Beverage Chronicles

Prohibition failed to stop Americans from drinking, but it sparked the rise of speakeasies, bootlegging, and the cocktail culture we still enjoy today.   The aftertaste of a beverage can significantly influence enjoyment, with bitterness affecting people differently based on genetics and taste perception.   Modern canned cocktails combine convenience with quality, using refined spirits and craft-i...

  This episode of Beverage Chronicles explores the nostalgic origins of root beer, from its sassafras‑root beginnings to its clever rebranding by Charles Hires in the 1870s. It then shifts to the rise of flavored vodka and how it reshaped modern drinking culture, before closing with a surprising look at how everyday fruit juice can naturally ferment into low‑alcohol beverages. Together, the segmen...

 *Learn the best way to enjoy a beer flight by tasting from lighter to heavier styles. *Discover how public relations helps beverage brands build trust, visibility, and sales opportunities. *Get the latest on Starbucks Rewards changes and new research linking coffee consumption to lower dementia risk.  

Schlitz beer rose from Milwaukee brewing roots to become the world’s top-selling lager before collapsing in the 1970s after cost-cutting changes damaged quality and consumer trust. Founders All Day IPA helped redefine the “session IPA” category by offering full hop character with lower alcohol, making craft beer more approachable and widely drinkable. Starbucks’ new summer lineup uses colorful, la...

Guinness is finding new life as a cocktail ingredient in drinks like the Espresso Stout Martini, Black Velvet, and Top Hat. We highlight gin cocktails, including the lighter and refreshing Gin Sonic. Beverage Chronicles visits Atlantic City to explore Finland’s famous Long Drink and its growing popularity in the United States.

Breweries are simplifying beer style names to attract casual drinkers while trying to avoid losing the identity and uniqueness that built craft beer culture. Beer historian Rachel Benkowski explores the history and cultural importance of Belgian lambic, a spontaneously fermented beer deeply tied to place, patience, and tradition. A new study compared health outcomes among beer, wine, and spirits d...

Poitin, Ireland's ancient unaged barley spirit, was illegally bootlegged for 300+ years until 1997, predating whiskey and inspiring global moonshine culture. Maura Clare learned a secretive 20th-century recipe with molasses and beet sugar from a retired bootlegger, blending whiskey warmth, tequila aroma, gin complexity, and rum sweetness at 45% ABV. Named after her nun cousin who smuggled it...

Many IPA critics just haven’t found the right style—flavors vary widely and bad storage can ruin the experience. Modern IPAs are more balanced and approachable than the overly bitter versions of the past. Freshness, proper storage, and open-minded tasting can completely change your perception of the style.

We break down the differences between ales and lagers, explore the evolution of hops from ancient brewing to modern IPAs, and dive into the tradition of British cask ale. We highlight how ingredients, techniques, and culture shape the diverse flavors and experiences found in beer.

Alcohol affects the body quickly, with impacts on brain and body functions within minutes and peak effects within an hour, depending on factors like metabolism, food intake, and drink strength. Beyond biology, beverages like wine have historically fostered social bonding and civilization. Modern beverage choices are also shaped by branding and health perceptions, while emerging research suggests c...