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Most recently published stories in Proof.
Signs You Can't Tolerate Beer
We've all had bad hangovers, or times when we drank a little too much and ended up spending the night wrapped around a porcelain throne. Sometimes, however, the negative side effects of alcohol aren't your fault, especially if you only had one or two drinks. A wide variety of allergic reactions can be traced to alcohol, and no alcohol is the root of more allergic reactions than beer. Beer contains a variety of ingredients, especially grains, which are linked to numerous allergies. If you experience any of the following signs you can't tolerate beer, you may find that a simple switch from beer to wine makes your drinking life far more enjoyable.
By Joseph D. N. Kendrick6 years ago in Proof
How to Make Gin from Scratch
If you start now, you can have your own homemade gin in two days or so. While it might be more hassle than some people want to go through on a regular basis, there are a lotof perks to the do-it-yourself approach. First of all, the feeling of drinking gin that you know you made yourself is very satisfying. Pretty much all homemade things just have a little extra specialness to them, a kind of satisfaction that can only really come from creating something with your own hands. In addition, having the ability to make your own gin from scratch will give you a leg up on enhancing the delicious gin cocktail recipes everyone should know. You can tweak your proportions of spices, change your base vodka, try letting it sit longer or shorter, and eventually end up with a perfect, tailored-just-to-your-tastes, homemade gin.
By Nicola P. Young6 years ago in Proof
How to Make Wine from Grape Juice
The tradition of making homemade wine from grape juice dates back at least to prohibition-era United States, when winemakers would sell blocks of concentrated grape juice with instructions to dissolve them in a gallon of water and a warning: "do not place the liquid into the cupboard for 21 days as it will turn into wine." This warning was actually, of course, poorly-disguised instructions for households to make their own wine during an era when all manner of alcohol was outlawed. This allowed several vineyards to survive the duration of prohibition until they could sell real wine again, and the packages were vague enough that investigators couldn't prove that the grape blocks were intended for anything other than non-alcoholic grape juice.
By Joseph D. N. Kendrick6 years ago in Proof
Taking a U-Turn. Top Story - August 2018.
First of all, I want to clarify that this piece is not about a struggle with alcohol or an addiction but rather my decision to take a long-term break from the sauce. As I sit here, sipping my morning coffee and pounding away at the keys on my laptop, I find myself thinking about alcohol, moreover, whiskey and just the thought of that getting into my system is making me nauseous. The mere thought of smelling or tasting it makes me want to vomit right here, all over my new rug.
By Morganne Thayer6 years ago in Proof
Types of Beer - A Basic Guide to Beer
Anyone can appreciate the satisfaction of a cold beer after a long day. Whether it be to relax you after a long day at work or your weekend party fuel. Beer is readily available to fulfill those needs. Though with craft breweries, brewpubs, and the like popping up everywhere the world of beer can be kind of confusing. Especially if you are a common beer drinker who sticks to the major commercial brands. The near limitless varieties out there can leave one to ask, "Just what types of beer are there?"
By Austin Wilson6 years ago in Proof
The Demon
It's almost 2 AM and I just came back from my latest hospital stay. I think this one only lasted three days. Or maybe it was four. It's kind of a blur. I remember or I wish I could remember the number of times I've visited the hospital for this same thing. I know I've done it in at least four different cities now in three different provinces. I'm laying here thinking about how I'm gonna pay my rent in four days after blowing all my money on this last bender, if I still have a job (probably not) and about the latest girl I've lost. It's always the same things. The usual cycle of insanity. It repeats itself over and over. Like I'm stuck in an endless loop. My own version of hell on earth. It just doesn't stop. The demon has struck again.
By Jeffrey Joseph6 years ago in Proof
Bartending Tips & Tricks Everyone Should Know
In any party, or in any club, there's one person that always seems to make people smile: the bartender. Bartenders are the kind, patient people who serve up amazing drinks, give you a good ear to listen to, and also offer you a smile when they serve you.
By Rowan Marley6 years ago in Proof
How to Make a Wine and Cheese Board When You're on a Budget
My dad Devon Thomas has been seeing Chica Reyass for a few months now but they've yet to have the conversation about labels, even though Chica casually refers to herself as my dad's partner. I've read a lot of books about relationships and psychology during lunch (I hide in the library to avoid being bullied), and the consensus is that now's the time for my dad to bring it up.
By Jarret Thomas6 years ago in Proof
Poetry in a Bottle
In October 2017, the first ever Team to represent Zimbabwe competed in France at the world blind-tasting championships. I found myself intrigued by the stories surrounding the team which consisted of four gentlemen, also known as the “Zim Somms.” A couple of months ago I reached out to one of the Sommelier’s, Joseph Dhafana (aka the Wine Poet) via Instagram. He responded immediately, graciously offering to send me some wine and indulge me in my questions and curiosity.
By Katie Truscott6 years ago in Proof