posted 04-08-2001 20:07            

Wow... imbibing in beer only rarely myself (I prefer schnapps if I'm just out to get drunk) I had no idea that there was actually an "art" to drinking beer. I just recently found out that there are beer tastings being held just like wine tastings. But the extent of devotion that some people have for their beer remained hidden from me, until I read the following:

One of the most difficult problems facing a beer taster is the constant struggle to maintain an unadulterated palate. Foods, spices, drinks, and even other beers can ruin a tasters palate as quickly as you can say "garlic bread" and, even for a casual beer lover, render all beery judgements invalid. The worst offender of all, however, is that mint marauder, the poisoner of palates and toxin of taste itself --toothpaste.

Designed to clean teeth and freshen breath, it should come as no surprise that toothpastes of all sorts stick to the taste buds like glue and require hours before they release their iron grip. The challenge for a beer lover unwilling to compromise his or her dental hygiene, then, becomes one of speeding the release of the toothpastes hold.
--Taken from "A Taste for Beer", Steven Beaumont(1995)

posted 04-08-2001 23:19            

If you ever go to a Japanese restaurant, don't try to look cool and order a kirin, that being the only japanese beer most foreigners have heard of.

Kirin is ok. Yebisu isn't bad either, but ASD is japan's choice, in general. Basically, anything but Suntory Malts, the worst beer in the world.

No, I take that back, I once went to a meatmarket bar called "Bar, Isn't it?" and they had an original beer called (I shit you not) "Beer, isn't it?". That was the worst beer in the world.

posted 04-08-2001 23:54            

Locally available New Glarus Brewery Red Ale. In the summer, the Solstice Wheat. Since they don't have their own webpage, click here for someone's list and rankings of their beers.

Even more limited distribution. Great Dane Crop Circle Wheat (Madison microbrewery, gotta drink it there)

Nationally available. Hacker-Pschorr Weiss or Paulaner Hefe-Weizen.

I'm such a nerd about my beer. I went to a New Years Party where they were drinking Icehouse or some such nonsense so I brought my own.

My philosophy is summed up by my bumper sticker. "Real Women Don't Drink Light Beer - Live a Little"

-Bex

posted 04-09-2001 00:11            

Guinness = mud in a glass
Hefe-weissen = almost, but not quite drinkable
Cola-weissen = Better than most, but still nasty

If you live in western Washington the microbrews are everywhere, the Ram has a pretty cool one called Butt-face Amber, the logo is of two rams with horns locked. My hubby says this is one of the best.

I drink liquor, lots of it. Iced Teas are the best, and there are many different varieties, from Long Island to Hawaiian, my mother-in-law makes a great Long Island.

If the bar you're in has a crappy Iced Tea selection, the next best thing is Tequila, silver, not gold, salt and a lemon. And lots of screwdrivers (mixing silver labeled tequila and vodka won't kill you, however if you drink the gold stuff, and drink anything else that night your hangover will make death look inviting).

For a bit of fun, the Blow Job is also an excellent shot, kahlua and... can't think of the name (chocolate flavored yummy stuff), with a lot of whipped cream on top, taken using only your mouth from the lap of your significant other. Or that guy you just met on the dance floor, whoever's closest.

posted 04-09-2001 07:59            

As for liquor, if you're not drinking scotch, you're just trying to get drunk. If you are drinking scotch, any single-malt with "Glen" in the name is fine by me. Except Glen Morangie, that stuff tastes like fermented Scottish sheep crap.

posted 04-09-2001 10:17            

Bitch-goddess: My favorite bar, which has since burned down, was famous for its iced tea selection. A plethora of teas, ranging from strawberry, mango, blue, lemon, and a mixture of exotic flavors dominated the drink menu. What sounds like a cheesy daquiri list was actually some of the best damn potent drinks around. I got so drunk on TWO of them I couldn't lift my head off the table, had to be carried into my apartment and could only crawl on my stomach, not even hands and knees. Now that's good stuff.

However, ordinarily if I am going to drink a mixed drink, give me Absolut Citron and white grapefuit juice. Crisp and tasty. Maybe a white russian if I want something creamy. (I'll forever think of the Big Lewbowski now) There has to be a good reason for me not to drink beer though.

And as for my favorite shot: Screaming Orgasm. The name says it all. It's something like Bailey's, Amaretto, Chocolate syrup and vodka. It's like an alcoholic chocolate covered cherry. And you forgot to mention the muff dive for the boys out there. I think I have a photo somewhere of Clme doing one on his 21st birthday. (For the uninitiated, it's a shot glass completely buried in a mound of whipped cream.)

The only good thing I can say about tequila is it's a good excuse for a body shot. And I'll only volunteer my body for someone else to drink the shot.

-Bex

posted 04-09-2001 15:33            

I apologize, Bex, for leaving out the muff dive, it is pretty much the same as a blow job, from what I understand though, just with a different name.

posted 04-09-2001 18:37            

1) yellow water with lime
2) yellow water
3) yellow water.

Man you gotta drink something with flavor! This makes me think of all the girls in Wisconsin who think they're cool because they drink Rolling Rock. Of course, I'm shamed to admit, in my younger years I had a passion for Mickey's. I was too drunk to know any better I guess. (damn, we need a drunk smiley)

Bitch goddess: most guys I know wouldn't be caught dead drinking a shot called a blow-job. However, a little extra whipped cream to bury their faces in and they're all over a muff-dive. I think the shot is a little different inside too.

On the topic of uniquely flavored beers, there was an awesome pumpkin ale I tried last year. I don't remember who brewed it though.

posted 04-09-2001 19:28            

clearly, the best beer in north america is canadian. and of the canadian beers, i favour moosehead.

however, to get really really drunk, it's all about the vodka. vodka mixes well with almost anything, even ice tea.

and contrary to popular belief, vodka can be consumed on the same night as tequila, be it of the golden or silver variety.