A Binge, a Bender, a Spree Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Lost Weekend

"The Lost Weekend" was a film based on an eponymous novel by Charles R. Jackson. The movie, directed by Billy Wilder and released in 1945, told the story of a writer in New York City who suffered from alcoholism and was trying to get over his addiction. The role as Don Birnam, the writer who battles with the bottle, earned Ray Milland an Academy Award as best actor, and the same honor was bestowed upon him at the 1946 Cannes festival. At one point in the movie, Don Birnam rambles on about "comical figures" who "stagger blindly towards another binge, another bender, another spree", reflecting on himself and others who are alcoholics.

The film won four Academy Awards in 1946. Some other Billy Wilder films include "A Foreign Affair" and "Double Indemnity".

Answer: Aquavit

Also known as akvavit, aquavit is a Scandinavian spirit that is especially popular to drink during holidays or other celebrations in countries like Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden. The spirit is made from potatoes or grains and contains a high volume of alcohol.

It is flavored with many herbs and species like cumin, cardamom, caraway, or dill. Schnapps may resemble aquavit, but it is mainly consumed in Germany and Holland. Kirsch is made from cherries.

Answer: Bacchanals

Raves and parades may have classic roots, as evidenced by the existence of bacchanals so early in the world's history. While Dionysus was the Greek god of wine, his equivalent for the Romans was Bacchus. That is possibly the reason why these public parties were dubbed bacchanals. Bacchanals could simply be parties that went a little too far or ones that turned into something much crazier.

The Roman Senate clearly disapproved of these celebrations of Dionysus, and that is why it took steps to restrict them. Saturnalia is a Roman winter solstice feast.

Answer: Beaujolais

Even though wine from the Beaujolais region is perhaps not as expensive or refined as other famous French wines, the Gamay-based beverage is still quite popular in France and around the world. Whereas wine is often treasured for its ripeness and age, the Beaujolais Nouveau is drunk for its freshness and high content of alcohol. Every third Thursday of November, producers of Beaujolais and Beaujolais nouveau release their first young red wines of the season.

The festivities include fireworks, musical performances, and of course, drinking wine!

Answer: Tom Waits

Tom Waits was born in California in 1949. Despite a prolific songwriting career, his albums did not have as much commercial success as other artists of his time. Still, Waits is admired and has inspired countless artists, including Johnny Depp, James Hetfield, and Colin Firth. Even though Waits is commonly recognized as the author of the aforementioned quote, the attribution is not totally confirmed.

Some other people who have been given credit for the quote include poet Dorothy Parker, and Randy Hanzlick. Former English soccer ace Paul "Gazza" Gascoigne is placed among artists here on account of a couple of great goals he scored.

Unfortunately, Gascoigne is also noted for his struggles with alcoholism.

Answer: Oscar Wilde

This is another quote that, while some attribute it to Wilde, the true origin is not fully confirmed. It has also been suggested that the famous Reverend Spooner or conman Michael Romanoff said this. The quote is a play on the saying "drink is the curse of the working class", which purports to explain why people of lower economic status cannot attain a better standard of living.

Oscar Wilde created some of the most popular literary works in history, including "The Picture of Dorian Gray", "The Selfish Giant", and "The Importance of Being Earnest". He is also known for being put in prison as a punishment for his homosexuality.

Answer: Plum

Slivovitz is a dry and unsweetened spirit that is made with plums (usually with the damson). The brandy is enjoyed all around the world, but its main producers include Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, and Bulgaria. In 2022, UNESCO added the practices connected with producing this spirit to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritages.

Answer: Withnail and I

"Withnail and I" was directed by Bruce Robinson and was originally released in 1987. The film tells the story of two actors without a job, one of whom is an alcoholic and at one time cried "I demand to have some booze!" The role of thirsty Withnail is played magnificently by Richard E. Grant, who later on in his career had trouble getting roles that weren't modeled after his performance as Withnail. Somewhat ironically, Grant doesn't touch alcohol because his body cannot properly process it.

The photo is a reference to the area in London where the two characters lived.

Answer: Jack Kerouac

Jack Kerouac is one of the most emblematic representatives of the "Beat Generation", a group of non-conformist poets who went against the traditional characteristics of American life (for example, capitalism). Kerouac is attributed with coining the term in 1948.

Some of Kerouac's best-known works include the novels "On the Road" and "The Dharma Bums". Sadly, Kerouac died at the early age of 47 from an abdominal hemorrhage caused by his years of excessive drinking.

Answer: False

A night out in Reykjavik may well cure most notions nurtured about asceticism prevailing in Iceland. For much of the 20th century, Iceland did have heavy restrictions surrounding alcohol. For example, a 1908 referendum resulted in a ban on the importation of alcohol into the country. By 1980, Prohibition in Iceland is said to have officially ended, a happening that is now celebrated as "Beer Day" every March 1st.