Author: Jonathan

  Deep Dive(1000ish Words) Vikings weren’t just horn-helmeted brutes charging into battle with axes (though yes, they did a fair bit of that). They were also big-time drinkers, skilled traders, expert sailors — and surprisingly poetic about their booze. And if you’ve ever raised a glass and shouted “Skål!” — you’re already channeling your inner… Read more

Deep Dive (1,000ish words) I’m writing this because the name Uncle Nearest keeps popping up—in books, on podcasts, and in just about every corner of whiskey history research I dive into. I haven’t tried the whiskey yet, so I can’t vouch for the taste, but the story behind it? That alone is worth raising a… Read more

Here at Barroom Knowledge, we like to tell the stories behind what’s in your glass. But sometimes, the hardest stories to tell are the ones that aren’t there at all. When it comes to the history of alcohol — brewing, distilling, drinking — a shocking amount of it has straight-up vanished. And not in the… Read more

Deep Dive(1000ish Words) If you’ve ever stood in front of the beer cooler at a gas station and been overwhelmed by a wall of light lagers—Bud, Miller, Coors, Busch, maybe even a rogue PBR—you’ve witnessed the lasting legacy of the beer that built America. But how did these crisp, cold, smooth lagers become the go-to… Read more

The Deep Dive(1000ish words) Ah, grog. Few drinks in history have such a legendary reputation for saving lives, fueling empires, and—let’s be honest—getting sailors just the right amount of drunk. Equal parts history, hydration, and hangover, grog was the lifeblood of seafarers for over two centuries. But what exactly is grog? Is it still around?… Read more

Deep Dive (1000-ish Words) When you think of Theodore Roosevelt, you might picture a rugged outdoorsman, charging through the wilderness, or the man who famously took on the rough political battles of his time. You probably don’t immediately imagine him rolling on the mat in a Jiu-Jitsu gym, throwing people around in the art of… Read more

Deep Dive(1000ish Words) How Darts Went from Spears to Sports Long before neon beer signs and jukeboxes lit up the scene, medieval warriors needed ways to train during downtime. Spears and javelins were the weapons of the day, but tossing them around a muddy camp wasn’t always practical. Enter: small projectiles. Soldiers began practicing accuracy… Read more

Deep Dive(1000ish words) When you picture a pirate, what comes to mind? Eye patch? Maybe a parrot? Definitely a mug of rum sloshing around, right? There’s a good reason for that — rum wasn’t just a casual drink for pirates; it was practically their fuel, their currency, and sometimes even their undoing. So pull up… Read more

Deep Dive(1000ish words) You raise your drink, make eye contact, smile like a dork, say “cheers,” and tap glasses. It’s a routine as old as beer itself—and we’ve all done it without really asking why. So let’s dive into one of the most common barroom rituals that nobody questions—until now. Welcome to your new party… Read more

Deep Dive(1000ish words) There are few drinks that have caused as much drama as absinthe. You’ve got art, hallucinations, government bans, wild parties, and a liquor that was basically blamed for society’s moral collapse. That’s one heck of a resume for a green-tinted spirit made from plants. So let’s take a seat at the bar… Read more