History of Alcohol in Korea

The history of alcohol in Korea dates back to ancient times, with records indicating that the production and consumption of alcohol were an integral part of the Korean culture. During the Three Kingdoms period (57 BC - 668 AD), rice wine, known as "takju," was widely produced and consumed.

In the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), the production of alcohol became more sophisticated and specialized, with the government setting regulations for its production and distribution. The most famous alcohol produced during this period was "goryeo yaksik," a type of rice wine that was sweetened with honey and flavored with cinnamon, ginger, and other spices.

In the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), the production of alcohol continued to thrive, with a variety of fermented and distilled drinks being produced, including "dongdongju," a type of millet wine, and "soju," a distilled spirit made from rice. During this period, alcohol played a significant role in social and cultural events, and was often used as a symbol of hospitality.

However, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the influence of Western culture led to a decrease in the production and consumption of traditional Korean alcohol. Instead, Western alcoholic beverages, such as beer and whiskey, became more popular. This trend continued during the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910-1945), when the production and consumption of traditional Korean alcohol were suppressed.

After Korea gained independence from Japan in 1945, the production and consumption of traditional Korean alcohol saw a resurgence. Soju, in particular, became extremely popular, with its lower price and higher alcohol content making it a popular alternative to Western alcoholic beverages. In the 1960s, the government introduced regulations for the production of soju, which helped to standardize the quality of the drink.

In recent years, the production and consumption of traditional Korean alcohol have continued to grow, with a number of craft breweries and distilleries producing high-quality, artisanal products. The popularity of Korean dramas and pop culture has also led to a rise in the popularity of traditional Korean alcohol, both within Korea and abroad.

In conclusion, the history of alcohol in Korea is a rich and diverse one, with a strong cultural and social significance. Despite the challenges posed by Westernization and suppression during the Japanese occupation, traditional Korean alcohol has managed to endure and continue to thrive, with a growing appreciation for its unique flavors and cultural significance.

(This post was enhanced with ChatGPT.)

Are You Sick of Bars? Move the Tavern to Your House!

Are you tired of always having to go out to a bar for a couple of cold beers when you really just want to take it easy and relax a bit? Have you ever thought about how much money you spend when drinking out in public? For anyone who's had to put off their car payment for another week just because of last Saturday night, the solution is simple; beer taps right in your own home!

Buying draft beer by the keg not only costs much less but the quality and experience goes up as well. A draft beer system is a fairly simple way to enjoy great beer without going anywhere. A draft system uses gas (usually CO2 or a blend of nitrogen and CO2) to push beer from the keg right out of the beer tap handles and into your glass. Beer must remain in between 38-40 degrees Fahrenheit for two reasons: for proper pouring and to maintain the freshness of the beer, as it is not pasteurized. It can be a bit more complicated with multiple beer taps, but the basics remain; consistent temperature and a proper pressure level of gas.

At home beer taps are fairly simple in design. A small tank of CO2 attaches to a regulator, which reduces the pressure down to 10-12 psi. A hose goes from the beer tap handles to the keg. There are a variety of beer tap handles that go along with certain kinds of beers. All beer tap handles have a screwing or keyed fitting that hooks up to the keg and another hose that runs to the faucet where the beer is poured out. Tap handles usually run anywhere from $15-$150, depending on what style and brand you choose.

Most of the domestic keg coolers are designed to hold a pony keg, or about º of a regular sized keg. Some larger coolers are made for restaurants that hold Ω of a keg. There are also conversion kits where you can actually turn your old refrigerator into a keg cooler. It is a good idea to test out the size of the keg you'll be using with the fridge before building it to completion. Local beer distributors will more than likely loan you one for a small deposit down. After that, it's as simple as measuring a frame around the keg to make sure your cooler is big enough to hold the size keg you want. 

A five-pound tank of gas is usually enough for about 5-7 half kegs and is relatively inexpensive (between  $7-$12) to refill. Regular cleaning should be done to maintain proper flow through the system and to keep the taste of the beer great. This can be done by regularly running clean and hot water through the lines every couple of weeks or so. Whatever system you go with, there's a lot to be said about being able to stay in your own home and still being able to enjoy your favorite draft beer just like at the bar. Plus, think of how envious all your buddies will be!

Beer — The Cause of and Solution to All of Life's Problems

Prohibitionists and other conservatives have long viewed beer as the devil's brew. Beer itself isn't so bad; it's people that have given it a bad rap. When used in a controlled, social setting, beer is nothing more than a cold, refreshing break time treat.

Rich History: There is evidence that beer has been around almost along as history itself. Pre-historic man is said to have created beer before learning that grains could also be used to produce another dietary staple called "bread". Noah is said to have stocked his ark with beer. Ancient Babylonian clay tables revealing recipes for beer date back to 4300 BC.

Social Acceptance: Clearly, beer has always been in important element in social gatherings. It's a staple at sport arenas, card games and dart matches. Problems can arise, however, when beer drinkers indulge privately or believe they can drink away their troubles. Of course, binge drinking or drinking in excess also brews trouble.

Worldwide Acclaim: Beer is consumed all over the world. North America, South America, Asia and Europe all have rich beer histories. Breweries can be found in Mongolia, many African countries, and Middle East countries including Iraq and Syria. Virtually anywhere a thirsty traveler stops to rest, a cold pint can easily be found. Many beers of the world are imported and readily available to North American beer drinkers looking to explore new flavours.

Rating Systems: Some avid beer drinkers actually rate the beers they consume, tally the scores and post their comments on Internet websites to determine the world's most popular brews. Beer drinkers in America can correspond online with their Russian counterparts and swap bottles of beer through the mail. Others drink a variety of beers to keep and collect the bottles and caps. Pubs sometimes host beer clubs, awarding plaques or personalized steins to those who have purchased and quaffed every brand of beer on the menu.

Glass or Cans? Some beer drinkers prefer to quaff from a proper pint glass, and others downright refuse to drink from a bottle or can. Drinking from a glass or stein helps to release the aromas of the beer, so the drinker is able to appreciate more than just the taste of the brew. Pouring beer into a vessel also allows a head to form on the beer, an important element for many beer drinkers. Similar to wine and spirits, there are specific glasses available for different types of beer. Many brewers produce glassware intended for use with their own brand of beer.

Temperature: The ideal beer temperature varies depending on a number of factors. More experienced beer drinkers will tell you that a warmer temperature enhances the flavour, while colder temperatures inhibit the senses of the tongue and throat. Subtle nuances are weakened, and the main flavour is downright destroyed by low temperatures. On the other hand, those who work hard and play hard expect an ice-cold beer, served in a frosty mug. Irish beer drinkers insist that a pint of Irish Guinness is best served at room temperature.

Pouring: The way beer is poured has influence over the presentation of beer. The flow rate from the tap, position of the pour and the tilting of the glass all affect the outcome. How the beer is poured determines the size and longevity of the head, and the turbulence of the pour affects how the carbonization is released. More heavily carbonated beers, such as German pilsners, need time to settle before they're served. Many barkeeps will serve the beer with remaining yeast at the bottom of the glass to add extra color and flavor.

Served warm or cold, from a bottle or glass, beer is an important part of society from Montana to Mongolia. And sometimes, even those so-called little old ladies will gather to enjoy a pint with their mates.

Everything You Need to Know About German Beer

Throughout Germany, beer is very popular with the culture. Germany contains well over 1,000 breweries, which is more than any other location in the world. All beer that is manufactured in Germany must follow the Purity Law, which lets manufacturers know what ingredients can and can't be used. Basically, the only ingredients allowed to make beer in Germany are water, hops, and barley malt. Due to the strict purity requirements, you can easily notice German beers by their overall level of quality. They have a distinct taste, with little to no aftertaste. Some styles of German ale include Koelsch, Weizen, and Altbier. Some types of German lagers include Bock, Pilsener, Dunkel, Helles, and Maerzen. Keep in mind that the taste, aroma, and color can vary, although all can be identified as being true German beers.

The German beer Altbier is a very common dark ale, that is top fermented in the lower regions of Germany. The beer proposes a yellow color, with a taste that is rich in hops. Another ale, Rauchbier, is known to have a smoky flavor with a smoked color. These beers taste great, and happen to be very popular throughout the regions of Germany.

German lagers are also very popular, and happen to be popular in other areas of the world as well. Pilsener is one of the most popular and most familiar of all German beers, providing you with more hops and less malt. Pilsener can be found for sale all over the world, and happens to be very popular throughout North America as well. Several bars serve it as well, as it happens to be one of the most popular dark lagers out there.

Throughout Germany, there are several different companies, produce over 4,000 different brands of beers. Some of the more well known and larger companies of north Germany are Beck, St. Pauli, Warsteiner, and Krombach. In the southern region of Germany, there are more breweries, although most of them are smaller, as they are locally owned and operated. Southern Germany also contains the Benedictine Abbey, which is one of the oldest breweries in the world. This brewery started producing beer in 1040 - very impressive indeed!

Germany is also home to Oktoberfest, which is held every year in Munich. Oktoberfest starts in late September and carries on for two weeks, ending in early October. During Oktoberfest, beer drinkers from all over the world will travel to Germany and celebrate German beers. Each and every year, over 5 million people attend the event, making it one of the biggest beer celebrations in the world. During Oktoberfest, local breweries in Munich are the only breweries allowed to serve beer in the bigger tents. There are six breweries in total, producing a variety of different beers. By attending this yearly event, you can learn more about German beer, sample the different varieties, and enjoy the rich bold flavors that make German beer so very popular.

Due to the success Oktoberfest gets each and every year, other cities around the world try and mimic this event. Even though they have success, their level of success isn't near as much as the original Oktoberfest - Germany. German beers are very popular around the world, with Oktoberfest helping to prove that very claim. If you drink beer but have never experienced what beers from Germany have to offer, you really should give them a try. Once you do, you'll quickly realize why German beers are so very popular - and why the taste simply can't be duplicated with any other beer.

Four Facts about Absinthe

Cheers!

For the last few years, absinthe has been all the rage among the young, hipster crowds of Korea, so here are four facts you probably didn't know about it.

1) Absinthe was invented at the end of the eighteenth century.  Absinthe was actually invented by a French doctor named Pierre Ordinaire.  He invented absinthe by distilling wormwood and several other herbs into an alcoholic base.  Although this may seem strange in today's modern world of medicine, at the time it was considered a viable remedy for patients with various ailments.

2) Although it contains special properties that other alcoholic drinks do not, absinthe actually contains an extremely high amount of alcohol.  To put it in perspective, most brands of gin, whiskey and vodka contain approximately forty percent alcohol.  Depending on the brand of absinthe, it can contain anywhere from fifty to seventy percent alcohol.  Therefore, although you should enjoy any absinthe experience you have to the fullest, make sure you enjoy it responsibly and do not attempt to drive a car after spending an extended amount of time with the Green Fairy.

3) Absinthe has been associated with the Green Fairy since the nineteenth century.  The French originally gave absinthe the nickname La Fee Verte, which the English later translated into the Green Fairy.  However, Green Fairy is not the only nickname that has been given to absinthe over the years.  Aleister Crowley gave absinthe the nickname Green Goddess, while many artists and poets coined the term Green Muse for absinthe.

4) Modern science has actually attempted to take a stab at explaining exactly how the Green Fairy works.  In 2000, scientists studied the effects of the wormwood herb on the human brain.  The study was conducted by a variety of researchers at Berkeley, the University of California and Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago.  After extensive research, the scientists found that wormwood (along with other components of absinthe) cause "CNS cholinergic receptor binding activity."  In laymen's terms, absinthe actually improves the cognitive functions of the brain!

Chardonnay: The Universal Wine

Almost everyone on the planet has heard of Chardonnay, in fact it is so popular that some people even name their children after it. Chardonnay is commonly ordered as a type of wine from bars and restaurants but it is in fact the name of the most popular and possibly the most versatile grape in the world. Almost all white Burgundy from Bourgogne Blanc to Chablis is made from 100% chardonnay grapes. The Chardonnay grape is also the mainstay in many types of champagne and is now even being used in Spain to make Cava.

The Chardonnay grape is so popular because it is easy to grow ñ that is probably why it is championed by so many grape producers. It can also be crafted into many different types of wines. Perhaps it is also so popular because it has little indigenous character of its own and instead displays the characteristics of the soil and climate where it is grown. Chardonnay has a propensity for acid and glycerine which is responsible for giving it a velvety texture ñ this is what is important in this type of grape. It is this texture which makes it so versatile when it comes to producing wine. It can be crafted into fresh lemony unoaked wine or aged in barrels to produce wine for a much richer palate. It is often seen as a cheap wine that is not worth trying but remember these grapes are used in top quality Chablis and Champagne, so don't dismiss this grape and wine out of hand.

Chardonnay now comes in a host of different styles; gone are the days when all the bottles were heavily oaked, there is a chardonnay suitable for every palate and pocket and because of the versatility of the grape from almost every wine producing country in the world. So which are the types of Chardonnay to look out for? What do they taste like? Here are a couple of generalisations to get you on your way. Of course the best way to find out which one is your favourite is to get your glass out and start tasting your way around a few of the bottles!

France produces a ream of different Chardonnays. For pure unoaked Chardonnay look for a Chablis labelled unoaked. This is great with fish as it is delicate and unobtrusive. For a clean flavoured wine with a subtle fruit aroma look to the Meursault and Montrachet regions. California produces wines that work well with grilled seasoned foods. The Napa valley produces great oaky fruity wines which are ideal for outdoor eating and drinking. For an even fruitier riper flavour try something from the Santa Barbara region, these highly flavoured wines will even taste great with grilled meats. For a Chardonnay that is intensely flavoured and almost best drunk without food head to Australia and try something from the Hunter Valley. This tropically flavoured wine is great chilled and shared with a friend.

There are so many different types of Chardonnay from so many different countries that you are bound to find something to suit your palate. So what are you waiting for? Go drink some now!

Buying Wine — Step 1: Pick A Wine Store

I'm not a wine connoisseur. I don't even own a decanter. (Some of my married friends own several.) But I like wine, especially trying different kinds. There are tons of resources out there to help you learn about wine. But I don't have time to read them. So I learn by doing, or . . . by drinking. My only problem is knowing which bottle to pick. If you put me in a wine store with over a thousand bottles, I either need a sommelier or a psychiatrist. I usually start by studying the notes that hang by the bottles. The ones with names attached to them like Wine Spectator or Robert Parker or Bill, the stocker. I contemplate the pictures and colors of the label. I analyze the pricing structure and weigh costs and benefits. Then after an hour or so, when I'm completely frustrated, I make a completely arbitrary decision. So I've come to this conclusion. I need help. And, since my shrink has his limits, I need to find a wine store with people who can help me through the process of buying a good bottle.

All wine stores are not created equal. Here are some of the factors to think about when choosing a wine store: 

1) Selection: Don't be fooled. Having thousands of bottles is not the same as having a good selection. Many large liquor stores stockpile wine with labels that are heavily advertised and sold with the largest discount. You may walk into a store and think you've got thousands of choices, but all you really have is same bottles repeated over and over. What makes a good selection? Look for a store: (1) with a knowledgeable wine buyer and (2) with a variety of tastes, regions, and prices. A good selection will offer both wines that are familiar and unique. Why is selection important? Think of it as playing the odds. You're much better off choosing from a few hundred wines tasted by a knowledgeable buyer than from several thousand that were trucked en masse.

2) Storage: If you walk into a store and start to sweat, turn around. Wine should not be stored at temperatures over 80 degrees, or it will lose its flavor. That's why wine is usually made and stored underground. Avoid large warehouses where the temperature may be hard to control. Seek out a wine store where the workers are happy wearing sweaters in the summer. It's likely that the wine will be well-cooled and happy too. 

3) Information: A good wine store is a good source of information. Don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions and seek out staff recommendations. Many stores in Kansas City offer wine tastings, which are a great opportunity to try before you buy. 

4) Price: Of course, wine prices vary widely, and I've never found one store that's consistently cheaper. Even the big discount shops are not always money savers. After you've found a store that you like based on the other three factors, you can save money by subscribing to that store's newsletters or joining its tasting club. Often, stores send out special deals and offerings to these customers first.

A special fifth category is convenience. This matters especially when you're buying in bulk, or if you are looking for a quick pick-up on the way home from work. It's good to know where several good stores are in town, so that you'll know which one to hit whenever the feeling strikes.