It is the official, unofficial, drink of rugby.

Beer, also affectionately known as brew, suds or a pint, is the thirst quencher of choice for rugby fans around the world.

And with the World Rugby Classic getting underway this weekend, Bermuda will be the keg capital of the world for the next week.

According to legend, beer was created long before the birth of Christ when a tribe accidentally let a cluster of grain get soaked. It then fermented into a drink.

Any beer connoisseur will tell you that the beverage should not be guzzled ice-cold because the carbonation is at its highest, while there is little aroma or taste. But mass-marketed beers are designed to be consumed cold.

True beer lovers will let their brew warm to between 40 degrees F and 45 degrees F before drinking it.

But -- no matter what your choice of brew -- everyone should exercise caution when drinking.

And the Bermuda Police Service urge rugby fans to exercise common sense when drinking alcohol.

"We hope that everyone enjoys the Classic but we would just like to remind the public to exercise caution and not to drink and drive,'' said a Police spokesperson.

The legal alcohol limit in Bermuda is 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitre of blood.

And beer guzzlers should also keep in mind the health effects of beer, while the beverage contains no fat, it does have quite a few calories.

According to experts, 12 ounces of beer contains 146 calories, 13 grams of carbohydrates, one gram of protein, 18 milligrams of calcium and two grams of dietary fibre.

And depending on the brand, beer's alcohol content can range from 3.5 to 7.5 percent alcohol.

CHARGING FOR THE LINE -- Canada will bring their red shirts to the Classic and will have a mighty task when they take on New Zealand this Tuesday.