apples. There have also been reports of bears in Anchorage recycling facilities licking beer, wine, and whiskey from unwashed bottles.

Bears are also attracted to honey, and this was used to lure and trap a bear that had drunk 36 beers at a campground in Washington State. The bear was initially found passed out on the lawn of the Swift Creek Campground, having drunk a large quantity of beer. The bear returned the next day, and park rangers successfully lured it into a trap using donuts, honey, and two open cans of Rainier Beer.

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