populations differ in how well they can handle booze. this has been known since Roman times; various authors wrote how the Germans were more prone to alcoholism

populations differ in how well they can handle booze. this has been known since Roman times; various authors wrote how the Germans were more prone to alcoholism than Latins, an ethnic difference that persists to this day. native americans have it particularly bad, and have for centuries. colonist traders exploited it for profit, missionaries tried to stamp it out, Indian leaders often campaigned to keep rum out of their territories, etc.