Do you know what the definition of trivia is? While Merriam-Webster defines it as information and data that are considered “obscure” or “of little use,” we at ReserveBar do enjoy little-known but surprising facts. In observance of National Trivia Day on January 4th, we have rounded up 15 of the most interesting facts about alcohol, beer, and wine to increase your overall spirits knowledge.
Get Trivia-Ready
1. According to Stuart Berg Flexner’s book, Listening to America, Milkshakes originally contained alcohol - introduced in 1885 as an alcoholic whiskey drink.
2. Vodka is the most popular spirit in the world.
3. The most popular spirit in the United States is Bourbon Whiskey. Not only is bourbon American made but a 1964 act of Congress also made bourbon the official spirit of the USA or as they called it, “America’s Native Spirit”.
4. Wine consumption worldwide was estimated at around 234 million hectoliters in 2020. For further clarification, 1 hectoliter is 26 liquid gallons!
5. Beer consumption in the United States (per adult aged 21 and over) is around 28.2 gallons per person annually.
6. Fear of an empty glass has a scientific name — Cenosillicaphobia. Another round, please!
7. To make one bottle of red wine, you will need around 600 grapes. Of course, that’s just the beginning of quite a process.
8. There are approximately 49 million bubbles in just one bottle of champagne.
9. The earliest alcoholic beverage in the world was a mixed fermented drink of rice, honey, and hawthorn fruit and/or grape, according to chemical analyses.
10. Gin and tonics can glow in the dark! But not because of the gin; when tonic water is exposed to ultraviolet light, it fluoresces.
11. The world's most widely consumed liquor is Baijiu, a white grain liquor from China.
12. The word “toast” originated in ancient Rome and it wishes for good health. A piece of toasted bread was literally dropped into wine back then.
13. Every year, 24 people die after being hit with a champagne cork! This is partly because a champagne cork leaves a bottle at over 55mph.
14. Empress Catherine I from Russia banned women from getting drunk in the 18th century. Not to worry ladies, this law has since been reversed!
15. According to the famed American journalist, H.L. Mencken, the ingredients in a well-stocked bar can make 17,864,392,788 different cocktails.
In Closing
Sure, trivia might not be required knowledge. However, knowing these surprising facts can definitely be your new party trick to wow a crowd! With these 15 trivia facts listed above, we hope you will impress your family with your newfound spirits knowledge and crush the next round of bar trivia with your friends.
