Beerlandia: Worldwide Drinking Culture
For me, alcohol has always been an integral part of travel. Whether it’s the booze itself or the people you meet while consuming it, I see it as a key that unlocks a deeper level of cultural understanding.
And if you happen to suffer the consequences of the local firewater, you get to sample the local hangover food.
The benefits never end!
I need an excuse to try it all, so here it is. Passport Beerlandia embodies what I believe is the true spirit of travel: saying yes. “Yes” is going beyond your comfort zone, not resisting whatever unplanned, whacky adventures that begin to unfold, eating something that you had no intention of ever eating until it’s right there on your plate as locals watch expectantly, and yes, gritting your teeth and throwing back some of the regional swill.
Our little boozy project has three areas of focus: beer, spirits, and a deep dive into my current location’s favorite libations.
Beer reviews
There’s a special place in my heart for a cold, moderately strong, American-hopped IPA fresh out of the tap into my pint glass. I’m a hop-head, completely guilty and unashamed of my preference for that piney, flowery aroma accompanied by a truckload of International Bitterness Units (IBU - this might come up from time to time). Pair with a Diablo burger from Hops Burger bar in Greensboro, NC…
I’m getting sidetracked. My goal is simple: review beer, whether it’s foreign beer, domestic beer, craft beer, or mass-produced beer. There’s too much variety out there to get snobby. Speaking of, there will be no rating system. Just a simple, hopefully entertaining commentary on appearance, aroma, taste, and mouthfeel, with a final verdict of good or bad.
“We’re going for everything. Whisky, vodka, rum, baijiu, jinjiu, sake, brennivín, makgeolli…try anything once applies here.”
Spirits reviews
I’m far more knowledgeable about my beer, but I’ve slowly been working on a palette that knows a good whisky when it sees it. Tastes it. Tongues can’t see. Oh, wouldn’t that be easy, only tasting whisky? We’re going for everything. Whisky, vodka, rum, baijiu, jinjiu, sake, brennivín, makgeolli…try anything once applies here.
Depending on the spirit we’re dealing with, the review can go in a couple of different directions. Whisky will follow a standard format of appearance, aroma, taste, and balance, whereas vodka or rum will have categories for how well it mixes and how well it shoots. Again, no rating system. Other than making it easier to compare things, they are completely meaningless when it comes to personal taste.
Booze on location
This is where it gets fun, although that fun doesn’t necessarily transfer over to the next day. There are roughly two hundred countries in the world, give or take a few more depending on which government or organization you ask. Each one of them has its own arsenal of firewater, moonshine, swill, or homebrew, as well as some truly great stuff that goes down way too easily.
However, exploring different foreign alcohols is only part of our mission. We will also drop the occasional culture guide for our current location that dives into the local drinking culture, including the customs, language, and history surrounding the alcohol.
Cheers!
Clear customs, get your stamp, and pull up a barstool. China has a lot of ground to cover with both spirits and beer. Oh boy, and you had better believe there is a big gap in terms of quality and survivability. China also offers a variety of cultural venues for alcohol consumption in terms of general bar culture, workplace banquettes, and weddings. We’ll cover them all. Fill your glasses and let’s get started! ◉
Written by Seth Barham
