Boozers and Winos unite!

[WalterB]

Sugerdaddy, we have a song over here, too.

"In Heaven, there is no beer.
That's why we drink it here.
'Cause, when we're gone from here,
All our friends will be drinking all our beer."

[LaurenPhillips]

[George B]

Well I recommend Beer and Scotch whiskey on the rocks(with Ice)

There is a peom in Australia that explains why we like beer:

You gotta have a Beer mate, to sooth ya bloody nerves,
I recon its the only thing us blokes do deserve.
In any situation to stop you feeling queer,
There is only one solution,
you gotta have a beer.

I remember meeting up with some Aussies and stumbling around Circular Quay on Australia Day about a decade ago. After sculling several beverages, we eventually bussed our way over to Coogee beach and I ended up skinny dipping - zero fucks given.

A fuzzy half-memory brought to you by Victoria Bitter and Bundaberg Rum.

[Maggie Green]

Couple of days before Christmas, I went wine tasting with a couple of my friends andI have to tell you I fell in love with Castro Winery. Their wines are so delicious especially a wine called "Into The Darkness." You have to taste it.. so good! If you are more into the sweet side, their port is very good! I'm in love with it!

Interesting!
I'm not into sweet wine however, every now and then I do like port after a good meal.

[Maggie Green]

Haha! That's perfect and so true!

[LaurenPhillips]

Does anyone have a sweet tooth for ports?

[WalterB]

I haven't drunk a lot but I like it. Never knew anyone who wanted to share a bottle with me, hint hint.

[Maggie Green]

So a couple of weeks ago I had a double IPA from the local brewery Funk Buddha and it wasn't terrible. What's happening to me lol, I used to hate IPAs!

[George B]

So a couple of weeks ago I had a double IPA from the local brewery Funk Buddha and it wasn't terrible. What's happening to me lol, I used to hate IPAs!

I used to be big into the double IPAs. Through the beer store I tried a lot and I even made a few trips west to Vermont to pick up the fabled Heady Topper. Got kinda bored with the style after a bit - I think my taste buds reset because I don't really care for them anymore.

[PeterL22]

IPAs are good -f done well - USA is getting good for craft beers - especially states like Colorado. Phoenix has two great breweries ( I know its in Arizona) - Fate and Four Peaks.
I will give you some guidance later - also I'm checking out Rums now - so watch this space!

[Maggie Green]

Actually one of the biggest states for craft beer is Michigan. It was hundreds of local breweries and more are popping up all of the time. But when I lived there I didn't drink it.

[George B]

Actually one of the biggest states for craft beer is Michigan. It was hundreds of local breweries and more are popping up all of the time. But when I lived there I didn't drink it.

Founders Brewing in Grand Rapids, MI is one of my favorites!

They only started distributing in my area maybe 4 years ago, but I quickly developed a taste for their Porter. Our distributor tried to bring the Breakfast Stout in but due to the fact that it showed a young child on the front of the label, they were unable to distribute it in New Hampshire. I think they eventually cleared that up, but I remember having to trade a customer a bottle or two of some other beer for a bottle of Breakfast Stout that they had brought from another state.

[Maggie Green]

Actually one of the biggest states for craft beer is Michigan. It was hundreds of local breweries and more are popping up all of the time. But when I lived there I didn't drink it.

Founders Brewing in Grand Rapids, MI is one of my favorites!

They only started distributing in my area maybe 4 years ago, but I quickly developed a taste for their Porter. Our distributor tried to bring the Breakfast Stout in but due to the fact that it showed a young child on the front of the label, they were unable to distribute it in New Hampshire. I think they eventually cleared that up, but I remember having to trade a customer a bottle or two of some other beer for a bottle of Breakfast Stout that they had brought from another state.

Ok I'm very elementary in my beer knowledge! Have never heard of a breakfast stout!

[George B]

Ok I'm very elementary in my beer knowledge! Have never heard of a breakfast stout!

This little number right here.
https://foundersbrewing.com/our-beer/breakfast-stout/

I like most of Founders brews, although I'm not big on the whiskey/oak barrel aged stuff.

[PeterL22]

Stout was considered to be a tonic drink - often given to build people up after operations cos it was thought to be rich in iron. Don't tell anyone but its not absorbed week like that! Local doctors used to recommend either Guinness or Mackesons
Guinness is the one everybody and their wife (husband) have heard of, but to be honest I find it a bit bitter (even drank on the banks of the Liffey in Dublin). Their newish West Indian version (slightly different recipe and kept in old rum casks is nicer.
Best stout I have ever had is Saddlers Mud City Stout which has absolutely no bitter aftertaste at all. Pretty sweet taste really.
Saddlers is a small UK Brewery in the Midlands - small town called Stourbridge. Thankfully, we have a Smokehouse/barbecue restaurant ( that in itself is a great thing) in Southampton run by them (no idea how it got here - just glad it did). It does 8 - 10 of their ales which is wonderful - almost always have Mud City so its a done deal for me!
Comes bottled and they do mail order - not much use for US really - but Brits and CAMRA Members you have been told!

[PeterL22]

As promised Maggie, a little something for the weekend!
Beer and chaser time

Beer - Boise best (yes that Boise in Idaho) - Two choices 1/ Buttface Amber ale - 5.8% - malty, caramel and toffee - for your burgers
2/ Total Disorder Porter (love me a porter) - 5.2% - chocolate coffee and caramel - yummy!


Chaser - vodka (cos Maggie likes it) - Death's Door Vodka - from Washington Island, Wisconsin (honest) - lovely smooth vodka with hint of vanilla.
My French bartender friend says - top tip here- Vodka should always be drunk neat with ice and a slice of lime.

Bonus tip - Same distillery that does Death's Door does a fantastic Mint Schnapps - Wondermint. Really smooth, no alcohol afterburn, and lovely minty taste. Unlike some mint flavoured alcohol it doesn't taste like mouthwash! Take care though, it could be dangerous as you won't realise how much you're drinking!

[Maggie Green]

As promised Maggie, a little something for the weekend!
Beer and chaser time

Beer - Boise best (yes that Boise in Idaho) - Two choices 1/ Buttface Amber ale - 5.8% - malty, caramel and toffee - for your burgers
2/ Total Disorder Porter (love me a porter) - 5.2% - chocolate coffee and caramel - yummy!


Chaser - vodka (cos Maggie likes it) - Death's Door Vodka - from Washington Island, Wisconsin (honest) - lovely smooth vodka with hint of vanilla.
My French bartender friend says - top tip here- Vodka should always be drunk neat with ice and a slice of lime.

Bonus tip - Same distillery that does Death's Door does a fantastic Mint Schnapps - Wondermint. Really smooth, no alcohol afterburn, and lovely minty taste. Unlike some mint flavoured alcohol it doesn't taste like mouthwash! Take care though, it could be dangerous as you won't realise how much you're drinking!

Those beers do sound intriguing. As for vodka neat...hell no! Haha I'm not that hard core : )

[Maggie Green]

Stout was considered to be a tonic drink - often given to build people up after operations cos it was thought to be rich in iron. Don't tell anyone but its not absorbed week like that! Local doctors used to recommend either Guinness or Mackesons
Guinness is the one everybody and their wife (husband) have heard of, but to be honest I find it a bit bitter (even drank on the banks of the Liffey in Dublin). Their newish West Indian version (slightly different recipe and kept in old rum casks is nicer.
Best stout I have ever had is Saddlers Mud City Stout which has absolutely no bitter aftertaste at all. Pretty sweet taste really.
Saddlers is a small UK Brewery in the Midlands - small town called Stourbridge. Thankfully, we have a Smokehouse/barbecue restaurant ( that in itself is a great thing) in Southampton run by them (no idea how it got here - just glad it did). It does 8 - 10 of their ales which is wonderful - almost always have Mud City so its a done deal for me!
Comes bottled and they do mail order - not much use for US really - but Brits and CAMRA Members you have been told!

I do like a Guinness every now and then. Haven't had one in awhile but St. Paddy's is coming up!!

[PeterL22]

If you like Guinness (generally a little too bitter for me) - try their West Indian Porter (one of their newer range). It has spent time in old rum casks and is a little sweeter and you can make out the rum influence.

I did once order a round of drinks in a Dublin pub - true story - " Three pints of Guiness and a pint of Murphy's please"(as I said not big Guinness fan. Drinks brought out and barman says " Right Sor the Murphy's is the one in the Guinness glass" Only in Dublin!

Any requests for spirit suggestions?

[PeterL22]

Away this weekend so here's the early thought

GIN.
Typically British but in loads of cocktails.
Best straight Gin (but please don't drink any gin neat, the alcohol afterburner is not nice) award goes to :- Monkey 47 - all the way from The Black Forest (yes the one in Germany!!) - really smooth and the 47 refers to 47 botanicals that give it a complex flavour.
Pink Gin - these can sometimes have reshape or rhubarb in them and this will affect flavour - go for Edgertons - struggling to describe the taste - possibly a bit berryish -but great (and pretty) with tonic
Two for those who like to be different - Sacred Gin (lovely little husband and wife distillery in Highgate) either Coriander (yep the stuff in curry) or cardamon. Both a little exotic, but not overpowering.
- Twisted Nose Gin (from Hampshire, my neck of the woods) - Twisted nose watercress (again a hampshire specialty) - as you might expect a little peppery but otherwise smooth.

Both of the Sacred and Twisted Nose work great with plain and simple tonic - and of course ice 'n' a slice!

On the subject of tonic - get a good one - Fevertree is great here in UK - their Mediterranean or Elderflower tonics are lovely.

Bottoms up!