You won’t get drunk, you’ll be healed.

Some temperance crusaders could give as good as they got. Prohibition advocates from the late...

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:01:18 -0500

Some temperance crusaders could give as good as they got. Prohibition advocates from the late nineteenth century loved to tell the tale of Paul denton, an itinerant Methodist preacher who held a camp meeting in 1836 in one of the roughest, most disreputable districts in Texas. denton issued handbills promoting a grand barbecue to take place in a shady grove, promising that “to all who attend, the best drink in the world will be furnished, free.” A huge crowd turned out for the feast. When the rougher element demanded to know where the liquor was, Denton gestured to a spring near the grove and said, “There is the drink I promised! Not in the simmering stills, over smoky, fires, choked with poisonous gasses, and surrounded with the stench of sickening odors and rank corruptions, doth your Father in heaven prepare the precious essence of life, the pure cold water, but in the green glade and grassy dell, where the rd deer wanders and the child loves to play, there God brews it.” The crowd’s reaction to Denton’s tick is not recorded.

—Robert F. Moss, Barbecue: The History of an American Institution.

As soon as I enter the door of a tavern, I experience oblivion of care, and a freedom from...

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:01:24 -0500

As soon as I enter the door of a tavern, I experience oblivion of care, and a freedom from solicitude. There is nothing which has yet been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern or inn.

—Samuel Johnson, via bookofbourbon.

Life, May 27, 1946. COCK N’ BULL in Hollywood, Calif.,...

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 13:01:00 -0500

Life, May 27, 1946.

COCK N’ BULL in Hollywood, Calif., an imitation English tavern is popular with the movie crowd. It features a drink called “Moscow Mule,” of vodka, lime juice, ginger beer.

“What Lobster did for Maine, Old Crow did for...

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 13:01:15 -0500

“What Lobster did for Maine, Old Crow did for Bourbon.” Field & Stream, April 1972.

An advertisement in Life, November 16th, 1953. If...

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:01:00 -0500

An advertisement in Life, November 16th, 1953.

If you’ve always preferred a lighter, milder taste in bourbon than 100 proof Bottled in Bond, you can now enjoy it in a world-renowned Old Crow. Ask for the 86 proof bottling, which is now on the market as a lighter, milder companion to the celebrated Old Crow Bottled in Bond.

As you know, the distinguished history of Old Crow parallels the exciting history of our great republic. More than a century ago James Crow’s famous whiskey elicited high praise indeed from the important men of his day—and men of every social station who a taste for truly fine bourbon.

Carried by pack mule, shipped by “iron horse” and by clipper ship, Old Crow was enjoyed from coast to coast. It was one of the wonders of America revealed to Charles Dickens when he visited here. And whether it was poured from an elegant decanter in Boston, a plain clay jug in Kentucky, or from its original barrel far out in the Territories, the ambrosial delight of James Crow’s bourbon made it the most sought-after whiskey in the nation.

It is wrong. A people whose patriotism needs to be forced into activity and life by the stimulants...

Fri, 31 May 2013 13:01:13 -0500

It is wrong. A people whose patriotism needs to be forced into activity and life by the stimulants of alcoholic liquors and rich dinners may make good subjects, but not good citizens.

—The editor of the Cheraw Gazette, in response to the question “Is it right or wrong to attend a barbecue?”. The Cheraw Gazette, July 1837, quoted in Robert F. Moss, Barbecue: The History of an American Insitution.

An advertisement for Smirnoff Vodka in Life, September 21,...

Wed, 29 May 2013 13:01:14 -0500

An advertisement for Smirnoff Vodka in Life, September 21, 1953:

“The Martini with the Marvelous Taste”

The big drink is the Vodka Dry Martini—the driest, smoothest, most agreeable Martini you ever tasted. Follow your favorite recipe—use any proportions you like—with one simple, but vital, difference: Use dry, smooth, agreeable Smirnoff Vodka instead of gin.

A campaign illustration from the Harrison and Tyler campaign,...

Mon, 27 May 2013 13:01:30 -0500

A campaign illustration from the Harrison and Tyler campaign, 1840. Library of Congress.

An advertisement for Kinsey, The Unhurried Whiskey, from Life,...

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:01:22 -0500

An advertisement for Kinsey, The Unhurried Whiskey, from Life, May 27, 1946.

Did you ever see a Barbecue? For fear You should not, I’ll describe it you exactly:— A...

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:01:00 -0500

Did you ever see a Barbecue? For fear You should not, I’ll describe it you exactly:—
A gander-pulling mob that’s common here, of candidates and sovereigns stowed compactly,
Of harlequins and clowns, with feats gymnastical
In hunting-shirts and shirt-sleeves—things fantastical;—
with fiddling, feasting, dancing, drinking, masquing
And other things which may be had for asking.

—A letter from “Barbecuensis” in the Southern Advocate, July 1827. Quoted in Robert F. Moss, Barbecue: The History of an American Institution.

Life, May 27, 1946. BUCKHORN LODGE in Denver is owned by...

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:01:11 -0500

Life, May 27, 1946.

BUCKHORN LODGE in Denver is owned by H.H. Zietz, called Buffalo Bill’s last surviving scout. The walls are covered with stuffed animal heads, including a two-head calf.

The illustration from an advertisement for Seagram’s VO...

Wed, 15 May 2013 13:01:16 -0500

The illustration from an advertisement for Seagram’s VO Canadian Whiskey. Life, September 21, 1953.

An illustration from George Cruikshank, The Gin-Shop, 1880.

Mon, 13 May 2013 13:01:12 -0500

An illustration from George Cruikshank, The Gin-Shop, 1880.

“Col. Crow visits Watkins Tavern (Versailles, KY).”...

Fri, 10 May 2013 13:01:08 -0500

“Col. Crow visits Watkins Tavern (Versailles, KY).” The illustration for an advertisement for Old Crow in Life, February 22, 1954.

“Daniel Crow visits James Crow’s Distillery.”...

Wed, 08 May 2013 13:01:27 -0500

“Daniel Crow visits James Crow’s Distillery.” The illustration for an advertisement in Life, September 21, 1953.

“James Crow ships a barrel of whiskey to Henry...

Mon, 06 May 2013 13:01:18 -0500

“James Crow ships a barrel of whiskey to Henry Clay.” The illustration from an advertisement in Life, November 1953.

An illustration from George Cruikshank, The Gin-Shop, 1880.

Fri, 03 May 2013 13:01:16 -0500

An illustration from George Cruikshank, The Gin-Shop, 1880.

The photograph from an advertisement for Paul Jones, a blended...

Wed, 01 May 2013 13:01:01 -0500

The photograph from an advertisement for Paul Jones, a blended Whiskey. In Life, February 22, 1954.

Th’lowest man I know is the one who wins your confidence, buys your liquor, and then turns you...

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:01:15 -0500

Th’lowest man I know is the one who wins your confidence, buys your liquor, and then turns you in. I believe there’s a special place for people like that after they die.

—A moonshiner, quoted in The Foxfire Book, “Moonshining as a Fine Art”.

Life, May 27, 1946. YE OLD CELLAR on Michigan Avenue in...

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:01:12 -0500

Life, May 27, 1946.

YE OLD CELLAR on Michigan Avenue in Chicago has entertainment at the bar. Such barroom cabarets are typical of Chicago, have become popular in the past few years.