Ep 2. Costa Rica

In the second episode of Three Sheets' first season, host Zane Lamprey travels to Costa Rica to explore the country's famous drinking culture. The episode opens with Lamprey arriving in San Jose and meeting up with a group of locals, who take him to a traditional Costa Rican cantina to sample the national drink, guaro.

Lamprey is initially sceptical of guaro, which is made from sugarcane and has a reputation for being both cheap and potent. However, he quickly warms up to the drink after trying a few shots and discovering its smooth, sweet flavour. The cantina's owner also introduces him to other local drinks, including a refreshing fruit cocktail made with watermelon and tamarind.

The episode then moves on to explore Costa Rica's craft beer scene, with Lamprey visiting a microbrewery in the mountain town of Monteverde. The brewery's founders are a group of American expats who have embraced the local culture, and Lamprey gets to try a range of their beers, including a light and refreshing wheat beer and a robust porter.

Next up, Lamprey heads to a beach bar in the surfing town of Tamarindo, where he tries a cocktail made with the local liquor, cacao. He also chats with some expats who run a nearby rum distillery, learning about the process of making the spirit and sampling some of their signature cocktails.

The episode wraps up with Lamprey taking part in a unique Costa Rican drinking tradition – the "cimarrona", or impromptu street party. This involves a group of musicians and dancers roaming the streets late at night, playing lively music and encouraging everyone to join in the celebration. Lamprey happily joins in the festivities, trying more guaro and dancing the night away.

Throughout the episode, Lamprey also takes time to reflect on Costa Rican culture and the role of drinking in society. He notes that, unlike in many other countries, alcohol isn't seen as something to be ashamed of in Costa Rica, but rather as an important part of social life and community bonding.

Overall, the second episode of Three Sheets offers a fun and engaging look at Costa Rican drinking culture, with Lamprey proving a charismatic and knowledgeable host. Whether you're a seasoned traveller or just curious about other cultures, this episode is sure to entertain and enlighten.