Justified Beer Choices: What's On Raylan's Menu?

The FX TV series 'Justified' starring Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins features a variety of alcoholic beverages, including beer. The show is set in Kentucky, so it's no surprise that bourbon is the drink of choice for many of the characters. However, in one pivotal scene, the villain Dickie Bennett and his henchman are offered a beer, to which Aunt Helen replies, We drink whiskey in this house. This exchange highlights the ingrained culture of bourbon in the region. While bourbon may be prevalent, beer still makes its appearance in the show, and viewers often discuss which character they would rather drink a beer with: Raylan or Boyd.

Characters' preferred drinks reflect their personalities

The characters' preferred drinks in the TV show "Justified" reflect their personalities. The show is set in Kentucky and is based on the Elmore Leonard short story "Fire in the Hole". From the very first episode, whiskey is a central element, with characters frequently shown with a whiskey in hand.

The whiskey choices of the characters reflect their lifestyle, class, or attitude. For example, in the first season, the blue-collar ethic of the folks of Harlan County is established by the use of bourbons like Jim Beam and Wild Turkey. On the other hand, Art Mullen, the Chief Deputy Marshal in Lexington, keeps a bottle of Blanton's in his office, which is a more expensive bourbon.

In the second season, Mags Bennett, the show's main antagonist, uses a homemade apple pie moonshine to greet her guests and occasionally poison them. Mags' character, a Harlan matriarch, is embodied by her sturdy, homemade moonshine.

Robert Quarles, the season 3 villain, always orders the most expensive bourbon in the house, Pappy Van Winkle, which sets him apart as an outsider.

Boyd Crowder, a whiskey-loving criminal, demonstrates his appreciation for high-end bourbon and his aspirations for a better life by switching from Wild Turkey to Elmer T. Lee as his economic status improves.

The show also explores the nuances of whiskey consumption, such as the different ways people hold their glasses and pour their shots, with Boyd personifying the use of whiskey as a reflection of his character's station in life, aspirations, and feelings.

Other characters, like Raylan Givens, the show's protagonist, are shown to be more flexible in their whiskey choices, drinking whatever is available or fitting for the occasion.

Overall, the drinks of choice in "Justified" serve as a reflection of the characters' personalities, backgrounds, and relationships, adding depth and authenticity to the story.

Alcohol is central to the show

From the very first episode, alcohol is used to reinforce key ideas and reflect the characters' lifestyles, attitudes, and class. For example, in the series premiere, the two main characters, Raylan and Boyd, reminisce about their days mining coal together and propose a toast with a shot of Jim Beam. This blue-collar bourbon is used to establish the shared blue-collar ethic of the people of Harlan County. In contrast, the Chief Deputy Marshal, Art Mullen, keeps a bottle of Blanton's in his office, reflecting his higher status.

The show also uses alcohol to depict character development. For instance, the antagonist, Boyd Crowder, is a whiskey-loving criminal who frequently drinks Elmer T. Lee, a no-frills, hard-to-find, Kentucky bourbon that costs around $30 a bottle. As Boyd accrues criminal capital and his economic status improves, he begins to drink higher-end bourbons, reflecting his aspirations and personal development.

Alcohol is also used to bring characters together, whether they are commiserating or celebrating. In one instance, the team of Marshals shares a bottle of Blanton's after a tough case. Alcohol is so central to the show that the production designer, David Blass, notes, "Liquor is not a throwaway in the show. It binds everyone together."

Furthermore, the show treats alcohol in an adult way, without resorting to juvenile jokes or hand-wringing about abuse. Instead, the writers use alcohol to provide nuanced insights into the characters' identities and the cultural and class dynamics of Kentucky.

In conclusion, alcohol is indeed central to the show 'Justified', serving as more than just a prop and becoming an integral part of the narrative and character development.

Bourbon is the drink of choice

In the first season, the protagonist Raylan Givens identifies himself as a Jim Beam drinker. However, as the series progresses, he is seen drinking bourbon more generally, although the brand often goes unidentified. In later seasons, he is seen drinking Elmer T. Lee, and he also suggests to a love interest that they get into bed with a bottle of Blanton's.

Boyd Crowder, the show's principal antagonist, is introduced as a Wild Turkey drinker. As his character progresses and he becomes Harlan's crime boss, his tastes shift upwards and he expresses a fondness for Russell's Reserve, but is usually seen drinking Elmer T. Lee.

Art Mullen, the Chief Deputy Marshal, keeps a bottle of Blanton's in his desk, and is also given a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle as a gift.

The show's writers took a trip to Harlan, Kentucky, which was a dry county until 2019, and this influenced the show's focus on bourbon and moonshine. Harlan's "pot queen" Mags Bennett offers her guests a homemade apple pie moonshine, which she also occasionally uses to poison people.

The show's writer, Taylor Elmore, has said that bourbon choices reflect the characters' identities and social class. For example, the well-dressed, out-of-town gangster Robert Quarles always orders the most expensive bourbon in the house, which is used to show that he is an outsider.

The show is known for its authentic portrayal of Kentucky and its down-home flavour, and bourbon plays a significant role in establishing this atmosphere and the characters' identities.

Beer is for outsiders

In the TV show "Justified", set in Kentucky, the drink of choice is bourbon. The show treats spirits in an adult way, reflecting the lifestyle, class, and attitude of the characters. However, in one pivotal scene, the villain Dickie Bennett and his henchman are offered a beer, to which Aunt Helen replies, "We drink whiskey in this house." This exchange highlights how beer is positioned as an outsider in the show, reflecting the sentiment that "beer is for outsiders".

In the world of "Justified", whiskey is a way to bind everyone together, with characters' drink choices signalling how they feel about each other and their level of comfort. It is a reflection of their station in life, aspirations, and feelings. The whiskey choices are also used to depict class and socio-economic differences, with certain characters drinking premium bourbons to signify their high-end taste and economic status.

However, beer does make an appearance in "Justified", specifically through the character of Colton Rhodes, a hitman from out of town. Rhodes drinks beer, and his choice of beverage sets him apart from the other characters, who are mostly whiskey drinkers. Taylor Elmore, a main writer and producer on the show, comments on this, saying, "He's from out of town... He's not part of this world." This further reinforces the idea that beer is for outsiders, both in the context of the show and in the broader sense of drinking culture.

In the real world, the perception of beer as an outsider beverage can also be observed. For example, in the UK, there is a vibrant craft beer scene, but some feel that many UK brewers are stuck in a rut, producing beers with limited and less distinctive flavours compared to their US counterparts. This suggests that beer, and especially craft beer, is still finding its place in the drinking culture and is perhaps viewed as more of an outsider compared to other alcoholic beverages like wine or spirits.

Additionally, the marketing of beer often occurs within a bubble, where highly involved consumers, beer writers, and trade professionals are all found. This bubble can hinder innovation and marketing because the people within it assume that everyone else is like them. There is a need for a change in thinking and a fresh approach to beer marketing to help consumers explore the different flavour possibilities that beer has to offer.

Overall, the idea that "beer is for outsiders" is evident in "Justified", where beer is a beverage of choice for outsiders like Colton Rhodes, and it is also reflected in the real-world drinking culture and marketing of beer.

Alcohol is used to reinforce key ideas

Alcohol is used in the TV show *Justified* to reinforce key ideas about the characters' lifestyle, class, and attitude. The show, which is set in Kentucky, features a variety of alcoholic drinks, including whiskey, beer, and moonshine, which are used to establish the blue-collar ethic of the characters and the setting.

Whiskey, in particular, plays a significant role in the show, with characters frequently shown with a whiskey in hand. The choice of whiskey reflects the characters' lifestyle, class, and attitude. For example, the character Art Mullen, the Chief Deputy Marshal in Lexington, keeps a bottle of Blanton's in his office, which is used to depict his higher class and socio-economic status compared to other characters. On the other hand, characters like Boyd Crowder, a whiskey-loving criminal, and Raylan Givens, a trigger-happy US Marshal, are often seen drinking bourbons like Jim Beam and Wild Turkey, which establish their blue-collar backgrounds.

In addition to whiskey, moonshine also plays a notable role in the show. Mags Bennett, the main antagonist in season 2, is known for her homemade apple pie moonshine, which she uses to greet her guests and, occasionally, poison them. Mags' character and identity are closely intertwined with her moonshine, showcasing how alcohol is used to reinforce key ideas about the characters.

Furthermore, alcohol is used to signify character development and growth throughout the show. For instance, Boyd Crowder's taste in whiskey evolves as he accrues criminal capital and experiences personal development. He starts off drinking Wild Turkey but eventually upgrades to Elmer T. Lee and Pappy Van Winkle, reflecting his improved economic status and personal growth.

Overall, alcohol is a prominent element in *Justified*, and its use extends beyond mere prop placement. It is intentionally and thoughtfully incorporated into the narrative to reinforce key ideas about the characters, their backgrounds, and their development throughout the show.

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