NYC Banning Happy Hour?

By now, you’ve probably heard of the grumblings started by the NY Post regarding a potential ban of “Happy Hour” in New York City. I had planned on writing up my response, which unless this is your first time at the Nobler Experiment, you know would have been obviously emotional. The argument carved out by those against a Happy Hour relate back to over-indulgence and an abuse of substances. But that’s pretty absurd if you ask me. I have a seriously hard time buying that saving up to a few dollars a drink is causing normal, responsible humans to turn into zombie alcoholics. Happy Hour acts as an invitation to the local community. The return on this invitation occurs in two forms. (1), most groups find a happy hour spot or two that they call their own. There is a commitment to this bar and a commitment to the staff that serve up those delicious and slightly more affordable drinks. Which almost always leads into (2), a few extra dollars in “tip” for those servers. The net financials of Happy Hour rarely leave me staring in my wallet with the thought “I saved so much money! I should get more drunk!”. 

But before I could really get going on the aforementioned response, luckily it’s been reported over and over again that these claims by the Post are more or less fabricated; or at the very least, wildly exaggerated. Which is probably a damn good thing. Because considering drinks in this city are already mostly crazily priced, the city would be dealing with raging lunatics instead of those “alcoholics” if they indeed decided to ban Happy Hour. But this whole situation brought out something fairly disturbing. NY would have been the 20th state to ban happy hours making our beloved nation 2/5ths crazy.

Maybe I’m missing something. And if I am, someone please chime in and explain this to me. Massachusetts was the first? Boston doesn’t have happy hour? Is this possible….

We’re not all drinking…

When the Noble Experiment was officially deemed a failure, and the Prohibition ban on drinking was lifted in 1933, America was free to booze again. However, maybe not the extent that I had originally believed. As seen above in the pretty picture taken from this io9 article, there is still a good portion of the country limiting or completely prohibiting the sale of alcohol.

Thinking back, I guess this isn’t that foreign to me after all. Growing up taking summer trips to Ocean City, NJ it never registered to me completely, but even back then I remember hearing the words “dry town”. The irony of course, is that just before the bridge leading you in to this moral haven lies one of the biggest liquor stores I’ve ever seen. And yes, we weren’t the only ones that stopped there.

But as the io9 article points out, and as the Ocean City example further supports, it may be simple economics that finally breaks the ban’s supporters. As the economy has taken a toll on just about everyone (bet you didn’t think you’d get some economy talk on the Nobler!), towns that have for seemingly ever kept alcohol out, are being forced to at least consider changing their ‘tude. It is simple. The sale of alcohol, even if it is just at restaurants, directly impacts the economic success of towns and cities alike. If you can get a cold beer with your burger just a mile or so away, what’s gonna stop you? A devout loyalty to your community? Maybe for some, but obviously not for the majority.

Considering how much of the country is still on at least some degree of liquor lock down, who knows if we’ll ever be completely united in our post Prohibition ways. But I’ll gladly volunteer myself as moderator for the next town hall discussion on the matter. I’ll even bring the whiskey! You hear that community leaders…you know where to find me!

 

 

Start Spreading the News

New York City is at the forefront of nearly everything. It’s what gives the city its hubris, its energy, and its addictive appeal. So it isn’t surprising, that with a state history rooted in Rye and a recent loosening in the legal implications for start-up distilleries, we are witnessing a major scramble. It’s been next to nothing since the days of Prohibition, and there’s a lot of catching up to do. So if you weren’t a believer in the craft distillation boom, you won’t have to go much farther than a subway ride to see it for your self.

If you take a look at Kings County Distillery’s webpage, you might be surprised to find out they are the “oldest operating New York City distillery”. You might wonder why, the whiskey lover that you are, had never seen their simple and elegant flasks on your liquor store shelves. Well that’s because it wasn’t until 2010 that their stills got to work, tucked away in a tiny Williamsburg “warehouse” pumping out small (seriously tiny) batches of corn whiskey and 1 year aged bourbon. Do the math, and you’ll now understand why you’ve just recently started to see their bourbon for purchase. So does that mean their claim is BS?

Actually, not at all. Since Prohibition, the whiskey making in NYC was small batch in a different way. That is, in the illegal way. But in 2002 the state regulations for distillery start-ups started to loosen and after only a decade there are more and more players eager to get in the game. Take for example the NY Distilling Company situated just a stones throw from McCarren Park in Williamsburg. Already pumping out two brands of Gin and a NY Rye on the way, it’s only a matter of time for these newbies, to be the new staples at your local establishments.

But all of this means nothing, if the stuff doesn’t taste good, right?

So I picked up my first flask of the Kings County Bourbon the other day, and despite the price/size ratio which certainly isn’t the best bang for your buck, I have to say, I was pretty damn intrigued by this 1 year aged whiskey. For such a short aging process, the color and smoothness were really great. Plus I found it to have a mild spiciness which I tend to enjoy. In fact, if I had to guess (which I am because I couldn’t find the details), I would say there is a nice percentage of Rye in the mash contributing to the overall flavor. The founders are closing shop to re-open this spring in the Brooklyn Navy Yard and increasing production accordingly. A Nobler field trip is coming…

Just like a good whiskey, the NYC distillation scene is a development to keep our eyes on. As it ages I think we’ll start to see some fantastic complexity.

 

Prohibition Returns!

Imagine that buried deep within the SOPA and PIPA legislation there lied an even scarier decision to bring back Prohibition. You now have 24 hours to stock up because as of 12:01 am, the purchase of alcoholic beverages will be 100% illegal. If you are like me, you probably panic. Then fall into a brief depression, finally followed up by a clarity that only chaos can create. The catch of course, is that anything you have on hand prior to Midnight is completely and utterly legal to enjoy…so here’s the question…

What do you buy?

For me, the answer is actually really easy. I would fill my tiny living room from bottom to top with red wine. Most of it decent tucked away with a few gems. The stacking of these bottles would then create a wonderful suspense. Like a gripping novel, I’d make my way through the wine, line by line until it was all gone. By then, I would hope cooler minds would prevail (once again) and modern-day Prohibition would be overturned. If not, I would have finally made it to the window…

But no one said I could only choose one vice (I am making this up after all). So after I was done stocking up on all that red wine, I’d make my way to every liquor store in the area picking up as many unique bottles of American Whiskey I could get my hands on. Glass by glass, I’d sip smirking in irony at the wasted talent of our booming distilleries!

So what about you guys? Choose your booze…wisely…and leave a comment below. Long live the Nobler Experiment!

Anyone Need a Halloween Costume?

Has anyone had the opportunity to watch Ken Burn’s PBS documentary on Prohibition? I made my way through the 6 hour documentary on a recent rainy day and found it quite easy to become fascinated. The historical context leading to the 18th amendment is filled with passion and characters. But maybe none more intriguing than Carrie Nation.

Carrie’s aversion to alcohol was more than a little personal as her first husband may have enjoyed a drink or two, way too often. When she ended up in Kansas, a state struggling to enforce their pre-prohibition ban on liquor, with her second husband, she began a local chapter of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. But like so many social advocates, Carrie became frustrated with her lack of impact. Rather than bottling that frustration Carrie found a release, one she claimed was a call from God.

Carrie is now infamous for her hatchet wielding attacks on saloon’s and alcohol serving establishments throughout Kansas. And yes, I did say hatchet. And despite being arrest over 30 times, Carrie became feared for her bar smashing antics. Pretty bad ass right?

Carrie’s role in this fascinating time in American history is interesting to say the least and it’s kind of ironic I find myself loving her story. Something tells me she wouldn’t be too thrilled with my drinking habits…

 

Tommy Guns and Booze

What a combination!

Looks like this documentary mini-series is gonna be worth a watch.