Kottabos

Early History

Kottabos A Fascinating Ancient Greek Drinking Game Kottabos, an ancient Greek drinking game popular in Athens and southern Italy during the 6th to 4th centuries BCE, involved skillfully throwing wine towards a target. Played at symposiums, it used a metal pole, plate,...

Waragi – The War Gin

Distilling & Drinking History Blog

Waragi – The War Gin The History and Unique Flavors of Uganda’s Waragi Waragi, a popular distilled spirit originating from Uganda, East Africa, holds a significant place in the nation’s cultural and social fabric. Often considered Uganda’s...

Bootleggers & Baptists

Prohibition

Bootleggers & Baptists Unlikely Collaborations: Why Baptists Facilitated Bootlegging In 1983, the American scientist Bruce Yandle introduced his economic theory, “Bootleggers and Baptists,” which explores how groups with opposing goals can collaborate...

The Midnight Ride

North American Distilling

The Midnight Ride Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride and his Distillery Stop  Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride, a crucial event before the Revolutionary War, is commonly associated with his urgent alert to the colonial militia. However, beyond this familiar tale,...

Mesca Ulad

Distilling & Drinking History Blog

Mesca Ulad Mesca Ulad and the Drunken Warriors of Ulster “Mesca Ulad,” a tale rooted in Irish mythology since the 12th century A.D., unfolds the enchanting story of “The Drunkenness of the Warriors of Ulster.” This narrative, divided between...

Maria Prophetissa

Early History

Maria Prophetissa Distillation Pioneer and Enduring Influence on Chemistry Maria Prophetessa, a prominent figure in alchemy during the 1st to 3rd century A.D. in Alexandria, Egypt, left an indelible mark on the field, particularly in distillation. Credited with...

Prohibition and Beer Cans

Prohibition

Prohibition and Beer Cans Prohibition was lifted in 1933. Breweries that had remained in production with “near beer” during prohibition had an advatage as they could quickly get back into the production of real beer. They also benefited from existing...

Symposium

Early History

Symposium Symposium originally stood for “drinking together” that took place after a meal of a banquet in ancient Greece. Poetry and music were central to the pleasures of a symposium. In Ancient Greece guests would gather around the altar of the home after the meal...

The Children’s Hour

North American Distilling

The Children’s Hour Franklin D. Roosevelt won the hearts of booze-loving Americans and is mostly known for his promise to end nationwide Prohibition with the 21st Amendment. When Roosevelt came into office he first signed the Cullen–Harrison Act legalizing the...

Where The Spirits Come From…

Early History

Where The Spirits Come From… Tracing the Origins: “Spirits” in Alcoholic Beverages The origin of the term “spirits” for alcoholic beverages can be traced back to the Latin word “spiritus,” which encompasses the concepts of...