Europeans consitiute 12 and a half per cent of the world's population but consume 50 per cent of the recorded world production alcohol, and this consumption plays a significant role in the cultural, religious, and social identites of these countrise. The contributors show how different groups define the proper use of alcohol, how State policies may effect drinking behaviour, and highlight how beverages and comestibles must be seen in relation to each other. From this is it shown how importamt socio-cultural distinctions are made between and within communities, gender relations, ethnic groups,...