Mental Floss

ALCOHOL

Inventor Elijah McCoy is may or may not be "The Real McCoy."

The popularity of the surname McCoy makes it difficult to pinpoint one origin on the phrase, but here are the leading theories.

Ellen Gutoskey


The sheriff of Orange County, California, dumping bootleg booze during Prohibition

How do you buy alcohol in the United States during prohibition? If you're Winston Churchill, you've got a doctor's note.

Scott Beggs


Christopher Moswitzer/iStock via Getty Images

When animals find themselves getting into the booze, chaos can ensue. Here are 11 times bears, elk, raccoons, and more have been liquored up and tormented society.

Garin Pirnia




Mental Floss Video

We asked Eamon Rockey, the Director of Beverage Studies at the Institute of Culinary Education, to craft three cocktails perfect for sipping when the leaves start changing.

Jonathan Mayer
iStock

If beer only conjures up images of frat boys pounding cans of the cheap stuff or doughy sports fans reveling in the alcoholic refreshment before, during, and after a big game, think again.

Kelly Bryant














iStock.com/Nagalski

Pour yourself a glass of the black stuff (which actually isn't black at all) and read on for some facts about the legendary brewery, which has been carefully pouring pints of its famous stout since the mid-18th century.

Emily Becker