Beer: the pre-historic initiative behind civilization

From the Independent (U.K.):

Drunkenness, hangovers, and debauchery tend to come to mind when one thinks about alcohol and its effects. But could alcohol also have been a catalyst for human civilization?

According to archaeologist Patrick McGovern this may have been the case when early man decided to start farming. Why humans turned from hunting and gathering to agriculture could be the result of our ancestors’ simple urge for alcoholic beverages.

“Alcohol provided the initial motivation,” said McGovern, a biomolecular archaeologist at the University of Pennsylvania Museum. “Then it got going the engine of society.”

Read the rest here.

'Love on an Escalator'

I like Aerosmith's "Love on an Escalator" -- it's like "Love in an Elevator," only bumpier.

NC State beats No. 7 Duke by 14 points!

London Postcard: Loving the beers here

Here are some worthwhile brews I've sampled while here in London. I'm heading back tomorrow, but if you travel to the U.K., or if you can find any of these in the States, they are very worthwhile:

Erdinger: A German wheat beer that has become a new favorite.

Budweiser Budvar: From the Czech Republic, this is NOT the Anheuser-Busch Bud. In fact, it pre-dates the Anheuser-Busch dominance of the beer market.

Britannia Ale: Fantastic balance, with hopping that leans toward a proper India Pale Ale.

Sambrook's Wandle: Enjoyable, highly drinkable.

Timothy Taylor's Landlord: Good balance, highly drinkable, very light, watery mouth-feel considering the level of character it delivers.

Lemmy in Moscow!

MOSCOW, RUSSIA. DECEMBER 21, 2009. Motorhead bassist Lemmy Kilmister performs at the Luzhniki Small Sports Arena during their tour of Russia. (Photo ITAR-TASS / Vladimir Astapkovich) Photo via Newscom / Content © 2009 Newscom All rights reserved.

Dressing -- and undressing -- in the display window

CNN had a feature on these live window-display models for XOXO in NYC. They really were changing their clothes in the window display, while an enraptured, mostly male, crowd looked on.

Models dress each other in the holiday window displays at XOXO Live in New York City. (Alan Behr/MCT) Photo via Newscom
Content © 2009 Newscom All rights reserved.

Last-minute gifts -- beer and pop culture

Gift suggestions for all budgets!
Norm Peterson from Cheers!



The "real" Michael Jackson!

An expensive brew

The Boston Beer Co., makers of Samuel Adams, has taken beer to a new extreme.

Utopias, the company's biennial beer, has been upgraded: 27 percent alcohol by volume.

It comes in a 24-ounce bottle of ceramic and copper that looks like a brew kettle, at only $150 each.

But you probably won't find it in South Carolina.

In May 2007, the S.C. General Assembly passed a law allowing stronger beers to be sold in the state. Previously, the law allowed only beers that contained 6 percent alcohol by volume or less. The 2007 law raised the cap to 17.5 percent alcohol by volume, allowing numerous beer styles and imports to enter the state legally.

But at 27 percent, Utopias is illegal in South Carolina. Thanks a lot, Boston Beer Co.

You'd never believe the wine choices at my friend's Christmas party

For red wine, you could have either

A) Fidelity

or

B) Menage a Trois

After the age of 25, we become slowly rotting fruit...

After the age of 25, we pretty much become slowly rotting fruit -- and this is a good thing. Consider it the miracle of fermentation.

Australian Champagne Dash for Ladies

I'm not making this up. It's the GH Mumm Champagne Dash for Ladies during the Paspaley Polo In The City in Centennial Park on November 21, 2009 in Sydney, Australia.

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(Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
Content © 2009 Getty Images All rights reserved.

Strongly recommended: 2 Below by New Belgium

Yesterday, I picked up 2 Below Ale, the winter seasonal from New Belgium Brewing in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Fantastic. It might be lighter than you would expect from a winter seasonal. It's a touch on the hoppy side, with a very pleasing malt character. The alcohol by volume is 6.6 percent.

I bought a sixer for $8.59 at Owens Liquors, 8000 North Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach.

New Moon on Monday

... is a song by Duran Duran, not a date at the movies, damn it!

Doesn't he get to see those ALL THE TIME?

Faith Hill and Tim McGraw at the New York premiere of "The Blind Side" on Tuesday. McGraw plays a role in the movie.

Jogging with a cigar

Just to make sure I don't get too healthy.