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Russian and Ukraine Vodka History.

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Because of his reputation of being a guru of sort, Dr. Wetbrain had a lot of strange characters dropping into his country shack. One time there was a colorful hyper thing from Russia. Baggy shiny bright blue shirt and baggy shimmery red pants. A jet, black sash around his waist. And, a black packsack strapped to his back.

Sergei was literally dancing as he came down the path. Spinning around and everything. A very, very happy lad. When he opened his packsack, we knew why. Two big bottles of Vodka from Russia and Ukraine and lots of grapefruit juice for mix. With his huge white smile and bad English, he asks Dr. Wetbrain. “Got any glasses…. Ice?”

Doctor just smiled and said, “Da”. Even later that afternoon that was the only Russian word he knew.

 

After we all had our quart jars refilled with vodka and grapefruit juice, we sat around outside of the shack on top of stacked fire wood. “Do you want to know about vodka?” Sergei began and continued without waiting for a reply. “Us Russians and my neighbor countries, Ukraine and Poland all take claim to the birth of vodka.”

Voda, in Russian means water, which is what vodka looks like. Imported vodka from my motherland tastes like water also. You should try the 80-proof vodka. That will knock your socks off.” As he points to his bottles with an upward nod with his chin.

At first, in the 1100’s, vodka was made from rye grain. And used as an anesthetic and disinfectant, believe it or not. It was the middle 1300’s when vodka became popular for drinking. Perhaps the prescription conditions were not accurate, so lets drink this new libation instead.

Since Russia, Ukraine and Poland are very popular for potato growing, we started making vodka out of…. potatoes.

Now these countries drink vodka with their meals and festive occasions. Adults also.

“But Sergei, when did vodka come to North America?” Curiously Dr. Wetbrain askes.

“Ah…. Da, da. About when you were born Deda.” Sergei replies with his odd humor.

“1930’s is when vodka became popular in this fine continent. Come, let us start on the next bottle.”

Dr. Wetbrain says that the 2 best vodkas sold in North America are imported from Latvia and not Russia. The horrible war brought on by Russia against Ukraine dictates that imported vodka is not from Russia, naturally. The 2 best imported vodkas in North America are Stolichnaya which is produced in Latvia by exiled Russian-born billionaire Yuri Shefler, and Moskovskaya vodka which is not Russian and made in Latvia also.

Stolichnaya is rebranding to distance its Latvian-made vodka from Putin's Russia - MarketWatch

Hope you enjoyed this information on the Russian – Ukraine vodka history.

 

 

12 Celebrities And The Liquor Industry.

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Well, it takes money to make money. And who can have the liberty of doing this but successful celebrities.

What a hobby to have to produce a fine wine with the occasional walk through a vineyard or distill the best gin by trial and error with casual tasting.

“If I was a celebrity, I would do the same thing.” Dr. Wetbrain had to remark.

Researching all the celebrities and their relationship with the liquor industry, the Doctor found out that there were a lot of these lucky people. So, he simplified the huge list to 12 popular celebrities and the liquor industry. Just click their name for more information.

1) Dwayne Johnson (Rock)

Teremana Tequila

One of the highest paid actors with countless of successful movies is The Rock. Dwayne Johnson smartly decided to get into the tequila business and produces Teremana Tequila which is produced in a small Mexican town on top of Jalisco Highland Mountains. How cool is that. Also, this tequila is made by hand using small old brick ovens and handmade copper pot stills.

 

2) Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan one of the greatest song writers dabbled into distilling handcrafted American Whiskey. A whiskey that won many awards! Heavens Door Whisky. Over each of the bottle’s surface there is a distinctive iron welded design.

 

3) Dan Aykroyd

Celebrities' secret businesses - Dan Aykroyd (1) - CNNMoney.com

Dan Aykroyd a prominent Canadian actor famed with movies such as ‘Ghostbusters’ series. Mr. Aykroyd conjured up an ultra-premium vodka with the highest quality of ingredients and then put it into an iconic glass skull shaped bottle. Genius!

 

4)  Kate Hudson

Beautiful actress Kate Hudson, daughter of Goldie Hawn and Bill Hudson. This girl has two fashion businesses and is now venturing into the liquor industry.

King St. Vodka. Made with distilled water by 7 times! Made in Santa Barbara, California.

 

5)  Drew Barrymore

Another beautiful actress who deeply got right into wine industry. Under the Carmel Road label she produced 3 very good wines. A Pinot Grigio; Pinot Noir; Rose, all made with the guidance of wine maker Kris Kato.

 

6)  Ryan Reynolds

Aviation Gin reklame med fantastisk humor - Alt om Gin

Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds decided to dip his toes into the liquor industry and did quite well with becoming co-owner of Aviation American Gin. This fine gin is produced with a precise blend of botanicals and pure water vapors.

 

7)  Kiss

Kiss the legendary rock band from the 70’s jumped into liquor. I meant produced a few alcohol products. First there is Cold Gin, each bottle comes with an official Kiss guitar pick. Then there is Black Diamond Premium Dark Rum, aged 15 years. Too bad it wasn’t aged 48 years to complement Kiss’s debut album. Just kidding!

 

8)  Queen Elizabeth II

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II released Sandringham Dry Gin in July 2020. Most of the fruit and foliage for this finely produced libation was taken from the Buckingham Palace Estate gardens. Unfortunately, England is the only place to purchase the Queen’s gin.

Note: In the 1500’s, Queen Elizabeth I, drank strong ale for breakfast. Drunk by noon.

 

9)  Danny DeVito

In 1975, great versatile actor Danny DeVito bought a winery in the famed Napa Valley. Today he has 2 wineries in the same area. From these wineries ‘Danny DeVito’s Premium Limoncello’ became his number one vintage.

 

10)  Cameron Diaz and Katherine Power

Cameron Diaz and Katherine Power both joined forces to produce a clean vegan-friendly organic Rose and white grape wine. The ‘Avaline Wine’ was born and became very popular in the wine industry.

In October 2020 Avaline launched red and sparkling wines.

 

11)  Matthew McConaughey

Recently Matthew McConaughey officially joined the Wild Turkey Bourbon family as a Creative Director. Matthew and Eddie Russell conjured up a very good bourbon called Wild Turkey Longbranch which is definitely worth a try.

 

12)  George Strait

George Strait on Twitter: "Happy National Tequila Day! How are you serving up your Código today?! @Codigo1530 🥃 https://t.co/rBOc5YeMgi" / Twitter

The famous country crooner George Strait joined in a partnership with a premium brand of tequila called Codigo 1530. In the olden days Codigo tequila was only drank by the elite. These days Codigo 1530, Extra Anejo bottles sell for $3300.oo. Still is drank by the rich. Listen to George Strait’s Codigo song.

 

Yes, I am so jealous of people who have the liberty of  enjoying life with entrepreneurship, great hobbies, life and enjoyment. Like celebrities involved in the liquor industry.

Thank you very much you talented rich people, Dr. Wetbrain.

The 1920s Alcohol Prohibition.

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The 1920’s Alcohol Prohibition.

Why didn't prohibition work? You asked Google – here's the answer | Stephen Moss | The Guardian

 

Alcohol Being Dumped from Metmuseum.org

Dr. Wetbrain thinks that this ‘1920s alcohol prohibition’ is the most idiotic and inhumane political decision that any government ruling has ever done. Were the politicians drunk when they thought of this?

From 1920 to 1933 the United States prohibited the manufacture, sales and transportation of intoxicating liquors and was called the ‘prohibition’. Were they drunk when they thought this up?

January 16, 1920 the 18th amendment to the United States Constitution went into effect. Gangsters saw this as a business opportunity to make high profits from dealing in an illegal way with this new law.

These gangsters and bootleggers would smuggle in rum from the Caribbean or whiskey from Canada into the United States.

The smarter gangsters also opened up secret bars which were hidden from the authorities for regular people to sneak into, to drink and socialize called ‘speakeasies’. The name ‘Speakeasy’, was named from having all the patrons whisper to each other so the coppers (police), would not find and arrest these clubs.

Speakeasy, Metmuseum.org

In 1929 the ‘great depression’ began, the stock market crashed, and the government needed money, people needed jobs or to be drunk. To have alcohol taxed legally again would have solved all these problems.

On December 5,1933, the United States Constitution made the production, sales and distribution of alcohol was legal again. Yay!

Photos | Prohibition

Metmuseum.org

During this prohibition era, whiskey was able to be prescribed by medical doctors to very many patients for all sorts of ailments such as sniffles, mild headaches and slight depression.

Over one million gallons of whiskey per year was, suddenly, given freely by doctors as medical prescriptions.

The 1920’s United States alcohol prohibition is not a new concept. Other countries on historical dates have had their try on alcohol prohibition.

1919 – 1932   Finland

1919         Hungarian Soviet Republic

1916 – 1927   Norway

1915 – 1933   Iceland

1914 – 1925   Soviet Union (U.S.S.R.)

1907 – 1948   Canada (Prince Edward Island) 

Countries today where alcohol is banned.

Afghanistan – Absolutely no alcohol consumed.

Kuwait – No booze what so ever.

India – Individual states have alcohol prohibition such as Lakshadweep, Gujarat and Nagaland.

Iran – Since 1979.

Pakistan – Certain non-Muslim minorities must apply for a permit for alcohol consumption. Good luck.

Philippines – The only time alcohol sales are prohibited here is two days before an official election.

Thailand – A little different then the Philippines where alcohol prohibition is only the same day as an official election.

Saudi Arabia – No alcohol at all.

Yemen – No booze being drunk here.

Dr. Wetbrain says, “These are countries I will not be visiting any time soon. What’s their problem?”

Solitary Sot – Drinking Darts For One.

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Let us continue with the Solitary Sot series for the hardy drink alone drunk. Darts for one sounds good and easy.

 

DARTS FOR ONE

 

Preparation: 

Step 1

You need booze, a dart board and 3 darts (one will do).

Play: 

Step 1

Stand back 10 feet from the dart board. 

Step 2

Close your eyes and shoot, at the board, one dart at a time.

Step 3

Each of the numbers you hit divisible by three, you have one drink for each. (i.e. – 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 & 18) .

 

If you thought this game was fun alone, wait for the next Solitary Sot game coming soon. Stay tuned.

 

8 Best Free Drinking Game Apps.

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One day Dr. Wetbrain was playing with his new I-phone and was thinking what can I look up? Free drinking game apps, he thought. With Google search he was able to obtain and study on how each one of these game apps work. Many a drunk night went into this research. Dr. Wetbrain gives you in his opinion on the best free drinking game apps available. Let’s begin.

 

I Puke App Screenshot Image

Apparently, hours and hours of drinking went into developing this drinking game app with serious hangovers. I could relate. Research must be done. Note: No drunks were harmed in these experiments.

Fun with any number of players just start with putting in the names. Then each player one at a time will draw a card and has a choice between a dare or number of shots to drink. On the dares be afraid, very afraid. Just joking.

 

Picolo App

A very fun drinking game where anybody who sees it playing wants to join in automatically. Easy to play, easy to get the party going. No rules to remember also.

To play just add each player’s name, then answer questions and follow the instructions. The drink amount is included for each losing player.

 

The Kings Cup

This drinking game app is for the card game players. Great for getting the party started. Drink amount is dedicated.

 

Drunk Potato

Remember the kid’s game ‘Hot Potato’. This game is the same idea, but with a timer instead of burning your hands.

This drinking game is played on a cell phone. When the timer starts either answer the question which could be very personal or take the challenge which could be filthy and dirty… or not. When the timer runs out, who is holding the phone must have a drink. If phone holder does not answer the question or complete the challenge, they must drink 3 drinks! Next player please.

 

Drinkie

This app is designed for a I-pad and I-phone. Easy to play with all the trending drinking games segregated into 4 modes. Ridiculous, sexy, tipsy (get the party started), macho (sports like), girly (bachelorette party time).

Put in names and get personalized questions, challenges and drinks.

 

King Of Booze App

This is another drinking game app where there is a variety of dares are king or decide to have some sissy drinks, up to you. This is a game that will liven up boring people for drinking and laughing.

 

Never Have I Ever App

Intimate questions to answer. If you did the dirty deed that was questioned have a drink. If you do not want to answer, perhaps due to shame, take 3 drinks.

 

Drink Or Doom App

This fun drinking game app is made in a comic book design. Once the player chooses a character and puts in their name, they are ready to play. Very easy to play. When it is your turn, you get to choose between a challenge or a drink amount. A few of the challenges may be ‘R’ rated with mild violence and nudity.Drink Or Doom: Drinking game by Boris Mikic

 

After 8 days of getting drunk with his friends for research purposes only. Dr. Wetbrain was able to deduce which free drinking game apps are the best. Now it’s time for home for a rest.

7 Piece Luxurious Emerald Isle Collection.

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Harold and I were floating around the internet world one day checking out and remarking on all sorts of images. That’s when we came across a picture that had a beautiful wooden two-doored ornamented cabinet that glowed like it was put together in heaven. I’m sure we heard angels singing!

“Emerald Isle Collection”, Dr. Wetbrain read out loud.

“Well let’s look into this”, was Harold’s reply.

Ends up that the Craft Irish Whiskey Co. partnered up with Faberge the famed jeweller to create this elegant, handcrafted cabinet and called it ‘The Emerald Isle Collection’.

This luxurious seven-piece jewelled Irish Whiskey set was designed to celebrate the ‘Seven Wonders of Ireland”.

First there is the dark walnut handcrafted keyed case which holds all the treasure such as two handcrafted bottles of rare 30-year-old triple distilled Irish Whiskey.

Next item took over 100 hours to handcraft. The Faberge Celtic Egg which was made with 18k yellow gold. Set with 104 cut diamonds which adorn the Celtic Knot. Added to the egg are 7 exotic gemstones. Truly in the Faberge style. Nesting in the egg is an uncut Zambian emerald.

Then there is the Swiss made stylish rich timepiece. An Altruist self-winding watch with a 22k gold oscillating weight. This fine work of art has a mother-of-pearl face with hand-painted 24k gold flakes. Even each watch dial was crafted by the Faberge team. All encased in Rose Gold and sprinkled with Sapphire Crystals. The watch is finished with an alligator brown strap with a Rose Gold buckle.

Two Cohiba Siglo VI Grand Reserva Cigars; a gold-plated cigar cutter and a gold-plated water pipette. Way too fancy. But no, there’s more!

Obsidian whiskey stones. Yes, had to look it up!  Obsidian is a rock formed when lava solidifies rapidly and is used for reusable alternative to ice cubes. Lastly a carafe filled with Irish Spring water.

On March 17, 2021, this elegant ‘Emerald Isle Collection’ auctioned off for 2 million dollars. Best part of the deal is that all the proceeds from the sale went to Correa Family Foundation for children affected with cancer.

What a great rare story of the rich helping the needed, Dr. Wetbrain thought.

For more similar products.

Spirit of the West – Home For A Rest.

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“Harold I was thinking!’ Dr. Wetbrain, suddenly spouted out his great idea. We all had a time in life where we were seriously drunk for a good straight week or two. Then it comes to a point when being drunk gets boring, curing your hangover every morning with a case of beer or two is not fun anymore. It is time to crawl home for a rest. Home to loving, meals, movies, and a real bed.

Harold nodded in agreement. “Few times!” He noted.

Well warm up your truck Harold. We are going to the Central Hotel to see a great band called ‘Spirit of The West”. They have an awesome song all about those good old days.

Listening to the band playing the song ‘Home for A Rest’ with friends was a great night along with the drinking, dancing and laughs. A year later sad news came over the radio. John Mann, the frontrunner for Spirit of The West died at the age of 57.

Due to complications with Alzheimer’s on November 20, 2019, John Mann died with eight of his close friends and family beside his bedside to say goodbye. Guinness beer was his favorite drink. They opened a bottle of Guinness, Hattie his daughter, dabbed some of the beer onto her father’s lips the rest of the bottle was sipped by the family and friends. John was gone shortly after. What a beautiful ending.

Dr. Wetbrain concluded by mentioning how he loves that fast beat Celtic music. You can’t help but to dance to it.

Saint Bernard Rescue Dogs And Brandy Barrels.

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Covered in snow and shivering Dr. Wetbrain stormed into his cabin.

“Quick get in and shut the door!” Harold yelled. “It’s freezing out there.”

“I know, I just walked home from the bar.” The doctor replied.

Wetbrain took off his winter gear and quickly sat down beside Harold and the hot crackling fireplace.

On the frightful freezing walk home from the bar the doctor was thinking about the story of Saint Bernard rescue dogs and the brandy barrels around their necks. Dr. Wetbrain decided that he should relay this myth to Harold.

Halfway on the walk home a St. Bernard with a keg of brandy sure would have hit the spot, the doctor blurted. But the story of the Saint Bernard dog is very interesting.

On the boarder between Switzerland and Italy in the Pennine Alps there is a treacherous route through the snowy mountain peaks called “Great Saint Bernard Pass”. This pass still stands after over a thousand years and is still used today.

In the middle of this St. Bernard Pass the Romans in 1049 built a temple called ‘Bernard of Menthon’ after Saint Bernard (clergy with the Catholic church). This temple became a hospice for weary travelers and was run by a group of Monks who took care of the passing guests, benefited them as mountain guides and took the task of rescuing frozen travelers.

The Monks needed rescuing help, so they decided to descend to some of the low-lying villages to find dogs. The dogs found were trained for rescue purposes, they were strong, adaptable to any harsh weather condition and had a great sense of smell. They also were able to detect avalanches in advance. The Saint Bernard breed was born.

Unfortunately, archives referring to these dogs were lost due to a large fire in the temple in the late 16th century. Historians believe that the St. Bernard dogs arrived at the temple between 1550 and 1660.

Now the story of the barrel with brandy around the dog’s neck. For rescue purpose only. What a great idea! Where’s my Toy Poodle?

According to the temple’s archives, it was the august brother (Monk) that carried the small barrel of brandy like a satchel on rescue missions to warm the cockles of the found travelers in despair. Consensus says that NO brandy was toted by these faithful dogs.

The rumor of the St. Bernard and brandy barrel could have been brought on by a seventeen-year-old painter from England, Sir Edwin Henry Landseer. His art project is titled “Alpine Mastiffs Reanimating a Distressed Traveler”. The painting showed a Saint Bernard with a barrel around its neck.

This is the story of the great St. Bernard with a barrel of brandy around his neck. An added note about these strong, slobbering dogs is that between 1816 and 1818 the weather was so severe through the pass that most St. Bernards perished and came close to extinction. Thriving now.

“Wow, who knew!” Harold exclaimed while heating up a pot of cheap red wine. “Drink like tea and this will warm up your cockles. Grandma’s cold remedy, tastes good and it works.”

Drinking Alone Game, Solitary Sot – Cap.

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    “If you’re drinking alone, might as well have fun.” Dr. Wetbrain thought to himself staring at his silent phone.

The drinking game “Caps” is usually played by two or more contestants. “Cap” is played by only one lonely drinker. One hell of a way to pass the time while getting drunk by yourself. Be the Solitary Sot.

Play – “Cap”. 

Need:

Bottled beer, hopefully lots. 

Preparation:

Step 1           

On the floor, place upright a full uncapped beer bottle. Place the cap upside down on top of the beer bottle. 

Step 2

Pace out 10 feet from that bottle in a straight line. And, at the ten-foot mark place another full uncapped beer bottle. Do the same as the first bottle with the upside-down cap and all. 

Step 3

You will need three other beer bottle caps.

Cap by Dr. Wetbrain 

Play: 

Step 1

Get behind one of the bottles and sit down. Make sure you are facing the other bottle 10 feet away.

Step 2

With the three bottle caps in hand, one at a time attempt to knock off the other upside-down cap from the other bottle.

Step 3

If you knock off the cap with your three tries. You get to go to the other bottle and drink it down. And now it is your turn again to knock off the cap from the bottle on the other side. Oh, replace and recap the target bottle you are leaving from, after you’ve had your drink.

Dr. Wetbrain

Step 4

If you miss knocking the cap off after three tries. No drinking. You must go and retrieve those caps. Come back and try again. The object of the game is to aim and knock off caps that are on the opposing beer bottle. Until you can’t hit the target no more. Too drunk perhaps.

 

Dr. Wetbrain’s Conclusion

     This is the first drinking alone game from the Solitary Sot list. Stay tuned for more drinking games to have fun getting drunk all by yourself.

Six Favorite Booze Christmas Advents.

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Well, it’s that time of the year again, Dr. Wetbrain was thinking.

Blown up Santa in the front lawn with a few duct-tape bandages on it and Christmas songs belting from every radio station. My favorite Christmas time is the countdown to the 25th with the best booze Christmas advents. Yes, I usually have three or four of these calendars going at once. Makes me love these reindeer radio songs that much more.

This is the time of year also when Dr. Wetbrain gives you his favorite best booze Christmas advents list to get you into the spirit with spirits.

A Brief History on the Christmas Advent Calendar.

Advent calendars for Christmas first started out in Germany in the 1850s with cloth and wood as certain gifts for each day on the countdown to Christmas. Now we have alcohol-based advents!

Cadbury made a chocolate Christmas advent calendar in 1971.

 

Six Favorite Booze Christmas Advent List For 2021.

 

 1)  Nipyata Boozy Advent Christmas Calendar

  • 12 mini 50ml bottles of the best booze.
  • Tito’s Vodka
  • Grey Goose Vodka
  • Kahlua Coffee Liquor
  • Bailey’s Irish Cream
  • Jameson Irish Whiskey
  • Jack Daniel’s Whiskey
  • Screwball Whiskey
  • Fireball Whiskey
  • Casamigo’s Tequila
  • Johnnie Walker Scotch Whiskey
  • Aviation Gin
  • Bacardi Gold Rum

All advents are shipped in discreet packaging.

NIPYATA!® Boozy Advent Calendar: 12 Shots of Christmas®! (12 Bottles P

 

2)  In Good Taste

This company provides a 24, (187 ml.) mini bottles in an advent Christmas calendar with the most premium wines such as…

Noir, Rose, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Blanc, Riesling and Sangiovese.

 

3)  Get Vine Box

Sticking with wine this company presents a very cool Christmas advent called ‘Twelve Nights of Wine’.

In this kit you will get twelve world class wines inside crafted glass tubes that are put into twelve abstract designed cases. The wines you get are 4 whites, 2 Rose and 6 reds. What is the best part of this kit is that all these wines are made in excellent wineries, all owned by special women.

Vinebox's Twelve Nights of Wine Box - Wine Advent Calendars 2018

 

4)  Flaviar Whiskeys of the Galaxy 

     This Christmas advent calendar will take you into a whiskey world for 24 days before Christmas. You get 24 vials of a variety of premium whiskey, a Glencairn tasting glass, high quality concrete coaster and a collectable artistic booklet with information on each whiskey in the advent calendar.

 

5)  Jack Daniel’s Holiday Countdown Calendar

     This historic distillery has a great Christmas advent calendar. The design of the advent kit really makes you feel like Christmas time. You get twenty (50ml.) mini bottles of Jack Daniel’s finest Tennessee whiskey. Along with 4 shot glasses with the JD logo.

Jack Daniel`s Holiday Advent Calendar

 

6)  Canada Craft Club

     Craft beer has gone big in the last decade especially in Canada. Since 2012 the Canadian craft beer Christmas advent calendar has been very popular.

With the craft beer advent, you would get 24 full cans (355ml.) of craft beer that won gold medals for the best craft beer from across Canada.

 

Dr. Wetbrain Conclusion:

     As Christmas gets closer excitement fills the air. What amplifies this Yule feeling besides the radio belting out Reindeer songs is a good booze Christmas advent calendar.

 

Note:  Order before November 1st. or you may not get your favorite advent calendar.

This post has links and drinks for all and to all a good night. So corny!