Contents
Today we will talk about flasks: what and how these things are made, what volumes they come in, how best to choose a flask, what to pour into it, how to care for it. We also recall a few basic rules of “flask etiquette” and make a short digression into history.
“Portable bar”, “combat 100 grams”, “lighting liquid” – as soon as the people do not call a flask. A small container with precious drops of alcohol is an indispensable part of the equipment of any alcoholic esthete.
Wherever you go: on a fishing trip, on a hike, for an interview, to the theater – your personal damask in your pocket will make you independent of bars and shops, will give you the opportunity at any time to relieve stress, warm up, tune in to positive, relax. Do not forget that the flask is an indicator of style, a pretentious attribute. In short – “You can at least not drink at all, but you must have a flask!”.
What is a flask and where did it come from?
The word “flask” itself is German, derived from “Flachmann”, which means only “flask” in translation. “Flyakhmans” were used mainly by soldiers – during World War I they were made of glass and dressed in a cloth case. They fought, go ahead, already running – just imagine how much schnapps was spilled on the battlefields by the Kaiser’s troops!
But, of course, containers of alcoholic substances appeared long before the Imperialist one. Leather, gutted cattle stomachs, wood, the shells of some fruits (eg coconut) – portable “bottles” for wine and other drinks have been made from all this since their appearance.
The flask began to acquire a modern look, presumably, in the eighteenth century, in good old France. It was at this time that the flask left the category of a practical everyday item and moved into the plane of a design element, even luxury. Silver, gold, chic ornaments, gem inlays, family coats of arms, engravings, icons are proof of this.
And only in the last century, the flask began to be widely used not only by noble loafers, but also by ordinary people.
The main jump in the popularity of this device happened in the States, in the 1920s. During the “great drought” alcohol could only be sold from under the floor. Someone from the future Al Capone came up with a special type of liqueurs known as “gas stations”. The meaning is simple – a worker, eager to get his throat wet, enters a certain institution. Drinking on the spot was not allowed for reasons of secrecy – the bootlegger poured only “to go”.
Those who wanted to refuel needed a “gas tank”, or rather a “tank”, which could be hidden in a pocket or behind the bootleg and carefully transported to a safe place.
After the repeal of the dubious Eighteenth Amendment, flasks remained part of the everyday life of ordinary Americans. For example, they were often found on the bodies of US soldiers who died on the fronts of World War II. They took them to Korea and Vietnam. It must have been from there that a convenient and useful object penetrated the expanses of the USSR.
Capacity and material
Many years ago, when I bought my very first flask, I was always surprised that the capacity on it was indicated not in milliliters, but in some mysterious “OZ”. In fact, there is nothing surprising here – Americans measure the volume of alcohol in ounces, equal to 29 ml with a trifle – just a small shot. The minimum volume is usually 3 ounces, the maximum is 12.
But there are exceptions. For example – miniature flasks-key rings. My friend’s uncle worked at some mysterious flask production – so everything from vegetable oil to moonshine was stored in mastadont 3-5-liter flasks.
The choice of volume is a personal matter for everyone. I like 9 OZ – 255 grams. Just enough cognac to relax a little and treat a friend. A smaller, 6-ounce flask will come in handy on a hike – you can pour 98% alcohol into it, which will do to kindle a fire due to dampness, and disinfect a wound, and get a company of 2-3 adult men to drink.
Just keep in mind – alcohol, especially strong alcohol (alcohol, absinthe, undiluted tinctures) should not be stored in a metal container for a long time – there is a risk that the drink will change its taste, become “iron”.
And, by the way, another life hack – “for warming up” is much better suited not for brandy or vodka, but for strong wine – Madeira, port, Cahors. It has been tested in practice – at one time I had to work a lot in the cold. From wine it becomes warmer without prejudice to the mind. And to relieve stress, it is recommended to take no more than 50 ml, especially in extreme conditions – on a hike, etc., where it is important to maintain dexterity and clarity of thought.
Now about the material. As already mentioned, flasks are made from anything – even from glass and polymers. We will focus on metals.
- Stainless steel – the most common material. Beautiful, suitable for engraving, corrosion-resistant. Compliant character. On sale most often there are flasks made of brazed stainless steel. If you want to completely protect yourself from tin, lead, acid and other solder elements, it is better to look for one welded with argon. Aerobatics – seamless stainless steel. But you will have to pay for the exclusive accordingly.
- Aluminum – also not subject to corrosion, lighter than stainless steel, but – prone to deformation, due to which the caps begin to twist worse, and precious moisture leaks. But I do not recommend aluminum for other reasons – it noticeably spoils the taste of alcohol, and not only strong.
- plain steel. There are no options – immediately in trash.
- Finally, silver. This, of course, is chic – not only will silver not spoil the taste, but, according to many reviews, it can slightly improve it. Of course, I can’t imagine an adequate person who will spend over 15 rubles on such a trifle. But as a gift to the boss or business partner – that’s it.
And yet – it is worth paying attention to accessories for flasks. For some flasks they make glass corks – maybe it’s more convenient for you to drink, but I think that the cork should be attached to the body on a hinge – otherwise it will be 100% lost. If you do not like to effectively drink from your throat, it is better to purchase a set of metal shot glasses in a separate case. Take thicker – they quickly bend.
But the watering can is a very useful thing, especially when you pour the rest of the booze into a flask in the morning after drinking. I personally don’t see the point in special cases – except that, in addition to a flask, it fits, for example, a pouch or a cigarette case.
Secrets of care and “flask etiquette”
There are a few unspoken rules that flask owners follow. For instance:
- Cocktails are not carried in a flask.
Only pure alcohol, only hardcore! Love “Cuba libre”? Carry rum with you, and mix the rest in a glass. Agree, “Bloody Mary” in a flask is not entirely aesthetically pleasing, and unhygienic.
- Only you and your closest friends can drink from the bottle.
Treating unfamiliar characters from your own flask is in bad taste. An alternative is portable glasses.
- The neck must not be grasped by hand.
And in general – the flask must be kept clean, thoroughly washing every time after it is emptied.
When not carrying alcohol, the flask should be kept clean and dry. From the inside, it cannot be washed with soap or detergent – only ordinary warm water.
In extreme cases, if some painfully fragrant or sweet, fatty drink was stored inside, you can use citric acid or a weak solution of vinegar, after which the container must be rinsed again several times and dried well with the lid unscrewed.
You can also wash the flask with… rice! Rice is a good adsorbent, it perfectly absorbs odors and flavors. A few grains need to be poured inside, add warm water and let stand for half an hour, then rinse the vessel thoroughly.
On the outside, a simple metal or wood-encrusted flask can be washed with soap or a neutral dishwashing detergent. For the skin, ordinary shoe products will do, only those that do not smell. Tin can be rubbed with a mixture of vinegar, flour, and salt, allowed to dry on the surface, and washed off with warm water.
It is also necessary to rinse a new flask several times immediately after purchase, then dry it and fill it with vodka or other alcohol, which is not a pity. If in a couple of days the drink has not changed its taste and smell, then you have acquired a good vessel!
That’s all!
The article partially used materials from the site furfur.