Countries all over the world have different relationships with alcohol. From the UK where technically its illegal to be drunk in a pub to completely dry countries such as Saudi Arabia. Every country has its own set of laws to ensure that people consume consume alcohol sensibly. Or if they can’t be sensible at least make sure they don’t wreck the place! We had a look at some of the weirder laws around alcohol from around the world and why they exist.
Anyone familiar with Absinthe will be able to tell you just how potent it can be. While typically between 45% and 75% ABV, most good Absinthe’s come in north of 60%. It wasn’t just its potency which caused it to be banned across the world. The primary reason was a chemical compound called thujone. Once thought to be a hallucinogenic It was long thought to be responsible for seizures and muscle spasms from its presence in the drink.
Thujone is present in wormwood, one of absinthe’s many botanicals and while it toxic in high quantities we now know that the quantities in absinthe are no where near the level to make it dangerous for consumption. It is, however, regulated to ensure that it remains safe.
That being said, Absinthe still illegal in countries like Vanatu. While legal in Norway Absinthe is only allowed to be sold by the state-run Vinmonopolet and as there is a national law prohibiting sales of alcohol over 60% ABV you won’t find a good Absinthe there. That case remains true in Sweden also who only sell strong liquor through the state run Systembolaget, though there is no ABV ceiling, so you might find a higher quality Absinthe there.
Countries that Banned Absinthe and when it was Unbanned.
This seemingly weird law prohibiting giving alcohol to moose in Fairbanks, Alaska, has its roots in a notorious real-life incident. In the late 1970s, a moose famously got drunk after consuming fermented fruit in Fairbanks. The moose, affectionately known as “Buzzwinkle,” became heavily intoxicated and caused chaos in the town, stumbling around, knocking things over, getting entangled in Christmas lights and generally causing mayhem.
If it wasn’t apparent before, it certainly became apparent afterwards that drunken moose could be dangerous—not only to themselves but to the public as well. If you’ve never encountered a moose in real life, they are not small creatures. A Male “bull” moose can weigh over half a ton and reach nearly 7 feet tall, so a boozy moose is a dangerous thing! In response, local authorities took action, and it became illegal to intentionally give alcohol to a moose, and for good measure they added the clause applying to any other wildlife.
Despite it’s amusing origins this law is a genuine attempt at keeping people and moose-kind safe.
In Scotland, there exists an unusual law that prohibits being in charge of a cow while intoxicated. This quirky regulation, rooted in the Licensing Act of 1872, serves as a reminder that even livestock require responsible handling. A Victorian-era piece of legislation that aimed to curb public drunkenness and its potential consequences, it still remains part of Scotland’s legal framework. Although most people today associate this law with livestock, it actually encompasses more than just cows—it also covers horses, steam engines, and even carriages. However, Cattle is specifically mentioned in the legislation so it must have its origins in an area of concern.
While this may seem like an early attempt at a drink driving law, and amusing as it might seem today, the law was taken quite seriously at the time. A drunk person herding cattle could easily cause a stampede or lose control of the animals, leading to accidents, injuries, or property damage. Similarly, someone drunk in charge of a horse-drawn carriage or, later, a steam engine, could create chaos on the roads or railways.
This law technically still applies in Scotland today. This means that if you were, say, walking your cattle home from the pub after a few too many pints, you could still be prosecuted. Not that people tend to drive around in steam engines and herd cattle through the streets that often these days. The legislation is still significant today and laid the foundation for modern laws that regulate public intoxication and alcohol consumption. There’s just a few left over quirks that remain to this day.
For over 74 years, Iceland held a rather peculiar stance on beer: it was illegal to sell it. While initially all alcohol sales were banned, the law was relaxed to allow wine and spirits but still kept beer off, which was viewed as a gateway to excessive drinking. Beer was uniquely singled out as a vice that promoted a culture of heavy drinking.
This led to a thriving black market for beer, where many Icelanders would resort to smuggling it from neighbouring countries, especially during the summer months when they would travel abroad.
By the late 1980s, attitudes toward alcohol consumption had changed significantly. The Icelandic public grew increasingly frustrated with the absurdity of the beer ban, especially given that wine and spirits were readily available. The argument that it led to heavier drinking was becoming less convincing and the public had had enough.
On March 1, 1989, the ban on beer was finally lifted, marking a significant cultural shift for the country. This day is now celebrated annually as Beer Day, a national holiday where Icelanders raise a glass to commemorate the end of this long-standing prohibition. Today, Beer Day is a time of festivity, with bars and breweries offering special promotions, events, and tastings, celebrating the newfound freedom to enjoy beer openly.
That’s right, and this isn’t a quirky old law that remains enforced as time has passed. This law was introduced in 2010! The law itself is actually a little more general than that, the law actually relates to the sale of Alcohol and Caffeine together. Officials from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare observed the changes in behaviour and drinking habits caused by mixing alcohol and caffeine and took steps to control it.
Officials noticed that the stimulating effects of caffeine could lead to a false sense of sobriety, prompting partygoers to push the limits on their drink intake. The primary issue arises from the fact that caffeine is a stimulant, while alcohol is a depressant. When consumed together, the stimulating effects of caffeine can mask the sedative effects of alcohol, leading individuals to underestimate their level of intoxication.
We’re always on the phone, emails and social media ready to take your questions, orders or offer advice and services whenever you need it.
8:30am - 7pm open 7 days a week, inc bank holidays.
North West
Email