Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States, is a teetotaler and has been open about his commitment to sobriety. In 2008, Biden said, There are enough alcoholics in my family. He has witnessed the effects of alcohol addiction on his family, including his brother, Frank, who is a recovering alcoholic, and his son, Hunter, who is an addict. Biden's uncle, who was a heavy drinker, and his daily commute home to his family in Delaware are also said to have contributed to his decision to abstain from alcohol.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Alcohol consumption | Does not drink alcohol |
Alternative drink | Orange Gatorade |
Reasons for not drinking | Family history of alcohol addiction |
What You'll Learn
Joe Biden's beer of choice
Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States, is a teetotaler and has committed to a life of sobriety. He has abstained from alcohol, unlike many of his predecessors. Biden has acknowledged the impact of alcohol addiction on his family, stating, "There are enough alcoholics in my family."
Biden's father, Joe Biden Sr., drank alcohol, but it was his mother's side of the family that suffered more severe effects of addiction. Biden's childhood friend, Tom Bell, recalled that the Finnegans, Biden's maternal family, "had more than their share" of alcoholics. Additionally, Biden's brother, Frank ("Frankie"), is a recovering alcoholic, and his son, Hunter Biden, has struggled with addiction to drugs and alcohol.
Given his family history and personal experiences, Biden has chosen to refrain from drinking alcohol. Instead, he is known to enjoy orange Gatorade, which is regularly kept in stock at his home.
Despite his sobriety, Biden has lent his name to a beer. In December 2020, Wilmington Brew Works released "Rail Car One: Wilmington to Washington," a Biden- and Amtrak-themed Northeast IPA. The beer features an Amtrak Acela train design on the can, along with a pair of aviator sunglasses similar to those favoured by Biden.
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Why Joe Biden doesn't drink alcohol
Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States, is a teetotaler. He abstains from alcohol, unlike 85.6% of Americans who admit to having tried it at some point in their lives.
Biden's decision to stay away from alcohol can be attributed to his family history. "There are enough alcoholics in my family," he said in 2008. While Biden's father, Joe Biden Sr., drank alcohol, it was his mother's side of the family that suffered more severe effects of alcohol addiction. Biden's childhood friend, Tom Bell, recalled that the Finnegans (Biden's mother's family) "had more than their share" of alcohol addiction.
Biden's younger brother, Frank ("Frankie"), is a recovering alcoholic. Additionally, Biden's son, Hunter Biden, has been open about his struggles with addiction to drugs and alcohol. He has been to rehab five times and continues to correspond regularly with his father, who has supported him through his journey to recovery.
Biden's personal experiences with addiction in his family have likely influenced his decision to maintain a life of sobriety. He has witnessed the impact of alcohol addiction on his loved ones and chooses to abstain from drinking himself.
Furthermore, Biden's daily commute home to his family in Delaware during his political career may have also contributed to his avoidance of the "boozy social circuits" that are common in political circles.
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Joe Biden's family history with alcohol
Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States, is a teetotaler. He abstains from alcohol, unlike many of his predecessors. Biden's commitment to sobriety is influenced by his family history with alcohol.
Biden's father, Joe Biden Sr., drank alcohol but was not an alcoholic. However, Biden's mother's side of the family, the Finnegans, had a more severe relationship with alcohol. According to Tom Bell, one of Biden's childhood friends, the Finnegans had more than their share of issues with alcohol.
Biden's uncle was a heavy drinker, which may have been a contributing factor in Biden's decision to abstain from alcohol. Additionally, Biden's brother, Frank ("Frankie"), is a recovering alcoholic.
Biden's son, Hunter Biden, has also struggled with addiction to drugs and alcohol. He has been candid about his addiction and has sought treatment multiple times, with the support of his brother, Beau. Hunter's addiction has been challenging, and he has credited his father, Joe Biden, with helping him through difficult times during his journey to recovery.
Biden's family history with alcohol has likely played a significant role in shaping his perspective on sobriety and his decision to abstain from alcohol.
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Joe Biden's preferred non-alcoholic drinks
Joe Biden is a teetotaler and has committed to a life of sobriety. He has abstained from alcohol due to the prevalence of alcohol addiction in his family. In 2008, Biden stated, "There are enough alcoholics in my family." He has witnessed the effects of alcohol addiction on his family members, including his father, his brother, and his son.
While Biden does not consume alcoholic drinks, he does have a preferred non-alcoholic beverage. He is known to enjoy orange Gatorade, which is regularly kept in stock at his home. This choice of drink is a stark contrast to his frequent political opponent, former President Donald Trump, who is an avid Diet Coke drinker.
In addition to orange Gatorade, Biden likely also consumes other non-alcoholic drinks, such as water, tea, or coffee. These beverages are common alternatives to alcohol and are often chosen by those who abstain from alcoholic drinks.
Biden's decision to abstain from alcohol is also influenced by his desire to stay out of boozy social circuits. By not drinking alcohol, he avoids the social pressure and potential negative consequences associated with drinking culture. This choice aligns with his commitment to a healthy and sober lifestyle.
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Other US presidents who don't drink alcohol
Joe Biden, the 46th president of the United States, is a teetotaller. He has abstained from alcohol, citing the impact of alcohol addiction on his family as a reason. Biden's father drank, and his brother, Frank, is a recovering alcoholic. Biden's son, Hunter, has also been open about his struggles with alcohol and drug addiction.
Biden is not the first US president to abstain from alcohol. In fact, he is the second president in a row to do so, following Donald Trump, who also did not drink. Trump's decision to abstain was influenced by his older brother's struggle with alcoholism.
In addition to Trump, several other US presidents throughout history have been teetotalers or notably avoided excessive drinking:
- William H. Harrison: He completely abstained from alcohol throughout his life.
- Zachary Taylor: He abstained from alcohol.
- Millard Fillmore: Fillmore was known for being health-conscious and neither smoked nor drank.
- Rutherford B. Hayes: Hayes was a teetotaler and did not allow smoking or drinking in the White House.
- William H. Taft: Taft was also a teetotaler, although he was known for eating a lot.
While these presidents chose to abstain from alcohol, it is worth noting that some of their counterparts had quite the opposite reputation, with heavy drinking being a common trait among several US presidents.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Joe Biden does not drink beer. He is a teetotaler and has been sober his whole life.
Joe Biden has said that he doesn't drink because there are "enough alcoholics in my family". Biden's father drank, and his brother, Frank, is a recovering alcoholic. Biden's son, Hunter, is also an addict.
Joe Biden's drink of choice is orange Gatorade.