Too drunk too make a new thread. New Booze Thread.

[FreddyKnuckles]

what's this fernet taste like?  I've never had it..

[elpollodiablo]

Like fire and black licorice.

[FreddyKnuckles]

So like Jager for grownups?  is it spicy like pimms, or just straight up black licorice?

[elpollodiablo]

It's more like anise, actually. I associated it very much with Jäger and it was never something I enjoyed. coldie left a bottle of Amaro at my place once and I only had recouse to it twice. I think we probably gave it to our landlord.

I've had a few different bottles of middling Belgians tonight, the kind they sell in that generic Belgian sixer sampler. A Bornem dubbel and something else. Two bucks at the liquor store. Whatever! This is the first beer I've had at home that wasn't a homebrew in weeks.

[Antero]

Fernet: Some licorice, a strong mentholated feel, a hit of saffron, and a bunch of other herbs.  Strongly bitter, very little sugar.  Much less sweet or citrus than regular Amaros.

It is definitely an acquired taste.

[Greg Nog]

It's more like anise, actually.

Indeed, I have a bottle here that I rarely touch, and often when I want to buy Ouzo, I think, "Ehhhh, I got Fernet at home, I should drink that first."

But I seldom do, for the extra bittery flavors are largely unpalatable to me.

On topic: Holy Crap I Have Had Some Drinks Tonight

[Antero]

Get the Fernet out, then get a good ginger beer for a chaser.  You will be like, "THIS IS THE BEST THING!"

[elpollodiablo]

I could see that.

I'm trying to decide what I want to brew next week.

[mountmccabe]

Ginger beer, obvs.

[jess]

What should I drink tonight?: http://www.marikkas.com/Imported_Beers_Lexington_KY.html#1

I want something delicious and interesting, but not super high ABV (am on call until next Monday, so have to be functional). I'm realizing I know domestic craft beer waaaay better than imported—I've had some of the things on that list, but plenty of it I don't know at all.

[justinh]

I would recommend something English...Pendle Witche's Brew is excellent.  Make sure you don't over-chill it though, it'll kill the flavor.  Probably serve it at about 60-65 degrees.   Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout and Organic Ale are both quite good as well. 

Or maybe something wheaty like Blanche du Bruxelles...

[FreddyKnuckles]

Two dark lagers stand out--I like baltika #4.  Xingu from Brazil is also pretty good.  

I would probably try the belhaven twisted ipa if I were going there... Might be high abv though.

What's your typical beer preference? Light, dark, hoppy, stout, bitter, smooth, etc? Do you like tripels?

[justinh]

I'm trying to think of summer beers, but here it's cold and rainy.  

I'm stoked to be trying this tonight:



Holgate Temptress Chololate Porter.  Dark beers are hard to find here...let alone GOOD dark beers.  Word on the street is that German beers are cheaper here than domestics, so I'll have to see if I can find some dunkels soon.

[jess]

I like most types of beer—IPAs, dark beers, wheat beers, funky beers. As long as it's not really sweet, I'll probably be down. I tend to avoid things that are one note HOPS, but stuff that's really hoppy but balanced with other flavors is great.

[jess]

Also I'll be going back to this place, so feel free to recommend stuff that violates my not high ABV request, and I'll file that away for when I don't have the pager.

[auto-da-fey]

Or maybe something wheaty like Blanche du Bruxelles...

I still know nothing about beer, but since my lady is a little more discerning, I always find myself in places where I stare at menus and make decisions on arbitrary grounds.

Like that--was just drinking it last night, because it made me think of Jeanne Dielman. Thumbs up, FWIW.

[justinh]

It's good!  And I like the bottle with the pissing cherub.  More beer advertising should feature urination, if you ask me. 

[auto-da-fey]

oh yeah, the pee-spray was an awesome touch, I forgot to put that together with the name.

that reminds me of this vasectomy-themed beer we drank a while ago, I should take a picture of that, I think the bottle is still around.

[YojimboMonkey]

If it were me, I'd cut a bloody swath through that list and damn the torpedoes. But here are a few I'd concentrate on

Augustiner Maximator A doppelbock I haven't tried
Monschof Schwarze A classic Schwarzbier, a very dark lager
Kulmbacher Eisbock Because fuck it, I like high ABV beers
Grimbergen Dubbel Pretty sure I haven't had this one either
Traquair Jacobite Ale The wee heavy is a Scottish rendition of a barleywine, and I've never been known to pass up a barleywine, plus I'm fairly sure I've never tried anything by this brewery

That's a pretty impressive list there. And the ones I mentioned are mostly fairly high-alcohol so maybe not the best choices for you.

[justinh]

Traquair Jacobite Ale is pretty good (if I remember correctly), and a little more balanced and complex than most wee heavies.  By which I mean less sweet. 

And speaking of Eisbocks, the Aventius Eisbock is pretty gnarly in a good way.

[FreddyKnuckles]

I like most types of beer—IPAs, dark beers, wheat beers, funky beers. As long as it's not really sweet, I'll probably be down. I tend to avoid things that are one note HOPS, but stuff that's really hoppy but balanced with other flavors is great.

yeah Jim's suggestions are way better.

[jess]

Awesome, thanks guys! And Jim, I will totally try those some night when I have no need to remain remotely functional and report back. I have a friend here who will be an excellent companion for that. This place unfortunately is one of the few bars here that I like that's not within walking distance from my place, so either moderation or my friend's sober girlfriend driving us home is required.

[YojimboMonkey]

Traquair Jacobite Ale is pretty good (if I remember correctly), and a little more balanced and complex than most wee heavies.  By which I mean less sweet. 

And speaking of Eisbocks, the Aventius Eisbock is pretty gnarly in a good way.

Yeah I've had the Aventinus, it's good, I'll generally grab one about once a year in the dead of winter 'cause that shit will warm you right up. I haven't had the Kulmbacher.

[Daniel]

Dark beers are hard to find here...let alone GOOD dark beers.  Word on the street is that German beers are cheaper here than domestics, so I'll have to see if I can find some dunkels soon.

You've gotta get to Slow Beer or one of the Purvises. Both have a huge range of excellent international beers.

[justinh]

Thanks for the tip!

I rolled by Slow Beer the other day, and I've heard lots about it.  Unfortunately I don't get to the east much (I'm up in Preston). 

I just discovered the Twisted Vine in West Preston/Thornbury, which is much better than the Bottle-O on the corner, but still somewhat lacking.  You would think that Brunswick or Fitzroy would have a beer nerd store, given their hipster-esque reputations, but no...seems like it's all on the fancy pants east side.