Beers and boating

[Cajunchuck]

I'm new round here but been doing a lot of reading in the various forums. I've noticed quite a bit of reference to having beer while fishing. What gives with the legalities of this? I love beer and would love even more to have a couple on the water. Problem is all of the guys I know refuse to have any alcohol whatsoever on board. They say even having it on the boat is illegal. What is the law on this? And by the way I'm not talking about getting hammered or anything just a cold beer or so while fishing.