Professional Help
How to drink like a gentleman (who surfs) this holiday season.
It wasn’t a total failure — more like a missed opportunity. And I vowed never to let it happen again. I recently arrived at Thanksgiving dinner in my smart casual finest: Luca Faloni shirt, Welcome Rivers slacks, Italian loafers, Dries Van Noten sweater. I looked good, I felt good…and now it was time to drink and be merry.
I walked up to the well-stocked bar — a man on holiday ready to enjoy a nice drink the perfect setting. After realizing a full-blown cocktail may not be the move right out of the gates (it was roughly 1pm)…I hesitated and ended up with a bottle of Corona in my hand. A clear bottle with golden lager. Not a bad beer in the sunshine, but it didn’t look right in the chestnut-roasting warmup that is Thanksgiving. Coronas and cashmere felt like a sin. I blew it.
Vowing to never let this happen again, I called Paul Brewer — the longtime Director of Wine, Spirits and Food at our former indie surf magazine What Youth back in the day. Paul is a man who surfs and understands our nuanced culture but he also knows how to act like a damn gentlemen. I like that about him.
Paul gave me a brilliant little “Dos and Don’ts” list for you to adhere and imbibe by this holiday season. Here’s to nailing the moment and drinking well.—Travis Ferré
