OT: Beer and other drinks

[hurricane hugo]

yes, this is real.

 

[KuruPrionz]

Alocal brew pub made an organic cucumber beer. It was nasty, horrendous.

Hopefully this is better. 

 

We played a baby shower for a good friend's daughter, she's having twin girls for her first go round. 

They had a keg from another local brew pub, a Pilsner that was 8.2% alcohol. It was smooth (and potentially dangerous!). 

[Caevan O’Shite]

1 hour ago, hurricane hugo said:

yes, this is real.

 

THAT might actually be good. Maybe. I've had some such which were Heavenly, and others that were awful... at least, to me. Others might have had the completely opposite likes and dislikes. But I'd give that a fair shake.
 

 

41 minutes ago, KuruPrionz said:

...organic cucumber beer. It was nasty, horrendous.

I would not have even wanted to have smelled that. Not even from a distance.


I played in a band at a carnival gig. I was in line to buy a beer and something to eat when a lady who was one of those in charge accosted me- "WHAT are YOU doing there... ?!" I figured, oh, I'm about to be lectured for drinking on a paid job... I began to explain that I was only going to have one beer with some food, when she said, "C'm 'ere... " I was led to a pair of taps, one of which was from a keg of some recently made, commercially unavailable beer crafted by John, the master brewer and proprietor at Two Goats down the road from there (I  LOVE  his beers!! THE BEST!!), and told, "YOU do NOT pay for beer here, Mister! Have all you want!"   "Yes, Ma'am", I replied.  
    
 

At another gig, for a charity benefit that also featured representatives and beers on tap from a few relatively local, small New York State microbreweries, we had all the free beer "samples" we wanted, poured and offered by very friendly people who also really enjoyed and appreciated the live music. That was also some really, really good beer! It made up for the strange, cramped little area that was our designated "stage" to fit the whole band into- which I believe was literally a long unused horse-stall from the old days in what had once been a small brewery!    

      
 

[Larryz]

I don't really care for micro brews and brew pubs.  I like a Modelo Negra...I'm more of a dark or stout kinda beer drinker if I have a beer.  I've been drinking a straight shot and 1/2 of Tequila in the evenings and found my go to Tequila is Corralejo Reposado...the two drinks make a great combo!  😎

[Sharkman]

Years ago, Michelob came out with a dark beer called Michelob Dark.  Not only was it my favorite beer, but they had the absolute greatest radio commercial of all time.  Comedian Martin Mull said "Are you afraid to try Michelob Dark because it's too rich and full-bodied?  That's what you look for in a date, isn't it?"  YES!

[Caevan O’Shite]

35 minutes ago, Larryz said:

I don't really care for micro brews and brew pubs.  I like a Modelo Negra...I'm more of a dark or stout kinda beer drinker if I have a beer.  I've been drinking a straight shot and 1/2 of Tequila in the evenings and found my go to Tequila is Corralejo Reposado...the two drinks make a great combo!  😎

You'd probably really like some of John's 'Two Goats' brews... Every style of beer he tries his hand at, he does to the hilt with serious attention to detail.

 

6 minutes ago, Sharkman said:

Years ago, Michelob came out with a dark beer called Michelob Dark.  Not only was it my favorite beer, but they had the absolute greatest radio commercial of all time.  Comedian Martin Mull said "Are you afraid to try Michelob Dark because it's too rich and full-bodied?  That's what you look for in a date, isn't it?"  YES!

I remember that beer and those ads! "Don't be afraid of the dark!"   I... uh... wasn't old enough... but that was my go-to favorite beer then...
               

[KuruPrionz]

2 hours ago, Larryz said:

I don't really care for micro brews and brew pubs.  I like a Modelo Negra...I'm more of a dark or stout kinda beer drinker if I have a beer.  I've been drinking a straight shot and 1/2 of Tequila in the evenings and found my go to Tequila is Corralejo Reposado...the two drinks make a great combo!  😎

It's impossible to judge micro brews and brew pubs except on thier own merits. You have to try their stuff and judge it as what IT is. 

 

The place that made the cucumber beer? I never go there, ever. That was enough to last me a lifetime and I only took a sip out of curiosity. The "pale ale" I drank there was not "finished", beer needs to sit in a cool dry place for about 40 days so all the nasty bits can sink down to the bottom. 

 

We have one brewer up here (well, we have more than a dozen, but...) - Chuckanut Brewery and the brewmeister went to a University in Munich, Germany that teaches the art of making beer. He has a degree in beer!!!!

EVERYTHING he makes is really good, my favorite beer in our area is his Pilsner.

 

By the way, historically almost every brewery in Mexico can be traced back to a German immigrant that founded the place, Modelo included. I like Modelo Dark too.

Maybe you don't have a good brew pub in your area, Larryz but it's worth getting a sampler at one here and there in case somebody learns something. 

 

In Bellingham they say you can't walk 100 yards wiithout running into a food truck, a brew pub or a cannabis shop, maybe all 3. 

[Larryz]

We have a few brew pubs in the area and they make decent beers.  I usually order Irish Red, Irish Stout and/or a Vanilla Stout.  I do like a Pilsner now and then.  I'd rather drink a beer than wine and feel out of place at winery tastings/parties.  Funny in a way as I worked as a cellar rat racker blender at a winery for 6 years.  I like a good Pinot Noir with a filet minion now and then though LoL!  I guess it really depends on what I'm in the mood for...I really like German Octoberfest brews on the amber side too. I'm all for trying new beers like Caevan's Two Goats recommendation.  I also like a Guinness now and then...

 

I have attended a Micro Brews venue in the parking lot at the casino up in Tahoe.  They charge $10 bucks for the sample glass and you walk around and taste all of the 20 or so vendor's offerings.  I couldn't find one that I liked.  I think some of them just try too hard and overkill on the hops or whatever.  My buddy who likes beer a lot, felt the same way I did.  They seem to attract a lot of people that do like micro brews so it may be I just have lousy taste buds LoL! 😎

[KuruPrionz]

8 minutes ago, Larryz said:

We have a few brew pubs in the area and they make decent beers.  I usually order Irish Red, Irish Stout and/or a Vanilla Stout.  I do like a Pilsner now and then.  I'd rather drink a beer than wine and feel out of place at winery tastings/parties.  Funny in a way as I worked as a cellar rat racker blender at a winery for 6 years.  I like a good Pinot Noir with a filet minion now and then though LoL!  I guess it really depends on what I'm in the mood for...I really like German Octoberfest brews on the amber side too. I'm all for trying new beers like Caevan's Two Goats recommendation.  I also like a Guinness now and then...

 

I have attended a Micro Brews venue in the parking lot at the casino up in Tahoe.  They charge $10 bucks for the sample glass and you walk around and taste all of the 20 or so vendor's offerings.  I couldn't find one that I liked.  I think some of them just try too hard and overkill on the hops or whatever.  My buddy who likes beer a lot, felt the same way I did.  They seem to attract a lot of people that do like micro brews so it may be I just have lousy taste buds LoL! 😎

 

There seems tto be this "IPA" thing, which used to be a recipe devised by the British during their occupation of India. The best of that is very good beer. 

But you are correct, seems like some brewers may be busting open too many sacks of hops! We have a couple of excellent dark, correctly hoppy beers here but I avoid anything that says IPA on it. Haven't had a good one yet. Tragic that such concoctions have spread afar. 

 

So far, Pilsners, Lagers and Kolsch have been overall better than the other categories. A little hops goes a long way!!!! 

Sounds like you got beer down, Larryz! I've had a few myself. Cheers, Kuru

[Caevan O’Shite]

I wish that I could take you guys 'n gals to Two Goats.

He makes marvelous IPA's, of a variety of types, if you will. All are a bit hoppy; some, more or less in line with what would be expected of any authentic IPA- and some, extra so. He sometimes has a "Freshly Hopped IPA" or similarly named brew on tap, that has been literally, actually run through a French Press type device filled with fresh hops right before being kegged-up for the taps. It's absolutely delicious! The aroma and flavor alone are intoxicating...

And by the way, John worked with local farmers for years to develop hops specifically for his brews. Apparently he also sometimes adjusts the mineral-content of the water he'll use for a given brew, to better replicate some styles from around the world. Dedicated crafter, that man...

He also brews wonderful golden ales, cream ales, brown ales, stouts, porters, lagers, all manner of beers. Top it off with a wonderful view of Seneca Lake and nearby vineyards and woods...

My Grrrlfriend generally doesn't care for beer at all most of the time- yet she gets excited about opportunities to visit Two Goats and even bring home some growlers... ! It's been a long while now... too long.

[surfergirl]

https://www.prideofmaui.com/blog/activities/top-beers-hawaii

 

 

[Caevan O’Shite]

By the way- while I do love a good beer (and the more I like a given brew, the longer I'll likely 'nurse' it), and also appreciate tasty mixed drinks- I'd like to mention that I have not had a hangover since new Year's morning 1990. That's a good long run, and still going...

 

2 hours ago, surfergirl said:

https://www.prideofmaui.com/blog/activities/top-beers-hawaii

 

 

Oooh, some of those sound really appealing to me... !
 

[desertbluesman]

I was never a drinker much, especially when I was young. After I came to my retirement community, and we started doing happy hours I did drink some wine, and some homemade tequila drinks. But now my body refuses to accept most alcoholic beverages. I can do 2 shots of Tequila in some sparkling water without any problems, maybe once a week. I never liked beer much. But I sure did like the hippy alternatives back in the 60's to early eighties. And then some South American exports in the 80's. Never liked Afghani exports. Never liked Opiates at all. I tried them once (in pill form) all it did was make me sleepy, then a day of depression afterwords (That was no fun).

 

That is my booze and alternatives history. Now that weed is legal here in Arizona and the whole west coast, I admit I use it daily (indica gummies for sleep every night)

[Sharkman]

1 hour ago, Caevan O’Shite said:

By the way- while I do love a good beer (and the more I like a given brew, the longer I'll likely 'nurse' it), and also appreciate tasty mixed drinks- I'd like to mention that I have not had a hangover since new Year's morning 1990. That's a good long run, and still going...

 

Oooh, some of those sound really appealing to me... !
 

My last hangover was November 1997.  I was the campaign manager for my friend's re-election to city council, and it was an exceptionally dirty campaign against him.  He won anyways, and we celebrated hard that night when the voting results came in.  The next day I was at his house, and his wife was nagging me about being so hungover.  I guess she figured that since I wasn't married, I needed a surrogate nagging wife.  I really didn't.  The day after that, I was still feeling lousy, and I had a big Chamber of Commerce event I had to attend.  I think my fellow Chamber members were pleased that I was so quiet, instead of being my usual outspoken self.  I have never been drunk since that day, and I have no desire to get that drunk ever again.  I still drink beer, but not very often.

[Winston Psmith]

My wife is the beer enthusiast in our household. There are a LOT of micro-breweries around D.C., several not far from our house, and some are supposed to be very good.

 

I lost my taste for beer decades ago - just got tired of it - and I completely lost my taste for alcohol during lockdown.

 

It's not like I was drinking much to begin with, but I got to the point where I could envision making a drink - the sound of the ice cubes in the glass, the aroma of the liquor pouring over the ice, the fizz of the mixer, the sound of the ice cracking - and that was enough, I didn't want or need to go and make a real drink. After a while, I stopped even imagining, or remembering(?) the process of making my virtual drink, and haven't missed it. For ritual purposes, sure, if I'm at a wedding, I'll gladly toast the happy couple with a glass of champagne, if it's a memorial to a well-loved friend, hell, poor me a double, but otherwise, I'll let everyone else enjoy theirs.

[Dannyalcatraz]

I have an odd relationship with booze.  I’m not an alcoholic, but I could have become one very easily.*  And with my blood pressure meds, one drink feels like 2-3, so I’m not going to be knocking them back anytime soon.
 

We have lots of alcohol in the house, and I really do enjoy it, both as a beverage and as a cooking ingredient.  We drink more wine and spirits than beer, but there’s definitely at least a dozen beers of different kinds in the fridge.  And if you look at what we have on the liquor cart or the wine rack, you’ll see our bottles are dusty. 
 

I probably drink more than my parents combined…and I don’t drink that much.  Had a beer with pizza last week, and that was the first alcohol I’d consumed this month.

 

Some beers I miss:

 

Dragon Stout: a Jamaican beer I stumbled on in a bar.  Dark, but with a sweetness to it.  I used to have 1 with dinner after going to bar review class.  Sadly, it hasn’t been available in Texas in more than a decade.  I don’t know if it’s even made anymore.

 

Razin brewery products: I got to tour the main brewery in Moscow around 2005 as part of an MBA program class. When we arrived, the entire staff was flying high because they had just been bought out by Heiniken about 2 weeks prior.  So when our class reached the end of the tour, they brought us into the boardroom and sat us down at the big wooden table.  At EVERY seat was a bottle of EACH of their 11+ different beers from ales to stouts to porters to something called kvass**, and a plastic cup- the tasting had begun.  It was 10:30AM.  When I got back to the USA, I looked for their stuff.  Never found it.  In fact, Heiniken may have actually shuttered the company.

Lindemann’s: this Belgian company sells lambic beers which are dark of body and fruity of flavor- we’ve had cherry, raspberry, apple, and peach.  They’re sold in individual serving bottles as well as some the size of wine bottles.  Not sure as to the alcohol content.  But they’re becoming harder to find.  Those places that still sell them typically only have one flavor in one size.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* it’s a story I’m fine telling, but I’m not going to unless asked.

 

** kvass is a low-alcohol beer made from fermented cinnamon raisin bread, and tastes a LOT like Dr. Pepper.  It is even served as a fountain drink besides western soft drinks.

[skipclone 1]

Hi

Well I may have mentioned before, that I've been a member of tokyo BEERS-those letters stand for something like Beer Education, Entertainment and Research, I forgot-since it started over ten years ago. At that time it was about beer events, promotional events and such, Also tastings-all of us wrre traveling more then and we would bring back samples from our travels. I spent a couple days in Brussels around Christmas with some friends, it was fun. I have tried Westveleteren in Tokyo-it's not supposed to be sold commercially. The abbey is accessible only by car. We had people from various countries talk about their beer scene and would try a few samples. We had beer from Palestine once, and Morocco makes Stork, but only for export or at hotels. As the laws changed in Japan-home brewing used to be illegal and it's still illegal to do it for profit-the focus of our gatherings also changed. We moved from a basement next to Tokyo station, to an outdoor park. People started bringing their own beer. Some of these guys know their stuff inside out, one friend works at a craft brewery. My situation changed too, I couldn't travel as much so I focused on food. People used to bring chips and rice crackers. I started making real food. I try to make something from a different country each time, or an original recipe. We usually have 2-300 people. It's twice a year, once for cherry blossom time and once for fall foliage. It got so popular that a few commercial craft breweries, like Green Flash, donated kegs, for the advertising value. Of course the virus slammed the brakes on the big gatherings, but a couple weeks ago we had a mini-gathering with a small group. One of the guys brought a lovely couple of samples from his home country, Estonia. A photo is included. We're hoping to be able to go back to the big gatherings in fall, have to wait and see.