Story of Beer

In 1759 on the last day of December, there lived a young determined man by the name of Arthur Guinness who traveled through the gate of a dilapidated ill-equipped, old brewery seen on a small strip of land along Dublin’s James Street. He had just signed a lease for that property at 45 pounds per annum. His friends could not believe what just took place and what Arthur was even thinking.

Mark Rainsford’s Ale Brewery for ten years had been on the market and it seems for that long nobody really had shown that much interest in it. The street had already small breweries that were attracted to this spot because of the good supply of water. There were about 70 breweries at that time and what Mr. Guinness had acquired was no more than just the average. Yet Arthur was in the venture to change all of that and make history. He was only 34 then but he knew that the beer industry then was highly unsatisfactory. The trade off fell when import regulations favoured breweries of the London Porter were extended.

During those times, in rural Ireland beer was not that known and during that time gin, whiskey and poteen were the alcoholic beverage. Even though the situation is like this at that time with constant threats from imports was the most prosperous in the very few industries.

The beer that Arthur Guinness brewed was a beer that is a new bee in the Irish community and it contained roaster barley creating a significantly dark colour. This type of brew was popularly known at that time as “porter” for the main reason that it became popular with the stevedores of Covenant Garden, to the porters and Billingsgate in London. Porter originality was created in London and had been shipped to Dublin in competition with Ireland’s local beers. There came a time that Arthur Guinness had to decide whether he would use “porter” or use the traditional Dublin ales. Since he decided to be in good competition with the English brewer of their own game, Arthur tried his luck using porter. He was able to brew it so well and so richly that he eventually outstood the other imports in the Irish market as well a he also captured a part of the English market and made history in the brewing industry.

After sometime, in 1820’s porter adapted the name Stout as an adjective meaning that an extra stout porter would be stronger and thicker in full bodied variety. Stout eventually became a noun at its own right, as well as the family name Guinness was used. It was in 1825 that Guinness was starting to be a exported to other countries and when 1838 hit, Guinness Brewery in St. James Gate became the largest brewery in Ireland. In 1881 the sale of it’s beer surpassed over one million barrels in a year and Guinness Brewery in St. James didn’t just become the biggest brewery in Ireland but it became the largest in the world.

Although now Guinness brewery is not the largest in the world but still the largest stout brewery land is still one of the most modern breweries of all time. Now, Guinness is being brewed in 35 countries all over the world, but it’s supplies of flavoured extract is still all coming from the brewery in St. James’s Gate, making the authentic beer experience to remember Arthur and his brewery in the hearts of millions of people who grab that glass of Guinness and enjoy to the very drop of it.

G or not G?

A Short History of Vodka

Vodka's history is less clear than this grain-based spirit distilled since medieval times.

In the histories of both Poland and Russia, there is clear evidence that vodka was being produced in the Middle Ages. During the 13th and 14th centuries, the distillation process had taken a remarkable turn. Multiple distillations of an alcoholic beverage could produce a drink with a higher alcohol content! In the grain-growing regions of Northeastern Europe, this alcoholic beverage was vodka.

Rectification

Vodka was first used for its supposed medicinal properties. Its bad flavor was covered up with healthful and good-tasting ingredients. Until the process of rectification was invented in the 1800s, vodka maintained its unpleasant overtones. After that time, the many variations of blended vodkas (some flavors made certain localities famous) were a part of the drinker’s enjoyment.

History of the Word Vodka

There is some dispute about the history of the word vodka. Some sources say it is derived from the Slavic word for “water,” essentially making the word vodka mean “little water.” Others say it comes from the Slavic verb for “to distill with water,” which is a similar concept. Other vodka-producing regions, like Ukraine and the Baltics, have words for vodka that derive from their verbs for “to burn,” which could refer to the boiling process undertaken during the distillation process or the burning sensation of vodka on the palate.

Vodka: Eastern Europe's Best Choice

That vodka became a staple drink in the northern regions of Eastern Europe is hardly surprising. Vodka could be transported even during cold weather because of its low freezing point. Vodka was good for helping citizens to get through harsh, long winters. Vodka could be mixed easily with a great many ingredients (currants, honey, peppers, fruits, to name a few), so it could be flavored with whatever was on hand. Its most basic ingredient, grain (and sometimes potatoes), was plentiful and easily grown.

Vodka and Eastern European History

Vodka has played vital roles in the history of Eastern European countries. Vodka was used as a revenue-increasing product during the time of the Tsars. However, vodka is and was also responsible for rampant alcoholism. Russia briefly went through a Prohibition-like period in the 20th century, but the national drink could not be taken away from the people. Gorbachev also attempted to curb vodka sales, but this resulted in moonshine production.

Vodka today is distilled internationally from a great many ingredients. However, the originators of vodka – the Russians or the Poles, depending upon who you believe – will tell you that the purest, most authentic vodka only comes from Eastern Europe.

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WORLD'S OLDEST BOTTLE of WINE

Unearthed during excavation for building a house in a vineyard near the town of Speyer, Germany, it was inside one of two Roman stone sarcophaguses that were dug up. The bottle dates from approximately 325 A.D. and was found in 1867.
The greenish-yellow glass amphora has handles formed in the shape of dolphins. One of several bottles discovered, it is the only one with the contents still preserved.
The ancient liquid has much silty sediment. About two-thirds of the contents are a thicker, hazy mixture. This is most probably olive oil, which the Romans commonly used to "float" atop wine to preserve it from oxidation. Cork closures, although known to exist at the time, were quite uncommon. Their oil method of preservation was apparently effective enough to keep the wine from evaporation up to modern day.
The bottle is on permanent display, along with other wine antiquities, at the Historisches Museum der Pfalz (History Museum of the Pfalz), which is worth a virtual visit or an actual one, if traveling near the area of Speyer, Germany.

G or not G?