How did drinking patterns differ among social groups in Chile?

In Chile, drinking patterns have historically varied significantly across different social strata:

• Middle Class: This group exhibited patterns similar to some European populations, characterized by moderate consumption, drinking at home with meals, and a social disapproval of drunkenness.1
• Working Class: This much larger demographic typically consumed alcohol outside the home in male-dominated settings, particularly on weekends or paydays. In this group, intoxication was often sought and valued as a signifier of both friendship and virility.1
• Indigenous Populations: This group displayed drinking patterns similar to those of the working class.1

Across these groups, pisco and wine were the favored beverages, often consumed during secular and religious holidays or life-cycle celebrations like births and marriages. While these customs were central to social life, cultural norms generally expected women to drink very moderately.1