Distilling & Drinking History Blog
The Beer Pipeline of Bruges The Beer Pipeline of Brouwerij De Halve Maan It sounds like a myth—a fantastical tale of beer flowing beneath cobblestone streets—but it’s not. In the heart of the medieval city of Bruges, Belgium, where centuries-old architecture meets a...
Distilling & Drinking History Blog
The Vodka War A Spirited Battle Over Vodka Heritage In 1977, an unlikely cultural conflict broke out between two nations deeply intertwined with the history of vodka: Poland and Russia. This “vodka war” wasn’t fought with armies or on battlefields, but in...
Distilling & Drinking History Blog
The “Master Draught” A Legendary Toast To Resilience The Master Drought Festival in Rothenburg ob der Tauber (o.d.T.), Germany, centers around a legendary event where wine and a massive Humpen glass played a pivotal role in saving the town. Since 1881,...
Distilling & Drinking History Blog
The Puss & Mew Gin & Ingenious Invention in 18th Century London The 18th century in London was marked by an unparalleled obsession with gin, sparking a societal crisis often referred to as the “Gin Craze.” To tackle this issue, the British...
Distilling & Drinking History Blog, Early History
Brunschwig’s Magnum Opus Hieronymus Brunschwig: A Renaissance Surgeon and Pioneer of Distillation In the annals of Renaissance Europe, Hieronymus Brunschwig emerges as a figure of remarkable ingenuity and influence. Born around 1450 in Strasbourg, Brunschwig’s...
Distilling & Drinking History Blog
Old Tom Gin “Old Tom” Gin Inspires a modern American “Old-Style Juniper Liqueur” from the Appalachians “Old Tom” Gin was a cherished libation in the 18th-century English pub scene, and is an intriguing mystique. The depiction of Old...
Distilling & Drinking History Blog, Likör
The King’s Ginger A Regal Libation Crafted for Drive and Delight In 1901, King Edward VII, a vibrant leader of London society, embraced the dawn of a new era by becoming the first royal to own an automobile. His passion for driving in all weather conditions led...
Distilling & Drinking History Blog
Versailles Treaty & German Cognac WWI & Rise Of Trademarks In 1896, Hugo Asbach, a German distiller (1868-1935), acquired the “Rhenish Cognac” company in Rüdesheim, Germany. Despite not being distilled in the Cognac region of France, Asbach...
Distilling & Drinking History Blog
Tarascoe Mezcal Early Distilling at Lake Patzucuaro In 1891, the esteemed anthropologist John G. Bourke embarked on an intriguing journey to encounter the Tarascoe people residing near Lake Patzcuaro in Mexico. His exploration led him to the renowned coffee...
Distilling & Drinking History Blog
Dutch Courage Genever’s Evolution from Medicinal Elixir to Gin The term “Dutch Courage” is used to describe courage that is gained from drinking alcohol. Franciscus Sylvius de Bouve (1614–1672), a Dutch chemist and alchemist, is often named as the...
