The Webtender
Forum and Chat

 Message 28554 of 39187 in General Discussion
 Share on Facebook |  Save to del.icio.us  
Subject: Re: U.S. laws regarding marrying bottles....
From: Cheryl Charming
Posted: Sat Jul 22. 2006, 08:27 UTC
Followup to: "U.S. laws regarding marrying bottles...."  by Dano_  (Sat Jul 22. 2006, 08:09 UTC)
> Hey guys,
> 
> Just reading Cheryl's thread about infusing spirits and was wondering 
> what the deal is with the U.S. laws prohibiting marrying bottles?  It 
> just seems so ridiculous... do places actually abide by these laws or 
> just marry bottles in back rooms instead?
> 
> I've never worked at a place that didn't marry bottles, and at my 
> current place we marry like crazy all night long as we go through 
> many bottles throughout the course of a shift with 8 wells running.
> 
>  

I wish I knew when this law came into effect. From my understanding it started 
when tavern owners would add water to the bottles to make more money. So to 
keep everyone honest laws were passed. I'm sure--in the day--the law probably 
just said that you couldn't add water. 

As better spirits were introduced the owner would simply pour cheaper spirits 
into more expensive spirit bottles to make money.  So finally the law as we 
know it today states that nothing can be put into any spirit bottle and sold. 
Not even if it's the same exact spirit (marrying).

Here's some fun trivia:
In the 1500’s, the term rumrunner was first used. Rumrunners (pirates) ran 
illegal rum to colonies that were heavily taxed. During prohibition in the 
1920’s the most famous rumrunner was Captain William McCoy because he didn’t 
add water to his spirits like the others. This is how we got the phrase "The 
Real McCoy".


-- 
Cheryl Charming
http://www.misscharming.com 
cheryl[at]misscharming.com


 Current thread (18 messages):
 Message options:
 

How do I pour? What is 'cl', 'oz' and 'pt'? How should I handle glassware?.
Find the answers in The Bartender's Handbook.

Home · Drink Recipes · Bookstore · Barstore · Handbook · Web Index · Feedback

Copyright © The Webtender.
About | Disclaimer | Privacy policy