What are you drinking?

[Brian]

Ray, I've had Sleeman's! Over in England, there was a great big Canada Day celebration in Trafalgar Square, and the two beverage choices were Molson and Sleeman's. I'd never heard of Sleeman's before, so I tried it and liked it. It was a hot day, so I probably went through 3 or 4 to keep me from going dry that afternoon. Enjoyable stuff.

[TheGSMoeller]

It's all about how it's brewed and what percentage of sugar is used. One of the keys to making iced tea, and you may want to try this, Greg, is, before you start boiling your tea bags, to add some salt to the pot. This helps get rid of any kind of bitter edge in the tea, especially the aftertaste. When I'm making a gallon, I usually use four scoops of sugar and as I'm adding the water (from a Pur water filter), I never ever stop stirring until the tea pitcher is full.

Interesting, I'll have to try that. Thanks, John.

[Brahmsian]

Ray, I've had Sleeman's! Over in England, there was a great big Canada Day celebration in Trafalgar Square, and the two beverage choices were Molson and Sleeman's. I'd never heard of Sleeman's before, so I tried it and liked it. It was a hot day, so I probably went through 3 or 4 to keep me from going dry that afternoon. Enjoyable stuff.

Wonderful, Brian!  Was it the Honey Brown Sleeman's or another brew?  Good choice (Sleeman's over Molson). 

[kishnevi]

At this time of the evening, usually some Scotch.  Tonight it's Cragganmore 12 year old.   A peaty Speyside but pleasant enough (I'm not that great a fan of Islays or other peaty whiskys.)

[Brian]

Wonderful, Brian!  Was it the Honey Brown Sleeman's or another brew?  Good choice (Sleeman's over Molson). 

Yep, Honey Brown.

Hmm, I never did have a drink tonight. No wonder I only wrote 500 words.

[DavidRoss]

Cappucino, double shot of Temple Coffee's Dharma Blend espresso. Highly rated local (Sacramento) roaster/coffee bar. Perhaps it's my unsophisticated palate, but I prefer darker roasts and fuller-bodied blends, even for espresso. But the steamed milk and foam tame the acidity of the Dharma Blend enough for me to enjoy it, though it would not be among my choices for a straight espresso.

http://templecoffee.com/

[Sergeant Rock]

Last week I was reading a very popular novel (too ashamed to mention the title  )  The novel's main male character ordered a gin and tonic with Hendricks gin (if the bartender had it) and a cucumber twist; otherwise, Bombay Sapphire with lime. Now, Bombay Sapphire is one of my favorite gins (along with Boodles) but I'd never heard of Hendricks. And a cucumber twist? Odd. Apparently it's something of a rarity in the States (at least when the novel was written), and something a multi-millionaire might order? Anyway, I soon forgot about it as I read further.

Today I was shopping in a new supermarket that had recently opened in the next town. I noticed, in a special case, locked, and filled with premium champagne and spirits, several bottles of Hendricks! I love that kind of serendipity    I found an employee with a key and bought a bottle.

When I got home, I googled Hendricks and discovered the gin is made in Scotland, in small batches, with an obsolete and nearly extinct type of still. Juniper is downplayed and instead, essence of cucumber and rose petal are prominent. (That explains the strange garish.) And, in fact, the gin reeks of cucumber...even without the twist. It's very tasty (but really, too delicate to go with tonic water; the unique flavor is better served straight, on the rocks). Googling further, I read that it divides the gin community. A great drink to some; heresy to others.

Left click to enlarge:




Sarge

[bhodges]

Great you discovered Hendricks, Sarge! I'm in the "great drink" camp, even though Hendricks doesn't play nicely with many other things - as you say, best as unadorned as possible (e.g., a dry martini with cucumber). You might also try what I call a "poor man's Hendricks," Martin Miller's (also with more cucumber emphasis) - less expensive but delicious. (PS, my favorite gins are Bombay Sapphire and Plymouth.)

--Bruce

[Sergeant Rock]

You might also try what I call a "poor man's Hendricks," Martin Miller's (also with more cucumber emphasis) - less expensive but delicious.

Thanks for the recommendation, Bruce. That's a really cool looking bottle. I've not seen it in Germany but will look out for it.

Sarge

[Bogey]

Cappucino, double shot of Temple Coffee's Dharma Blend espresso. Highly rated local (Sacramento) roaster/coffee bar. Perhaps it's my unsophisticated palate, but I prefer darker roasts and fuller-bodied blends, even for espresso. But the steamed milk and foam tame the acidity of the Dharma Blend enough for me to enjoy it, though it would not be among my choices for a straight espresso.

http://templecoffee.com/

Dark roast for me as well. My half and half tame it a bit.

[Beorn]

What's your favorite gin to drink over ice?

[bhodges]

What's your favorite gin to drink over ice?

Try this one, Beefeater's Summer Edition. (They said it was going to be a "limited time" thing, but my liquor store seems to have it year-round.)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/booze/2010/07/26/beefeater-is-a-winner-with-summer-edition/

It's really delicious - lighter than regular Beefeater - and also mixes well. Some friends last summer thought it made the best gin & tonic they had ever had.

--Bruce

[Beorn]

Try this one, Beefeater's Summer Edition. (They said it was going to be a "limited time" thing, but my liquor store seems to have it year-round.)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/booze/2010/07/26/beefeater-is-a-winner-with-summer-edition/

It's really delicious - lighter than regular Beefeater - and also mixes well. Some friends last summer thought it made the best gin & tonic they had ever had.

--Bruce

Excellent. I'll have to hunt some down.

[stingo]

Just now, Flying Dog's Belgian Devil (on tap) and listening to Tom Waits' Small Change.

[TheGSMoeller]

Just now, Flying Dog's Belgian Devil (on tap) and listening to Tom Waits' Small Change.

Great combo, Stingo!   

[Sergeant Rock]

Just now, Flying Dog's Belgian Devil (on tap) and listening to Tom Waits' Small Change.

Great beer (I assume...I've never had it) and definitely great music 

I had a bottle of Paulaner Oktoberfest with my lunch of liverwurst and onions today.




Sarge

[SonicMan46]

Lately, I've been getting back into drinking beer, mainly locally crafted products from the Piedmont Triad - North Carolina now has over dozens of brewing companies of various sizes.

Most recently, my son was visiting so I thought an introduction to one of the many local brews would be of interest; so for the last 3 days we've been sharing some Natty Greene's Amber Ale - I prefer darker beers and this one is quite tasty.  Winston-Salem also has several local brew establishment, including Foothills Brewing w/ a restaurant downtown. 

P.S. For those interested, a little history on Natty Greene's, named after Nathaniel Greene, American Major General during the Revolution here and leader of the Americans against Cornwallis at the Battle of Guilford Court House - Greensboro did not exist then and later when establish was obviously named after Greene.

 

Well, post above from April 2012 - briefly mentioned the Foothills Brewery located in downtown Winston-Salem (a 10 minute drive from my home) - I've really enjoyed their IPA (pic added above to my previous post) - has become one of the larger 'craft' beer producers in NC - quite bitter & hoppy which I love - most of these are available in our local grocery stores and need to pick up a 6-pack soon!  Dave

[stingo]

Great beer (I assume...I've never had it) and definitely great music 

I had a bottle of Paulaner Oktoberfest with my lunch of liverwurst and onions today.

Sarge

Flying Dog makes good beer - the Belgian Devil is part of their Brewer's Select series and I was lucky enough to get a keg for home. It's a Belgian strong pale ale with some nice fruit notes of apple, pear and peach.

Paulaner's Oktoberfest is a fine beer too - especially when I had it in Germany.

In other news, I've selected the beers for my upcoming birthday beer dinner: (the chef will create pairings for each)

Uinta's Hop Notch IPA
Brouwers Verzet's Oude Bruin
Westmalle's Dubbel
Evil Twin's Imperial Biscotti Break Stout

[Peregrine]

I will be drinking this later, to celebrate National Champagne Day 

To accompany tagliatelle with parmigiano and Périgord black truffle and a green salad.

[bhodges]

I will be drinking this later, to celebrate National Champagne Day 

To accompany tagliatelle with parmigiano and Périgord black truffle and a green salad.

I'll be right over! 

(PS, had no idea it was National Champagne Day - happy to join in that celebration)

--Bruce