I help manage a small suburban liquor store in Canada. While I can't exactly touch on how it affects you and your craft beer drinking, I can give you some insight towards alcoholics and their general behavior. First off, my first impression of the OP is that no one should honestly be worried about drinking beer in front of an alcoholic. Yes, there are some people who will buy a 24pk of beer every day or every other day, but the vast majority of people with alcoholism will forgo beer in favor of one spirit in particular. Yes, you guessed it, vodka. I open up at 10:00am and the first 5 - 10 transactions are vodka. Ranging from a mickey to a full forty or sixty. Many times these same people will return twice or three times daily to get another bottle of something. Usually if they buy a mickey or half mickey, they come back and get another one. The same cannot usually be said for someone who buys a full size bottle.



The thing that needs to be clarified is whether or not the person in your life is an alcoholic at present or is a recovering alcoholic. If it is the former and they haven't started on the path to recovery or have even considered it, drinking beer in front of them should pose little concern. They're far more likely to partake in a higher proof spirit like vodka, rye, or any of the other spirits sold. If the person is recovering, for god's sake, do not drink ANYTHING in front of them. Clear your house of any alcohol, even a miniature of Bailey's and do your drinking somewhere else.



As someone who sees alcoholics and, sadly and regretfully, helps further their addiction daily, I am open to any questions or curiosities that any other posters may want answered.

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