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Post by cenydd on Aug 11, 2013 22:35:27 GMT
I thought I'd make a thread to see what people like to drink. I've just finished a bottle of this:  A golden coloured quenching beer with great hop character. Full fruit in the mouth with good hop balance and a long dry finish. www.woodenhand.co.uk/products.htm#1After earlier having a bottle of this:  TROOPER is a Premium British Beer inspired by Iron Maiden and handcrafted at Robinsons brewery. Malt flavours and citric notes from a unique blend of Bobec, Goldings and Cascade hops dominate this deep golden ale with a subtle hint of lemon. www.ironmaidenbeer.com/Very nice they both were too! |
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Post by JP5 on Aug 12, 2013 2:55:49 GMT
I like a good beer once in a while. Is that one a strong beer?
We usually get Shiner Bock or Corona. I also like my afternoon Earl Grey hot tea. I guess that's the British in me. Like 12thMan....a lot of my ancestry is traced to England. Also have Scots-Irish and German in there too. In fact, someday I want to visit all those places. I have visited England before.....stayed in London and toured the countryside. Saw Stonehenge which is close to where ancestors owned a lot of land. But I've never been to Germany, Ireland, or Scotland. Would love to see all of them and look up where ancestors lived.....
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Post by cenydd on Aug 12, 2013 8:20:08 GMT
Pirate's Gold is 4% alcohol, and Trooper is 4.7%, so not particularly strong. I tend to find the stronger ones (6%+) have a bit of a sickly-sweet taste to them, which I don't like very much so I usually avoid them. The Shiner one looks OK for what it is, but personally I wouldn't touch any kind of 'lager' or 'German-style' beer - they tend to be severely lacking in depth of flavour, no matter how well brewed they are. I might give their 'Wild Hare Pale Ale' a try, though - American Pale Ales can sometimes be quite good (although they do tend to be filtered and pasteurised, which often robs them of alot of the flavour depth they could have, and in the US they are usually served too cold for the palate to be able to appreciate them). We get Corona beer over here - it's bland, tasteless, and generally awful! I also drink plenty of tea, of course, and I'm currently sitting with a mug of this (with milk, of course, but no sugar - don't do that 'no milk' thing, and especially not the 'iced tea' nonsense - barbaric habit!):  It's OK, but not my favourite tea by any means. I'm supposed to be cutting right down on caffeine at the moment, though. Otherwise I would be drinking this:  It's much nicer, and specially blended for the soft Welsh water. The highlands of Scotland have to be visited - in my opinion, it's the most beautiful place on earth. They also have some very good beers up there, too! In particular, the Cairngorm Brewery is one of my favourites - I've never had a beer made by them that I didn't enjoy, and this is a particular favourite:  Blessed Thistle - Reddish brown beer which has been bittered with Blessed Thistles. A truly unique reddish brown ale with earthy bitterness from the thistles and a touch of sweetness from the malt. Hints of roast malt, fruit and ginger, finish this most complex of beers. |
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Post by JP5 on Aug 14, 2013 3:00:57 GMT
I would LOVE to see the Highlands of Scotland!!
Is it true the English think drinking hot tea without milk is "uncivilized?" That's what my husband tells me everything I make fun of his drinking his tea with milk. I drink mine without anything but the tea. Just like I do my coffee.
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Post by cenydd on Aug 14, 2013 7:44:33 GMT
Not many people over here drink tea without milk. It's becoming more popular, especially with the growth of 'green tea', and some who drink Earl Grey and the like consider it's best without milk, but generally the 'standard British cuppa' contains milk (and often sugar). I don't know that I would call it 'uncivilized' particularly to have it without milk, but it would be fairly unusual. Having it cold/iced is certainly 'uncivilized', though! I was out in the pub last night, drinking this:  www.sabrain.com/beers/draught/cask-beers/the-rev-jamesNot a bad pint at all, and very drinkable, but personally I would ideally prefer something with a bit of a stronger 'hoppy' character - I find it a little too 'balanced'. Still, Rev is a decent enough pint, and a very familiar one in this part of the world. |
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Post by Oddquine on Aug 14, 2013 20:10:16 GMT
Nothing but coffee.....I'm at the daughter's and she ain't offering anything stronger!  Wish I drank beer as opposed to red wine or dark rum, as I have a pack of three different bottles from the local brewery in my bag to take back to a mate, who's into drinking that craft brewing kind of thing.......from here. Windswept Brewery, Lossie. |
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Post by wyly on Aug 15, 2013 2:35:27 GMT
an ice cold pilsner or hieneken on a hot day...or whatever wine mrs wyly thinks I should have...but today only coffee...
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Post by cenydd on Aug 15, 2013 9:41:15 GMT
Wish I drank beer as opposed to red wine or dark rum, as I have a pack of three different bottles from the local brewery in my bag to take back to a mate, who's into drinking that craft brewing kind of thing.......from here. Windswept Brewery, Lossie.Haven't tried anything from that brewery yet, although it's not far from where I tend to stay when I'm up in Scotland, so next time I'm up there I'll try to find some. Yesterday I had one of these:  And one of these: www.perfectpint.co.uk/real-ale-beers-info/1837/Brains/British-Summer www.gowerbrewery.com/our-ales/The Brains one was very good, but not quite as bitter as I would have liked, and the Gower one was excellent. This morning I am back on the tea, of course! |
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Post by ShivaTD on Aug 15, 2013 12:44:45 GMT
I rarely drink alcoholic beverages at all except in social situations and then in moderation. When I do I have varying tastes depending on the situation and tend to gravitate to the high quality spirits whether it's rum, whiskey, tequila or even exotic spirits like absinthe. In the OP Pirates Gold beer was mentioned and I have a story related to "pirates" where I have a business interest and alcoholic beverages, specifically rum, and Dark Corner Distillery to share.
www.darkcornerdistillery.com/?ao_confirm
Dark Corner Distillery was the first distillery in the United States to legal produce moonshine when the laws allowed it a couple of years ago and I met (online and by phone) Joe Fenton the owner of the distillery. I have a certified bottle from the first "legal" moonshine batch distilled at Dark Corner. Dark Corner has expanded into other spirits and is doing well and because of my business interests in "pirate" products I contacted him recently about rum. Of course the best rums come from the Carribbean and not from South Carolina so I asked him if he'd ever considered importing premium dark rum in bulk from the Carribbean and then bottling it. I have copyrights related to several "pirate" names/phrases that I would allow him to use if he was interested.
Premium dark rum is the fastest growing spirit market in the United States and there's money to be made in the rum business. Joe had never considered it but being a businessman he was very interested. As he put it, "I've never thought of it but no reason why I shouldn't." This was only a couple of months ago so Joe and I have both been investigating Carribbean rum distilleries that might be interested in furnishing bulk premium dark rum to be bottled in the US, distributed by Dark Corner Distillery, and using one of my copyrighted pirate brand names. It could turn into a very lucrative business for both Joe and I but only time will tell. It is an exciting business prospect that I'm dedicating time to currently.
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Post by cenydd on Aug 15, 2013 18:11:15 GMT
I've never been a fan of rum, or any spirits for that matter. The only 'spirit' I really drink at all is Sloe Gin, which we make at home (according to the usual method - we pick the sloes ourselves, then just add cheap gin and sugar, and leave them to soak for a few months). Other than that if I drink anything other than ale it will be Cider (another popular staple drink in the UK, of course) or Perry, or possibly a drop of Port or Sherry. Interesting article on Sloe gin here: www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/05/27/ST2008052702159.htmlDon't know how widely available the Plymouth Sloe Gin is in the US, but it's about the best of the commercially made versions. It is, of course, not as good as the stuff I make in my kitchen! |
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Post by africanhope on Aug 16, 2013 7:58:59 GMT
I'm a wine man myself, and as I live in the best wine producing country in the world, it al works out. I am also partial to Irish whiskey.
Not a big beer drinker, but every now and then I'll have a quick one.
Martin
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Post by cenydd on Aug 16, 2013 8:33:39 GMT
Last night I had a bottle of this:  4.2% vol A full of flavour dark beer at 4.2% abv, ideal for real ale aficionados and lovers of strong flavoursome beer. The blend of ingredients lend themselves to a hoppy tasting brew that sits well when paired with fish dishes or a beautifully matured real Welsh cheese. www.tudorbrewery.co.uk/products.htmlI like the way that brewery lists the beers along with not only a brief tasting note, but also a recommendation for food matching. That's something that's getting much more recognised in recent years - the idea of matching food with ale instead of wine, but in exactly the same way as you would with wine. I saw a thing on TV where they were trying to persuade some 'wine experts' that ale worked just as well, and they were actually amazed that it did (and in fact in their little, unscientific comparison test, the ale actually beat the wine overall as a match for the food by the votes of those 'wine experts'). The idea of a 'beer sommelier' is something becoming much more common. I've just realise that this thread so far makes me look like I'm drinking pretty much every day. I'm not, honest! I usually have a few ales a few times a week, and always 'socially' (either in the pub, or the both of us at home together while watching a movie or something, as last night). I usually only have 2 or 3 beers (only one last night), and never more than 4 or 5 (and that much only rarely). Just thought I'd clear that up, in case anyone was starting to think I'm permanently sozzled or anything! |
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Post by ShivaTD on Aug 16, 2013 14:25:02 GMT
I've never been a fan of rum, or any spirits for that matter. The only 'spirit' I really drink at all is Sloe Gin, which we make at home (according to the usual method - we pick the sloes ourselves, then just add cheap gin and sugar, and leave them to soak for a few months). Other than that if I drink anything other than ale it will be Cider (another popular staple drink in the UK, of course) or Perry, or possibly a drop of Port or Sherry. Interesting article on Sloe gin here: www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/05/27/ST2008052702159.htmlDon't know how widely available the Plymouth Sloe Gin is in the US, but it's about the best of the commercially made versions. It is, of course, not as good as the stuff I make in my kitchen! Yes, Plymouth Sloe Gin is available in the US (between $50-$60 USD per bottle) although I've not personally purchased it. We do typically enjoy a good Sloe Gin Fizz but don't drink it straight typically. I have a bottle of Boston Sloe Gin in my bar which is "acceptable" but obviously not a premium sloe gin like Plymouth (which I will add to my future list of what I need for my bar). It is sad that the typical Whalean lives in a rather dreary environment or they would appreciate tropical cocktails that are based upon rum. From the Mai Tai to the Hurricane these tropical cocktails are wonderful sweet beverages that are highly enjoyed in warm tropical climates. They are cool and refreshing brightening the person's day. When I moved to Florida (only for a year) the first opportunity I had to visit an outdoor bar I ordered "a drink with rum and an umbrella" and left the choice to the bartender as it really didn't matter what it was. Whaleans obviously don't appreciate the tropics. Probably too warm for them as they tend to be a bit cold-blooded. LOL |
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Post by cenydd on Aug 16, 2013 14:51:02 GMT
It's not a dreary environment at all. There's more to life than sun and beaches, you know, although we have the latter of those too (although not the former too often, it has to be said!):  It's also a particularly green and pleasant environment, because it's nice and damp, so we don't need to brighten up our lives with pretty girly rinks with unbrellas. We'll stick to a good, robust, manly ale! You do need Plymouth Sloe gin - looks a bit pricey over there, but it's worth it. And don't play about putting it in nasty cocktail things - it's just fine on its own! |
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Post by ShivaTD on Aug 16, 2013 15:39:03 GMT
It's not a dreary environment at all. There's more to life than sun and beaches, you know, although we have the latter of those too (although not the former too often, it has to be said!): It's also a particularly green and pleasant environment, because it's nice and damp, so we don't need to brighten up our lives with pretty girly rinks with unbrellas. We'll stick to a good, robust, manly ale! You do need Plymouth Sloe gin - looks a bit pricey over there, but it's worth it. And don't play about putting it in nasty cocktail things - it's just fine on its own! Yes, there is more to life than just sunshine and beaches. It's called WARM WEATHER!! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Wales#ClimateNow let's compare this to Key West FL which has a tropical climate. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_West,_Florida#Climate We can almost say with certainty that the lowest temperatures annually in Key West are higher than the highest temperature at any time in Wales. I would suggest that Whaleans drink a good Scotch or Irish Whiskey (considering the fact that Welsh Whisky fundamentally died out due to poor quality with only one brand, Penderyn, being produced today after about 100 years of no Welsh Whiskey at all) to keep their blood thinned out. |
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