When it comes to beer. :P

Earlier this week, as I often do when we do groceries, I picked a 6 pack at Trader Joe's. I don't drink much these days, and when I do, I try to discover new things and imported stuff.

Last week was a 6 pack of a German beer called Spaten. Pretty average imho. Funny name, though, especially when you have a french accent. 

But on a scale of 1 to Guinness and/or Pilsner Urquell, a rough 4. Not like I feel the need to ever buy any again.

Then, as I was weeding through the imported beers, trying to make my way through the darn wussy stuff non-alcoholic stuff and while my wife was getting impatient, I thought - the first thing w/ alcohol in it, I'm grabbing.

Well, the first thing I found was a 6 pack of italian beer.

Italian wine, I'd have been all over it - but beer? That didn't compute. Almost as if I'd heard "South-African Ski Champion" or "English fine-cuisine" or "amazing Canadian rock band". ;)

So I decided the second thing I find... And that's how I ended up w/ a 6 pack of Smithswick's.

Irish. Beer. 2 words that actually fit in the same sentence. 

Actually, not bad. Maybe a 5, close to a 6 on my scale. And reading the label, it seems that it's from the brewers of Guinness. Well, that figures... Best I've tried since Boddington's Pub Ale.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is: I'm open to suggestions for next week...

What do you guys suggest next? (And no, taking the plane and traveling to a British pub or a German tavern isn't an option...)

You just need a special, dedicated fridge Rain!



As for a quick answer to your question, the Portland Metro Area (which I'm considered to be living in) has more micro brews than France has wine.  There are literally hundreds of fine choices which stomp most of the usual choices out there.  My personal favorites include Widmer's Drop Top, Deschutes Brewery's Mirror Pond Pale Ale and Old Speckled Hen from Morland Brewery out of the UK.  Younger's Special Bitter is another favorite from Rogue Brewery (and created by the late owner of the dart bar I play out of).

A dedicated fridge? That's what I call the place where I was born. Alcohol and freezing temperature. 

More seriously, Quebec is pretty big on micro too.

Thanks for the recommendation, man! :) I'll see if I can find some of those here in Vegas. 

Heck, the "REAL" way to have a decent beer is to ignore the fridge and have a tapper.  I used to have a quarter-keg of Drop Top in a Kegerator.  Less than $1 per pint (60 pints) and GOOD beer!

Best I've tried since Boddington's

Funny how tastes vary..I cannot stand Boddington's. McEwans Champion Ale is my current favourite, but at 7.3%, 2 bottles is plenty. 

My brother-in-law loves Arkell's 3B's (a Swindon brewery) but the stuff smells like eggs...

I don't drink much either. But I do enjoy the occasional beer. In warmer weather and while grilling anything in the backyard, a cool one in hand is a prerequisite to a successful BBQ. After all, you do need something to quench the flames when they get to a certain point....and the added flavor beats using water. 

I have started doing a bit of home brewing. Not very difficult and you can select from a variety of beers to brew. Brews that vary from light yellow like the typical Bud Lite to the kind that look almost black and only the strongest sunlight will illuminate through them. 

 The whole process takes about 2 to 3 weeks, and a cool (75 F avg) and dark (out of direct sun) place.  I started when my daughters bought me a "Mr Beer" home brew kit.  Part of the fun is experimenting with the various recipes and concocting your own special brew. 

The last one I tried, and is now in the fridge involved a splash of strong brewed coffee in the mix. You get the slight after taste of coffee, but if you didn't know there was coffee involved you would probably be guessing for quite some time as to what that aftertaste was. 

Home brewing is fun but it's certainly not an "instant gratification" sort of thing. And just FYI... I like the darker more robust brews. 

Overcome the prejudice.......

  

 
They serve this at my local Italian restaurant and it's quite acceptable to me. Then again, some people like Budweiser. ;)

Buy Belgian Beer
 

Zonno


Buy Belgian Beer
 

Ja, Dat is heerlijk.
 
However precautions are necessary as its likley to result in stumbling and falling. The strongest stuff is brewed by monks!

Henninger.