alcohol

Is Commercial Moonshine Really Moonshine?

Published

7 months ago

October 22, 2023

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With the boom in craft spirits of the last 15 years has come an avalanche of new-make spirits labeled “moonshine,” “white dog,” or “white lightning,” often flavored with everything from apple pie to jalapeño to pumpkin spice. But what exactly is the stuff? Is it just a gimmick?

Moonshine is high-proof liquor, traditionally made, or at least distributed, illegally. The name was derived from a tradition of creating the alcohol during the nighttime, thereby avoiding detection. In the first decades of the 21st century, commercial distilleries have adopted the term for its outlaw cachet and begun producing their own legally sanctioned, novelty “moonshine,” including many flavored varieties, that in some sense continue its tradition, generally having a similar method and/or location of production.

Especially in the South, traditional moonshine still “homemade” and distributed to friends and family. Is can be made from any fermentable substrate, from sugar to grain to stone fruit. Whatever distillers can get their hands on and want to work with is fair game.

Commercial liquor labeled as moonshine is typically one of two things: neutral grain spirits or unaged whiskey. But what’s the difference there?

Related: Flavored Whiskey: More Common And Delicious Than You Think

In short, it’s a difference in proof at distillation. Neutral spirits—of which vodka is a subcategory—must be at least 95% alcohol coming off the still, whereas whiskey must be distilled to less than 95% ABV. American whiskeys like bourbon, rye, and corn whiskey can’t be distilled above 80% ABV. Those differences are important, because the lower the proof at distillation, the more flavorful congeners carry over from the grain to the final spirit. White whiskey, in other words, is different from vodka, but some of what gets sold as “moonshine” is legally vodka. Check the fine print—if the label says “neutral spirits,” it’s not whiskey.

So why are these spirits so trendy these days? You see brands like Ole Smoky on shelves in mason jars and people are buying them right and left.

RELATED: Rainy Weather Cocktails

In large part, it’s because whiskey, like other aged spirits, is expensive and time-consuming to produce. It can be years before newly-distilled bourbon or rye is ready to hit the shelves, and small start-ups usually can’t afford to sit around twiddling their thumbs while whiskey is maturing. That leaves them with two options: buy and bottle sourced whiskey, or make clear spirits that can be sold right away. Gin, vodka, and white rum are all options, but so-called moonshine has an outlaw mystique that fits well with the branding of a lot of small distilleries. Some large distilleries, like Buffalo Trace, have since jumped on the bandwagon with their own new-make bottlings.

RELATED: Building A Boilermaker: The Art Of Pairing Whiskey And Beer

The fact that white dog is usually either a marketing ploy or a financial stopgap doesn’t necessarily mean it’s to be avoided. For one thing, it can be a great mixer, serving as a more-flavorful substitute for vodka. It can also be interesting to taste various styles of whiskey in their new-make form, and even, if you have the space and patience, try aging it at home.

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alcohol

Toast 4/20 With A THC Infused Mocktail

Published

3 weeks ago

April 19, 2024

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It is the high holiday of marijuana use. You want to go out and have some fun, so why not toast 4/20 with a THC infused mocktail? Friday and Saturday are the busiest night at bars and sometimes you want something other than a vape or a gummy – so why not have a “cannabis mocktail”? This way you can indulge with your friends, have a little sugar in your system and chill out.

Non alcoholic cocktails – called the mocktail have been around since the 1860s with the temperance movement. The craft cocktail movement has spurred the cocktail renaissance, characterized by a revival and re-prioritization of traditional recipes and methods in the bar industry. So why not do what you love and be part of the movement also?

cannabis cocktail — Photo by viennetta/Getty Images

The easiest way is to add a THC tincture to the mocktails while the staff aren’t looking. Simply stop at your local dispensary and pick one up. Find something with a bland flavor so it will go with whatever you order. When looking for a mocktail, consider drinks with strong flavors and a little extra ice. Remember, it will take 15-30 minutes at least for it to kick in (like a real cocktail), so don’t drink too quickly.

You can also make your own marijuana simple syrup. It is bit involved but it’s still nothing too crazy if you love creating. You’ll need issome combination of water, fine granulated sugar, vegetable glycerine, marijuana, a bottle or jar, and cheesecloth. If the marijuana is baked before hand in order to encourage decarboxylation if can make a different. There is a bit of trial and error based on the strength of the plant used.

In 1971, 4/20 was born as a code word when five Californian high school students used to to connect. They had a a treasure map to help them find an abandoned cannabis crop. Since them it has become a universal term used for weed and the date is biggest cannabis day of year.

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alcohol

What’s The Buzz About Beer And Weed

Published

4 weeks ago

April 8, 2024

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Beer is universal, it is the 3rd most consumed fluid behind water and tea (surprise – not coffee). China, the US and Brazil lead the world in consuming beer. But things are changing again for the popular drink. So what’s the buzz about beer and weed. With the increased popularity of marijuana in the Americas and Europe, beer is having to figure out a new path. And we aren’t too sure beer and weed should mix.

The first sign of trouble was in California when beer sales lowered during the first part of the week. Then Canada did a study and said beer sales were slightly shrinking with legal weed and they. Then data shows some people reducing beer consumption and replacing it with marijuana. Another trend shows Gen Z is drinking less and consuming more…helping spur the trend of California sober.

So, can these two now rivals, mix? Well, it has been a common practice, but it comes with a warning. The combination results in a very specific kind of high. Known as a crossfade high, it is supposed to help you feel especially relaxed. This appears to be because alcohol increases the absorption of THC, ramping up the effects of the high.

But, there are downsides. Some have a really unpleasant high. This could be in the form of greening out, which is basically getting really nauseous, vomiting, and even getting sweaty and pale. Others might get really paranoid.

Unfortunately, when you use weed and beer at the same time, the situation can escalate to a lot more than a bad high. In some cases, the user could wind up with alcohol poisoning, which can sometimes lead to death. Here’s what happens when you mix weed and beer.

According to research published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, it seems marijuana impacts the bioavailability of alcohol, or how much is actually absorbed by the body. The results indicated marijuana users had a higher blood-alcohol level than if they had skipped the weed and just had beer. Due to the absorbing rate, there is a risk of excessive drinking, which could cause alcohol poisoning with symptoms like passing out, hypothermia, slowed breathing, and seizures.

Difficult Menstruation — Photo by martin-dm/Getty Images

Marijuana is known to reduce vomiting and nausea. While it can be a medical benefit, but when drinking it can have serious consequences. The body often responds to over drinking by making us throw up, preventing alcohol poisoning

It is probably best to just be really careful, to stick with a small amount of alcohol and a small amount of weed and stick with a controlled environment, like you’re home, to make sure you’re safe.

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How To Manage When Only One Partner Consumes Weed

Published

1 month ago

April 1, 2024

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Dating and relationships can be fun, challenging and fulfilling, but it important to be on sync on who you act as both a couple and individual. Politics, religion, having children, and money are all the big hurdles which can cause a rift. A survey showed the three leading causes of divorce are basic incompatibility (43%), infidelity (28%), and money issues (22%). So what happens if you have some incompatibilities? How do you overcome it. Until the spread of legalization, alcohol and smoking were the only consuming habits to navigate. Now it includes how to manage when only one partner consumes weed.

If only one partner drinks, it can be a challenge and something a couple has to figure how to approach. Alcohol is generally legal and social accepted, but can cause more issues than weed. The downside of drinking including hangovers, a perhaps change in behavior traits while under the influence, health issues and cost. Cannabis has become more social accepted with over 85% of people agreeing on some form of legalization. It is also generally wrapped in a few myths including laziness and lack of motivation.

Knowledge, sharing and talking is key to growing a bond. Unlike alcohol andmarijuana, it is important to understand the distinction of something for a medical reason (i.e. anxiety, chronic pain, insomnia) versus recreational. Science is clear cannabis has medical benefits, alcohol is not. Having a drink to unwind is much more data murky.

Respect their opinions

While it’d be great to share consume together and go out for a delicious and hilarious meal, if the person you’re dating doesn’t, you can’t force them. A non judgemential open conversation followed by a general decision should provide a clear path. You get more points for respecting their space and decisions than by trying to prove that you’re right. And if done correctly, you can consume comfortably.

Be respectful of space

Like tobacco, smoking tobacco can provide a whiff of what is going on. Some people have smell issues and others just do not want their space to smell. Like smokers, be it cigarettes or the occasionally cigar, together come up with a plan of where you consume.

Stand your ground

At the same time, it’s equally important to stand your ground and not hide who you are because the person you’re dating thinks differently. This advice is not only limited to marijuana, since it’s important to hold on to your individuality whenever you’re entering a new relationship. Find some middle ground and moments where you can enjoy your habit without disturbing your partner’s day to day life.

Compromise

Compromise can appear in many ways, by either consuming on days when you’re apart, trying out non-intoxicating strains or indulging on special occasions and having your partner understand why you’re doing it. If the smoke is the issue, there are plenty of other less invasive options to choose from. The most important part here is to communicate.

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