Absinthe, the inspiration for poets and painters, returns to the U.S. after being banned since 1912.

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(21 Jan 2008) HEADLINE: 'Bottled Madness' makes long awaited return
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CAPTION: Absinthe, the inspiration for poets and painters, returns to the U.S. after being banned since 1912. As AP Correspondent Haven Daley reports, consumers are going crazy for the liquor that was once said to cause madness. (Jan. 21)
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[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE]

(locator - San Francisco, CA)

THE EMERALD WITCH...THE GREEN FAIRY...BOTTLED MADNESS. OVER THE YEARS ABSINTHE HAS BEEN CALLED MANY THINGS.

Lance Winters, Master Distiller, says: "It became popular with the artistic class, writers, poets, painters and sculptors. There are stories of it making you crazy. Van Gogh slicing off his ear. I offer up Van Gogh would've sliced off his ear no matter what he was drinking. "

BANNED FOR NEARLY A CENTURY BECAUSE OF ITS REPUTATION FOR CAUSING SEIZURES, BLINDNESS AND, YES, EVEN INSANITY. THOSE CLAIMS HAVE NOW BEEN DEBUNKED AND LAST YEAR THE GOVERNMENT LIFTED THE BAN. MOST BRANDS ARE STILL IMPORTED FROM EUROPE. BUT ONE AMERICAN DISTILLERY, ST. GEORGE SPIRITS IN ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA, IS THE FIRST IN THE COUNTRY TO MAKE ABSINTHE.

Lance Winters, Master Distiller, says: "It is, in our opinion, the pinnacle of the distillers art form because it takes a lot of very loud, distinct voices, flavor and aroma-wise and gets them to harmonize with each other."

THEIR FIRST BATCH SOLD OUT IN JUST A FEW HOURS.

Jonny Raglin, Bar Manager, says: "It piques people's curiosity. Especially since the legalization, people have been very curious."

Haven Daley, The Associated Press, says: "This bar in San Francisco can finally serve the drink that it was named after."

THEY SERVE ABSINTHE THE TRADITIONAL WAY HERE...PLACING A SLOTTED SPOON ACROSS A GLASS WITH SUGAR ON TOP AND ALLOWING A TRICKLE OF WATER TO MELT THE SUGAR INTO THE GLASS CAUSING THE ABSINTHE TO BECOME CLOUDY.

Jonny Raglin, Bar Manager, says: "In the old days these fountains would be placed down the bar and the bar keep would pour a glass of absinthe and the guests would prepare their own. If they didn't want sugar, they didn't have to have sugar. If they didn't want anything, they could drink it straight."

ABSINTHE DRINKERS SAY IT HAS AN EFFECT UNLIKE ANY OTHER.

Lance Winters, Master Distiller, says: "You're still going to get the intoxicating effect. It is, after all, sixty percent alcohol by volume. But there also is a focus that comes along with that."

Jonny Raglin, Bar Manager, says: "It's a very relaxing feeling. One is sufficient. Two, I think, is a great number. Three may be a little too much."

THE DRINK'S EFFECT AND ITS MYSTERIOUS PAST...DRAWING NEW CONSUMERS TO THE OLD SPIRIT. HAVEN DALEY, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, SAN FRANCISCO.

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