There are many myths, legends and folk tales in which alcohol or drunks play a large role. We try to collect some of the best ones for you.
This is a folk tale from Mexico that tells how a pulque vendor tricks the Devil. Pulque as you may remember from our post on the 400 Drunken Rabbit Gods of the Aztecs is a traditional Mexican alcoholic beverage that is made from fermented agave (or maguey). Although the story takes place on a completely different…
The story of the Highlander and the Devil is an old Scottish folk tale. It reminds a bit of the encounters the Beer King Gambrinus and the Serbian saint Sava had with Satan, but as it plays in Scotland of course this is a whisky story. Unlike the formentioned folk tales from Belgium and Serbia…
Japan has a very rich culture when it comes to myths and sagas. We found one about their national drink saké that we like to share with you. As you probably know saké is a rice wine that is used in many traditional ceremonies. This folk tale is about a rare version of the drink…
Egypt may now be a country where drinking outside the famous open bar resourts isn’t much appreciated, it was not always like that. The ancient Egyptians who built the pyramids and the Great Sphinx of Giza were quite heavy boozers. It’s safe to say that one of the most respected cultures of the ancient world…
The most common mistake foreigners make when they drink with Russians is to say something like “na zdarovje” each time they raise a glass of vodka. Sure, your company will smile and know you mean well, but actually it makes you look pretty ignorant. Yes, it would be recognized as Russian, but more in the…
The ancient Mayan civilization (2000 BC – 900 AD) was without a doubt one of the most advanced and interesting ones of it’s time. But don’t expect any praise on their eye-catching temples or refined calendar in this post. The Mayas also had quite the alcohol culture, way before the Spanish conquistadores ever introduced them…
The story of the sheepdog Sirko and the wolf is a popular Ukranian folk tale. And like many good stories from Ukraine vodka plays a key part in this one as well. As a big lover of wolves I personally like this tale very much since the wolf isn’t the ultimate villain for a change. After all…
This is a folktale from Serbia about the country’s national strong drink rakija. It reminds a bit of the legend of Gambrinus, which was told in Belgium and Holland, about the introduction of quality hoppy beer. In the Serbian tale the Devil appears again and introduces Saint Sava, an important prince and the first archbishop of…
One of the most important figures in Norse mythology was Aegir or Ægir. Loved and feared as the Commander of the Sea, he also earned great respect among the Germanic tribes as brewer for the Gods of Asgard. His huge underwater feast hall was the one place where the Gods couldn’t fight (normally their favorite…
When you think of successfully defending a town in 17th century, what comes to mind is brave soldiers in epic battles fighting with guns and bodies till their last breath to ward off the enemy. However, this is not how then-mayor of the German town Rothenburg ob der Tauber saved it. His heroism involved a…
Lords of the Drinks 