For someone who do doesn't drink

6160 Views 69 Replies 48 Participants Last post by Karaya1, Sep 23, 2017

7.5x55 Swiss

Discussion Starter · Sep 10, 2017

Would you think it'd still be a good idea to stock up on alcoholic drinks? I've read a lot of scenarios where alcohol might come in handy for bartering purposes, as a painkiller substitute, and I've even heard some people claim it's a decent substitute for rubbing alcohol.

How likely would a scenario where we go back to bartering for goods, specifically alcohol, rather than using some form of standardized currency be?

If you guys think it's worthwhile investing in alcoholic beverages, what should I invest in? I've got little knowledge of alcohol to begin with, other than generic terms for types of alcohol, like vodka, whiskey, ect. and a few of the big brand name beer and wine manufacturers. What would even be the best way to store them, just let them sit in my basement for 20 years?

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Nomad 2nd

· #2 · Sep 10, 2017

I drink a few times a year.

Beer doesn't keep.

And I DO know that I've got FAR MORE done for me with a 6 or a 12 pack than a $10 or a $20!!
Just human nature.

I hit a grocery that was closing (for good, not for the night) and bought a few milk crates of the hard stuff for $50-80% off.

I've broke into a few bottles for community get togethers I've hosted...
Easier to live with when the vodka cost you $5 rather than $20.

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arizonafusilier

· #3 · Sep 10, 2017

There's been a few threads on this topic.

I drink, but have decided not to stockpile. Don't want to deal with people who "have to have" it. As a non-drinker, I would be afraid of being accused of trying to take advantage of them in a crisis situation. Many have concluded.... not the best investment of your prepping dollars.

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7.5x55 Swiss

Discussion Starter · #4 · Sep 10, 2017

Yeah, probably not, but if someone can convince me it's worthwhile to keep a small reserve of alcohol on hand, I'd say it'd constitute as a good prep.

Who would accuse you of taking advantage, the ones relying upon your alcohol? Others addictions and dependencies isn't your problem. If they have something you want, and you trade them something they want, it's a far trade.

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TxHannah

· #5 · Sep 10, 2017 (Edited)

I don't drink, but I have small bottles of Everclear in storage. 1 pt. bottles I think.

Don't know how long it will last, but it is stored cool, dark and dry. I chose Everclear because it has multiple uses.

It doesn't cost much if you buy the small bottles. I figure if I would ever need to barter, small bottles of alcohol would be good. You wouldn't be giving away a big bottle, a fifth or whatever they're called. And it doesn't tie up that much prepping money overall.

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Big Horn

· #6 · Sep 10, 2017

10% of the population of the country is alcoholic: that's a big market. Should things become so bad that liquor companies close—they don't even do that during wars—I plan to distill rotgut and sell it. I made it a point to learn this procedure as well as to learn where to lay hands on the equipment. I can make safe alcohol; I can also make some deadly stuff should it become exigent to remove certain individuals or groups.

There are books as well as a plethora of internet sites dealing with the topic. I see no point in stockpiling expensive liquors. Alcoholics will be content with any flavor of ethyl alcohol. I'd sell for gold or other currencies if tied to gold. I'd occasionally take sugar in trade as business required it. I'd sell to middlemen only, not to consumers.

Profits would be very high initially but soon drop as more suppliers entered the market.

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leadcounsel

· #7 · Sep 10, 2017

Resounding yes. Even for a non-drinker. There's often need to have alcohol around. People drink in good times and bad. Good hosts have alcohol around.

I would NOT waste it for rubbing alcohol. That's far cheaper to stockpile btw.

In really bad times folks might pay in great bartering terms for a bottle or even a few shots of whiskey or vodka. And not care about the name brand either.

Not a bad idea to have a cabinet full of house quality liters and pints. Might get you favorable barter terms down the road, and liquor doesn't go bad for ages, if ever. Store cool and dry of course.

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BabyBlue

· #8 · Sep 10, 2017

Anybody can come up with making jail-house hooch. I'm imagining in a long term disaster that someone will, to accommodate the desperate alcoholics and those who choose to become one.

Drinking alcohol makes a real crummy pain killer. Then you're just in pain, and drunk and likely impatient with anyone trying to treat your injury.

It makes a crummy sanitizer, either for surfaces or skin and wounds. Buy a decent supply of the modern stuff for that now so you don't have to use booze.

The good "top shelf" stuff is good for high end trade, or what I call bribe goods. If you can't get some license or pass or permit because of some petty official wanting something added to his pay, then a decent bottle of scotch may be just right. In nearly every war or disaster scenario I've read someone ends up thinking too well of themselves and wants bribes.

Then too, many people consider a bottle of the good stuff to be a civilized gift after a job well done.

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Nomad 2nd

· #9 · Sep 10, 2017

BabyBlue said:
Anybody can come up with making jail-house hooch. I'm imagining in a long term disaster that someone will, to accommodate the desperate alcoholics and those who choose to become one.
that is true I'm sure. But then there's the market like me.... If I can't get "good stuff" and what I want I won't drink. "Go good or go home"
Drinking alcohol makes a real crummy pain killer. Then you're just in pain, and drunk and likely impatient with anyone trying to treat your injury.
yea, no. I've been mostly sitting in this chair since I got up, (in pain)
I may be drinking myself to sleep in order to get to sleep. Doesn't happen often, (I have narcotics... Not working) but it definitely has its place.

It makes a crummy sanitizer, either for surfaces or skin and wounds. Buy a decent supply of the modern stuff for that now so you don't have to use booze.

The good "top shelf" stuff is good for high end trade, or what I call bribe goods. If you can't get some license or pass or permit because of some petty official wanting something added to his pay, then a decent bottle of scotch may be just right. In nearly every war or disaster scenario I've read someone ends up thinking too well of themselves and wants bribes.

Then too, many people consider a bottle of the good stuff to be a civilized gift after a job well done.

Yep, someone will always pay for luxuries.

Full disclosure: part of my intent with the fruit trees is the availability of the fruit to make booze in quantity.(got the materials, I'll dabble next year and give away hard cider for Christmas or something.)

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dontbuypotteryfromme

· #10 · Sep 10, 2017

It is nice to be able to throw a bottle someone's way when they have done you a favor. I keep a few handy

A spirit should keep. With wine a Shiraz should get better the longer you keep it.

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Gingersnap

· #11 · Sep 10, 2017

I've literally never thought of this but we're DIY people - couldn't we just distill hard liquor if we thought it was useful?

Heck, my immigrant grandparents knew how to make wine and fortified wine and hard liquor out of common stuff (potatoes, grain, grapes, fruit, corn, etc.).

They weren't alcoholics but did it kind of as a mild hobby.

I wouldn't stockpile booze, I'd just make it if I thought it was worth the effort. I have a bunch of apple trees, I could make applejack by the gallon if I cared to do so - so could anybody with access to fruit, grain, or spuds.

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Lepus Antilocapra

· #12 · Sep 10, 2017

Lots of medicinal purposes for spirits besides drinking; I took a drop a day of an intinction of echinacea in everclear for a couple of years. Never got sick. I think its prudent to have plans for making a still, and some parts to go with it, even if you don't lay back a few bottles right now.

Guntoteninfadel

· #13 · Sep 10, 2017

Well hell yes you should............ never know when I might stop by for a visit!

:

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Guntoteninfadel

· #14 · Sep 10, 2017

Gingersnap said:
I've literally never thought of this but we're DIY people - couldn't we just distill hard liquor if we thought it was useful?

Heck, my immigrant grandparents knew how to make wine and fortified wine and hard liquor out of common stuff (potatoes, grain, grapes, fruit, corn, etc.).

They weren't alcoholics but did it kind of as a mild hobby.

I wouldn't stockpile booze, I'd just make it if I thought it was worth the effort. I have a bunch of apple trees, I could make applejack by the gallon if I cared to do so - so could anybody with access to fruit, grain, or spuds.

making "booze" whether it be liquor/beer or wine is just like any other skill, without practice your going to fail miserably. With liquor it could actually injure or kill someone, with the others it will probably just be nasty........... just saying

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rio nueces

· #15 · Sep 10, 2017

Heck, storing alcohol if you don't drink is the only way you can store it.
If you catch my drift.
I would suggest the plastic 50 ml 'airplane' bottles. Several will fit right in your pocket, light, make no noise.
Vodka. 80 proof. Get them singly for as little as 80 cents. I've never priced the big boxes but maybe as little as 40
cents each that way?
Alkies won't care if they can't get their favorite.
Although not in the 50 ml containers Everclear would be great - it also makes a safe and hot fuel for alcohol stoves like the Trangia. Get the 190 proof if you can.
I've no doubt you could trade alcohol for ammo, guns, food, tools, whatever during crunch time.
Just mind the rules of the black market, treat your customer with respect, deal honestly, be safe.

And then of course there's Kurt Saxon...

http://www.survivalplus.com/philosophy/THE-ART-OF-MAKING-ALCOHOL.htm

http://www.survivalplus.com/selected/Making-Your-Own-Booze-Part-II.htm

Storage long term...

https://www.thespruce.com/shelf-life-of-distilled-spirits-760730

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Rosicrucian

· #16 · Sep 10, 2017

As a bartering currency it holds some value. It also takes up considerable space if you store a fair amount. Moderation drinkernor barterer will be the key

ErnstHatAngst

· #17 · Sep 10, 2017

There will always be a market for luxury goods.

I stock a little bit of good whiskey, just to have it around for myself

. I have zero intention of bartering it or wasting it as some sort of household item.

If you don't drink booze at all I hardly see the point, though. IMO that $ would probably be better spent on something you enjoy that would boost morale. Gourmet coffee maybe?

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drpt

· #18 · Sep 10, 2017

barter for buzz

I have been a home brewer for 20 years, and have made beer with some non standard ingredients. The first settlers in America made beer from acorns because there wasn't any barley and where they came from water would kill you but beer would not. Brewing is something you wont learn from u tube, and in the process of learning you WILL brew some catpizz unfit for consumption and even rejected by your "FREE BEER" friends.
https://www.youtube.com

Home distillation of spirits for consumption has remained illegal since the days of prohibition. It is possible to obtain a permit to distill fuel on a small scale, but with the agreement you submit to the atf to enter your property and inspect anytime.

A stock can be stolen, a skill can not

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Brettny

· #19 · Sep 10, 2017

Are your preps that hardened against everything that you can now stock things that you dont need? Must be nice to be that well setup...or at least feel like it.

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PurpleKitty

· #20 · Sep 10, 2017

I live with an alcoholic. He gets desperate and ugly if he runs out, like he almost did during Harvey.

Consider that; alcoholics are really the worst of humanity there, and only deal if you have a weapon at the ready. Also, if they don't have anything to trade, and know you have it, they may try to take it from you by force.

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