Gimme Some More Of That Snake Oil, Pardner
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has taken a rather dim view of the entrepreneurial adventure of a Texas rattlesnake rancher. It seems his "ancient Asian elixir" - a rattlesnake in a bottle of cheap vodka - has drawn their attention - and the rancher's arrest.
SANTO, Texas - A rattlesnake rancher who calls himself Bayou Bob found a new way to make money: Stick a rattler inside a bottle of vodka and market the concoction as an "ancient Asian elixir." But Bayou Bob Popplewell's bright idea appears to have landed him on the wrong side of the law, because he has no liquor license.
Popplewell, who has raised rattlesnakes and turtles at Bayou Bob's Brazos River Rattlesnake Ranch for more than two decades, surrendered to authorities Monday. He spent about 10 minutes in jail after the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission obtained arrest warrants on misdemeanor charges of selling alcohol without a license and possessing alcohol with intent to sell.
Personally, we here at Blue Crab Boulevard prefer our vodka be snake-free. However, our enterprising side also sees a business opportunity. After all, the natural remedy market - formerly known as 'voodooism' - is growing rapidly. So we have begun researching several all-natural products that we might be willing to invest in. We've rejected Baby Seal Oil and Snail Darter Syrup, however. We are very interested in the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker Tonic, though.
By tom, Wednesday, 26 March , 2008 @ 6:41 pm
If you go to Okinawa you can have a shot of Habu - pit viper in a bottle. Not bad. But you can’t bring it to the US.
By Bleepless, Wednesday, 26 March , 2008 @ 7:10 pm
Enough vodka and nobody needs to hunt or raise snakes.
By Gaius, Wednesday, 26 March , 2008 @ 7:53 pm
Too much vodka and you see snakes. It’s a fine line.
By Sam Wah, Wednesday, 26 March , 2008 @ 10:25 pm
That Woodpecker Elixir idea reminds me of a herbal remedy I once saw advertised: BIOGRA–When Barry White and Candle Light just aren’t enough.
By martian, Thursday, 27 March , 2008 @ 9:30 am
See, this is why I prefer to stick to Scotch. No one in their right mind would ever put a worm, snake, or any other unsavory creature into a bottle of Scotch - Scotch is just too high class for such absurdity! Yeah, I know, I’m going to get comments on snobbery, etc. but some things are worth suffering the slings and arrows for and need to be pointed out.
In the meantime, Gaius, you may want to consider Elixer of Sea Turtle Egg. Here in Florida I can get you a good supplier.