It depends on what kind of beans I'm cooking Earl. I like pintos with a little bacon or ham hock only in them. Black beans need a lot of help in my opinion. I love Rosemary and Thyme in my Northern Beans.

'Gin'?!?!

I think I probably gin-up my dry pinto beans, after soaking, I add chopped onion, bell pepper, a whole jalepeno, chopped garlic, chile powder and bacon grease or a ham hock, before they get soft I had salt and a little brown sugar.

Earl, honey....I "gin up" me and cook the beans as is....
The alternative is too awful to consider.....
I find for black beans.....sherry is better than gin....if there is enough onion and ham hock in the broth.
Linda C