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What Did They Drink on Cheers? The Truth Behind the Iconic Bar Beverages

Discover what beverages the cast of Cheers actually drank on set, including why non-alcoholic substitutes were used for realism and safety.

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Video transcript

On the famous show Cheers, the characters were often drinking what appeared to be beer, but it was actually a non-alcoholic substitute. The prop used was usually a combination of water and food coloring or sometimes a near-beer, which is a non-alcoholic malt beverage. This is a common practice in television to ensure the well-being of the actors while still maintaining a realistic portrayal.

Questions and answers

  1. Why did Cheers use non-alcoholic drinks instead of real beer?

    Cheers used non-alcoholic substitutes like water with food coloring or near-beer to protect the health of actors and maintain continuity during filming.

  2. What is near-beer and why was it used on Cheers?

    Near-beer is a malt beverage with little to no alcohol, used on shows like Cheers to simulate beer while avoiding alcohol consumption on set.

  3. How do TV shows make drinking scenes look realistic without real alcohol?

    TV productions often use non-alcoholic substitutes such as colored water, soft drinks, or near-beer to ensure the actors' safety while maintaining a believable appearance.

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If you enjoyed learning about the drinks used on Cheers, explore more behind-the-scenes insights from your favorite TV shows. Check out our content on iconic TV props and how producers create authentic scenes safely.