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Hip Flasks
The Ultimate Guide
Hip flasks have been around for almost as long as people and alcohol have. They’re a handy type of gadget beloved by people around the world.
Introduction to Hip Flasks
It’s a classic piece of equipment for classy men and sipping on a hip flask definitely evokes imagery of living in another time. In fact, the hip flask has survived as a staple item from the mid-eighteenth century and has its roots way back in 2,000 B.C. As we said-- the hip flask has been loved by people forever and it is still a beloved everyday item to own today.
Clearly, people get some use out of hip flasks on a regular basis. But what exactly are hip flasks? Why should someone use a hip flask, and what types of hip flasks are popular today? What are some great stores or locations to purchase authentic and high-quality hip flasks? Believe it or not, not all flasks are equal in quality. A high-quality flask will last you much longer than a cheap, poorly-made flask. In this buyer’s guide, we’ll be exploring all of that and more.
Let’s dive into this guide by really defining what a hip flask actually is.
What is a hip flask?
A hip flask, a “nip”, or simply a “flask” is an object used to hold liquor and other types of alcohol.
A hip flask gets its name due to its curved and inconspicuous shape that makes it easy to carry around in one’s pocket.
Hip flasks back in the day were usually made of materials such as silver, pewter, and glass. Today, a majority of modern flasks are made from stainless steel. Other modern flasks are made of plastic, usually so that they can avoid metal detector detections.
Hip flasks come in a variety of shapes and sizes but are usually slightly curved. As we mentioned earlier, this shape makes it easier to wear in one’s pocket or on the hip or tight. It’s also comfortable and more discretionary. The curved design of a traditional hip flask is often referred to as a “kidney flask.” Many modern flasks have something called a “captive top” which refers to a small metal arm that is attached to the top of the flask. This mechanism keeps the cap of the flask firmly attached to the body, making it much more difficult to lose the cap when the flask is in use.
A hip flask is almost always purchased empty and then the owner of the flask will fill it. The term “flask” also applies to tiny bottles of alcohol typically sold at stores. One may be able to find a hip flask with tiny cups attached to make sharing from the flask easier, but usually, the liquid is drunk straight from the flask tip.
Why should someone use a hip flask?
One can use a hip flask anywhere and everywhere, more or less. The shape and size of most hip flasks are specifically designed for allowing people to drink alcohol discretely.
Hip flasks may seem like old-timey liquor holders, but they’ve never really gone out of style and for many people are more of a fashion accessory than anything. Many will bring hip flasks to weddings or to days out with friends. Many younger people purchase hip flasks to use them at musical festivals or when camping outdoors.
It’s important to note that hip flasks that contain alcohol may not be allowed in particular places of business. In many countries, drinking in public is illegal. Drink responsibly when using a hip flask.
There is also Flask Etiquette to consider.
Flask Etiquette
While you can technically do whatever you please, there are some specific scenarios in which a flask is appropriate to carry and drink from and a few scenarios where drinking from a flask is not kosher.
Keep in mind that many states have open alcohol container rules and laws that prohibit the use of flasks in public. Check your state’s laws for more information and drink responsibly.
Also never try to take a filled flask on a plane, as it will be confiscated by the TSA. Not only will you be out of a drink, but you’ll be out of a flask as well. Just as well, carrying a flask anywhere for the sole purpose of getting drunk is not very gentlemanly.
Remember to shake your flask with your friends during small parties and gatherings. Always plan a safe ride home after drinking and don’t carry more alcohol than you can drink on your own without acting in an embarrassing manner.
The History of Hip Flasks
“In such novels as This Side of Paradise and The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald depicts the spirit of the hour which is usually about 4 a.m. His suave young men, always commuting between Princeton and The Plaza in Stutz Bearcats never sat still for long. It was too uncomfortable, with a large flask in the hip pocket.”
- Richard Armour
The flask has evolved quite a bit over the years. We can find its origins in the basic functional animal bladder used in the Stone Age. It’s strange to think that the sleek steel flask used for drinking liquor has changed so much over time. Through much of history, the flask or canteen was used as simply a personal liquid carrier that didn’t necessarily have to hold alcohol. In fact, many flasks throughout history held water. Now, the flask is almost exclusively reserved for discreetly carrying around hard liquor.
Through time, there have been some significant changes when it comes to the act of passing around liquids to drink. Before the modern day, alcohol was particularly helpful for preserving and sterilizing in areas or times when clean drinking water was difficult to find. Drinking alcoholic drinks such as beer or wine fermented from local plants was more of a practical way to preserve one’s health, rather than being a way to get loose. It was important to carry dependable drinks with them since water was hard to find, and just about every culture around the world developed their own version of the flask because of this need.
Some would say that flasks came from the hunter-gatherer tribes in Southern Africa, particularly Kalahari, around 60,000 years ago. This group of people used ostrich eggshells as makeshift canteens. In about 2,000 B.C., we have evidence of the first fully-formed types of flasks made of animal bladders and earthenware. In the Middle Ages, Christians made Pilgrim flasks for believers to carry blessed water or oil home.
Today’s modern flask likely came about when the pocket watch became popular. Sounds strange, right? But there was this idea of carrying something in a very easy and very practical way that was very popular in the eighteenth century. For the rich man, the pocket watch was the fashionable choice. For the working class, it was the hip flask.
The flask became massively popular during the age of Prohibition in America. Because alcohol was not allowed, one had to be discreet in how they hid it-- thus, the flask was a great choice. The term “hipster” originally was used to identify people who carried hip flasks during this time.
After Prohibition, the most common users of flasks were soldiers in World War II. Today, flasks are primarily used to carry a private supply of hard alcohol.
Types of Hip Flasks
There are a wide variety of hip flasks available to choose from.
Coat Flasks
These technically aren’t hip flasks, but they’re worth mentioning anyway. Some flasks are designed to be carried in one’s coat pocket rather than their pants pocket. This is because holding a hip flask close to the skin will make it warm while carrying it in one’s coat or blazer pocket will keep it cold. These flasks are of a similar shape to hip flasks but tend to be a bit larger.
Plastic Flasks
Some plastic flasks are made out of plastic. This is mainly to keep them from being discovered by metal detectors.
Glass Flasks
This was the first material ever used for hip flasks, as glass has a pretty neutral effect on liquor flavors or scents. However, glass is fragile and definitely quite heavy.
Stainless Steel Flasks
This is the most common type of hip flask available. Stainless steel is very durable, attractive, and keeps cold drinks chilly for longer.
Leather Flasks
Leather flasks are rarely 100% leather. Typically, a leather flask with be a stainless steel flask with a leather wrap around it. This is ideal for drinking in cold weather.
Pewter Flasks
Pewter flasks are made from an alloy made from tin and a mix of copper, silver, antimony, lead, and bismuth. Now, it is not allowed to be used as a drinkware material because there is no safe level for exposure to lead.
Silver Flasks
Silver is a material that has been used for hip flasks for decades and is often sought after as collector’s items. Many silver flasks came with a detachable cup on the bottom.
Secret Flasks
Secret flasks or hidden flasks are generally used to sneak alcohol into a venue where bringing or consuming alcohol is normally not permitted.