state, Rhode Island, there used to be 22
avoid a long and fruitless search just to find
rum distilleries alone in the 1760’s. And
a drink, and familiarize you with state liquor
Harvard University used to have an on-
laws and traditions before you approach
campus brewery. While some of these
new markets.
differences are due to more efficient
You will also benefit from a deeper
shipping and production methods, Ganong
understanding of your own state’s alcohol
explains how much of the streamlining was
beverage past, which might help you find
a result of Prohibition, and she shows how
a new idea for your next product. And if
each state’s craft beverage industries are
you are facing antiquated and restrictive
again growing and diversifying.
legislation in your state, it is a great quick
“The Field Guide to Drinking in America”
by Utah’s “Zion Curtain”. In restaurants,
reference of what the industry looks like in
is a great resource for new and established
other states so you can see how your state
distillers, alike. It will keep you on the right
compares.
side of the law on your travels, help you
“
I am fascinated
cocktails may be served, but
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it
will
provide
you
with
a
may not be
nearly
inexhaustible library of strange facts
made in front
about American drinking culture to improve your storytelling in the tasting
PHOTO BY BRENTON SALO
room. Hello street cred!
of customers.”
Q&A NIKI GANONG WITH AUTHOR
CURIOUS TO FIND OUT WHERE SHE FOUND ALL THESE GREAT AMERICAN DRINKING STORIES, WE ASKED THE AUTHOR TO WEIGH IN ON HER NEW BOOK: HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE IDEA FOR THE BOOK? Well, my publisher and I are from control states, currently live in a control state, and we travel, so we recognize the benefit in knowing a place like a local. The idea for the book itself was conceived, fittingly, on a plane. We also realized that a book like this had never been done before. So it was an opportunity to contribute something useful to two subjects that we love dearly: drinking and traveling. WHO DID YOU WRITE THE BOOK FOR? The thirsty traveler! Anyone who, in the course of their travels, has found themselves facing an unexpectedly early last call. Anyone who has
had a sad and liquor-less Sunday because they were uninformed. Anyone who has had to choose between 3.2 beer or nothing at all because they didn’t know better. These are our people. Which is to say, potentially, anyone. HOW DID YOU FIND SO MANY FLESHY FACTS AND STORIES FOR EACH STATE? Nagging curiosity led me down many a rabbit hole to be sure! America’s history with alcohol is so vast and interesting that I just kept digging and researching. It was also a bit of an exercise in anthropology. Alcohol is a pretty intricate part of human culture, so we just kept asking ourselves what have the people in this specific place historically done to either make, sell, or
consume alcohol? Then we would follow that line of thinking forward to current day. WHAT STRANGE LAWS MADE YOUR PERSONAL FAVORITES LIST? It might be the easy choice, but I am fascinated by Utah’s “Zion Curtain”. In restaurants, cocktails may be served, but may not be made in front of customers. The end result is that drinks must be made behind a partition with this hilarious moniker. HOW LONG DID THE PROJECT TAKE FROM THE BEGINNING OF YOUR RESEARCH TO PUBLICATION? Close to three years.
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