Can the Amish Drink Beer? Are They Allowed to Drink Alcohol?

It’s surprising to learn that not all Amish communities follow the exact same rules, especially when it comes to things like alcohol. While the Amish are known for living plainly and upholding strict values, that doesn’t necessarily mean beer is completely off-limits. In fact, in some communities, sharing a drink at a wedding or social gathering isn’t all that unusual. So, can Amish drink beer? The answer is more nuanced than you might expect, shaped by tradition, local customs, and how each group interprets their way of life.

Key Takeaways:

• Some Amish do drink alcohol, including beer, but practices vary by community. Each Amish district sets its own rules, so while some permit moderate alcohol use, others strictly forbid it.
• During Rumspringa, some Amish teens may try alcohol, though their community doesn’t encourage it.
• After joining the church, Amish are usually expected to follow rules that often include staying away from alcohol.

In this article, we’ll explore the role beer plays (or doesn’t play) in Amish culture, the differences between communities, and why there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

The Amish Community on Drinking Alcohol

Most Amish churches adhere to strict religious beliefs prohibiting the Amish people from drinking alcohol, as they view it as a form of temptation that can lead to sinful behavior. However, rules on drinking alcohol and other vices can vary among different Amish communities and individuals.

Can Amish drink alcohol in general?

Some Amish drink alcohol in moderation, while others may abstain completely. Some Amish people drink alcohol for medicinal purposes, like homemade dandelion wine, while others may prohibit it altogether.

The Amish person’s choice of drinking alcohol or not roughly depends on several factors – the group they belong to, the purpose behind it, or the Rumspringa, the period in their youth life when they can do whatever they want to test the waters outside their Amish country. 

Can the Amish kids drink alcohol on Rumspringa?

Rumspringa is a period in Amish culture when Amish young people have greater freedom to explore the world outside of their community and decide whether to remain within the Amish faith or to leave it. It is when Amish youth engage in activities such as drinking, partying, and other “wild behavior.”

While it is true that some Amish youth may choose to use tobacco or drink alcohol during Rumspringa, this is not a universal practice that the Amish church condoned or encourage. The Amish do not view Rumspringa as a time to rebel against their beliefs but rather as a time for young Amish kids to decide whether they wish to remain in the Amish faith or to leave it.

Furthermore, Rumspringa is not a defined period, and its length and activities can vary widely among different Amish communities and families. Some communities may place more restrictions on the young people during this time, while others may allow more freedom. Ultimately, the decision to drink alcohol or use tobacco during Rumspringa, or to engage in any other behavior, is up to the individual and their family.

Curious about what happens during Rumspringa? Discover how Amish teens navigate freedom, faith, and big life decisions in this unique coming-of-age tradition.

What Alcohol Do the Amish Drink?

It’s surprising to learn that some Amish do drink alcohol—and not just any alcohol, but the kind they make themselves. In certain Old Order Amish communities, it’s common to find homemade beer, cider, or wine being brewed right at home or in a barn. These drinks are often from simple, natural ingredients like apples, grapes, or grains—nothing fancy, just traditional methods passed down through generations.

That said, you won’t see the Amish sitting in bars or buying liquor at the store. When they do drink, it’s usually in private and in moderation—think family gatherings, weddings, or small celebrations. It’s not about partying or getting drunk; it’s more about tradition, hospitality, and sometimes even medicinal use. Like many things in Amish life, it’s done quietly and with intention.

Alcohol Consumption Rules for Old and New Order Amish

The Old Order Amish and New Order Amish are subgroups of the Amish community. While both groups share many similarities, some significant differences exist, like their use of technology, plain clothing or brighter colored fabrics, church structure and organization, community/family life structure, and alcohol use.

Amish Views on Alcohol: Old Order vs. New Order

Alcohol use among the Amish varies depending on the group, with the biggest differences seen between the Old Order and New Order Amish. The Old Order Amish, the largest and most traditional sect, generally allow alcohol in moderation. Since alcohol is frequently in the Bible, they don’t view it as something that they must avoid entirely. Some Old Order Amish even make their own beer, cider, or wine at home. That said, drinking usually happens in private settings—such as at home or during weddings—not in public places like bars, where it might draw unwanted attention or judgment.

In contrast, the New Order Amish take a much stricter stance. Alcohol is typically forbidden across their communities, even for medicinal use in many cases. Although the New Order Amish are being more open to modern conveniences like electricity and air travel, they are even more conservative when it comes to personal behavior. Their church leaders prioritize health, family values, and spiritual well-being, so they strongly discourage anything harmful like alcohol or tobacco. This stricter view is also part of their broader mission focus, as they aim to set an example for others through clean and disciplined living.

Can Amish Drink Alcohol at Amish Weddings and Celebrations?

Yes, some Amish can drink alcohol at weddings and celebrations, but it depends on the community. Certain groups permit moderate alcohol use during special events, while others strictly prohibit it. In many Old Order communities, it’s not unusual to find homemade wine or cider quietly served during wedding meals or family celebrations. It’s not the main event, and there’s no wild partying, but it can be part of the hospitality to guests.

That said, this really depends on the district. Some Amish communities are more lenient about alcohol, seeing it as a traditional part of certain occasions. Others, especially among the New Order, avoid it altogether, even during major milestones like weddings. So while a wedding in one community might include a few discreet drinks, another might stick strictly to water and homemade juice. Like many things in Amish life, it all comes down to the values and rules of the specific church district.

Wondering if Amish and Mennonites can marry? Explore how these two closely related but distinct communities approach love, faith, and marriage across cultural lines.

True Stories of Amish Men and Alcohol

There’s a report from NBC News that in September 2019, Trumbull County sheriff’s deputies saw an Amish man and an underaged Amish teen drinking beer while riding in the back of a horse and buggy. According to the article, they quickly ran off when the cops pulled them over.

After searching the buggy, they found multiple open alcohol containers. According to the 17-year-old, one of the two Amish men who ran off, they were heading to a party the night the police officers pulled them over. Since he drunk ten or eleven beers and was still considered a minor, he knew he would get into big trouble.

However, compared to English communities, alcohol abuse in the Old Order Amish communities is less common. Everyone believes that the Amish’s strong faith and religious ties may help them find the support they need once they resort to alcohol abuse. One great example is Moses, an Amish person who got sober in 1947 with the help of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Conclusion

Generally speaking, the entirety of the Amish religious group has no unified hard-bound specific rule on the Amish’s alcohol use. This lack of clarity about drinking alcohol is reportedly one of the reasons why the Old Order and the New Order Amish groups split in the first place.

When talking about the consumption of alcohol, the Old Order Amish sees nothing wrong with allowing alcohol since Jesus did it according to the bible. However, since the bible warns against excessive drinking, the Old Order Amish members know the limitations.

The New Order Amish, who already drew a hard line between them and alcohol, considers any form of alcoholic drink a harmful substance that endangers the drinker’s well-being. They also see it as something that may corrupt them and threaten their religious standing and beliefs. 

While both points are reasonable, it’s an important factor to consider that the decision to drink alcohol or not is all up to each Amish person and to which community he belongs. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What alcohol do the Amish drink?

The Amish may drink homemade beer, cider, and wine, especially in Old Order communities where these are often made in homes or barns.

Can Amish people get punishment for drinking alcohol?

It depends on the community—while some allow moderate alcohol use, others may discipline members who drink, especially if it goes against the Ordnung or leads to disruptive behavior.

Is drinking alcohol considered a sin in Amish beliefs?

Amish people don’t always consider drinking alcohol a sin, but they strongly discourage people who get drunk, as they see it as harmful and against biblical teachings.