What Did They Actually Drink? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Family Ties Forever! · 08-20-2011, 01:57 PM

I know they pretended to drink beer, but what did they actually drink? Was it apple juice or iced tea?

Marvo301 · 08-22-2011, 07:12 PM

Most sources on the internet indicate that they drank "near beer" which is beer with little or no alcohol in it. Some sources say they put sea salt in it to make it foam up like real beer. It doesn't sound like something enjoyable to drink. If it makes you feel better according to writer Ken Levine "the Heineken's in the writers room were real"!

704Hauser · 09-10-2011, 10:43 AM

Imagine how George Wendt must have felt! It's probably the only thing he doesn't miss about his days on Cheers!

ajgenard · 09-23-2011, 07:06 AM

I'll second what Marvo said. A few years ago I read an official Cheers companion book that was published somewhere between the 4th and 5th seasons. In the chapter on George Wendt/Norm he says they started off with only the near-beer but it was quickly realized near-beer foam didn't show on camera.

So they put salt in the bottom of the glasses to give it a bigger head when poured out of the tap. And he did in fact note how terrible it tasted by making a quip like "people who think TV is all glamor have never had to drink this."

McGillicuddy · 09-23-2011, 01:44 PM

On the other hand, everybody appeared to be drunk when the cast appeared in front of the real Cheers Bar in Boston on The Tonight Show, the night the finale was telecast!

Marvo301 · 09-23-2011, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markway895

On the other hand, everybody appeared to be drunk when the cast appeared in front of the real Cheers Bar in Boston on The Tonight Show, the night the finale was telecast!

They were obviously drinking real alcohol that night!

704Hauser · 09-23-2011, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markway895

On the other hand, everybody appeared to be drunk when the cast appeared in front of the real Cheers Bar in Boston on The Tonight Show, the night the finale was telecast!

Is that on YouTube? I'd like to watch it once I get to the end of the series (currently watching S6), but I've got a feeling my local network that airs Cheers won't re-run it when the time comes around

McGillicuddy · 09-24-2011, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 704Hauser

Is that on YouTube? I'd like to watch it once I get to the end of the series (currently watching S6), but I've got a feeling my local network that airs Cheers won't re-run it when the time comes around

On the evening of the Cheers finale, The Tonight Show was broadcast live from Boston in front of the real Cheers bar. Ted, Woody, Rhea, Kelsey, John, and George all appeared. It wasn't a part of Cheers, itself, but it sure would have made a nice "extra" on the dvd set.

08-20-2011, 01:57 PM	#1
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	What Did They Actually Drink? I know they pretended to drink beer, but what did they actually drink? Was it apple juice or iced tea?
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08-22-2011, 07:12 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	Most sources on the internet indicate that they drank "near beer" which is beer with little or no alcohol in it. Some sources say they put sea salt in it to make it foam up like real beer. It doesn't sound like something enjoyable to drink. If it makes you feel better according to writer Ken Levine "the Heineken's in the writers room were real"!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

09-10-2011, 10:43 AM	#3
704Hauser Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 08, 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 366	Imagine how George Wendt must have felt! It's probably the only thing he doesn't miss about his days on Cheers!
	__________________ Who's that riding in the sun? Who's the man with the itchy gun? Who's the man who kills for fun? Psycho Dad, Psycho Dad, Psycho Dad.

09-23-2011, 07:06 AM	#4
ajgenard Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 09, 2011 Location: PA Posts: 369	I'll second what Marvo said. A few years ago I read an official Cheers companion book that was published somewhere between the 4th and 5th seasons. In the chapter on George Wendt/Norm he says they started off with only the near-beer but it was quickly realized near-beer foam didn't show on camera. So they put salt in the bottom of the glasses to give it a bigger head when poured out of the tap. And he did in fact note how terrible it tasted by making a quip like "people who think TV is all glamor have never had to drink this."

09-23-2011, 01:44 PM	#5
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	On the other hand, everybody appeared to be drunk when the cast appeared in front of the real Cheers Bar in Boston on The Tonight Show, the night the finale was telecast!