I've been following a poll and twitter arguments from Kyle Bailey over what the official unofficial drink of choice at Tech tailgates is: Mooshine or Bourbon.
Ton of debate over moonshine or Wild Turkey for VT. Moonshine seems more prevalent on campus, Wild Turkey is better branding. Y'all decide.— Kyle Bailey (@KyleBaileyWFNZ) July 6, 2017
I was caught off guard as to how many people have argued moonshine over bourbon, however, I have never thought twice about Tech being anything but a Bourbon campus on game days.
Now I want to make a list of what every program's official drink should be. VT, WVU, TN, Kentucky is moonshine. UVA=zima. Bama= Busch Light. https://t.co/ewM7zgG3QV— Kyle Bailey (@KyleBaileyWFNZ) July 6, 2017
It goes on and on.
My question to TKP - Moonshine or Bourbon? And Where did this Moonshine argument come from?

Comments
Bourbon for sure. Wild Turkey gets the mascot related nod, but as the annual gameday bourbon posts on here show, most are drinking a much better variety.
You're not wrong, but WT101 is about as good as it gets for the price.
In fact, I think I'll dabble when I go home in 2 hours and 50 minutes.
I agree! Wild Turkey 101 gets a harsh reputation because so many of us take shots of it on game day and it is a painful shot! Sipping it is a much much better experience.
I'll offer another at a great price point: Elijah Craig Small Batch (fka Elijah Craig 12). 94proof. I'm a big Bourbon cocktail fan, and this stuff makes great Manhattans, old fashioneds, etc or even just with a few cubes and a dash of bitters (I have an outsized collection).
Not quite smooth enough to drink straight, but that's not the point. For $26-28ish, you can't beat it.
Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit for the win! Premium bourbon and the mascot to boot.
I'm obviously biased, but....
Where is the Rail on this list? I refuse to vote.
drunkenly voted for "woooooo"
Tbh, I can't remember the last time I had 3 rails.
I think you mean, the last time you had 3 rails, you can't remember.
Wait... did Kyle Bailey just say Tennessee and Kentucky are moonshine?
the home of bourbon swings to shine?
pssh... nah
My vote is for bourbon because according to 4.1-313 of the Code of Virginia, any person convicted of [Possessing, transporting, etc., alcoholic beverages illegally acquired] shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
I know this because of my extensive knowledge of State Law, and not because of an unfortunate evening involving Kellen Moore, White Lightning, and an undercover police officer in the Foxridge parking lot
According to 4.1-313 of the Code of Virginia Tech beverage consumption, any person convicted of [Possessing, transporting, etc., alcoholic beverages illegally acquired AKA moonshine] shall be guilty of a BOURBON Class misdemeanor.
Kellen Moore is on the same level as Matt Ryan as far as I am concerned.
Where do we vote Rubbing Alcohol as the beverage for WVU?
I think "Listerine Enema + A Gram Of Bathtub Meth" already won.
It's not like those couches just light themselves. Those folks really know how to party.
Sterno-Squeezed thru a rag. saw some poor soul doing that in an alley one time.
Crest mouthwash for WVU
because they're too redneck for even Listerine
Crest mouthwash?? Nah, they have the jumbo size knock-off Equate brand from down at the Wally World.
i'm guessing economics drives what is prevalent on campus more than preference. I know it was that way when I was a student.
I'd say bourbon considering it is the more prevalent booze you'll see around campus by a long shot.
You said "bourbon" did you mean "natural light?"
mmmm sweet nectar
Well between bourbon and shine there is more bourbon for sure.
Bourbon is KY (though I like it better). VA is/was a major 'Shine state. Bburg is right down the road from some of the largest moonshine busts on history (western VA, NC, and eastern TN).
I do agree that most of Virginia is very much moonshine, especially SW VA. But as far as campus tailgates go, it just seems like Bourbon has always been our drink. I've had my fair share of moonshine at tailgates, but bourbon always seems to take the crown (no pun intended) from the tailgate crowd.
To be a fair fight...moonshine is illegal.
You're illegal.
To be a fair fight...moonshine is
illegalonly illegal if you get caught.This is accurate
And moonshine usually tastes like a mixture of gasoline and rubbing alcohol. There I said it! I get people think drinking it makes them seem tough or something, but there is a reason the other liquors are aged (a main reason is to mellow out the harsh flavor of the stuff straight off the still). All of the legal stuff is basically crap vodka cut with flavored syrup. All around 'shine is deficient to bourbon.
Man... you need to get some shine from someone who knows what they're doing. My first (and so far only) dealing with shine includes some nice people who tailgated next to us, and some strawberry shine in a milk jug.
Half a dixie-cup was enough to knock you on your ass for a few hours, and you didn't even know it was alcohol. Dangerous stuff, that shine.
You may have tailgated with a legend. People who can pull that off go hard as hell.
Next time you're in Bburg go to Cloyd's Mountian. Some of the best shine on the planet. Very smooth. The mason jar with one blackberry is the best. Be careful though...that sh!t will knock you out.
I dunno man. I get some East Tennessee shine down here around Knoxville that's the smoothest shit I've ever had. It'll knock you on your ass, too.
That being said, Four Roses single barrel is damn good.
You obviously didn't have the good stuff
Honestly I never really heard of anyone touting moonshine when i was there ('97-'02). Sure there were some Everclear parties but that's about it. Besides the obvious Natty Light and Beast, as they're cheap as hell, I'd definitely say bourbon was what I saw.
Depends. Does the moonshine have fruit in it?
Just kidding. Brown sauce for me - although shine is more geographically appropriate.
Shine was for the late season when you could dump it in some hot apple cider.
Easy solution: the official unofficial drink is corn liquor.
You're not wrong - and further, it simply is coming down to the aging process of said corn liquor - 0 days in glass, or 4+ years in oak.
Some mountain folk take a great deal of pride and care in producing their 'shine. If you're lucky enough to sample their product, you'd have a great appreciation for that which can come in a jar.
Very true. Moonshine is either damn good or terrible. If there is a moonshine that is somewhere in between, I haven't found it.
Yea, I still have a jar from Botetourt Co that is some of the best I've had so far- hardly any bite, but damn it'll put you on your ass pocket quickly.
The last time I had any moonshine was about 8 years ago. The husband of Mrs. APFOW's friend had 11 different flavors, all smooth as can be and delicious. I tried all 11 that night and, long story short, me and ol' shine haven't spoken since. Not sure where he got them though.
I've only experienced moonshine in Blacksburg, but bourbon is more prevalent. So, depends on how one wants to define the "unofficial drink." Uniqueness or prevalence.
Wild Turkey makes sense....Gobble Gobble!
For me it's shine but that's more of a drinking at home or in more of a private setting as moonshine tends to kick in way harder and much faster so tailgating at public events is always bit trickier but I will agree with people from earlier it's about getting good moonshine more than anything.
Also worth noting a lot of people I know have all had one of those experiences where you drink enough to where you'll never touch it again and moonshine is one of the main culprits of said "bad times" or "rough nights" I don't get it but when I offer shine to people I get that most of the time
Seriously guys.
Well...other than dying but still.
I agree. Bourbon flavored Moonshine for everyone!
Wha-what happened!? I just started reading the comments of this thread and now just woke up in an area I don't even recognize....with the worst damn headache...
Nice problem to have, much better than having the problem of having to debate whether it is Zima or Wine Spritzers...
To that point, does UVA pin a drink on VT in a similar fashion how we accuse them of wine and zima? Nothing they could say or state is 'our drink' is as bad as what they drink at tailgates around Lane North.
I can just imagine that now.
UVA fan: lol you guys drink bourbon
VT fan: Too many possible responses. I'm going to opt instead for flask sippin' and walking away.
This subthread makes me wonder if there is an AssPocketFullOZima or AirplaneBottleOfWineSpritzer roaming the message boards over at The Sabre?
If any wahoos actually went to their games, then maybe, but what's the need for stashing flasks and bringing airplane bottles to Saturday Croquet?
Good point.
Rum and Coke always seemed to be the most popular drink to me. However, I haven't had many chances to tailgate at games, so most drinking I saw was in the stands.
The off-season is always darkest before the dawn of a new season.
Bourbon, for whatever reason I always associated the shine with the cousins.