Thar she brews!

Portable Polynesia

I’m a sucker for packaging if you’ve not figured that out by now. I’d just had my first surfing lesson on Maui, and the waves were calling me back. Since I couldn’t get to Hawaii, I had Hawaii come to me, Kona-style and bottled. They brand the heck out of this carton, yet it still feels as free and open as being out on the Pacific. The story on the bottom of the packaging sets the mood, but it’s what’s on the top that makes me grab for the 6-pack in the first place: “Liquid Aloha.” Aah, Coca-Cola can’t touch that for “refreshing” and “happiness.” There was fun under the bottle caps as well, with each one teaching me a word in Hawaiian:

“Aruba, Jamaica, ooo I wanna take ya…”

Moana = ocean
Kanaka – person
Wai = water
Honu – turtle
Mano = shark

Bottoms Down!

Flipping through magazines over the years, I started taking notice here and there of the way beer and spirits producers were serving up drinking guidance in their ads. Here are random samples. 11 of 18 notices include the word “responsibly” or “responsibility.” Now, that’s some percentage…in fact, higher than the alcohol content found in imported vodkas. Here they are, just as I found them:

Amarula: Amarula is a rare find. Appreciate accordingly.

Bacardi Silver Mojito: RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS®

Belvedere: Indulge Moderately.

Christiania: none

Crop Harvest Earth®: none

Effen: DRINK is a five-letter word, as long as you do so responsibly.

elit: DRINK WITH CARE

Gentleman Jack: Drinking responsibly is always the right step.

Glenfiddich®:  SKILLFULLY CRAFTED. ENJOY RESPONSIBLY.

GLENMORANGIE: Please Drink Responsibly

Kahlúa®: DRINKING RESPONSIBLY IS MÚY DELICIOSO. (more on “múy” in a later post)

Karlsson’s: none

Knob Creek: drink smart®

Michelob Ultra® Light: RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS®

Orzel: Sip Responsibly.

Sobieski: PLEASE ENJOY SOBIESKI RESPONSIBLY.

Tito’s Handmade Vodka: Handcrafted to be savored responsibly.

Woodford Reserve®: CRAFT CAREFULLY. DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

Did you notice that Bacardi and Michelob have the same thing going on?

Sip Tip: If you’re looking for greater proof points, head to Finland.