Ever wonder how some of the great minds could handle so much alcohol? They may have had the “Churchill Gene.” Instead of being a vice, alcohol became the stiumulus for creativity.

Winston Churchill claimed it crucial for The World Crisis, his six-volume memoirs, stating: “always remember that I have taken more out of alcohol than it has taken out of me.” Novelist William Faulkner drank more intermittently, but claimed not to be able to face a blank page without a bottle of Jack Daniels. Beethoven fell under the influence in the later part of his creative life. Among painters, Van Gogh, Jackson Pollock, Francis Bacon and many others liked a drop or two while working.

Mark Twain endorsed this view saying: “My vices protect me but they would assassinate you!”

Yet until recently science has had little to say about alcohol and the creative process, confining itself to studies of damage, tolerance and addiction. Over the last few years, however, evidence has emerged that some have, if not a Churchill gene, then a creative cocktail gene.

See the whole story at the Prospect.

Here’s another early Bud commercial featuring Ed McMahon and Frank Sinatra. Now I’m sure Frank didn’t mind having a Bud, but I think we all know that he would rather have a Jack Daniel’s, his favorite. Anyway, cool video. A full minute long – you don’t see commercials that long anymore.

Have you ever wondered who Jim Beam is named after? What about Jack Daniel’s, Jose Cuervo, Captain Morgan, Johnnie Walker and others? Wonder no more. See Mental Floss for clues on all of these real men.

I’m disappointed they didn’t include one of my favorites, Sailor Jerry, who was a famous tattoo artist and amateur rum maker.

Yesterday marked the first day of Summer; time to learn a new drink.  The Lynchburg Lemonade always gets better as the temperature rises.

• Fill a tall glass with ice.
• Add 1.5 oz of Jack Daniel’s.
• Add 1 oz triple sec.
• Add 1 oz Sweet & Sour; or even better squeeze 1 oz of fresh lemon juice and combine with a little sugar.
• Fill the rest of the glass with Sprite.
• Serve with a big lemon wedge.