tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738527488860615106.post28227542107785669..comments2024-03-19T00:52:11.537-07:00Comments on Beervana Buzz: ER Stats and the Ethics of High Octane BeerUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738527488860615106.post-14441019372585572762013-08-27T10:36:51.025-07:002013-08-27T10:36:51.025-07:00I doubt there's a workable legal remedy. That&...I doubt there's a workable legal remedy. That's why I think it's an ethical question. Is it ethical to sell 12% beer packaged in giant cans and bottles in poor urban surroundings? I don't think it is. But, of course, there are no ethics in business or politics, so there's no solution in sight. Oh well. A can of Colt Blast will help me forget about it.Pete Dunlophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17456380762400522665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738527488860615106.post-11411381679129984922013-08-27T09:42:12.729-07:002013-08-27T09:42:12.729-07:00I wouldn't frame it as an ethical issue: I'...I wouldn't frame it as an ethical issue: I'd frame it as a legal one. Recognizing that alcohol is legal, what's the public policy solution to reducing alcohol poisoning visits at the ER? I don't see an easy answer. You could pass a law that limits malt beverage percentages to 6%. But then people would either just drink more of those beers or look for cheap, high-alcohol substitutes--which probably means cheap liquor.<br /><br />I lived in Salt Lake City when the law placed a hard cap on beer at 4% (3.2% abw). It may well have resulted in lower rates of beer-related alcohol poisoning at hospitals. But lower alcohol poisoning? And at what cost? You essentially make all but a few styles of beer illegal, penalizing brewers and beer drinkers just to try to guard against something that, alcohol being legal, you probably can't much effect.<br /><br />This is why public policy is hard.Jeff Alworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02930119177544342495noreply@blogger.com