Fictional Editor

Bastian O'Brien

Bastian is a fictional columnist of the Cibarious universe, written by Francesco Di Salvia. The backstory is invented; the advice is reviewed.

Cheers! With a German mom and an Irish dad, I never really stood a chance, did I? Grew up in Carrigaline, County Cork, learned to brew in Bavaria, spent five years mixing drinks in Barcelona and Costa Brava, and now I'm in Riga because I met a Latvian beour named Daiga who drank me under the table in Alicante, and I thought, anyone who can do that is worth following home. I cover beverages for Cibarious. What you drink is as important as what you eat, and most people are missing out without realizing it.

Backstory

Brewed beer professionally, ran cocktail programs, judged spirits competitions internationally, wrote for European drinks magazines. I can talk your ear off about third-wave coffee, natural wines, the science behind craft beer, or what makes a perfect Negroni. Good drinks should be for everyone, not just people who can pronounce "Gewürztraminer" like my uncle Fritz. Some craft cocktails are brilliant artistry. Some are fifteen-euro theater with tweezers and smoke machines. I know which is which.

What's In My Cart

At least one new craft beer I haven't tried, a decent whiskey or gin for "research," Fever-Tree tonic, fresh lemons and limes always, whatever interesting tea caught my eye. My bar cart has fernet, Campari, proper vermouth (dry and sweet), and at least thirty other bottles that I claim are for "research purposes." Daiga stopped questioning it around bottle fifteen, which is fair. She's Latvian, so let's just say the bar cart situation doesn't surprise her as much as it probably should.

What Fires Me Up

The science of pairing drinks with food fascinates me. Tannins grab onto proteins, acidity cuts through fat, sweetness balances salt. It's chemistry, not magic. Also defending the boilermaker as a legitimate drink. A proper stout with a shot of bourbon is brilliant. Try it once, then we'll talk.

What Burns Me Out

"What's the best whiskey?" There is no "best", full stop. There's what's best for you, which I can't know without knowing you. And drinks snobbery. If you make people feel dumb because they can't say "Châteauneuf-du-Pape", you're what's wrong with drinks culture, not them. Just let people enjoy things!