I am literally astounded by sheer lack of alcohol-related postings on the blogosphere on this fine wintry morning, the last day of 2007. My question: How precisely are we supposed to stock up on liquor for this evening's festivities without guidance from the world wide web? j/k

Here are the only alcohol-related stories I came across today:

According to researchers, ancient Pueblo Indians brewed a form of corn beer approximately 300 years before the Spanish arrived with grapes and wine in the 16 century. This apparently contradicts accepted claims that the pocket of Pueblos in New Mexico did not have alcohol until the arrival of the first Europeans. The finding is based on tests that were performed on 800 year old potsherds from the region. Using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, scientists determined that the ancient pottery contained fermented residue that is characteristic of beer production.

The MSNBC website also has a related story about 9000 year old wine from China. Accordingly, scientists found similar residue from ceramics that originated approximately 7000 B.C.

When it comes to traditional alcohols, few are more controversial than the legendary absinthe. This green herb infused liqueur was the drink of choice in the 19th and 20th centuries by artists and writers, including Vincent Van Gogh, Emile Zola, Edgar Degas, Oscar Wilde, Ernest Hemingway and Pablo Picasso. It was banned for nearly a century because of its 120 proof potency and fears of its psycho-active ingredient: worm wood. Absinthe was believed to cause various hallucinogenic effects, reputedly driving people insane. However, according to NBC11.com, sometime mid-December, the American Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau in Alameda, California reversed the ban and ok'd the distribution of a specific version of absinthe to consumers. The distiller, St. George's Spirits, produced approximately 1500 bottles for the holiday season and sold them at $75 USD/bottle or $300 USD/case. According to the distiller's spokesperson, the bottles were quickly snapped up by people ranging from their 20's to 70's.

On another somewhat more constructive note, a member of the modding community at HardOcp.com built a working computer using a former Ballentine scotch bottle. The work is literally astounding. Just look at the how clean the cuts are. It is amazing how small computer foot prints have become.

Whatever your chosen drink for the New Year, please partake responsibly. Happy New Year from us at foodiePrints. Cheers!