It all began on board ships that were bringing the first Europeans to America back in the 1600s. Alcohol was a very popular drink and was considered a necessity. Water could not always be trusted to be safe. And when onboard a ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean for a long period of time, fresh water can run out quickly. Back in Colonial times, there were no refrigerators. In fact, electricity would not be invented for several hundred years. Milk would spoil very quickly. Tea and Coffee needed to be imported from Europe. Alcohol, however, could be easily made without a big hassle.
People considered alcohol to be very important. They felt that it prevented many diseases and could even cure them. Children were sometimes even given alcohol to drink. …
