HISTORY AND DRINKING? WHY, OH WHY?

Why, oh why not? Want to hear something crazy?  I’ve always felt connected to taverns. Not in the obvious college way, but in the genuine relationship way.   I’ve always considered them a character capable of telling me stories about the past and the present.  It was in early 2002 that I started making an effort to really get to know the taverns I encountered.  I like to think the feeling became mutual.

I believe that taverns, beer history, and drinking culture are useful and familiar tools to teach diverse audiences about a city’s past.  For nearly two decades, I’ve been researching records, collecting oral histories and collaborating with experts in order to provide factual historic information to anyone wanting to learn about history in a fun and social way.

While I am based in Chicago, my research is a global endeavor.  My investigations include other American cities and world locales.  I focus on telling their stories through the lens of alcohol.  The goal will always be to share information with others by either writing about them or, even better, going to these wonderful watering holes across the world with people like you.  Pull up a stool, grab a beer, and let’s talk history.

With nearly 30 years of experience in the arts, Liz Garibay has held curatorial positions at the Field Museum, the Museum of Science & Industry, the Peabody Museum of Natural History, Harvard University, and the Chicago History Museum. Through her cultural work in Chicago and various world cities, Liz is a pioneer in the field of alcohol studies.

A natural storyteller, her research, writing, tours, lectures, programs, exhibitions, and overall expertise have been lauded by international publications including The Huffington Post, the LA Times, the Chicago Tribune, the Toronto Star, and The Scotsman. Her work and lectures have been praised by organizations including Harvard University, the Research Board of New York City, the Field Museum, the U.S. Travel Association, the James Beard Foundation, and the City of Chicago.