Ever since I can remember I grew up in the beer industry. From a young age, I was wearing Budlight shirts and hats that were too big for me. I was so little I didn't even know what beer actually was or the fact that alcohol and beer were even related. When I heard adults speaking of alcohol I never thought of it as a negative connotation because it was so popular.
The beer distributors gave so much to each town, jobs, sponsors for stadiums, tap in restaurants, clothing and threw major events. In the beer distributor that I grew up in, they had a large garden in the back for all the employees to use whenever they pleased. They always donated plenty of clothing and floats for parades or celebratory events. Walking around in my father's beer shirt at the age of ten was so cool to me; not because of beer but what the beer industry does for everyone. It brings people together in a town, it supports local businesses, restaurants, stadiums and offers many tasty beverages for family and friends to enjoy.
Some adults thought it was wrong to be so young walking around in beer clothing or hats. I never was ashamed because of the industry my dad was in. Majority of the country enjoys beer and there is a legal age to when you can drink adult beverages. When I am wearing a beer shirt it never promoted underage drinking. It promoted great times, late nights, helping others out, and a great drink for everyone of age to enjoy. I was supporting my fathers business and the success that came with it.
When I was in 5th grade we had our D.A.R.E. instructor speak out to our entire class saying how bad drugs and alcohol was for you. We watched documentaries, were shown examples of what these terrible things to your body. I agreed with everything until she showed pictures of the advertisements of my fathers business. She said, "this is what a sick company promotes to get you guys to engage in these drinks."
I stood up with tears in my eyes not wanting her to continue bashing my fathers business. I addressed her bizarre accusations by saying "These advertisements are made by guys who are aiming to show the positive times that beer brings to friends and family. Just because they are sitting around a fire late at night with friends enjoying drinks doesn't mean they are going after 5th graders when clearly they are adults pictured." I had to deal with the later on consequences for interrupting our "guest speaker". But when I spoke with my dad he sat me down and explained that too much beer or alcohol can lead to negative effects on the body but that majority of people's experiences throughout adulthood have good memories with beer.
Everyone will have there own opinions about the beer industry or what is appropriate but growing up in the beer industry and having the memories I did in my town I wouldn't want it any other way. Ya Bud!
