Scotch on the Rocks of Antarctica
In 1907 to 1909, Ernest Shackleton attempted to make a trek to the South Pole. Shackleton's ski trek to the pole ended in frustration when the party began running out of supplies 100 miles north of their goal. They returned to their base on the Antarctic coast and set sail for warmer climes as winter ice was forming.
In their rush to leave, they left a few things behind under the floorboards of their hut. Would you believe two cases of brandy and five cases of Scotch whisky? Members of a New Zealand Antarctic Trust team found the wooden cases while doing restoration work in 2006, though the cases were too deeply embedded in ice to be dislodged.
The New Zealanders have returned to drill through the ice to retrieve a couple bottles, though the rest of the stash will remain in place, under International conservation treaty guidelines.
As reported by the Associated Press, Richard Paterson, master blender at Whyte & Mackay, whose company supplied the whisky for the expedition, described the find as “a gift from the heavens for whisky lovers.” The original recipe for the expedition's whisky no longer exists, so they hope to analyze the well-aged whisky and replicate the blend.
Meanwhile, back in Scotland…
It turns out that people who spike their favorite energy drink with an alcoholic beverage aren't doing anything new. A somewhat controversial Scottish beverage is Buckfast Tonic Wine.
While its origin goes back to an English Benedictine abbey, it's potent stuff. It has 15 percent alcohol by volume, and a 750 ml bottle contains as much caffeine as eight cans of Coke.
As reported by the New York Times, Buckfast Tonic has a number of nicknames, including, “Wreck the Hoose Juice" (that's how Scots pronounce 'house'). Others call it “loopy juice” or “who you lookin' at wine.”
Buckfast first became popular early in the 2oth Century when doctors prescribed it as a tonic for depressed miners, and it was sold in drugstores.
According to the report, young, rowdy men, with a taste for making trouble, favor the tonic. Other comments about it include, “It's why a lot of fights happen around here on Saturdays,” or “It'll blow your head off.”
Five years ago, Scotland's justice minister said that Buckfast was “related to antisocial behavior” and tried to ban or limit sales, but protesters chanted, “Don't ban Buckie! Don't ban Buckie.” The plan backfired and sales soared.
And on the home front …
A new University of Florida study indicates that mixing energy drinks with liquor can be “a cocktail for disaster,” according to the Gainesville Sun.
University researchers found that college students who mix energy drinks with alcohol are putting themselves at real risk, as the mixture may give people the idea they're not as affected as they actually are.
In a study of 800 bar patrons, those who had been drinking energy drinks mixed with alcohol were three times more likely to leave intoxicated and four times more likely to drive than bar patrons who had been drinking more conventional drinks.
Beer not recession proof
According to Business Week, the belief that a recession is a good time to buy shares of brewing companies is losing credibility. Craig Purser, chief executive of the National Beer Wholesalers Association says, “Lots of folks have thought that beer is recession-proof or recession-resistant. The numbers don't bear that out.”
Shares for Molson Coors, SABMiller, and A-B InBev have all fallen since the start of the year. According to the industry-funded Beer Institute, beer shipment volumes fell 2.19 percent in 2009.
Imported beer took the biggest hit, with import volumes down 9.7 percent last year. Premium domestic brews also suffered as consumers trade down to cheaper brands and are more likely to drink at home than in bars or restaurants.
On the other hand, craft beer sales sere up 12.4 percent in 2009, according to surveys by the Nielsen Company.
Craft beers are still a small niche in the national market, accounting for just 5.8 percent of the U.S. beer market.
The MillerCoors partnership and Anheuser-Busch InBev produces the vast majority of beer sold in the U.S. A-B InBev controls 49.9 percent of the U.S. beer market, while MillerCoors controls 28 percent.
Purser remains optimistic, however, and looks at new products, such as specialty beers and low-calorie offerings, to catch consumer attention. “I remain very, very bullish on the future of [beer industry] innovation.”
Father of Our Country – and Distiller
George Washington, our nation's first president, commander of the military in the Revolutionary War, and other great things, had other things going, as well.
In addition to his political and military achievements, he also made rum and whiskey. In fact, at the time of his death in 1799, he was America's leading distiller.
According to a story by Chuck Haga of the Grand Forks Herald, Hal Gershman, owner of Happy Harry's liquor stores in Grand Forks and Fargo, N.D, acquired two bottles of spirits made at Washington's Mount Vernon estate at a bargain price of $12,000. Both bottles, one whiskey and one rum (Martha's favorite tipple) were made at a re-creation of Washington's distillery.
Washington didn't take time from his duties as president to make spirits. He waited until 1797, after he left office, to start his distillery, producing 11,000 gallons of whiskey in 1799. He began the distillery at the suggestion of his farm manager.
The two bottles, along with an original letter from the retired president will be on display at the North Dakota Museum of Art in Grand Forks from April 18 to June 3.
The letter from Washington is to his nephew, Col. William Washington (he commanded cavalry during the Revolutionary War) confirming that his order for 200 gallons of whiskey was ready for pick-up, adding, “The sooner it is taken the better, as the demand for this article is brisk.”
The letter was purchased by the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. at another auction and is on loan to the North Dakota museum, after which it will be on long-term loan to Mount Vernon.
Cashing in on St. Patrick
March 17 commemorates St. Patrick of Ireland. It's also one of the most alcohol-heavy holidays on the calendar.
Major brewers come up with green versions of their beer. MolsonCoors ramps up production of Killian's Irish Red, and various Irish whiskeys have big days.
According to a 2007 MarketWatch report, however, Diageo, the largest spirits company in the world, dominates on St. Patrick's Day. The British company not only produces Guinness and Harp, but also makes Bailey's Irish Cream and Bushmills whiskey.
Just remember, all you loyal sons of Ireland, when you have a big day celebrating St. Patrick's Day, there's a good chance that a big chunk of the bottom line will be totted up by some Brits. Kind of puts a damper on the celebration, doesn't it?
In any event, St. Patrick's Day is the holiday that means a real payday for tavern owners. At other holidays people may do more of their celebrating at home, whereas St. Patrick's Day is a day for going out and celebrating with others.
Just don't forget the designated driver!