Empire of booze
Subtitle: British history through the bottom of a glass
By: Henry Jeffreys
Publisher: Random House UK
Published: 2016
Language: eng
Number of pages: 291
ISBN-13: 9781783522248; 9781783522637
Copyright date: 2016
Subjects: Alcoholic beverages; History
Description: BRITISH & IRISH HISTORY. From renowned booze correspondent Henry Jeffreys comes this full-bodied and rich history of Britain and the Empire, told through the improbable but true stories of how the world's favourite alcoholic drinks came to be. Charting the rise of Britain from a small corner of Europe to global pre-eminence, each chapter unveils a drink which originated during a period in British imperial history. Read about how we owe the champagne we drink today to 17th century methods for making sparkling cider; how madeira and India Pale Ale become legendary for their ability to withstand the long, hot journeys to Britain's burgeoning overseas empire; and why whisky, a drink indigenous to Britain, became the familiar choice for weary Empire builders who longed for home. Empire of Booze traces the impact of alcohol on British culture and society: literature, science, philosophy and even religion have reflections in the bottom of a glass.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 273-280) and index.