Beer has evolved over thousands of years - from watery porridge with intent to last night's ESB. If you're at an age where, in college,  Rolling Rock seemed exotic, then it feels like most of that evolution has been in the last 30 years.

On the podcast we discuss craft beers, dull beers and the ultimate glory that is Murffbrau...

On the 4717's holiday gift list - Drunk As Lords: The World in Its Cups is now available at Amazon, B&N and Indiebound! If shipping can sort itself out, at your local bookstore. 

On the podcast we discuss the book, its evolution, Bob Newhart's eyes, essays that shouldn't get published and how drinking got hardwired into human society.

The holiday's are here - we aren't entirely through the plague, but we're pretty much ignoring it these days. Gatherings mean food, and that means wine. Maybe something thing stronger, you know how families can be. On the podcast we discuss beer, big wines for big flavors and, of course, whisky.

It happens to all closet bartenders and covert mixologist; that desire to put your spin on a classic ocktail, make it yours and create something new. Or you just don't know what Crème de Mûre is. On the podcast we discuss inspiration and bloody failures in Creative Mixology #1.

Was there a single snort that made you reassess your bar? Opened a door? Sent you down a rabbit hole? Infuriated your spouse? A rum that made you see beyond Jimmy Buffet,  a tequila that was fine without a worm, or a whisky that made you say, "where have you been all my life."

Today we discuss the Libation Revelation.

Most red-blodded Americans will drink a beer when they man the fiery grill: it's tasty, refreshing and doesn't produce a eyebrow scorching flambé. What do you do when your beer hates you? Liquor is too much, and wine doesn't strike the right vide. The 4717 ponders...

The man is known for his vodka martinis - shaken not stirred - but everyone's favorite super spy was so much more than a signature cocktail. In the podcast, we crawl through James Bond's tortured liver to discuss his cocktails, whisky, champagne and brandy. In addition, the proper way to outfit your lifeboat if love is in the air, and how you too can sound like Jimmy B at the bar with a little practice.  

According to Drinks International, it's the No. 2 cocktail in the world, five years running. It's the Negroni, and it had better explain itself! Supposedly the brianchild of an Italian count having a bad day, the cocktail is ideally suited  for instagram cocktail porn it is visually stunning, bitter and has just the right touch of Eurosleaze. But how does it taste?

In honor of Leif Ericsson Day (9 Oct), we raise a mead-horn to the first honkies to set foot in North America on purpose. Well... it was new to them. Refreshing, yes, but what does mead taste like? Is it a hair raiser, or any more manly than a watermelon Truley? Let's find out and raise Grendal's left arm to nature's first happy hour.

On mediocre sailing, Lower Alabama whiskey bars, two must bottles and a great lost story of whiskey lore - Uncle Nearest Green.