Cheers Beer: What's On Tap In Boston's Favorite Bar?

Norm Peterson, played by George Wendt, was a popular character in the classic sitcom Cheers, known for always having a beer in hand. However, Wendt did not drink real beer during filming. Instead, he consumed near beer, a drink with a low alcohol content of around 3% and lots of added salt to keep a foamy head under the hot studio lights. This was necessary as multiple takes of each scene were required, and Wendt would have been unable to stand for long if he were drinking real beer. Despite this, Wendt still found the flat, salty drink unappealing, stating that pretending to like it was some serious acting.

Norm's beer was near beer with 3% alcohol and lots of salt

Norm Peterson, played by George Wendt, was one of the most popular characters on the classic sitcom Cheers. Norm was a beer-loving barfly, rarely seen without a beer in hand. However, the actor George Wendt was not drinking real beer. Instead, he was drinking "near beer", a drink with a very low alcohol content—approximately 3%—and lots of salt.

"Near beer" is a drink that has virtually no alcohol in it—less than half of one percent, according to one source. However, another source states that it has an alcohol content of 3.2%. This discrepancy may be due to different definitions of "near beer" or different formulations of the drink over time. Regardless, it is clear that "near beer" is a drink with a significantly lower alcohol content than regular beer.

The reason for using "near beer" on the set of Cheers was to ensure that the actors, especially George Wendt, who drank the most on-screen, were not actually getting drunk during filming. As one source explains, if the actors had been drinking real beer, they "probably would have been sprawled out under the bar by the time the director called 'That's a wrap.'"

The addition of salt to the "near beer" served a specific purpose. The salt helped to ensure that the beer stayed foamy under the hot studio lights. This was important for maintaining the illusion of real beer on screen. Without the salt, the beer would have looked flat and unappealing.

Despite the modifications, George Wendt did not enjoy the taste of the "near beer". In an interview with ESPN, he described it as "flat and salty", and said that pretending to like it required "some serious acting". This is especially notable given that Wendt is a self-proclaimed beer enthusiast, even writing a book on the subject titled Drinking With George: A Barstool Professional’s Guide to Beer.

The beer was modified to ensure it stayed foamy for taping

The cast of Cheers didn't drink real beer. The beer was modified to be "near beer", with a low alcohol content of 3% or 3.2% and a pinch of salt added to ensure it stayed foamy under the hot studio lights.

There are several reasons why a beer may become too foamy. One of the most common reasons is over-carbonation, which can occur due to temperature spikes during transportation and storage or mistakes at the brewery. If the beer is poured at the wrong temperature, foam builds up throughout the pour, and by the time it hits the back of the faucet, carbon dioxide is already expanding out of the solution, resulting in too much foam. This is why frosted glasses are not recommended as the frozen surface increases the release of CO2, making the beer too foamy.

Another cause of foam could be the length of the beer line. If the line is too short, the liquid will not be slowed enough and will pour out too quickly, causing foaming. The beer line should be between 5 and 6 feet in length for most beers, with variations depending on the style of beer. For example, a beer like Coors Light may require up to 7 feet of beer line.

Additionally, too much pressure can cause the beer to flow too fast, agitate the liquid, and result in excess foam. On the other hand, too little pressure can cause the dissolved CO2 to escape from the liquid, leading to gas bubbles in the beer lines or tap, and flat-tasting beer.

The cast drank carbonated iced tea or flat, non-alcoholic beer

The cast of Cheers drank carbonated iced tea or flat, non-alcoholic beer, also known as "near beer". George Wendt, who played Norm Peterson, a beer-loving barfly, did not drink real beer during the filming of the show. Norm's character was almost always seen with a beer in hand, and his hefty bar tab was a running gag throughout the show.

Wendt, who shares an appreciation for beer with his character, wrote a book called "Drinking With George: A Barstool Professional's Guide to Beer", in which he references Cheers. However, in an interview with ESPN, Wendt revealed that he had to drink fake beer for the show, which he did not enjoy. The non-alcoholic beverage was served from soda pop dispensers, as the specific type of fake beer the producers wanted was not available in kegs. By the time Norm drank it on-screen, the beer was flat. To improve its appearance, the props team added salt to the beer mugs to make the head frothy again.

"Near beer" has a very low alcohol content, ranging from less than 0.5% to 3.2% ABV. The addition of salt was necessary to ensure the beer stayed foamy under the hot studio lights. If the cast had been drinking real beer, they would likely have been intoxicated by the end of filming, making it difficult to deliver their lines and perform their roles effectively.

The bar in Cheers was based on a real bar in Boston

The Bull & Finch Pub was originally named after Boston-born architect Charles Bulfinch, who designed the U.S. Capitol and the Massachusetts State House, among other buildings. The pub became a well-known neighbourhood hangout, even before it gained fame as the inspiration for Cheers. In 1982, Boston magazine named it the best neighbourhood bar in the city.

In 1981, two writers and a director for the TV show "Taxi" began discussions for another sitcom set in a bar. They chose Boston as the location, as only five short-lived television shows had previously been set in the city, and East Coast pubs were known for being real neighbourhood hangouts. After seeing an ad in the Yellow Pages for the Bull & Finch Pub, the co-creators sent their set designer to take pictures, and they eventually visited the pub themselves to meet the owner and bartender. They agreed to use the pub's exterior for establishing shots for just $1.

While the interior of the Bull & Finch Pub did not resemble the bar in Cheers, the pub's menu was changed to feature characters from the show, with sections like "Sam's Starters," "Norm's Sandwiches," and "Diane's Entrees." The pub also added a ground-floor gift shop and bar that more closely resembled the on-screen depiction to capitalise on its newfound popularity with tourists. After the show ended, the bar retained its popularity, and a second outpost was opened nearby at Faneuil Hall in 2001, this time officially named "Cheers." The original Bull & Finch Pub was renamed "Cheers Beacon Hill" in 2002.

The bar in Cheers may have been based on a real Boston bar, but the beer that Norm drank was not real. It was "near beer," with an alcohol content of around 3 percent and a pinch of salt added to keep a foamy head under the hot studio lights.

George Wendt, who played Norm, wrote a book about beer

George Wendt, who played Norm Peterson on Cheers, wrote a book about beer called "Drinking with George: A Barstool Professional's Guide to Beer". The book, published in 2010, is part autobiography and part beer appreciation guide. In it, Wendt invites readers to join him for a beer at the bar as he shares stories from his life and career, as well as his knowledge of and love for beer.

Wendt's book is filled with hilarious and frank tales of his imbibing adventures, including his first sip of beer as a child in Chicago and a beer-fuelled impromptu performance with Woody Harrelson and the U.S. Women's Synchronized Swimming Team. He also provides answers to important questions such as the difference between lager, stout, and ale, how to convert your partner into a beer lover, and what to do when your beer is warm.

"Drinking with George" offers a fun and lighthearted approach to beer and the life of George Wendt. It is a must-read for fans of the actor, beer enthusiasts, and anyone looking for an entertaining and informative read.

Norm's character on Cheers was often seen with a beer in hand, although it was revealed that the beer he drank on the show was not real. It was "near beer," with a low alcohol content of around 3% and a pinch of salt added to maintain a foamy head under the studio lights. Despite this, Wendt's portrayal of Norm as a beer lover was so convincing that it seemed like a natural fit for him to write a book about his relationship with beer.

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