Outbound: up close

• Ever wonder what your favourite drinks look like under a microscope? Wonder no more.
• Scotland's difficult relationship with alcohol.
• Two interesting notes from Robert Simonson - Bombay Sapphire extend their range for 2010/11; the number of kosher single malts is up by two - to two.
• Great post from American Drink on where the bartender fits into our lives.
• And finally, England's secret weapon in their World Cup Campaign? Beer. It's been so effective, they're going to try it against the Germans.

2010 with a blast (from the past, of course)

Disney - Illuminations - Reflectons (3) (explored) by Express Monorail on Flickr.

It's a brand new year, rife with possibility. What to do? Where to start?

• How about last year? Minimum drink pricing is back on the agenda, with its predictable supporters and detractors. Some might see minimum pricing as a stealth tax against the poorest sections of society; others look at the estimated £900 that alcohol abuse costs every person in Scotland.
• How about further back? Like 200,000 years ago? Apparently the caveman lifestyle is all the rage - in NYC.
• The Bronx Beer Caves.
• The Washington Post on the indescribable taste - and expense - of cognac.
• Oh Gosh! on Mozart Dry - unsweetened chocolate spirit.

Drink responsibly, kids

Via Comically Vintage / Retrospace / Are2 / Liquid Fire.