Sunday, July 8, 2007

The Green Fairy Cometh (Absinthe "legal" in the USA?)

Hmm. So I was in a bar the other night, and low and behold I found some Absinthe. I didn't drink any, opting for a shot of Sake instead. However, this fine after dinner drink, popularized in Europe (and Euro metal heads love it too!) is  very interesting indeed.
The active ingredient of Absinthe in Europe is "Wormwood" or "thujone". Wormwood is considered an hallucunogenic as Absinthe is sold in a green bottle. Absinthe is served and diluted with cold water over a spoon of sugar cubes. Absinthe is now, after over 100 years LEGAL in the USA?  Now keep in mind, Absinthe in Europe is considered the alcohol version of Coke a Cola, selling MANY different types of alcohol, including, the very wonderful and brutal Becherovka (from the Czech Republic).
Now from all reports, the American version of Absinthe is quite watered down, without the Wormwood and FDA approved Thujone levels. The American Absinthe is tame in comparison to what the Europeans have been drinking for hundreds of years.
Remember, the ban on Absinthe lasted over 100 years. The idea is to drink responsibly, don't drive if you drink, and enjoy fine spirits with people you trust. It's unfortunate that Absinthe got a bad rep, but we welcome the "Green Fairy" back.

 FROM THE NY TIMES: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/29/business/yourmoney/29goods.html?ex=1335499200&en=8e8d4a823b7360d8&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Thanks and cheers-Stay metal, and Stay Brutal \m/ -l-