Beer and Hockey: Nature or Nurture?

Very seldom in a discussion about adult recreational hockey does the topic of beer not arise. Especially here. Is it a natural fit between hockey and beer, or something that we’ve been taught. And if so, whose doing the teaching; parents, professionals, or those evil advertisers? (place tongue firmly in cheek)

While considering this subject I’ve read a lot of stats about alcohol ads. According to one site I visited alcohol producers spent $594 million on advertising in sports television programming in 2002. The percentage of that which went towards hockey, or what country this was in was not offered.

I watch hockey, a lot of hockey, and yes the majority is wrapped in advertisements from one of three major breweries, notably Molson, Labatt and Budweiser. Although I do believe that advertising works, especially sexy ads, I cannot convince myself that the culture of beer league hockey is created from brewery advertising. Ads may have been a portion of what taught me beer is socially acceptable, and lured me towards a particular brand, but there was no beer at any minor hockey league game I’ve been to, nor at any hockey equipment retail outlet, nor at any local arena I play in, nor at any professional arena where I watch hockey. In fact if I recall the greatest presence of advertising at all of these places, and subscribe to the theory that ads are responsible for my choices, then we would have a website called cokeleaguehockey.com.

Society taught me. “Drinking is a social habit that athletes acquire over the years spent in their sport. When the game is over, players, fans, friends, spectators and even the officials all retire to the only social centre most towns have-the bar.” Well, I play in a city, a metropolis, not a town, and there’s a bar certainly and a cafeteria where I play, and nearby there are juice bars, coffee shops, delicatessens but we usually don’t go there. Whether we’re too damn tired to move or don’t like to tip, whatever the reason, we just open the cooler in the dressing room.

Perhaps it’s a natural urge to supplement my body with calories, minerals and fluids after exercise. Well, fluids is a piss-poor argument (pun intended) since alcohol serves to further dehydrate the body. Alcohol is a depressant, so maybe it’s a craving from the system to ingest a relaxant to reduce the stress, tension and exertion of a physical game. Sounds like an excuse to me. And that’s pretty much my point.

There’s nothing wrong (in fact there’s probably a whole lot of good) with having a beer with the boys after a game. And it is certainly no one’s fault. What it is is a choice. When you look for reasons ask yourself why you are looking. Are you looking because you want to be more informed about your decisions, or are you looking for an excuse?

Don’t allow the argument of free will vs. determinism absolve you of fault. Take responsibility for your actions and your health. Cheers.