title: The Prohibition Hangover: Alcohol in America from Demon Rum to Cult Cabernet
author:  Garrett Peck 
description: &quot;A fair-minded, well-reported and important look at regulatory issues....Anyone interested in reforming antiquated alcohol regulations will get a good deal of pleasure from this book.&quot; --American Brewer, Summer 2010<br /><br />&quot;This book deftly combines careful research, excellent storytelling, and strong opinions about strong drink.&quot; --William Rorabaugh, author of "The Alcoholic Republic"<br /><br />&quot;Brings us face-to-face with those who would have us continue down the path of righteousness, and shows us how, far too often, that path can lead to treacherous results.&quot; --John M. McCardell, Jr., founder of Choose Responsibility<br /><br />&quot;<span>This new book is a well-written study of the contemporary liquor industry.&quot; -- The Historian (Phi Alpha Theta), Summer 2011.</span>
zlib_text: 
  
  
  EVOLUTION'S DARLING
  
  
  by
  
  
  SCOTT WESTERFELD
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **PART II**
  
  
  BIDDING WAR
  
  
  
  
  
  _A second buyer in the shop raises the rug's price more than golden threads._
  
  
  — Arab saying
  
  
  
  
  
  **Chapter 8**
  
  
  STRANGE CUSTOMS
  
  
  A bad hangover is on its way.
  
  Class A. Fully declarable. Penal sanctions apply.
  
  A combination hangover. Not just beer-and-whiskey, not merely vodka-and-
  ryewine, not simply canerum-and-birdshit. No.
  
  Well beyond the limit for personal use and import, well beyond the Standard
  Human Species Toxicity. A very bad hangover. But at least it isn't here yet.
  For the moment, Ferdi Hansum is still well and truly drunk, not as yet in
  pain. But the battering ram of agony is being built with deliberate surety
  outside the city walls: the great tree felled, the branches stripped, the iron
  cap smelted and fitted. The besieging forces know they have all day.
  
  The Peril of the Open Bar, thinks Ferdi. There ought to be an ordinance, a
  protocol, a fucking law.
  
  The night before was colore