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By Joseph Javier
Wine, beer, spirits and other
inebriating concoctions have been mainstays in mankind’s quest for
social merriment since time immemorial. As the center of
bacchanalian fetes or a tasty accompaniment to everyday dining,
liberating libations of regions from all over the globe run the
gamut. These varied brews are chronicled by Kevin Braunch in his
television documentary called The Thirsty Traveler 5, which
premieres on August 7 at 8:30 p.m. on Discovery Travel & Living.
In an interview with Kevin
Braunch, the adventurous host shares his thoughts about drink,
travel and merriment.
Popoli: Why do you choose wine,
beer and spirits to be explored in this series?
Kevin Braunch (KB): I think the
way to explore a country is actually through something that levels
the playing field. I think that alcohol levels the playing field in
a lot of countries. When you travel the world, more often than not,
you’re invited into somebody’s home, they give you some food and
they’ll give you a drink.
Popoli: Of all the countries that
you visited and of all the drinks that you’ve encountered, what is
the most interesting?
KB: I am probably going to throw
you one of our new episodes that you’re going to see this
August—Taiwan. We actually took a trip with our film crew to Snake
Alley and like what outrageous alcoholic beverages in Snake Alley
with the cobra and just the drinks that they make with pieces of the
cobra, the bile, the blood, the venom, the sea horse in there,
it’s just like sort of outrageous.
Popoli: What have you learned
about the people and culture from your travelling this time?
KB: Despite all of our
differences, we’re more similar than we are different right around
the planet. The more you travel, the more you realize, we’re all
doing the same thing. So let’s appreciate, let’s respect the
differences and appreciate the similarities.
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