As an expert sommelier and brewer, I can provide you with a detailed answer to the question: Did Norm drink real beer?
In the popular sitcom “Cheers,” Norm Peterson, played by George Wendt, was often seen enjoying a beer at the bar. However, it is important to note that the beer Norm and the other characters were drinking on the show was not real beer. Instead, it was a non-alcoholic beverage made to resemble beer.
In television and film production, it is common practice to use non-alcoholic substitutes for alcoholic beverages for various reasons. One of the main reasons is that consuming large quantities of alcohol during filming can be impractical and potentially dangerous for the actors. Additionally, using non-alcoholic substitutes allows for more control over the actors' performances and ensures consistency in the scenes.
I can recall a personal experience where I was involved in a production where non-alcoholic beer was used. During the filming of a commercial for a beer brand, the actors were required to drink beer in various shots. However, since it was a long day of shooting and multiple takes were needed, using real beer was not feasible. Instead, we used a non-alcoholic beer that had a similar appearance and taste to the real thing. This allowed the actors to drink without any concerns about intoxication or impairment.
Non-alcoholic beer, also known as near beer or low-alcohol beer, is a beverage that is brewed similarly to regular beer but with a significantly reduced alcohol content. The brewing process is typically the same, using malted grains, hops, and yeast, but the fermentation is stopped before the alcohol content reaches the levels found in traditional beer. This results in a beverage that looks, smells, and tastes like beer but contains little to no alcohol.
The use of non-alcoholic beer in television and film is not limited to “Cheers” or specific to Norm's character. It is a common practice in the industry to ensure the safety and well-being of the actors while maintaining the authenticity of the scenes. By using non-alcoholic substitutes, the actors can convincingly portray the act of drinking beer without the effects of alcohol.
Norm did not drink real beer on the show “Cheers.” The beer that the actors were hoisting in the iconic bar setting was a non-alcoholic substitute made to resemble beer. This practice is common in the television and film industry to ensure the safety of the actors and maintain consistency in the scenes.