Liquor at Events

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Period Liquor for Alcoholics

For those seeking additional info on Cider here are 2 excellant references.

Cider Hard and Sweet: By Ben Watson ISBN 0-88150-468-8
Cider: By Proulx & Nichols ISBN 1-58017-520-1

and one thats a handy guide to finding the history and growing seasons of apples, as well as their origins:

Apples By Roger Yepsen ISBN 0-393-31567-3

Along with cider I found Apple Jack (apple brandy) to be quite popular in preprohibition America.

Great post Justin!

[Justin Runyon]

Re: Period Liquor for Alcoholics

Its true, Apple Jack, Apple Brandy, Apple Whiskey, and Apple oil are all essentially the same thing and very popular. These concoctions are made very simply. First you merely make cider (refering to alchohol remember) then if you follow the natural progression of the various uses of apples after harvest. You should have an ample amount of the stuff by about the time the temp. at night begins to drop below freezing. The barrel of Cider is simply put out at night and allowed to freeze. Each morning as you leave to feed the stock etc. there willl be a layer of ice or slush on top of the alchohol (which wont freeze). The ice is scooped off and discarded. If you repeat this process you increase the ABV of your beverage. During a cold New England winter, or in MI or WI when you can soemtimes drop to 30 below or so, it is possible to achive 40-50% ABV having started with 12% which is about the natural ABV of plain cider.

WARNING: The above process is in fact destillation, however by reverse (Most hard liquor is destilled by removing alchohol from water by heating) and as such is now illegal under federal law. Now you cant blame me when the revenuers come after ya.

[Son of Eire]

Liquor at Events

When looking at event regulations and suggestions regarding them I have noticed that there are those who disapprove of "partaking in spirits" at events. Others find this perfectly acceptable. Aside from the quite obvious prohibition of alcohol in State or National Parks, what does the AC community think is appropriate? Should we be guided by historical example (i.e. abstaining if representing units documented to have taken temperance pledges), or be guided by our own whim? Are there events where this is more appropriate such as winter encampments? I would be interested to see people try to weigh this out looking at both moral and historical perspectives.
Thanks,

[Chris Suppelsa]

Re: Liquor at Events

At immersion type events, I feel we should keep to the context of the scenario, period.

However, at festival type events, I have no problem with alcohol as long as those drinking should stay in the parking lot or in camp. There was an issue at perryville this year that could have easily been avoided.

[coastaltrash]

Re: Liquor at Events

So if you're caught drunk at an event, does that mean we can make you wear a barrel? If so then by all means, bottoms up- envelope forward!

[dusty27]

Re: Liquor at Events

To me, we risk major legal action if an impared person hurts someone at an event. If the insurance company that is covering the event finds out, good luck getting coverage in the future.

Not worth it in my mind.

[JoaquinNegras]

Re: Liquor at Events

In my humble opinion, if it could be documented that their were soldeirs consuming spirts at a certain time and a certain place, then it would be authentic to do so. But, I also know, a hangover and a long march don't sit too well. If it is consumned, it should be period in nature and carried in a period container. I especially like the fact that members of Frank Cheatam's Division were issued a cup of whiskey before entering into the battle of Stone River(Murfeesboro. They had not eaten breakfast and not slept in the night before, so I imagine the whiskey had a startling affect on them. In fact, it was said they fought like wildcats for the first hour and then sort of seemed drained. I would imagine that was true. I have always wondered if that cup was a standard 24 ounce dipper or less.

[Dale Beasley]

Re: Liquor at Events

At immersion type events, I feel we should keep to the context of the scenario, period.

However, at festival type events, I have no problem with alcohol as long as those drinking should stay in the parking lot or in camp. There was an issue at perryville this year that could have easily been avoided.

Well said, as far as immersion, if you have to drink, go do it at a bar. Some people just can not stop once they start. If you are on campaign, moving from point A to point B, I think it should be left at home, your only holding up your unit. I am hoping at what few immersion events that I can attend this next year, General Order # 1 will be in effect...NO ALCOHOL.

[Shockoe Hill Cats]

Re: Liquor at Events

In my humble opinion, if it could be documented that their were soldeirs consuming spirts at a certain time and a certain place, then it would be authentic to do so.

I simply had to quote this though I agree that the bottles should be left at home.

These are from the "irregular diary" of Zachariah Lee Gilmer of Company B, the 19th Regiment, Virginia Volunteers. Gilmer's diary was written in Centreville, Virginia in Fairfax County during their 1861-62 winter encampment.

"Nov. 14
This day I was unexpectedly elected sergeant (5th). We had several elections and a good deal of excitement owing to the great dissipation in the service both in liquor and in cards. I resolved never to indulge in either. I do believe this war will turn out upon the world the most worthless set of men the world has ever witnessed.

Nov. 6
Everything passed of quietly in camp on this occasion. No speeches, no whiskey, and consequently no fighting, for Military Law had long since destroyed all intoxicating beverages, which was an admirable law. In war times this is a law that is paramount."

[billwatson]

Re: Liquor at Events

The reality may be that those arguing for alcohol because the soldiers certainly indulged every chance they got would be the first to react belligerently should their drinking carry period consequences when noticed. That's not to say they're intentional hypocrites; it is to say that the chance of someone who is even one sheet to the wind getting belligerent in a 21st century way when rounded up by the provost and taken to the guard tent tend to be pretty high. And dealing with drunks is just not a whole lot of fun for others; they'll be on the picket line on a Friday night and get accosted by someone who acts drunk and shoves them; now what? React in a period fashion and call for the corporal of the guard? React in a modern fashion to a perhaps dangerous drunk? Just having to make the choice takes you away from 186x.
What I've never understood is the connection between reenacting and drinking. Not that I've always abstained; I just never had any understanding of those who come to a reenactment specifically to drink and consider the event incomplete if they can't. Drinking surely is, if anything, an experience we can have in this century without benefit of reproduction uniforms and all the rest of history. It would seem to be subtracting something from the civil war experience to take the precious little time available for reenacting and spend part of it less conscious, less aware, less "up" for the things that are going on. But that's just me. I'm the same way with hunting; I just don't get hunting and drinking as activities in tandem, since one requires alertness and good judgment and the other mitigates against both.

[BobbyHughes]

Re: Liquor at Events

Its a safety issue in my mind. Alcohol and gunpowder dont mix well, and both in close proximity to each other can have diasasterous results.

[missourirelics]

Re: Liquor at Events

I say parking lots only.

Paul Arnold
Col. Frank's Mobile Food Shack

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Liquor at Events

To me, we risk major legal action if an impared person hurts someone at an event. If the insurance company that is covering the event finds out, good luck getting coverage in the future.

Not worth it in my mind.

Dusty - Nuff Sed!! I agree with you 1000%! Imagine the lawsuits if a minor was hurt after being given alcohol at an event, regardless of scenario, regardless of whether or not the minor was drunk.

[DJCasey]

Re: Liquor at Events

I have no promblem with people consuming liquor at events, with a few exceptions. Drink? Sure. Get drunk? No way. It is dangerous to you and others while you are drunk, especially around guns, gun powder, fires, bayonets, darkness etc. But it is even more dangerous to the drinker the next day. A hang over is dehydration, and we all know the importance of putting down water at events. If you cannot stop at one, don't drink. The few times I have consumed any liquor at events, I chase it with a lot of water. Secondly, if you are going to consume liqour, be respectful of those around you. You can have a good time without keeping everyone around you awake and falling into "modern" conversations. I have had many a good night ruined by late night drunkards talking about the Packer game. Lastly, keep it period. No beer cans and other modern containers (obvious to those on this forum). Do some reseach. What were the drinking habits of the unit you are protraying? What did they drink? Would it be available in the time and place you are portraying? Would there be period punishment if your non-drinking officer found out ;)

Just my two cents, but everyones opinion is going to be different.

[Rob]

Re: Liquor at Events

Leave the booze at home. If you cannot do without it for two days, there is a bigger problem somewhere.