saloons

In a world where branding has become paramount in the promotion of people and products, certain brands have slipped from our vernacular, or have taken on new roles.

Long ago, the saloon was much more than just the domain of cowboys and gunfighters in the Old West. But for some reason, the name disappeared. It's time to delve into the history of the concept and find out...whatever happened to the old time saloon?

For more Whiskey Lore Stories, check out the new book The Lost History of Tennessee Whiskey by Drew Hannush. It's available at your favorite online bookseller or at Whiskey-Lore.com/audio

The Prompt: 

You own the best saloon for a hundred miles.  You're no nonsense and good at your job: the saloon is clean, the barmaids are treated well, and the patrons are happy.  But when an outlaw bursts in with guns blazing, your happy little saloon is at risk.  A brawl breaks out, and you pull your own gun from behind the counter to get everyone to stop.  The outlaw points their gun at you, and you balk.  This isn't just any outlaw; this is the famed bank robber, wanted dead or alive by every sheriff in the west.  More importantly, they're your ex - the first and only person you've ever loved.

It is a banner day for Please Be Prompt!  Co-hosts Ryan Rimmele and Joshua Witsaman welcome their very first guest to the podcast - Audrey Worthington!

Which means there will be three prompted works to read this week!

First is a story of the tragedy of scorned love and the mistake of running away into the frontier.

Next is a reminiscence about the complexities of work/life balance in the harshness of the wild west.

Lastly we have the next hit country song - a tragic ballad of love and scoundrels.     

Mark Twain moves on and an initial silver rush in Virginia City fades. Frustrated financiers look for a way to off-load their investments just before the Comstock yield's its greatest bounty.

Meanwhile, two men - John Piper and William Brown find their own fortunes by serving up drinks, food, and entertainment to miners and money men alike.

Join Drew Hannush of Whiskey Lore and Chris Wimmer of Legends of the Old West and hear the fate of Virginia City, Nevada.

This bonus episode is the first of a series of podcasts hosted by Drew Hannush of Whiskey Lore and Chris Wimmer of Black Barrel Media and the Legends of the Old West podcast.

In part one, we look at the history of Virginia City and the Comstock Lode, including the namesakes for both. Chris also tells the story of a young writer named Samuel Clemens and Drew gives you a foundation's worth of knowledge about whisky in the Old West. The next episode will move onto a deeper history of the Big Bonanza and the saloons of Virginia City.

 

Show Notes Wine Talk Jan 16 – Ghosts of Cultures Past

There is lots of talk about the wine culture in Victoria, Duncan and in BC in general. There is also a lot of talk about the brewing culture that is rapidly developing here. Unfortunately that talk is either focussed or heavily laced with criticisms of government and its representatives in regulation and enforcement. I say unfortunately because the laws, rules and policies that are currently in place are not the current or previous governments making. They are in fact the offspring of the provincial and federal governments in the 1920’s. A time when 98% of all consumption was of beer and spirits. A time when bars and saloons could stay open 24/7 if they wanted to. A time when any Tom, Dick or Harry could make a batch of beer or whisky in their backyard.

Consider for a moment that you are the premier and you one of the most significant problems you have is absenteeism, family abandonment, brawling in the streets that results in families being left without an income or any security. I think if I was faced with those appalling images that my response would be to severely curtail, even banish, all the images and opportunities that gave rise to these problems. It would be very easy to make the assumption that people drink to get drunk, drunk people cause problems, ergo solve the problem by either making it illegal for people to get drunk. If the people can’t control themselves then the government has a duty to. It would be so easy when faced with the pressures of those days to make the same judgment.

Fast forward 90 years and the rules and regulations still reflect this assumption however societies approach to wine, beer and cocktails have significantly changed. I’m not saying that there is not a portion of society that struggles with the responsible consumption of alcohol, but I am saying that the overwhelming majority can and does drink responsibly and is asking for the wine, beer and cocktailing cultures to have a chance to blossom.

Here is what I see, those that are currently apart of any of these cultures share a passion for the flavour, the lifestyle, the people and creativity inherent in them. These are not the people that are tagged in a drunken Facebook photo, or are bragging about how wasted they got over the weekend. Rather they are at the winemakers/brewers dinners, buying premium product, visiting the wineries and breweries, reading the blogs, engaging in the many online communities and planning a safe ride home. They are about the flavour, the passion in the people who make the product and the products themselves.

I personally would love to be able to share a glass of fine rose at sunset on the beach with my wife, or perhaps take that special bottle of wine that I have been saving for a very special occasion to one of the many top quality restaurants. I would love to be at a Farmer’s Market of local vegetables, breads, cheese, meats and be able to taste a local wine to pair with my meal tonight. Sound good?

Here is crux. Government officials, LDB administrators, LCLB inspectors are not evil they are just enforcing or abiding by the rules and policies set down for them generations ago. I think what is needed it the opportunity to start a dialogue. A better understanding as to where we are, where we want to go and how to craft an industry that is both vibrant and responsible; both exportable and responsive.

Constructive and diligent dialogue must be started and the sooner the better.

Liquor Plus Radio is hosted and Produced by Rod Phillips with technical assistance from Steve Jobs (RIP) via GarageBand, Mike & Cheryl DeWolfe and Mike Vardy.

You can subscribe to Liquor Plus Radio by either going to our website www.liquorplus.ca clicking on View Community, then the LP Blog, and subscribing by RSS, Or you can subscribe through iTunes or at www.BluBrry .com.

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As always please let us know what you think as we know we can improve but need feedback to do that right.

That’s all for now so take it easy and drink responsibly so we can all improve our quality of life… one sip at a time.

 

Bunny Ultramod hosts the first episode of Bunny and Coco Get Smashed, featuring a review of the Twin Cities Grill in the Mall of America, a Manattan made with Old Grand-Dad bourbon, and a drinking game based on an especially sleazy adult novel.