Top 5 quirky drinks museums
From a ‘hangover room’ simulation to a whisky tour with a roller coaster, SB reveals five of the world’s quirkiest unbranded drinks experiences.
If you’re looking for an immersive spirits experience, there are a wealth of spirits brands across the globe that are nailing it. It seems as though almost every distillery now offers some sort of consumer interaction, be it through food pairings, warehouse tours or even historical parks.
But for those after a more impartial adventure, there are a number of museums dedicated to spirits categories, cocktails and even entire markets which are ready to capture imaginations with usual activities and historical artefacts.
Click through the following pages for our pick of the top 5 quirky drinks museums. Have we missed your favourite? Leave a comment below.
The Scotch Whisky Experience, Scotland
Address: 354 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NE, United Kingdom
There are a number of options to suit every budget at The Scotch Whisky Experience, ranging from whistlestop whisky introductions to luxury dining events. The interactive tour begins with a roller coaster ride through a virtual distillery, exploring the whisky making process, before a guided sensory presentation covers the Scotch whisky regions and the skill of whisky blending. The experience ends with a dram in a marble and glass vault containing the “world’s largest” collection of Scotch whisky, recorded at 3,384 bottles. The venue also boasts a restaurant and whisky bar.
Spiritmuseum, Sweden
Address: Djurgårdsvägen 38, 115 21 Stockholm, Sweden
Situated in an 18th century Naval building, Spiritmuseum offers various exhibits on the history and culture of alcohol in Sweden, ranging from history, manufacture and consumption to holiday traditions, drinking songs, and food pairings. “Sweden: Spirits of a Nation” is currently the museum’s main exhibition, and is designed as a walk through the seasons of the year, imparted through a scenic backdrop, aromas, flavours and music. There’s also a ‘hangover room’ simulation, and a theater in which the seating angle and perspective of the film make you feel drunk. Be sure to check out The Absolut Art gallery displays, which feature works by Damien Hirst, Andy Warhol and Keith Haring.
The Museum of the American Cocktail, LA
Address: Southern Food and Beverage Museum, 1504 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113
Founded by “King Cocktail”, Dale DeGroff, along with some of the world’s senior cocktail writers and historians, the museum is dedicated to celebrating and preserving the history of the cocktail while at the same time seeking to increase consumer mixology knowledge and provide extensive educational resources for professionals. Visitors can explore how the cocktail has influenced music, theater, art, film and politics around the world, examine vintage cocktail shakers, read Prohibition-era literature, and admire cocktail memorabilia from the Museum’s friends and founders. The Museum of the American Cocktail also annually presents the American Cocktail Awards – the ‘Olives’ – in association with the United States Bartenders Guild.
Maison de L’Absinthe, Switzerland
Address: Grande Rue 10, 2112 Môtiers, Switzerland
Boasting the world’s “largest collection” of absinthe, the Maison de L’Absinthe dedicates three floors to the pursuit of the green fairy. One room is centred on the Heure Verte or ‘green hour’, the time during which French people historically met in bistros to enjoy a glass of absinthe. The Maison de l’Absinthe also exposes the reasons for the ban on the spirit in 1910, and explores the rumours and tales surrounding it. The in-house laboratory examines the production process, while the museum’s garden offers than 1,200 plants – including wormwood, lemon balm and mint; key ingredients in the spirit. A wealth of historical documents, antique objects and poetry, as well as interactive elements and short films are available for viewing, providing well-rounded insight into the category. Thirsty work – but thankfully the bar boasts 15 different absinthes from the region.
Nationaal Jenevermuseum Schiedam, Netherlands
Address: Lange Haven 74-76, 3111 CH Schiedam, Netherlands
A one-stop shop for the national Dutch spirit from which gin evolved. Guests can witness how jenever is milled according to an original recipe from the 1700’s, explore the production process at De Nieuwe Palmboom museum mill – still in operation – and view historical advertisements, glassware, packaging, materials and more from the spirits’ heyday. From medicinal beginnings to its influence on other industries, no stone (or juniper) is left uncovered. There are, of course, a wealth of jenevers available for sampling.
