Fraternity Beer-Drinking Rituals: A Beginner's Guide

Drinking culture is a prominent aspect of fraternities, with research confirming that alcohol consumption within these institutions is significant. Fraternity members are known for their excessive drinking, and while some may view it as a mere college phase, others recognise the potential for alcohol abuse and intervention resistance within this culture. The availability of alcohol at fraternity events and the social pressure to partake contribute to the drinking habits of fraternity brothers. The cheap and easily accessible nature of beer, such as Keystone Light and Natural Light, further enables excessive consumption. While not all fraternity members drink excessively, the normalisation of heavy drinking within the fraternity culture raises concerns about potential alcohol-related consequences, including property damage, personal injury, memory loss, sexual assault, and expulsion.

Cheap beer

When it comes to drinking cheap beer, there are a few unwritten rules that frat members and their guests are expected to follow. Firstly, it is important to pre-game the party, especially if you don't like beer, as there will likely be a limited drink selection at the party. It is also recommended to bring your own drinks, such as liquor or wine in a water bottle, to supplement the cheap beer. Another rule is to never take a drink from someone you don't know, as you can't be sure what's in it or where it's been. It's also important to drink responsibly and pace yourself, as binge drinking and underage drinking are not condoned.

For those who are new to the frat party scene, it is worth noting that drinking cheap beer is often done as a group activity, and it is generally expected that you will drink with a friend or two to ensure everyone's safety. It is also important to be mindful of your surroundings and not fill your cup too full to avoid spilling on others. Expect that drinks will be spilled on you at some point, so choose your attire accordingly.

Finally, it is important to remember to never take your drink with you when you leave, as most states have open container laws. Leave your cup or bottle at the party, preferably in a trash can, to avoid any legal issues.

Beer brands

Beer is a staple of frat parties, but it's usually cheap, mass-produced lager. According to CoedMagazine.com, Budweiser (Bud Heavy) and Natural Light (Natty Light) are two of the most "frat-tastic" beers out there. Other popular brands include Bud Light, Miller, Keystone, Coors, and Yuengling. These beers are often chosen for their low price and wide availability.

In some regions, other brands may be more common. For example, in Southern California, Modelo and Corona are reportedly popular at frat parties. However, some consider these more expensive beers to be "too cheap" for large parties.

Regardless of the brand, the beer served at frat parties is typically chosen for its low cost and drinkability rather than its flavour or quality. It is also worth noting that drinking games and excessive consumption are often associated with the fraternity party culture, which can lead to dangerous levels of intoxication.

Beer preferences

Some fraternity members may also prefer international beers or those from independent brands. For instance, a member might opt for a beer like Stella Artois, which could indicate that they think of themselves as fancier than they are. Alternatively, a member might choose a beer like Brooklyn Lager, suggesting they are a creative artist.

The method of drinking beer is also important in fraternity culture. Shotgunning, for example, is a popular technique where a hole is poked in the bottom of the can, and the beer is quickly chugged. This method is said to get someone drunk faster than drinking at a normal pace.

While beer preferences among fraternity members can vary, the drinking of beer itself is often considered a key part of the frat party experience and can lead to excessive consumption. This has raised concerns about binge drinking and related issues on college campuses.

Beer pong

Setup

Arrange ten cups in a pyramid formation on each side of a table, usually about 8 feet long. The tip of the pyramid should face the centre of the table. You can use 16 or 18-ounce cups, and fill each with the desired amount of beer, or other alcohol. Typically, two 12-ounce beers are used to fill all ten cups, but you can adjust the amount depending on how much you want to drink. Place a water cup on each side for cleaning the balls.

Gameplay

Drinking

Once a ball lands in a cup, the cup is removed, and the opponent then drinks the contents of that cup. If the ball bounces off another surface before landing in the cup, two cups must be drunk. If a ball is still spinning inside a cup, it can be blown out or removed with a finger to invalidate the hit. As soon as a cup is hit, it should be drunk. If it is not emptied and is still on the table, and the opposing team hits that cup again, the game ends.

Winning

The team that successfully hits all of the opponent's cups wins the game. After the last cup is hit, the losing team gets a counter-attack, where each player gets to shoot again. If they both make their shots, the game continues; if they miss, the game ends. The winner of the game typically stays at the table and awaits the next challenger.

Drinking games

For larger groups, there's 78, a variation of Beer Pong that uses 78 cups and two cases of beer, with teams of 3-5 players. This game usually takes around 1.5-2 hours to play and is a great way to get everyone talking and having fun. Another drinking game that uses cups is Stack It Up, where players bounce a ball on the table and try to get it into a cup. If the player on the left gets the ball in before the player on the right, they slap the cup off the table and the other player has to drink.

In addition to these cup-based games, there are also card-based drinking games such as Kings Cup. Each card in the deck has a rule associated with it. For example, if a player draws an Ace, they must drink until the next player draws an Ace. A Queen means the player asks questions, and anyone who answers must drink until another Queen is drawn.

Frat parties also often feature a variety of beers, with some of the most popular including Budweiser (also known as Bud Heavy), Natural Light (Natty Light), Keystone Light, Bud, Miller, and Coors.

Frequently asked questions