The Compass: Hallucinogenic boozed fueled politics, where pirates spent their booty, and journey to the home of the world’s oldest brandy.

This week, we dive into the world of beer, wine, and spirits.  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌    ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  

 

SEE BELOW, CAN YOU GUESS THE RIGHT ANSWER? VIEW ONLINE

SEE BELOW, CAN YOU GUESS THE RIGHT ANSWER?

THE COMPASS

This week, we dive into the world of beer, wine, and spirits. Discover how hallucinogenic booze fueled politics in ancient Peru, learn how mezcal is more popular than ever and why that’s bad news for bats, and journey into Armagnac, home of the world’s oldest brandy.

PHOTOGRAPH BY KENNETH GARRETT, MUSEO NACIONAL DE ARQUELOGIA ANTROPOLOGIA E HISTORIA PERU Did hallucinogenic booze fuel politics in ancient Peru? A discovery in a 1,100-year-old Wari outpost suggests that powerful, communal intoxicants may have helped foster alliances. KEY TO POLITICAL POWER?

PHOTOGRAPH BY TOM VEZO, MINDEN PICTURES Mezcal is more popular than ever—why that’s bad news for bats As consumption of the drink hits record levels in the U.S., wild agave plants are dwindling—but conservationists say there's a solution. A HUNDRED YEARS OF OVERUSE

GOOD READS

1. Women campaigned for Prohibition—then many changed their minds 2. How to brew a greener beer 3. Sweet success: how Louisville's bourbon scene is bouncing back in 2023 4. How absinthe made a comeback in its Alpine homeland—after a century-long ban

PHOTOGRAPH BY RYAN LAHIFF Napa beyond the vineyards: innovative local restaurants and gutsy craft beer ​It may be synonymous with vineyards and bold Cabernet Sauvignon, but dig deeper and you'll find experimental menus rich in local produce and a gutsy craft beer movement that prove there's more to the region than grapes. BEER IN NAPA?

WHICH OF THESE COUNTRIES HAS THE MOST CASTLES IN EUROPE? A. WALES B. GERMANY C. SPAIN CLICK TO SEE IF YOU'RE RIGHT!

ILLUSTRATION VIA PICTURES NOW, ALAMY STOCK PHOTO Where did pirates spend their booty? The cash flowed—and so did the drinks—at taverns across the Caribbean during the golden age of piracy. But these watering holes weren’t just for getting drunk. A PROPENSITY FOR DRUNKENNESS

PHOTOGRAPH BY MARK PARREN TAYLOR Photo story: a journey into Armagnac, home of the world’s oldest brandy ​This historic region of southwest France is characterised by rolling vineyards and attractive villages, as well as the spirit that shares its name. THE WORLD'S OLDEST BRANDY

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