humanity
Alcohol is nothing without someone to drink it and the substance changes lives for many who partake; a glimpse into the impact of alcohol on humanity.
Agave's Waking Reality
For what some would call the 'Marmite' of alcoholic spirits, tequila has seen a well-deserved surge in popularity in recent years. With A-list celebrities forging their own tequila brands, and consumers opting for more premium expressions, the world of agave (which includes tequila and its earthy cousin, mezcal) now presents us with a seemingly limitless realm of opportunity and exploration.
By Shaun Hall5 years ago in Proof
The Gift that Kept on Brewing
It appears that humans have always had a predilection for drinking beer. It has always been considered a divine, intoxicating substance that was imbibed for reasons stretching from medicinal usages to sheer recreation. No one area of the world or Ancient civilization can boast to have invented the substance, yet where ever one found agricultural practices that involved grain production, there would have been the ability to discover the process required ferment beer. Ancient beer didn’t use hops but instead was probably a product of grains fermenting overtime and then being exposed to natural yeasts in the air. In fact, one interesting factoid to consider is that the first brewers, particularly in Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt, are thought to have been women. What societal phenomena led to brewing becoming a female-dominated area are unknown. However, as time moved forward, Medieval European monasteries began brewing their own beer for mass consumption and created the Western style of artisanal beers. The Monks, who tweaked the process, undoubtedly were males and their expertise was passed on to exclusively men. From here, there was a massive proliferation of new styles and methods being invented, influencing the cultures of various European countries. Next comes the Industrial Revolution, improving techniques and bringing better machinery, while allowing for mass production and thus, more commercial consumption. Throughout this long history, beer became better, more liquidous—less like the gruel-like substance of the ancient world, and more importantly, a more male-dominated industry. The Prohibition Movement of the American U.S, wiped out the legal beer market in America. Upon its repeal, a watered-down, more regulated, prohibitionist pilsner emerged opening the way for Budweiser, Coors and Miller.
By Robert Burton5 years ago in Proof
A Post Shift Shift
Post Shift Shift After a rigorous work shift in which a man labors physically and does not earn the wage at which he feels valued, he can find solace in only one thing. Well, two if you want to be technical: a shot and a beer. Also known as a beer and a bump (although where I come from a beer and a bump is a much different remedy.) Many call this cure a boilermaker.
By Matthew Nachtsheim5 years ago in Proof
To Booze or Not To Booze
One of my biggest takeaways from having to stay home for nine months is that alcohol is wildly overrated. I've never been much of a fan to begin with, but, in your twenties and thirties, drinking just sort of comes with the territory if you want to spend time with people. You and your friends go to bars, or house parties, or boozy brunches, or painting classes that serve wine, or places where you can inexplicably throw axes and drink alcohol at the same time. You toss back some champagne at weddings and New Year's Eve parties, maybe do a shot or two to celebrate a work promotion. You meet first dates at bars because you know you'll both need to calm your nerves, and nothing fills an awkward silence like taking a sip from your glass and asking how each other's drinks are. It gets exhausting. And alcohol usually doesn't even taste that good!
By Jess Goodwin5 years ago in Proof
I finally decided to quit drinking during covid
Like a lot of people during the "challenging " hurdles of 2020, I have increased my consumption of alcohol. I have always been a "social drinker". Being in sales, and working with other young people, there were always opportunities. "Thirsty Thursday ", "Thank god its Friday. "I've had a great day in sales - lets celebrate." "I've had a lousy day , I need a drink." And the oh so common " supplier/social/ schmoozing events. Being a part of this culture , drinking on the almost daily was very socially acceptable. When I found out in April 2020 that I was officially laid off, I made sure to stock up on some boxes of wine (its a pandemic ! What if they RUN OUT?!). This began the beginning of the "downslope." Zooms calls with friends over a glass of wine at 12pm were acceptable. "Who cares , its wine o clock somewhere ?" Memes were circulating the internet making jokes and making it even more acceptable that majority of the population was rushing to the liquor store and numbing the fear with booze. My drinking continued.
By April Anne Coral5 years ago in Proof
Finding a Sober Living Near Me
If you are a person with a problem with alcohol or drugs, you may have considered looking into finding a so-called "sober living environment" or a rehab for those that want to get clean. Unfortunately, finding a clean environment can sometimes be difficult, as many of the programs and facilities are not really intended for those in need of help. Many people who have gone to these types of places often feel trapped, and they are forced to stay in an environment where they have no control over their own lives.
By Alice Ross5 years ago in Proof
