Blue Bloods Beer: What's Their Favorite Brew?

The Reagan family in CBS's Blue Bloods has a tradition of gathering for a weekly meal, where they are often seen drinking beer. However, it is worth noting that the actors are not actually consuming alcohol during these scenes. In an interview with People, Donnie Wahlberg revealed that the beer is usually just water, and the wine is grape juice. Despite this, the show has featured real alcoholic beverages in certain episodes, such as the Westchester lager from Yonkers Brewing Company.

The beer bottles are from Yonkers Brewing Company

The Reagan family in CBS's "Blue Bloods" has meals together every week, where the adults are often seen sipping on beer. However, the actors are not actually drinking beer, and the bottles used are merely props. In a recent episode, eagle-eyed viewers spotted Tom Selleck, who plays NYC Police Commissioner Frank Reagan, sipping from a beer bottle that looked familiar. It turned out to be the lager from Yonkers Brewing Company, a Westchester brew.

The Yonkers Brewing Company's beers have made cameo appearances in over a dozen episodes of "Blue Bloods" thanks to a chance encounter. Their sales manager, Dana Higgins, met the show's prop master at the now-closed Beer Noggin in Bronxville in 2016. Higgins shared his love for the Westchester-made beer, and the rest is history. Owner John Rubbo recalled the thrilling experience:

> "Next thing we knew, we were invited to the show's set in Brooklyn, bringing along a few cases of our beloved brew... We embarked on a thrilling tour of the studio and sets, leaving behind our beer with hopes that it might make a cameo appearance. Lo and behold, it not only appeared but became a regular on the show!"

The Yonkers Brewing Company's lager and IPA have both made appearances on the show, adding a touch of local flavor to the Reagan family dinners. While the actors may not be drinking actual beer, the Yonkers Brewing Company's beers have certainly earned their spot on the "Blue Bloods" dinner table.

The actors drink water, not beer

The cast of CBS's "Blue Bloods" has a tradition of the Reagan family gathering for a meal and drinks in each episode. The actors on the show are not actually drinking beer, despite how it may appear on screen. In fact, the actors are drinking water, as revealed by Donnie Wahlberg in a tweet. The bottles are generic brown bottles, and the actors are not drinking beer for hours on end, as that would be "hazardous" according to doctors.

The Reagan family's drinks of choice are often wine and spirits, such as whiskey or scotch. However, the actors are not consuming alcohol during these scenes. Donnie Wahlberg confirmed this in an interview with People, stating that the "wine" is actually grape juice, and the "scotch" is iced tea, typically decaffeinated to prevent the actors from becoming over-caffeinated.

The use of fake drinks is a common practice in film and television to ensure that performers can remain capable of acting during drink-related scenes without becoming intoxicated. This allows the actors to maintain their focus and deliver their performances effectively.

While the actors may not be drinking real alcohol, the brands of alcoholic beverages featured on the show have gained attention from fans. For example, the fictional brand "Finnerty's 18" scotch, featured as Frank Reagan's drink of choice, has inspired an Instagram account dedicated to liquor. This blurs the line between fiction and reality, creating a sense of authenticity for viewers.

The actors' commitment to their roles, including their drinking scenes, contributes to the overall appeal and success of "Blue Bloods." By utilising water and other non-alcoholic substitutes, the cast is able to maintain their professionalism while still portraying realistic family dinners.

The actors drink grape juice, not wine

While the Reagan family on CBS's "Blue Bloods" is often seen drinking beer, wine, and spirits, the actors do not consume alcohol during filming. In an interview with People, Donnie Wahlberg confirmed that the "wine" the actors drink during the dinner scenes is actually grape juice.

The Reagans' drinking habits have been a source of curiosity for fans of the show, with some noticing a shift from hard liquor in the early seasons to beer, and eventually, no alcohol at all. However, as one source points out, the Reagan family is religious, and their drinking habits reflect real-life fluctuations in alcohol consumption.

The beer brand featured on the show, Finnerty's 18, is fictional, but the Yonkers lager and IPA from the Yonkers Brewing Company have made cameo appearances in over a dozen episodes. This came about due to a chance encounter between the brewery's sales manager and the show's prop master at a bar in 2016.

While the actors may not be drinking actual alcohol, the dinner scenes are still a highlight for the cast. Tom Selleck, who plays Frank Reagan, shared that these scenes are "the most fun to film" because the cast gets to "tell stories, laugh, and share their points of view." The cast members also enjoy the opportunity to catch up with each other, as ensemble series often involve long periods without seeing fellow cast members.

Despite the light-hearted atmosphere, filming these scenes can be challenging. Selleck notes that shooting an eating scene takes a full day, and the cast must eat the same food repeatedly to get all the necessary shots. The food is real but mildly seasoned to avoid overwhelming the cast members' taste buds.

The actors drink iced tea, not scotch

The actors on CBS's police drama "Blue Bloods" do not drink actual beer, scotch, or whiskey on set. In an interview with People, Donnie Wahlberg, who plays Danny Reagan on the show, revealed that the actors drink iced tea instead of scotch. He said, "Someone asked me if we get drunk because we have a lot of wine during the dinner scene, but, sadly, it’s just grape juice. Sorry, guys. And 'Scotch' is iced tea. I think they give us decaffeinated or we’d be bouncing off the walls."

Wahlberg also confirmed this on Twitter when a fan asked what was in the beer bottles. He replied, "Water, usually." This is a common practice in filmmaking to avoid actors becoming drunk on set, which, as doctors note, would be "hazardous" if done 22 times a season for 11 years.

The Reagan family's drinking habits have varied throughout the show's run. In the earlier seasons, they were often seen enjoying glassfuls of scotch and whiskey, while in later seasons, they switched to beer, and more recently, there has been less focus on alcohol consumption. This has led some fans to question whether there was pressure from anti-drinking groups. However, the show's religious portrayal of the Reagan family, including their tradition of saying grace at dinner, may also influence their drinking habits.

While the actors drink iced tea, the brand of scotch seen on the show is Finnerty's 18, which is fake. The prop master for "Blue Bloods" suggested that fans try Lagavulin 16-year-old single malt instead. The Yonkers Brewing Company's lager and IPA have also made cameo appearances in the show due to a chance encounter their sales manager had with the prop master in 2016.

The Reagan family's alcohol consumption varies

In reality, the actors are not consuming alcohol during filming. Donnie Wahlberg, who plays Danny Reagan, revealed on Twitter that the bottles of beer usually contain water. Similarly, the wine bottles contain grape juice, and the scotch is actually iced tea. This is done to prevent the actors from becoming intoxicated during long shoots and to maintain their ability to act.

Despite the absence of real alcohol, the beer brand featured on the show is very much real. Yonkers Brewing Company's lager and IPA have made cameo appearances in over a dozen episodes. This came about due to a chance encounter between the brewery's sales manager and the show's prop master at a bar in 2016.

While the actors may not be partaking in the real deal, the Reagan family's drinking habits, whether it's beer, wine, or liquor, remain a notable aspect of the show, adding a touch of realism to their family dinners and serious conversations.

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