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Pasteurization – a study of beer and wine
Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) invented the process of pasteurization. Pasteurization has become synonymous with dairy products, but Louis Pasteur made his most famous discovery studying the fermentation and the souring of beer and wine. Pasteur proved that microorganisms...
Salernus
Magister Salernus was a medieval alchemist from the School of Salerno. In 1150 AD the “Master of Salerno”, alias “Salernus” published in the “Mappae Clavicula” recipes for the isolation of alcohol. This is the earliest mention of drinkable alcohol called “aqua...
Hansje in de Kelder (Hansel im Keller)
Hansje in de Kelder (German Hansel im Keller) translates to "Hans in the cellar". It is a baroque joke goblet from the Netherlands that has a figurine hidden which appears when pouring liquid into the goblet. The figurine is hidden in the stand of the goblet. If...
Schmollis & Fiducit
In student associations, the term "Schmollis" (also: Smollis, Schmolles) is used since before 1795 to initiate a drinking ritual called "Brüderschaft", meaning "brotherhood drinking". Schmollis is confirmed by "Fiducit!" (meaning "It applies") and in the following...
Advocaat – the Holiday Likör
Dutch Brazil (also New Holland) was a Dutch colony in northeastern Brazil from 1630 to 1654. So it may not surprise that in the 17th century, the Brazilian drink "Abacate" which was brewed by the indigenous people of the Amazon was introduced to the Dutch people in...
Paulanersche Doppelbock Brewed for Lent
The monastery of Neudeck ob der Au in Munich was founded in 1627 after the Bavarian Elector Maximilian I brought Paulaner monks from Italy to his country. The Paulaner order imposed strict fasting rules during Lent on its members, including that only liquid food to be...
The London Beer Flood
On October 17th, 1814, the parish of St. Giles, London, England, was hit by a catastrophe killing eight people in a flood of beer. The so called "London Beer Flood" was caused by a large keg containing over 135,000 imperial gallons (610,000 l) of beer that burst at...
Linie Aquavit
In Norwegian "Linie" means equator, and that is the name of one of the most famous aquavit brand's. The premium market leader from Norway is maturing their aquavit in barrels that are crossing twice the equator on a four-month journey at sea. In 1805 the Trondhiems...
The Whisky War
Canada and Denmark have been at odds over a small uninhabited island called Hans for decades. Both Canada and Denmark claim the only 1.25 square kilometer island without any vegetation for themselves. Since it is not clear who the stony rock belongs to, delegations...
Shaken, not stirred
The original Bond Martini ("Vesper Martini") was invented by author Ian Fleming for Casino Royale, the first James Bond book, in 1953. It is 3 parts gin, 1 part vodka and ½ part Lillet. It differs from a classic martini as it uses both gin and vodka, Kina Lillet...
Drinking “Brüderschaft”
Drinking "Brüderschaft" (brotherhood drinking) is a widespread drinking custom in many countries indicating switching to a personal form of address by means of drinking. This custom is to link arms holding the glass reaching through the crook of the arm of the other...
Witches, Brewing, and Distilling
Brewing alcohol was part of a woman's chores for thousands of years as it was closely associated with cooking and baking. From ancient Egypt up to the medieval times it was common that women were running breweries. The Finns believed their goddess Kalevatar brought...
Quaich – Traditional Scottish Cups
The quaich is a traditional drinking vessel from Scotland. It is a flat bowl with two handles. The name derived from the Gaelic word cuach, meaning mug. It is unclear where quaichs originate from, though some historians believe that Highlanders used to drink from...
Du Kang – About China’s oldest liquor
"At sunset I sit in front of my door, a glass in my hand, and I feel like a god" is a Chinese saying depicting the love of Chinese people to enjoy to glass of Báijiǔ alone under the blossoming trees in the moonlight. [Chinese liquor or Báijiǔ (also known as Shāojiǔ)...
The Father Of American Mixology
Jeremiah "Jerry" P. Thomas (1830/1832-1885) was one of the pioneers of the "Golden Age of Cocktails". He is called the "father of American mixology", and nicknamed "professor". His book "The Bartender's Guide or How to Mix Drinks" (later retitled to "How to Mix Drinks...
Pickled in Brandy
The Battle of Trafalgar on October 21, 1805 was a naval battle at Cape Trafalgar between the British and the allied French and Spanish as part of the Third Coalition War. It marks the beginning of more than a century of British supremacy at sea. Vice-Admiral Horatio...
Here Comes The Proof
When in the 16th century the British began to tax liquor higher than beverages with a lower alcohol content like wine and beer, proof suddenly became an important term. The easiest way to proof a higher alcohol content was by soaking a gun pellet with alcohol and...
The Legend Of The Angel’s Share
Legend is that a long time ago the people of Ireland and Scotland suspected that angels descended to earth and enjoyed a small amount of their whisk(e)y directly from their casks. The proof of that tale was easy as with bottling less whisk(e)y was in the cask as upon...
