Players will find that many of their choices in Skyrim have immediate and obvious consequences. Decisions like betraying a group's leader or preparing a human sacrifice have swift outcomes. Yet there are a few subtle quandaries that may not have an immediate outcome.
Giving beggars alcohol is one of those situations. Skyrim has various drunks and beggars that will clumsily ask a player for mead or wine as their only interaction. So should the Dragonborn give them some or keep on moving? The answer is deeper than it originally appears to be.
The term "drunk" is not intended as a slur, it is how the game's files label these NPCs.
What Happens When Beggars Get Alcohol
- The drunk becomes a friend of the Dragonborn
- If the drunk dies, they will leave the Dragonborn their inheritance.
- They will occasionally give the Dragonborn gifts when interacted with.
- This counts toward the "help my people" objective toward becoming a Thane.
There is a hidden "quest" in the game's files called "Quest All Drunks Have." It does not have stages or objectives and it cannot be completed, however, it does offer rewards for players who accomplish some of the secret missions.
Do not give the drunks more than one drink as this does not provide any extra benefit. Also, if players used the Helgen Keep guide and got some of the expensive mead, drunks usually only accept the cheaper varieties. Go ahead and select the least expensive alcohol available.
Players may have followed Hadvar or Ralof in the intro, but the drunks accept alcohol from the player regardless of their affiliation. Imperial and Sotrmcloak allegiances don't matter to these characters. Their only interaction option is "Here. Have a drink one me." Considering this, it stands to reason that their allegiance, once given booze, is to the Dragonborn over all the other political entities.
Skyrim is available for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.