In the case of sailors, where water was needed for extended voyages, transporting water in casks was impossible as it developed algae and would spoil quickly, becoming a health hazard. They added alcohol to make it not only more palatable but to prevent spoilage.
That’s the definition of drinking alcohol because it’s cleaner.
In the case of sailors, where water was needed for extended voyages, transporting water in casks was impossible as it developed algae and would spoil quickly, becoming a health hazard. They added alcohol to make it not only more palatable but to prevent spoilage.
That’s the definition of drinking alcohol because it’s cleaner.
The OP wasn’t talking about sailors. Peasants had access to plenty of fresh water and not casked water.