Wine, Spirits, and Beer

[Carol]

Carol/Richard,

Ever been to a Chinese restaurant?

EEEEEWWWWWW

http://www.goodeatsfanpage.com/Humor/Music/cats_in_the_kettle.htm

 

[astanley]

I'm pretty much a beer snob. Most of the microbrews aren't bad, depending on the time of year. I make my own, too, although I've been out for a while and have yet to get the stuff out for another.

Generally, Sam Adams is a good all around beer. I go for IPA's or Corona in the summer time. Stouts and porters in the winter time. Ales anytime.

Scotch if I have to drink something harder. A good bourbon once in a very great while but I gotta be in the mood.

Another homebrewer!

I haven't brewed in 4 years... last batch I laid down was a massive mead, made with Clarksburg Farm Honey (the most amazing honey you will ever have in your life!). It's been cellaring, really growing with age. Here is a glass I cracked, oh, 6 months ago? Sat in the primary for 6 months, then secondary for another 12, been in the bottles now 2.5 years. It's yellowed and mellowed out, really rich layering of flavors. I only have 10 bottles left, if you happen to be in the Boston area I'll crack some and share... :cheerio:

Cheers,

-Andrew

 

[grattonja]

And what is wrong with sex in a canoe?

Beer: Wow there are so many good ones.
Every day can never go wrong serving it at a party beer is Yeungling ( Len and Anthony back me up on this please) No its not a chinese beer.

Yeah, but lager or black and tan is the question? Every bar around here has lager on tap. Heck, you ask for "lager" and Yuengling is what you get. I actually like the black and tan better.

I like the German style beers. Becks Dark, Munich type beers, strong Bocks, etc.

No scotch drinkers here? I have a 15 YO Glen Grant that I am currently sipping a glass at a time. Good stuff!

Wine is my wife's bailiwick and champagne makes me giddy.

Jim G

Edit. Noted that others HAVE been talking single malt scotch. Good to see it. We need to really cover single malts in a string some time when I do NOT have 4 people talking at me in the office at the same time

 

[astanley]

No scotch drinkers here? I have a 15 YO Glen Grant that I am currently sipping a glass at a time. Good stuff!

Wine is my wife's bailiwick and champagne makes me giddy.

Jim G

Edit. Noted that others HAVE been talking single malt scotch. Good to see it. We need to really cover single malts in a string some time when I do NOT have 4 people talking at me in the office at the same time

I have a bunch of scotches at home, Oban 14, Oban 21, Laguavlin 16, Bowmore's Darkest. I love them, they are all very delicate and refined, but the price point has me drinking bourbon generally. Same ot better quality for 25% of the price!

Cheers,

-Andrew

 

[grattonja]

I have a bunch of scotches at home, Oban 14, Oban 21, Laguavlin 16, Bowmore's Darkest. I love them, they are all very delicate and refined, but the price point has me drinking bourbon generally. Same ot better quality for 25% of the price!

Cheers,

-Andrew

Unfortunately, many years ago, there was a matter in my errant youth with bourbon. To this day, I cannot stand the smell of it. Scotch, however, is no problem. I haven't heard of Bowmore's Darkest, but I am a fairly newbie when it comes to scotch.

Jim G

 

[Anthony]

I lied. I am exclusively a Duff drinker now.

 

[astanley]

Unfortunately, many years ago, there was a matter in my errant youth with bourbon. To this day, I cannot stand the smell of it. Scotch, however, is no problem. I haven't heard of Bowmore's Darkest, but I am a fairly newbie when it comes to scotch.

Jim G

Bowmore does four "special" scotches: Legend, Dawn, Dusk, and Darkest. Each go through seperate maturation and finishing caskings. Dusk is done in bourbon barrels for 12 years, then finsihed in Bordeaux barrels; Darkest is done in bourbon barrels for 12 years and finished in Sherry barrels. I don't know what Dawn and Legend are done in.

Darkest is PEATY. Very smoky, rich, complex, nice. Great drink for a very attractive price.

I like peat (salty smokiness) in my scotch, I find scotches lacking peat to be "weak"; however, I also like oak in my wine with firm tannins, so I have a pallete that likes to be abused. I like the nuance in "lighter" scotches, however, I just don't find them as pleasing as I do stronger scotches.

I can't drink Jack Daniels because of an unfortunate incident involving me an a fifth of Jack when I was 18. The taste of jack and coke makes me want to barf just thinking about it.

Cheers,

-Andrew

 

[Greebo]

I lied. I am exclusively a Duff drinker now.

Chuck grabs a pen and turns around for a moment then hides the pen and turns back around with a Duff bottle that has ink marks on it...

Oh, but you should try Düff - its imported ... from sweeden...

 

[Jeff Oslick]

I can't drink Jack Daniels because of an unfortunate incident involving me an a fifth of Jack when I was 18. The taste of jack and coke makes me want to barf just thinking about it.

Yeah, hear you on that... no "yack" for me either...
and (many moons ago) a guy in the dorm room next to mine had to get carried off in on stretcher one night after an encounter with Mr. Daniels' product.

Ya'all be careful out there!

Jeff

 

[grattonja]

Yeah, hear you on that... no "yack" for me either...
and (many moons ago) a guy in the dorm room next to mine had to get carried off in on stretcher one night after an encounter with Mr. Daniels' product.

Ya'all be careful out there!

Jeff

My, uh, "youthful indescretion" involved Jack, his partner, Jimmy Bean, and a wayward item called Bacardi. Ah, but I could drink in those days. Alas, age has caught up with that. Now I just enjoy what I do drink.

Jim G

 

[wsuffa]

My, uh, "youthful indescretion" involved Jack, his partner, Jimmy Bean, and a wayward item called Bacardi. Ah, but I could drink in those days. Alas, age has caught up with that. Now I just enjoy what I do drink.

Jim G

Hmmmmm.... no one's mentioned Everclear as they confess to youthful indiscretion....

 

[Greebo]

My own youthful indiscretion extends to three things I can't stand the smell of now:

Southern Comfort
Peach Schnapps (or anything artifically flavored as peach)
and Creme 'de Menthe. (DONT ASK)

Anything else I'm usually ok with, although I don't particularly like Scotch.

 

[maximus]

Nice to see that everyone likes a drink now and then.

Beer: Mickys Malt Liqour 40oz. It gets ya drunk
Beer: Micaloeb Lauger
Beer: Snake Bite
Beer: Tuborg

Liqour: Henese

Mixed: Long Island with tequila

Wine: Pino grigeo??? Spelling

Maximus

 

[Jeff Oslick]

Hmmmmm.... no one's mentioned Everclear as they confess to youthful indiscretion....

Senator, I have no recollection of that meeting...

 

[wbarnhill]

Hmmmmm.... no one's mentioned Everclear as they confess to youthful indiscretion....

*cough* My youthful indiscretion occurred last Halloween... Being Harry Potter and carrying around my "magic potion"... I wasn't too happy the following morning. Last time that's happenin.

http://home.sc.rr.com/nuclearwinter/ec.jpg

Don't know why I keep the bottle...

Edit: Oh yeah, personally I don't drink beer... never liked it, probably never will. I enjoy shots of all kinds, but my nights out generally involve the following: Single shot of gold tequila for a starter and then a screwdriver or two w/ Stolichnaya. I've tried red wine once, and wasn't too thrilled, but have heard it's an acquired taste from so many people I'm not too worried about it.

 

[poadeleted3]

Hmmmmm.... no one's mentioned Everclear as they confess to youthful indiscretion....

When living in Daytona Beach at the ripe old age of 17, I did NOT join others in pouring Everclear down a concrete slide and sliding through it while it burned, I did NOT drink so much one night that I joined others in jumping off the roof of the motel we lived at in the off season into the pool, and I did not come back from jogging one day (a filthy habit I used to have) and gulp down an entire of glass of Everclear before I realized that my roommate had replaced the glass of water I usually kept there so I could have a nice, cool drink upon my return.

I couldn't have. I was only 17. It was against the law for me to drink.

Everclear was kind of cool, but I can't think of MD 20/20 without getting sick, and it's been 20+ years.

 

[wbarnhill]

*reads Joe's post with and without the "not"s*

Hmm.

And the last thing reminds me of the Halloween party. A friend of mine (who claims to be able to drink anyone under the table) loves vodka, so I asked him upon arrival if he wanted a shot. He of course says sure, and received a shot of everclear for his arrogance. Fun times.

 

[Anthony]

My, uh, "youthful indescretion" involved Jack, his partner, Jimmy Bean, and a wayward item called Bacardi. Ah, but I could drink in those days. Alas, age has caught up with that. Now I just enjoy what I do drink.

Thought I'd resurrect this thread as I'm becoming somewhat of a Bourbon afficionado, now living in Lexington, KY. Might do the Woodford Reserve tour in Versailles this weekend.

My youthfull indiscretion included a bottle of Southern Comfort....straight. Can't get near the stuff now, not that I want to.

 

[Ken Ibold]

I don't drink much anymore. Got it all out of my system when I was younger. Although I do recall fondly the time we loaded Jack Daniels into a battery-powered Uzi-looking squirtgun and were doing shots from across the room.

These days, it's the occasional pinot grigio, dom perignon or the classic dirty dry martini made with absolute peppar, stoli or grey goose.

Oh and the VERY occasional yard work beer, which can be just about anything as long as it's cold.

 

[vontresc]

I see nobody has added some of my favorites to the beer list...

Well I am a hop head, and as a result I love a good IPA. My top three would probably be Two Hearted Ale From Bells Brewing in Kalamazoo MI, Burning River from Lakefront Brewing in Cleveland, and the New Glarus IPA from WI.

I also make my own and have been known to make a winter Stron Scotch Ale (last batch was 9.9% by vol) from time to time.

Pete

 

[SCCutler]

I love cold beer (Shiner Bock, Negro Modelo), but it messes with my sinuses something fierce these days, so I rarely drink it. Did take up some wine drinking, don't know what I like, but I like it (rely upon CJane to do that).

Hard liquor is pretty much off the radar for me these last 15 years of so- just no taste for it.

 

[tonycondon]

i havent developed much of a taste for liquor or wine. Like a good beer though, Michelob Golden Light, Amber Bock are standards when I go home to dads bar. I like Bass, Guiness is too heavy though!

 

[Gary]

Not much of a wine expert, leave that to the wife. Not real particular, but prefer a cabernet.

Ahh beers. Victory Brewing in PA has already been mentioned, the Hop Devil is one of the finest (I'm having one now!). They also have a seasonal brew, Hop Wallop which is excellent and 9% alcohol!! Red Hook ESB has fond memories of a trip to the Northwest as well as Full Sail. Drank lot's of Fat Tire when I had a project in Walden CO.

As for the hard stuff, Jack Daniels is the favorite. But have to admit, after a cold day outside, Yukon Jack on ice, next to the fireplace can't be beat. Never got the scotch bug so couldn't tell a 1 year old from a 50 year old. A friend of ours brings me some genuine Ukranian vodka, can't read the name, but tastes just fine.

Gary

 

[Gary]

Everclear was kind of cool, but I can't think of MD 20/20 without getting sick, and it's been 20+ years.

Have no idea of what Everclear is??

BUT... I still get these flashbacks of a '65 Ford Falcon station wagon, some girl named Tutti?, Inagodadivida on the 8-track and a bottle of MD 20/20. That was some nasty stuff!!!

Gary

 

[RotaryWingBob]

I see nobody has added some of my favorites to the beer list...

Well I am a hop head, and as a result I love a good IPA. My top three would probably be Two Hearted Ale From Bells Brewing in Kalamazoo MI, Burning River from Lakefront Brewing in Cleveland, and the New Glarus IPA from WI.

I also make my own and have been known to make a winter Stron Scotch Ale (last batch was 9.9% by vol) from time to time.

Pete

Im a hop head as well as a rotor head

I'd add Stone's Arrogant Bastard Ale and their Ruination IPA, plus a local southeastern PA IPA - Sly Fox Rt. 113 IPA (available AFIK only at their brew pub and a couple of beer stores in PA).

 

[alaskaflyer]

Wine: Have to second the Wild Horse Pinot Noir. Worth every penny, even the off the shelf bottles in the supermarket.

Beer: Moose Drool from Big Sky Brewing in Missoula. There are several other microbrews I like as well but Moose Drool is the only one of my favorites that is distributed widely (and I can get up here.) Snake River Brewery, for example, if you're ever in Jackson Hole make sure to stop by - their lagers are unbelievable!

Liquor: I enjoy sampling top shelf tequilas of any brand. Just about the only hard stuff I drink any more other than the occasional white russian with cheap vodka

 

[One Short]

I'm no good at wine but I do like the little animals on the corks of the Australian wines.

Beer: Can't go wrong with Abita Amber and Alaskan Amber (Bottles or Kegs.)

Spirits: Tanduay Rum(the dark stuff) from the Phillipines-it smells really good, or St. Brendan's Irish Cream mixed 50/50 with a mug of campfire coffee(polish off a bottle with breakfast, ride all day, sleep all night, repeat next morning)

Barb

 

[gprellwitz]

I like Bass, Guiness is too heavy though!

Oh, I disagree! When you get it on tap (as opposed to in the original bottles), it's not as heavy as appearances would have you believe.

 

[astanley]

Im a hop head as well as a rotor head

I'd add Stone's Arrogant Bastard Ale and their Ruination IPA, plus a local southeastern PA IPA - Sly Fox Rt. 113 IPA (available AFIK only at their brew pub and a couple of beer stores in PA).

Did you get a chance to try the Stone's 10th anniversary IPA? Simply sublime!

Cheers,

-Andrew

 

[ScottM]

I enjoy a good whiskey, single malt types. Last November some of the people I work with were having an evening sipping party and invited me. One of the deals to be a regular is to bring a bottle for everyone to share. But since this was my first I was excused from that custom. Good thing too. The cheapest whiskey we were drinking was $250/bottle. The most expensive was $500/bottle. At those prices you really do sip a little and not get drunk.

I have to admit that the MacCallans 40 year old single malt was exquisite.

 

[RotaryWingBob]

Did you get a chance to try the Stone's 10th anniversary IPA? Simply sublime!

Cheers,

-Andrew

Yes I did. Good, but oddly enough, I like Ruination better

 

[AirBaker]

Wine: Love the Silver Oak and BV Cabs
Liquor: Chopin Vodka
Beer: Blue Moon Belgian White.

 

[Frank Browne]

Not much of a drinker these days, but in my youth I was known to throw back lots of Wild Turkey. Once in a while a glass of Gentleman Jack is nice. After a very bad night a long time ago with Southern Comfort, I can't stand the smell of it anymore.

 

[michael Killacky]

Not much of a drinker these days, but in my youth I was known to throw back lots of Wild Turkey. Once in a while a glass of Gentleman Jack is nice. After a very bad night a long time ago with Southern Comfort, I can't stand the smell of it anymore.

Same thing here with the Southern Comfort( and it was 25 years ago). As I get older, I like the smooth canadien whiskies. Never got a taste for wine. But when it comes to beer, nobody mentioned THE real American beer, Pabst Blue Ribbon. People make fun of you for drinking it, but if you want your beer to taste like beer, it's the only choice.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

I like...

* Margaritas. La Perla in Milwaukee is a nice little mexican joint with some wicked good ones. I'll normally do "regular" (lime), Strawberry, etc. but if a place has some interesting ones, I'll do that too. I've had a Mango 'rita that was pretty good. Oh, and once in a while I'll go for quantity over quality. Tumbleweed has a 45 oz 'rita (the "Texarita") that looks like it's being served in a fish bowl on a stem. It was renamed the "Detoxarita" in my honor, after I had two of them among other things...

* Bloody Mary's. Not so much into them any more, but a good spicy one with lots of veggies followed by a Guinness is good. It's kind of interesting... After a swig of Bloody Mary, Guinness tastes like toast.

* Tequila. Patron is good, but Sauza Tres Generationes and Hussong's are awesome. Sauza Hornitos is also decent, it's what the restaurant I mentioned above makes their margaritas out of. Cool bottle too.

* Cognac. I know a pilot who imports it for a living. The stuff he brings costs $1/ml. (Yeah, you read that right). It's exquisite though, and a small 2-oz glass will last you well over an hour.

Don't tell anyone, but I'm from Wisconsin and... I don't like beer. I'll drink it, and I know which ones I like better than the others, but I'll take a good ol' mixed drink any day of the week.

 

[silver-eagle]

I enjoy a good whiskey, single malt types. Last November some of the people I work with were having an evening sipping party and invited me. One of the deals to be a regular is to bring a bottle for everyone to share. But since this was my first I was excused from that custom. Good thing too. The cheapest whiskey we were drinking was $250/bottle. The most expensive was $500/bottle. At those prices you really do sip a little and not get drunk.

I have to admit that the MacCallans 40 year old single malt was exquisite.

This year's Christmas party included a selection of Scotch Whiskys including several different MacCallans. Since I had many bottles in posession, I only suggested the guests could bring their favorites. I now have 14 Scotches on the shelf, should you be in the area. (Of course, they might not all last that long.)
Heading to Scotland in March to test a few close up.
Scotch is currently on the top of the list of drinks, and I do have a variety. Still trying to figure out which on I like best (Yeah, right!). I also have a number of other whiskeys on the shelf including 2 different Crown Royals and a couple of Bourbons including Makers' Mark.
Variety really is the spice of life.

 

[Henning]

For the imbibers amongst the PoA crowd...

What are your favorites in each category? Why do you like them?

Wine would be a Fume Blanc from Maison Rothchilds, next, any Spaetlaese out of Rudesheim in Rhinehessen. I like the bouquet either, the depth an smokyness of the Fume and the light fruity sweetness of the Reisling. Obviously they go with different things. There have been a few Cabernets I like, but generally I don't drink reds as a good red is too freaking expensive and a cheap red is too freaking gross. There IS one exception I found to this rule though. Marcus James Cabernet from Argentinia (I was impressed). I used to pay $6 for the 1.5 or 2 (I forget, BIG bottle)litre bottle.

Spirit, my bud in Tennessee makes a shine out of strawberries and watermellon, 192 proof quintuple distilled stuff that he then pours into a mason jar about a third filled with coursely diced watermellon and strawberry pieces. SSHHHMMMMMOOOOOTTTTHHHHHH For commercial spirits, Bourbon soda and ice. I usually get Makers Mark as it's a good compromise between taste and price.

Beer, Clara Pacifico, nice deep and rich with out being heavy or bitter, even a bit of a fruity hint to it for just drinking. Becks Dark is nice as well for a late night beer and for cooking.

Luckily I don't drink much, or I'd be broke.

 

[Henning]

And I can get Ketchup Chips too...

Carolyn

I always liked fries with gravy up there.

 

[Henning]

Gaa-verts-a-meener (forgive my spelling) .

That would be Gewurtztraminer

 

[Henning]

Hmmmmm.... no one's mentioned Everclear as they confess to youthful indiscretion....

There was nothing indescrete when the bottle of Everclear came out Do they still sell Purple Passion in a can?