A quick review of our geography studies indicates the official start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere is June 21st. However, for many Jamaicans summer starts at the cessation of the school year, with the usual end-of-year examinations and traditional graduation ceremonies. For the 18+-year-old population, summer may be an indication of the beginning of the party season — and so, the parties begin and will continue all summer long. Unfortunately, there are some persons who have not attained their ‘adult status’ who end up attending some of these events and ultimately partaking in what would be considered adult entertainment experiences. I cannot begin to stress the importance of responsible drinking and service. Adult beverage manufacturers and distributors, event promoters, bar operators, bartenders and service staff all have the responsibility to protect the vulnerable from the effects of excessive drinking, even if they are of legal drinking age (+18YO), and underaged consumption of alcohol. Parents and guardians, you too must monitor your children or wards during this time of freedom and influence. This column has always encouraged the moderate consumption of alcohol, and we will continue to do so.

The positive attributes of alcohol have always existed along with the potential for alcohol abuse. The negative side of alcohol is as old as history, as was evident with the era of Prohibition (1919-1933), a period in United States history where the production and consumption of alcohol were illegal. One of the pillars of operational sustainability for the alcohol beverage industry is the active participation of promoting responsible drinking and service and the endorsement of this mantra. The responsible drinking message/tagline should never be used as a marketing ploy to subliminally promote alcohol brands.

For the bar or restaurant, the responsibility is twofold

• Alcohol is offered as a pleasurable addition to the dining or entertainment experience. Alcohol can have a relaxing effect on people; it creates a sense of camaraderie among friends; and wine or beer can enhance a meal by complementing the flavours of the foods being served.

• Just as important as encouraging guests to enjoy beverages, sellers and servers of alcohol are responsible for safeguarding their clientele from the unpleasant, and potentially dangerous, effects of excessive alcohol consumption.

Responsible Alcohol Service Should be Promoted Because:

• We can help to reduce the number of deaths and injuries in automobile accidents caused by drunk drivers.

• We protect not just our customers but our entire community.

• We protect the reputation of our own business.

• We protect our guests inside the bar — a loud or belligerent drunk at the next table can permanently impact a guest’s impression of a bar or restaurant, as can an employee who handles the situation badly.

• We protect our employees and the establishment itself from violating any alcohol consumption laws, lawsuit, negative publicity and financial strain on the business.

Responsible alcohol service means protection of your business and livelihood!

Human Physiology & Alcohol

• The form of alcohol found in liquor, beer and wine is ethanol, which is a form of drug. It is a tranquiliser.

• In moderate doses, ethanol can have beneficial effects of causing relaxation, stimulation of the appetite, heightening of pleasure, and providing a sense of euphoria. In larger doses, it becomes toxic — a form of poison.

• Alcohol is not digested by the body the same way foods are. Instead of entering the digestive system, it passes through the wall of the stomach or small intestine directly into the bloodstream. An alcoholic drink taken on an empty stomach empties itself into the blood stream within 20 minutes! If there is food in the stomach, the transfer is delayed, especially if the food contains fats such as cheese, meat, eggs and milk.

• Carbonated beverages (sodas) in the digestive system speeds up the transfer.

• As drinking continues, the concentration of alcohol in both bloodstream and brain increases. This diminishes inhibitions and judgement making the drinker less accurately perceptive of reality. As intoxication takes over the brain function, the alcohol impairs motor ability, muscular coordination, reaction time, eyesight, and night vision.

• Efforts to sober up, such as drinking coffee and soup, are pointless, as nothing can speed the liver up to break down the alcohol. The liver breaks down only ½ ounce of alcohol per hour! The rest of the alcohol will continue to circulate in the bloodstream.This means if you take one drink, the body can break down the ethanol. However, multiple drinks will cause alcohol to circulate through the bloodstream hours after being ingested.

• As alcohol dehydrates the body, it is recommended that drinkers consumer water before, during and after consumption.

• A drinker who is intoxicated is not fit to drive!

At the time of writing this article, I took a quick look at some of our leading adult beverage brands communication via Instagram regarding the responsible drinking platform. While all had the standard ‘Must be 18 years and older; Please drink responsibly’ tagline, I could only find posts actively encouraging responsible drinking on the @redstripe and @redstripecorporate page. Well, kudos to team Red Stripe and we look forward to seeing more posts from the other adult beverage players.

Frozen Summer Treats

Our photo highlights this week come to us from the bar and beverage team of the Half Moon Hotel.

So remember this summer, drink in moderation, drink responsibly, and do not drink and drive!

Readers’ Feedback:

Imagine if we embraced life’s moments big and small, without reservation. Together, we might fill the world with contagious joy. Please share with meyour wines, spirits and cocktail experiences or comments on the above article at debbiansm@gmail.com, or follow me on IG @debbiansm #barnoneja.

Debbian Spence-Minott

An Alumna of the US Sommelier Association

CEO of the Academy of Bartending, Spirits & Wines

President – Jamaica Union of Bartenders and Mixologists (JUBAM) Limited