What was the first beer of your life?

Older brother gave me glass of Diamond White (me = aged 9) and told me it was "apple pop." The smell makes me gag now.

I'm pretty sure it was a can of beer given to me by my Dad when we were watching the FA Cup Final on TV in 1979 (Arsenal 3 Man U 2 as I recall). I was eight years old.

New Year's Eve, 1981-2. Aged 13. A village hall in the middle of Wales. Had 3 pints of bitter, and when I tried to order a further half the barmaid gave me shandy cos I was probably swaying. It felt wonderful. A different state of consciousness.

Drinking manischevitz ("man oh manischevitz what a wine!") served in little plastic medicine cups at a friend's Bat Mitzvah. I overindulged, but no on seemed to mind. I really wanted to make the Bat/Bar Mitzvah circuit after that, but I only had one Jewish friend at the time.

Age 9 - at Father's for weekend. He throws party with some of his buddies - involves consumption large amounts of hard alcohol - eventually all stagger off to sleeping areas or pass out on floor/couches/etc. I, waking the middle of the night to answer the call of nature, stumble upon evidence of this debauchery. Being observant, I take note of brown liquid remaning in one of the bottles (disregarding the clear liquid, which was assumed to be water). Decide to sample brown liquid. Tastes horrid so I spit it out. After further contemplation, decide that if the grown-ups like the stuff so much, there must be something to it, so somehow manage to force down remainder of liquid in botttle (approximately 1/2 cup). Promptly became violently ill - under later interrogation by mother am told that I was drinking whisky. Father lost weekend visiting privledges. I never drank whiskey again.

Also have fond (er, I think that's meant sarcastically) memories of first adventures with Everclear and Grape KoolAid; screwdrivers (vodka and orange juice) drunk from a souvenir miniature bathtub; and that watermelon/vodka thing. Now I keep to dark beers and the occasional glass of white wine - fumes from alcohol make me immediately ill. So much for becoming a problem drinker.

My dad once or twice when growing up gave me a sip of beer just so I could see what the taste was like. Not bad, actually, but I never willingly indulged in drink much until I was actually legal enough to do so.

Hilarious and all too accurate snapshot of the town I mostly grew up in story, as well as a peek into my fairly calm teenage self:

*phone rings, mom answers*

MOM: "Hello?"

CONCERNED PARENT: "Hi, I'm the mother of **** ****, one of your son's schoolmates. We're all getting worried about how many of the high schoolers are sneaking off across the border to get drunk and party, and we wanted to see if you wanted to help us."

MOM: "But I know where Ned is right now."

CP: "Oh?"

MOM: "He's here reading a book. He's usually at home or at the library."

CP: "Oh...how lucky you are..." *hangs up in embarassment*

I love how people like that seem to forget what the hell they were like as teens.

First actual serving of alcohol = champagne at my uncle's wedding a few years ago. I haven't ever had more than a few sips of champagne or beer because I don't like it, although sometimes I drink wine with dinner. I'm definitely more like Ned in terms of teenage social drinking!

When I was about 14, I drank two cans of Woodpecker cider and wanted to go to sleep on a park bench. A year later, I went to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and learnt the true art of loving alcohol.

First really bad (intentionally) drinking experience. Also last experience with hard alcohol. Was drinking screwdrivers. Lost count of number consumed. Ended-up at friend's house, having in-depth, revolutionary conversation with someone's High-Top tennis shoes. At some point develop an immediate need for Cheetoes. Finally convince two guys to walk a mile to find open service station to get said Cheetoes. When delivered, I eat one and find craving satiated. Guys make me eat rest of bag. Another friend drives me home, on winding mountain roads, in her parent's Buick with stiff suspension - felt like riding in a rowboat in a hurricane. Reached home, went to crawl into bedroom through window. Trip going in, slam stomach onto window sill, and promptly vomit orange mixture (orange juice, vodka, Cheetoes) over all of grandmother's hand-sown pale-blue quilt that has just been given to me as a birthday present. I saw the error of my ways at that moment.

Always Bud light or MD 50/50. Eww. I have an interesting memory of being incredibly drunk and charming 6 police officers out of busting us for underage drinking though. I was exceptionally exuberant, and they must have been thankful for some comic relief on a slow night.

Would get a glass of champagne from Gran before christmas dinner from about 11.

First drunken-ness: aged 14, left at home and got plastered on vodka, and threw up and got caught - really embarrassing and put me off for years.

First beer: me and a mate, again aged 14, got an older kid to buy us cans. Unfortunately they were Special Brew.

No idea really I had fairly liberal parents who from quite a young age would give me small glasses of beer and wine. I first got drunk aged about ten at new years. The first time I got drunk away from the family home was in france aged 12 on a cylcling camp and the poison then was Normandy cider. after that I graduated to guiness through an Irish cycling camp and soon after that the ale. I've always been quite tall (and possibly ugly) and have been able to get served in pubs from about age 13. At boarding school I used to keep Gin, tonic and lime in my room and there was a fridge freezer in the kitchen for making ice. I have never been IDed (except in the US).

(I sound like such an Alky)

I was sick, and then I thought drinking is not my thing.

I was 9. At my cousin's wedding one of the ushers said "give'm a beer now to teach him a lesson."I picked it up and my mother took it out of my hand. This lead to me sneaking my own beers at home.

First alcohol - A sip of champagne at a cousin's wedding when I was 8.

I was never keen on beer during my adolescence - used to drink Merrydown cider a lot. (Evil stuff).

First beers were Carling Black Label and Labatts Ice/Blue at the student union.

i had my first sip of beer aged four or five while in vacation w/family on vancouver island. it was gross. i started drinking in high school -- mostly hard liquour mixed with various juices. i couldn't stand the taste of beer until i was about 17.

First drink: Age 8 or 9, I think. I was at a restaurant with my family, and my dad secretly switched his scotch on the rocks and my 7-Up. I spat out the liquor without swallowing a sip. How could anyone like this stuff?!

First beer, own volition: summer camp sleepover, age 17. One of the older counselors brought in a case of Molson Golden. I managed to finish half of one. Not the "very good beer" of Homer Simpson's 17th year...

My parents gave me sips of wine for as long as I can remember.

My first full serving of alcohol was a beer during a school trip to Germany when I was 16. My first intoxication was also on this trip, although I drank whiskey and coke. I really suck at getting drunk, so I only did it one other time in my life

I drink beer regularly now, and occasionally wine.

19. At a Low show. Rickard's Red, I believe. Perhaps the reason I actually have good memories of the show, judging by my subsequent experiences of the band. My Mom didn't find out I drink until I was 22 and living in Montreal. It traumatized her. I don't know if my Dad knows.

i hated and disapproved of all drinking as a teen: i tht it wz a TRAP and that those who let themselves into it DESERVED WHAT THEY GOT!!

in pubs i wd drink snowballs

my dads irish. my mums italian. i can't remember my first alcoholic experiance. or much else, for that matter.

Approx 4 years after first ciggie, 3 years after first shot of vodka and 2 years after first spliff, roughly contiguous with introduction to powders. Then I started shaving. Drew Barrymore is my soulmate

I hardly evah drink but my first beer was at 20 (I think).