The school of sophisticated drinking : an intoxicating history of seven spirits / Kerstin Ehmer & Beate Hindermann ; foreword by Kevin Brauch ; with illustrations by Angela Dwyer ; [translated by] Jamie McIntosh.

"The school of sophisticated drinking" traces the deep-seated lineage of drinking in the social, political, and even scentific developments of our culture. Inspired by an ongoing series of lectures at Berlin's legendary Potsdamer Strasse cocktail den, the Victoria Bar, this comprehensive books delves into the sociopolitical significance of and technological innovations behind a familiar wine or spirit-- brandy, vodka, whisky, rum, gin, tequila, and champagne-- and shares plenty of tales of libational adventure. Whether you're an expert drinker or a novice barfly, it'll give you plenty to contemplate inside your glass. --- From back cover.