Why do you drink (booze)?

[Vendetta]

Just curious WHY people drink. And if you've answered 'Other' please explain.

[Sazabi]

The buzz/relaxation. I'm not a social drinker, and I really don't drink much in general, but I usually have some bourbon whiskey or schnapps around to relax in the evening, or to mix in my coffee in the morning.

[Kaden]

I don't drink much, but when I do, its usually to relax or if my nerves are shot. Or at holiday parties. I think I've only ever gotten drunk 3 times and I never really drank before hitting 21.

[UNODRAGONE]

I've never been drunk and the only thing I drink is a glass of wine for dinner and champagne for new years :)

[Vendetta]

or to mix in my coffee in the morning.
Err, maybe I should've included an option for dipsomania? Unless by "morning" you mean like 2pm or something.

I've never been drunk and the only thing I drink is a glass of wine for dinner and sparkling wine for new years
Fixed for you. :D

[Sazabi]

Err, maybe I should've included an option for dipsomania? Unless by "morning" you mean like 2pm or something.


Eh, thats not fair. I think I consume alot less alcohol than the average American, and definitely less than anyone in my social circle. Almost never have beer, go to bars rarely. I don't think I've bought a bottle of anything since sometime last year, I use it pretty sparingly.

I just occasionally mix a bit in with the thermos of coffee for flavoring and a slight buzz. Weekends mostly.

[NeonLightChild]

I used to drink to drown sorrows, but it turned out that they could swim pretty damn skippy. So I quit for a while.

Now I drink (when I can, that is) because I enjoy tasting beers. I love microbreweries and discovering what all types of beers are out there. Just sitting back and enjoying a beer with friends over dindin is good enough for me, and the fact that it's expensive keeps me from drinking a lot of it.

Basically, I'm a beer snob. That's why I drink.

[dirtyrat]

If I'm lucky I can down a single beer in 1-2 hours; booze just tastes horrible to me.

I have a friend who drinks "24/7", and when I go over visiting he gets miffed if I don't continously drink A LOT as well. I do have an nicotine addiction; so I kinda understand what these people go through...

[Faolan]

I drink to calm my nerves. But I never drink alone.

Personaly I like Rum. It is the most American disteled drink there is. Rum got its birth in the Caribean but it was the colonists who made it popular. To our founding fathers I toast to you.

[MorganaFang]

It depends on the drink. Hard liquor is for loosening up and partying; beer is casual drinking and relaxing; wine is for health, family dinner talk, going to sleep. And then we break it down into types of hard liquor, wine, beer: vodka is pretty much the only thing I will drink in a mix, though I have relaxed with rum and cokes and a completely wild card mix that people throw at me, as well as the occasional shot but only for special occasions and I have never done a good body shot; red wine is for hardier dinners with red meat (of course) but I cannot drink it casually like a blush or white wine (blush being my favorite) and I love sparkling wines for purely the helluvit; ales are usually what I prefer in beers especially pale ale, stout makes me ill and I started out with imported beers so brands like bud makes me sick too but the boyfriend always orders it, I really love hard cider (I know that it is not much of a beer but it makes me feel good). And even with all this preciseness, I am still not that much a drinker.

[ThrasherCub]

I drink pretty damn infrequently and it's usually part of something spiritual. Coyote likes rum, Osir likes beer, and I recently had some vodka with a friend in honor of our ever-helpful (now deceased) friend, Ebony.

The only alcohol I ever really drink for myself are Mikes Hard whatevers since they're like fruit soda, but the alcohol gives the taste an interesting zing.

[Necro Mortis]

I drink a lot. Not in a boastful way, more just I really quite like it. There are only a few alcoholic drinks I don't enjoy, Southern Comfort being my pet hate. I like shots, sambuca and tequila for taste, absinthe to get smashed and mixed ones with funny names like squashed frog because... well, they have funny names.
Cocktails are good, I don't like mine too sweet, I like something slightly sour with a nice kick to it. I love whiskey neat with a couple of rocks in. I prefer ale to lager and love stouts and bitters. Guinness is the nectar of the gods. Vodka by itself is one of the most vile drinks ever created (Unless it's black vodka which is quite scrummy) but I like it with mixers like orange juice or lemonade. I like a nice dry cider or even a sweet one depending on the brand, Magners is fantastic.
I drink all kinds of wine, mostly red. I prefer the fruity tasting reds, anything like black cherry or plum hints to it are nice.
I drank a litre bottle of vodka last night. I probably drink far more than is good for me but I was brought up around booze. My answer to why do I drink would probably be a mix of all those things, I can’t pin it down to one thing really.

[unfitto]

I drink for my nerves; my friends are sociable people and I'm not, so I need something to break the ice or I freeze up. The fact that we generally meet up in pubs enforces that. I used to drink for the buzz it gave but that's faded now. I only ever drank to forget once, and that resulted in forgetting the evening rather than the event that inspired it, not to mention nearly dying of hypothermia. I've also been using it as an aid for sleep since my insomnia kicked up to ridiculous levels recently.

I'm not one for beer, wine or alcopops. I used to favour gin and tonic but recently I've rediscovered my love of whiskey (Jamesons or JD). I'll only drink vodka if I'm short of money, and I've never really developed a love for rum. I abhor sambuca, but I'll drink pernod and absinthe.

[Kaden]

I'll tell you what I like...

Hot Apple Cider (my Grandma made the best. It had tawaqua in it)
German Chocolate Cake (makes me dance on tables)
Goldschlagger(sp?)
Sea Breeze
Howling Werewolf
Long Island Iced Tea


As for beer

New Castle
Yuengling
and
Guinness

Oh and Rum! Rum is good! I got a lotta cap'n in me. :D

[Faolan]

Oh and Rum! Rum is good! I got a lotta cap'n in me. :D

I'm her captain ;)

[Blacksun]

For kicks and giggles. Good times to be had with some booze, metal and a bunch of idiots like myself.

Really a mix between the ass, and the Euphoric. :p

Booze=silliness=good times

[LV426]

I don't drink a lot nor regularly so I suppose the most reasons why I drink are for the relaxation/buzz. Sometimes it's easier to just pick up a shot or two and let the week's worries and work wash away with the whiskey. ;)

[Vendetta]

Southern Comfort being my pet hate.
Oh thank god. I don't understand why so many peoople (OK, namely dumb college students) think this stuff is fantastic. The taste makes me practically gag.

I like shots, sambuca and tequila for taste, absinthe to get smashed and mixed ones with funny names like squashed frog because... well, they have funny names.
How do you drink shots, do you down them, or does it depend on the liquor? Because there's no way in hell I'd down Sambuca, I'd much rather sip it idly (especially after a large meal.)

Vodka by itself is one of the most vile drinks ever created (Unless it's black vodka which is quite scrummy) but I like it with mixers like orange juice or lemonade.
I think it really depends on the vodka. If you can find a really smooth, top shelf variety, there's nothing better than a few fingers neat, served ice-cold, to take the edge off.

[Necro Mortis]

How do you drink shots, do you down them, or does it depend on the liquor? Because there's no way in hell I'd down Sambuca, I'd much rather sip it idly (especially after a large meal.)

Well, tequilla is with salt and lemon, sambuccca flaming if I can be bothered to arse around with a lighter although I do love to sip sambucca as well.



I think it really depends on the vodka. If you can find a really smooth, top shelf variety, there's nothing better than a few fingers neat, served ice-cold, to take the edge off.

True, although it would need to be something very special for me not to gag. Having said that, after I get drunk people have known me to chug vodka which, when I think about it the next day, makes me queezy. I tried propper flavoured vodka, cherry and a lime one. When chilled it is perfect.
By the way, if one likes Sake how does one drink it, cold or hot?

[Kaden]

I love sake. I've had it both cold and hot. I've found that I prefer it cold. Hot sake makes my stomach churn. I like the gormet and dinner sakes.

I also love Sapporo. Not sake, but damn good Japanese beer.

[Sazabi]

By the way, if one likes Sake how does one drink it, cold or hot?

User preference. I like it hot, but thats because it's always been served that way by default at the sushi bars I go to.

[MorganaFang]

Cold sake, I am scared of warm because room temp tastes like formaldehyde to me.

[Gilenea]

I'm not really a drinker. I rarely ever touch the stuff since I've turned 21 a while ago. But when I do drink, if I can stand the taste, I do it right.

Whiskey.

Gil

[Necro Mortis]

I like it hot

Same here, I can't abide it cold.

[unfitto]

I'm not really into sake, but if I had to choose, it would be cold. When I tried hot sake it tasted to me as if it had somehow curdled.

[ThrasherCub]

I'm not really into sake, but if I had to choose, it would be cold. When I tried hot sake it tasted to me as if it had somehow curdled.

They might have heated it wrong, and some sake just kind of taste funky anyway. I tried hot sake once with some friends and it was not only pleasant but we were agreed that it was reminiscent of something nice, but not one of us could figure out what.

[Kaden]

You know what's really good? Bunratty Meade. So very good. So very, very good.

[Tempest]

I don't drink often but when I do it's for relaxation, a buzz, or a sleep aid (which kind of goes along with relaxation I suppose). I've only been drunk once and never so drunk that I don't know what I'm doing and forget what I did the next day. I loathe feeling like I'm not in control of my actions. But yes, I am a bad girl, I drink illegally. Oh noes!

[lycanox]

Boredom mostly.
But I love to just randomly pour stuff together and see how it works out.

My favorite drink is however Absinthe.

[greggchamberlain]

Just curious WHY people drink. And if you've answered 'Other' please explain.

oh, sure, make me have to expend energy on an explanation...it's wednesday production day, man, come on...i got enough to do with meeting the press deadline in spite of the cheap crap computer system the owners "splurged on" when they decided to upgrade...

:D

seriously...i was never ever much of a drinker during my younger days until i first went to college and then later spent five years as field labour (translation: ditch digger :D ) for the natural gas company.

my status as teatotalling social drinker changed in college to "weekend pub nighter" where the beer was cheap and plentiful. but even then i did not go binging, did not attend every pub night function.

with the gas company, when we went on jobs for a week out of town, yeah, joined the rest of the guys at the nearest bar to drink beer and watch the exotic dancers. was when i got my first, and only, genuine hangover, complete with the little dwarves tromping around the inside of my skull with hobnailed iron boots and banging away with sledgehammers.

soon gave that up. also got bored with the low-quality of most of the peeler routines. i mean, come on now, ANYBODY can take their clothes off. but if a woman (or a man, to be fair about it) expects to make a living as an exotic dancer... Then At Least Be Creative With Your Routines And Don't Just Whip The Clothes Off As Fast As Possible And Spend The Rest Of The Half Hour Grinding Away In My Face!

i remember the most imaginative and entertaining dancer was this lady who did an actual magic routine as part of her act. the best part of her act, which was a good one, was the finale where she made two doves disappear.

now the first puzzle of that trick is where did she manage to hide the doves first off. she wore a one-piece see-through and, yes, shadies and germs, we could for sure see everything there was to see and we would all swear there was no sign of even a feather, never mind a whole bird.

then she places the two doves in the traditional handkerchief-turned-cloth bag, got some guy from the audience to pat the bottom (of the BAG, you animals! the BAG! sheesh! ;) ) to prove that the birds were in there. then, snap, hey presto, the bag becomes a handkerchief again but No Birds!

she performed her routine three nights running. we never did figure out how she pulled that trick off.

but i digress...i am still, at best, a social drinker. i have a bottle of grand marnier presented to me last november as an office birthday gift. i still haven't emptied it.

so it goes.

[Gilenea]

Cold sake, I am scared of warm because room temp tastes like formaldehyde to me.

Mm mm. Fermented rice. Loves it.

Gil

[greggchamberlain]

always wanted to try it. never had chance.

something about be able to belly up to the bar and say "saki to me!" just has a certain appeal.

:D

[Sazabi]

something about be able to belly up to the bar and say "saki to me!" just has a certain appeal.


No don't do this :(

[greggchamberlain]

No don't do this :(


oh, come on, why not?

maybe it's just because i savour the memory of watching Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In on a regular basis when it was broadcast (and enjoying watching Judy Carnes with her "Sock It To Me" pre-wet-T-shirt-night-era water-dousing routine ;) ).

[Buddha Monkey]

As you asked for those that voted "other" to explain, so here we go.

I drink to play Guitar Hero! Seriously, only way I beat Free Bird the first time, and the only way I got 5 stars on it. Now, maybe if I get drunk enough, I get 100 percent on it.

[Vendetta]

RE: the Sake discussion that has come up. Sake served hot is generally your cheaper, Futsuu-shu or Honjozu-shu (generally Junmai, which means made entirely of rice alcohol.) It's generally served hot to mask imperfections in the flavour. Your sake served cold is generally of the higher class Ginjo (http://www.bevmo.com/productinfo.asp?sku= 00000065341&Dn=166+168&Nr=Store%3A99&Ntt=sake&N=168+0&Nty=1&D=sake&Ntx=mode+matchallpar tial&No=20&Ntk=All) or Daiginjo (http://www.bevmo.com/productinfo.asp?sku= 00000014425&Dn=166+168&Nr=Store%3A99&Ntt=sake&N=168+0&Nty=1&D=sake&Ntx=mode+matchallpar tial&No=10&Ntk=All). An excellent, smooth, crisp Daiginjo served cold is really special, and completely different to the experience of drinking hot sake.

If you're really interested in experiencing sake, I'd recommend this book (http://www.amazon.com/Insiders-Guide-Sake-Philip-Harper/dp/4770020767/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b) , which even includes pictures of the labels of hundreds of varieties of sake, so even if you can't read the Kanji on the bottle, you can identify the label.

[Necro Mortis]

Cool, thanks for the tips. I'll have to investigate when I have a bit more money. It's nigh on impossible to buy Sake here so I'd have to order it online.

[DarkWolf]

I don't drink often. It's useful for making my head shut up when out drinking. I don't see any point in drinking at home, and non-alcoholic drinks taste far better to me than anything alcoholic. I drink to get merry or drunk enough for my head to shut up and enjoy social interaction without my head daydreaming or analysing every tiny detail or being insanely aware of everyone around me.

It's not really a nerves/relaxation thing, it just makes my head shut up and that's pretty much all there is to it as far as reasoning goes.

My preferences: vodka, tequila, sambuca, or whiskey (straight up, shots, to down in one); some cocktails, alcopops, or mixed drinks (to sip or chug as needed) or liquor drinks like "aftershocks" which are like flavoured vodka.

I refuse beer. That is, beer, stouts, ale, lager, whatever. I've tried all different kinds and multiple brands of each kind and it all tastes the same, all tastes vile, and all makes me spew yards with intense hangovers.

I'll stick to liquor. The hangovers are milder, no sickness, lots of variety in flavour, and gets you drunk faster for same/less price.

[greggchamberlain]

ah, but DarkWolf, your problem is not with beer itself, it's just you have not YET found a beer that suits you.

:D

now, me, i most prefer the local micro-brews (so, if i ever get to England, i am going to LOVE going to the local! :cool: )

they all have individual tastes and strengths that the national brands no longer possess.

back in revelstoke, the amber ale that the brewery there (owned and operated by a genuine-i-kid-you-not ex-nuclear physicist! :cool: ) produced was a smooth elixir that begged to be savoured.

here in the national capital region now in easter ontario, i enjoy, when i do drink beer, a nice mug of Lugtread from the Vankleek Hill brewery. again, a smooth way to pass the time with friends.

:)

[Faolan]

I'm not sure but I believe I am infact the Rum expert here. So have a question? I'll be happy to answer!

[kathryn]

Being underaged in a family that doesn't mind it if you drink (just not in excess), I don't drink often. I have tried different alcohol, mostly to see if I like it, and on a whole... I don't like alcoholic beverages.

[Buddha Monkey]

After reading through one of the threads, I have to add something to my previous post. This site is why I drink. Alot. More than I should.

Someone shoot me now.......I just read all of the "I feel like a Werewolf" thread again, and I need a REALLY stiff drink.......

[greggchamberlain]

oh, yeah?

well, I have not yet received a response to my offer to spend any length of time sitting listening to your expound a lengthy lecture on your favourite beverage in return for what i think is a reasonable and very small consideration.

:D

nuts! hit the wrong end of the thread...okay, this is to Faolan at least one page back regarding his claim to be willing to share his expertise on rum.

[Vendetta]

Being underaged in a family that doesn't mind it if you drink (just not in excess), I don't drink often. I have tried different alcohol, mostly to see if I like it, and on a whole... I don't like alcoholic beverages.
For the record, I would like to point out that I do NOT condone underage drinking. Kids are stupid enough without adding alcohol to the mix.

[Kaden]

oh, yeah?

well, I have not yet received a response to my offer to spend any length of time sitting listening to your expound a lengthy lecture on your favourite beverage in return for what i think is a reasonable and very small consideration.

:D

nuts! hit the wrong end of the thread...okay, this is to Faolan at least one page back regarding his claim to be willing to share his expertise on rum.

Trust me, you don't want him to get started. Last night he went on for 3 hours. I ignored him and played Wii.

His knowledge of Rum = My knowledge of all things Angel related (TV show not winged angels.)

[Faolan]

Okay Greg. Give me a question, I'll give you answer. :)

[greggchamberlain]

Okay Greg. Give me a question, I'll give you answer. :)

you heard him, folks, he ASKED me to do this! :)

what is the difference between pirate grog and real rum?

(i figure this way i get a two-for-one deal since, according to kaden, faolan is supposed to be an authority on all things piratical)

[Vendetta]

While Faolan is formulating his answer, I'd just thought I'd recommend a fantastic book, called Rum: The Epic Story of the Drink That Conquered the World (http://www.amazon.com/Rum-Story-Drink-Conquered-World/dp/0806525835/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=U TF8&s=books&qid=1207932089&sr=1-2). My late wife bought it for me, because you know... booze! But I was actually tricked into reading an excellent history book, that really explores the depth and breadth of the rum trade.

EDIT: And not to steal Faolan's thunder, but Grog wasn't really a piratical invention. The British Royal Navy started it.

[Faolan]

you heard him, folks, he ASKED me to do this! :)

what is the difference between pirate grog and real rum?

(i figure this way i get a two-for-one deal since, according to kaden, faolan is supposed to be an authority on all things piratical)

Grog is actually real rum. It's purposely watered down though. Here's the story...

Pirates never invented grog, it is actually the innovation of a clever British Admiral. Now before I get into that you need to know some history. Back in 1655 the British Navy started a rum ration to all sailors. This happened after the successful campaign to gain Jamaica as a British territory. The idea was that this ration is too keep up morale because after all some of these men never see land for months at a time. Rum however was very potent stuff, not as well controlled like other liquors now-a-days. As time went by it wasn't much of a crisis until 1739. England declared war on Spain "The War of Jenkin's Ear" as some called it because it was started when the master of a British merchant vessel had his ear cut off by a vengeful Spanish Capitan. So during this war Admiral Edward Vernon of the British Royal Navy found himself in an unusual competition for the affection of his men. Him or the Rum. You see a tipsy sailor makes a horrible solider and a too sober sailor means the threat of mutiny. He could not just taken the Rum ration away from his men so instead he decided in 1740 that all rum served on ship must be mixed with the proportion of a quart of water to every half pint of Rum. Meaning for every two part Rum a sailor drank two parts of it will be water. He then separated the rum ration into two parts, one to be served before the high noon and one for the evening. As you can imagine some of the captains thought that this would be a horrible idea, so he concluded that the mixing will be headed by the chef on each ship in front of the whole crew so the sailors would know they weren't being cheated out of their rum. This surprisingly turn out well. The men didn't care and kept to their labor without being slobbering drunkards. Now this new less potent rum needed a new name. It was no longer the rum that bite your arse called Kill-devil. Some seamen started to call it Grog for their Admiral often had a fondness to wear a coat made of "grogram". A woven fabric that was weatherproofed with gum. Vernon's nickname amongst the sailors was thus Old Grogram and so the sailors in turn coined the word "Grog" for the Admiral's invention. Now how it became known to that pirates drank grog was the fact that "Grog" to many people just became yet another word for Rum. Pirates never made rum, they just took what they can find. This Rum ration stayed in the British Navy until 1970. In that year they had a mock funeral for the Grog and after they had their last draught of Rum they filled the last container of Rum with cement and kicked it overboard while playing taps. That is the story of Grog.

[MorganaFang]

Has anyone tried Curaçao liqueur? It looks, sounds like it would be instant ouchie hangover.

[Vendetta]

Grog is actually real rum. It's purposely watered down though. Here's the story...

Pirates never invented grog, it is actually the innovation of a clever British Admiral. Now before I get into that you need to know some history. Back in 1655 the British Navy started a rum ration to all sailors. This happened after the successful campaign to gain Jamaica as a British territory. The idea was that this ration is too keep up morale because after all some of these men never see land for months at a time. Rum however was very potent stuff, not as well controlled like other liquors now-a-days. As time went by it wasn't much of a crisis until 1739. England declared war on Spain "The War of Jenkin's Ear" as some called it because it was started when the master of a British merchant vessel had his ear cut off by a vengeful Spanish Capitan. So during this war Admiral Edward Vernon of the British Royal Navy found himself in an unusual competition for the affection of his men. Him or the Rum. You see a tipsy sailor makes a horrible solider and a too sober sailor means the threat of mutiny. He could not just taken the Rum ration away from his men so instead he decided in 1740 that all rum served on ship must be mixed with the proportion of a quart of water to every half pint of Rum. Meaning for every two part Rum a sailor drank two parts of it will be water. He then separated the rum ration into two parts, one to be served before the high noon and one for the evening. As you can imagine some of the captains thought that this would be a horrible idea, so he concluded that the mixing will be headed by the chef on each ship in front of the whole crew so the sailors would know they weren't being cheated out of their rum. This surprisingly turn out well. The men didn't care and kept to their labor without being slobbering drunkards. Now this new less potent rum needed a new name. It was no longer the rum that bite your arse called Kill-devil. Some seamen started to call it Grog for their Admiral often had a fondness to wear a coat made of "grogram". A woven fabric that was weatherproofed with gum. Vernon's nickname amongst the sailors was thus Old Grogram and so the sailors in turn coined the word "Grog" for the Admiral's invention. Now how it became known to that pirates drank grog was the fact that "Grog" to many people just became yet another word for Rum. Pirates never made rum, they just took what they can find. This Rum ration stayed in the British Navy until 1970. In that year they had a mock funeral for the Grog and after they had their last draught of Rum they filled the last container of Rum with cement and kicked it overboard while playing taps. That is the story of Grog.
I've heard that the story of crediting the name "grog" to Admiral Vernon is false. I believe there are mentions of "grog" associated with rum and alcohol in the early 1700s, which predates Admiral Vernon's career. But I think it can be agrued either way.

Has anyone tried Curaçao liqueur? It looks, sounds like it would be instant ouchie hangover.
Curaçao is essentially the same thing as Triple Sec. In fact it IS just triple sec made from a specific kind of orange. In this way it's much like Grand Marnier or Cointreau.

[Faolan]

I've heard that the story of crediting the name "grog" to Admiral Vernon is false. I believe there are mentions of "grog" associated with rum and alcohol in the early 1700s, which predates Admiral Vernon's career. But I think it can be agrued either way.

Trust me this is as true as you can find it. I reference this with history professors and books. Where on Earth did you "hear" that this is wrong?

[Vendetta]

Trust me this is as true as you can find it. I reference this with history professors and books. Where on Earth did you "hear" that this is wrong?
In the book referenced above. When I get home I'll find the passage that references the debate over the term.

[greggchamberlain]

While Faolan is formulating his answer, I'd just thought I'd recommend a fantastic book, called Rum: The Epic Story of the Drink That Conquered the World (http://www.amazon.com/Rum-Story-Drink-Conquered-World/dp/0806525835/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=U TF8&s=books&qid=1207932089&sr=1-2). My late wife bought it for me, because you know... booze! But I was actually tricked into reading an excellent history book, that really explores the depth and breadth of the rum trade.

EDIT: And not to steal Faolan's thunder, but Grog wasn't really a piratical invention. The British Royal Navy started it.


and Newfies up here PERFECTED it!

:D

[greggchamberlain]

Has anyone tried Curaçao liqueur? It looks, sounds like it would be instant ouchie hangover.


actually quite tasty. mixes well with coffee.

[Vendetta]

Trust me this is as true as you can find it. I reference this with history professors and books. Where on Earth did you "hear" that this is wrong?
OK, so I still don't have th book, but after doing some digging here's what I did find. "Grog" was mentioned in the Daniel Dafoe book 'The Family Instructor' published in 1718, referred to by a young slave boy of the people of Barbados: "make the sugar, make the grog, much great work, much weary work all day long."

Also, it looks like (although I cannot confirm it 100%) that the word grogram was a much LATER word, and word in Admiral Vernon's times would've been Grosgrain (in reference to the material of his coat.) It's possible that Vernon's nickname "Old Grog" may have in fact been referring to the drink, and it has been suggested that his family made up the grogram story later to spare any shame. Which is ironic because Vernon's last battle was a resounding defeat when he was routed by the by Spanish, losing 50 ships and 18,000 men.

Also, the grog story is called into question in the book Nelson's Blood: The Story of Naval Rum, with the above mentioned Daniel Dafoe connection.

[kathryn]

For the record, I would like to point out that I do NOT condone underage drinking. Kids are stupid enough without adding alcohol to the mix.

Amen.

[Faolan]

OK, so I still don't have th book, but after doing some digging here's what I did find. "Grog" was mentioned in the Daniel Dafoe book 'The Family Instructor' published in 1718, referred to by a young slave boy of the people of Barbados: "make the sugar, make the grog, much great work, much weary work all day long."

Also, it looks like (although I cannot confirm it 100%) that the word grogram was a much LATER word, and word in Admiral Vernon's times would've been Grosgrain (in reference to the material of his coat.) It's possible that Vernon's nickname "Old Grog" may have in fact been referring to the drink, and it has been suggested that his family made up the grogram story later to spare any shame. Which is ironic because Vernon's last battle was a resounding defeat when he was routed by the by Spanish, losing 50 ships and 18,000 men.

Also, the grog story is called into question in the book Nelson's Blood: The Story of Naval Rum, with the above mentioned Daniel Dafoe connection.

I still say that this is very debatable. However in the case of Food & Drink allot of things aren't really set in stone. However I can guarantee you that the practice of making Grog in the British Royal Navy is true according to what I said earlier. I heavily suspect that both our stories are true, its just that the Admiral who did in fact ordered to make the Grog might have gotten more credit then was due. Remember this is the British we are talking about. :D

[Tempest]

For the record, I would like to point out that I do NOT condone underage drinking. Kids are stupid enough without adding alcohol to the mix.

Might I point out that just about everyone is idiotic while intoxicated? I see no problem with drinking in moderation. Yes some kids will go out of control because all that goes through their minds is "oh my god alcohol I am drinking it I must have more because it is so forbidden!!!". However this problem can be solved by lowering the drinking age. Most teens only drink because it is "cool" to be doing something illegal and getting away with it. There is not much difference between an 18 year old and a 21 year old. I know this from experience. College kids are some of the most notorious drinkers and many of them actually are of legal drinking age (at least, the heavy drinkers that I knew were). So really where would YOU put the drinking age? When are you sure people won't act like complete idiots when they have a case of beer on hand?

[Kaden]

OK, so I still don't have th book, but after doing some digging here's what I did find. "Grog" was mentioned in the Daniel Dafoe book 'The Family Instructor' published in 1718, referred to by a young slave boy of the people of Barbados: "make the sugar, make the grog, much great work, much weary work all day long."

Also, it looks like (although I cannot confirm it 100%) that the word grogram was a much LATER word, and word in Admiral Vernon's times would've been Grosgrain (in reference to the material of his coat.) It's possible that Vernon's nickname "Old Grog" may have in fact been referring to the drink, and it has been suggested that his family made up the grogram story later to spare any shame. Which is ironic because Vernon's last battle was a resounding defeat when he was routed by the by Spanish, losing 50 ships and 18,000 men.

Also, the grog story is called into question in the book Nelson's Blood: The Story of Naval Rum, with the above mentioned Daniel Dafoe connection.

I still say that this is very debatable. However in the case of Food & Drink allot of things aren't really set in stone. However I can guarantee you that the practice of making Grog in the British Royal Navy is true according to what I said earlier. I heavily suspect that both our stories are true, its just that the Admiral who did in fact ordered to make the Grog might have gotten more credit then was due. Remember this is the British we are talking about. :D



Awwww who the fuck cares where it came from and when it was invented. As long as it tastes good I don't care.

[dirtyrat]

Might I point out that just about everyone is idiotic while intoxicated? I see no problem with drinking in moderation. Yes some kids will go out of control because all that goes through their minds is "oh my god alcohol I am drinking it I must have more because it is so forbidden!!!". However this problem can be solved by lowering the drinking age. Most teens only drink because it is "cool" to be doing something illegal and getting away with it. There is not much difference between an 18 year old and a 21 year old. I know this from experience. College kids are some of the most notorious drinkers and many of them actually are of legal drinking age (at least, the heavy drinkers that I knew were). So really where would YOU put the drinking age? When are you sure people won't act like complete idiots when they have a case of beer on hand?I've heard that drinking this stuff screws up your body's maturing proccess towards physical adulthood; don't drink until your late 20's. (Of course nobody waits this long [except me :) ])

[Tempest]

I've heard that drinking this stuff screws up your body's maturing proccess towards physical adulthood; don't drink until your late 20's. (Of course nobody waits this long [except me :) ])

Yeah and supposedly coffee stunts your growth :rolleyes: Show me a study that PROVES alcohol does this any maybe I will consider the argument of the drinking age being 21. Alcohol in excess, perhaps, alcohol in moderation, highly doubtful. Note that I'm not condoning drinking in excess...for anyone, including people above the legal drinking age.

[Vendetta]

Might I point out that just about everyone is idiotic while intoxicated? I see no problem with drinking in moderation. Yes some kids will go out of control because all that goes through their minds is "oh my god alcohol I am drinking it I must have more because it is so forbidden!!!". However this problem can be solved by lowering the drinking age. Most teens only drink because it is "cool" to be doing something illegal and getting away with it. There is not much difference between an 18 year old and a 21 year old. I know this from experience. College kids are some of the most notorious drinkers and many of them actually are of legal drinking age (at least, the heavy drinkers that I knew were). So really where would YOU put the drinking age? When are you sure people won't act like complete idiots when they have a case of beer on hand?
OK, I have a perfect solution. Instead of lowering the drinking age, I say raise the drinking age for shitty spirits, like beer and wine coolers and other sugary malt bevs, and ONLY allow kids to drink gin gimlets. Kids won't want to drink for 5-10 years after having just one; problem solved.

[greggchamberlain]

well, i would suggest martinis in place of gin gimlets myself.

same result.

:D

[unfitto]

I was drinking martinis when I was underage :(

admittedly that was only because they drank "martinis" on M*A*S*H...

[Vendetta]

well, i would suggest martinis in place of gin gimlets myself.

same result.

:D
I think it depends on how dry or dirty you make your martinis. I'm not a huge gin fan, but I've had some pretty smooth and delicious martinis. Of course I prefer mine dirty or less dry (with more vermouth.) Of course I REALLY prefer mine with vodka, rather than gin, but that's another story.

[MorganaFang]

admittedly that was only because they drank "martinis" on M*A*S*H...

That is a pretty awesome reason

[greggchamberlain]

not that what Hawkeye and Trap (and later B.J.) used for their martinis would EVER qualify as gin!

:D

[Tempest]

OK, I have a perfect solution. Instead of lowering the drinking age, I say raise the drinking age for shitty spirits, like beer and wine coolers and other sugary malt bevs, and ONLY allow kids to drink gin gimlets. Kids won't want to drink for 5-10 years after having just one; problem solved.

Actually they probably would just say "fuck this" and go get some beer anyway. Not really solving any problems.

[Vendetta]

Actually they probably would just say "fuck this" and go get some beer anyway. Not really solving any problems.
I was thinking more with a funnel and oral calipers.

[greggchamberlain]

I was thinking more with a funnel and oral calipers.

why bother with the funnel?

:D