Beer Symbol
Beer is still considered to be a working person's drink. Beer can be consumed anywhere, from its own bottle. Wine can't do that. For this reason, beer is a symbol of down-to-earth unpretentiousness and approachability. It is also a symbol of friendship.
Wine Symbol
In Ancient Greek history, and in mythology, wine has been a symbol of hedonism. The Greek God Bacchus was also the god of wine, and he is often portrayed lying back on a chaise surrounded by grapes and wine. It has also been a symbol of decadence and sensuality.
Wine Symbol
Wine is a symbol of prosperity. This is partly because good wine can be extremely expensive, implying that only the very prosperous can afford to invest in it. However, it is also a symbol of cultural superiority and sophistication. Those who know much about wine are considered more intellectual than those who know much about any other beverage making it a symbol of intellect and erudition.
Coffee Symbol
As a symbol, coffee has always had an air of intellectuality. Historically, it has been consumed in underground coffee houses where artists, musicians and writers would gather to discuss their new ideas without fear of being ridiculed or persecuted. This was especially true during the Enlightenment. Coffee symbolizes creativity and innovation.
Tea Symbol
Tea is a symbol of Britain where everything from a broken heart to global conflict is thought to be mended with a nice cup of tea. Symbolically, it is also a symbol of all that was British, including the Empire. Tea is still more popular in countries that were once part of the British Empire, and less popular in those that were not; even in history tea symbolized British colonialism which is why the Boston tea party occurred, in opposition to being colonized by the British. Tea was a symbol of colonization and so also one of the more politically charged beverages studied in the book.
