It appears as though this blog has developed a bit of an international following! Thanks to Blogger's dashboards, I see that a particular post, "Drinking Update" has invited many comments, most of which I cannot read. Those that are in English seem to decry my stances on New Belgium brewery and certain trends in the micro breweries.
Two years, later, I'd like to revisit my drinking habits. In the intervening years I got a lucrative job then quit, so I'm in about the same financial position I was when I wrote the first drinking update - with limited cash flow. This fact, however, has not prevented me from nurturing my expensive tastes.
Still living in Wisconsin and the micro breweries continue to flourish. My excitement for Capital and New Glarus, however, has waned. There is a new favorite brewery in town, Lake Louie, from Arena, WI. Across the board, Lake Louie's beers are blowing the competition out of the water. Tommy's Porter, what I consider to be their flagship beer, is thick, rich and smooth; the best porter around. Their other darker beers - Warp Speed Scotch Ale and the seasonal Mr. Mephisto's Imperial Stout - deserve mention and a try, if you can get them. Like many Wisconsin microbreweries, you can only find Lake Louie in Dairyland. The last jewel in King Louie's crown in the Arena Premium, an American Pale ale whose combination of hoppiness and drinkability makes in stand out, albeit not in a crowded field.
Seriously, if you're coming anywhere near Wisconsin, the beer here is worth the detour. The drinking culture remains strong.
I've taken a liking to tequila. That is all I feel obligated to state.
Which brings me to my true love - whiskey. Bulleit Bourbon is still king around here. Honestly, for the price, I don't think there is a better bourbon around. The discovery of 1.75 liter bottles of Bulleit has been both a blessing and a curse - the saving over three handles equates to a free fifth. While a great whiskey, and value, Bulleit is not the smoothest of drinks. Since Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey is no longer available at bars, when I need to celebrate with a bourbon I'll upgrade to Booker's or Blanton's.
Beware: Bourbon is a gateway whiskey. That, and the fact that my buddy Snacky has gotten me to enjoy cigars, has led me to start drinking single malt scotch. After sampling whiskys from Laphroig 10 year, to the Macallan 12 year and Glenmorangie 10, I've settled on the Oban 14 to be my single malt of choice. When I make it back across the pond, I'm definitely going to Scotland. My friend Jamie has assured me that I would love Edinbourgh and I want to do a distillery tour very badly.
I have yet to do the Bourbon trail. My guess is that won't happen for a few years, which is unfortunate. I will, however, soon be going to California, and a day in Sonoma or Napa is definitely on the agenda. More on that in an upcoming post.
To the haters - New Belgium has grown on me with the introduction of the Ranger IPA (what? did I just admit to liking an "overly hopped" beer?) and my discover of their 1554. But I maintain that O'Dell is the better Fort Collins brewery. I'll also maintain that there are a lot of ho-hum micro breweries out there. I appreciate the experimental nature of them, but there is a new paradigm and making an array of beers that is than MGD 64 and its ilk isn't going to cut it anymore. And just because your beer is hoppy enough to make a lemon pucker doesn't necessarily make it good. Avery Brewing Company's Maharaja is a great example of what an Imperial IPA should be: bitter yet fluid, highly alcoholic without an overly warm mouth feel. As I'm going to tell my children and grandchildren: Nobody gives you a medal for drinking beer with a high IBU count.
Til next time, check out Three Sheets, a travel show about drinking customs around the world.
Cheers, na zdravi and salut!
Friday, February 3, 2012
Saturday, February 12, 2011
travel mode upcoming
Destination: Colorado, USA
Mission: find fresh powder
Submission: get Stu sauced every night
Heading back to Colorado to ski and hang out with some buddies. Three days on the slopes, two nights on the town. Should be a bit different that last time, when I went to Vail for some spring skiing. With any luck, there will be some snow falling while I'm out there. As usual, look for beer updates, I can't find O'Dells anywhere where I live so there will be plenty of that being drunk.
Mission: find fresh powder
Submission: get Stu sauced every night
Heading back to Colorado to ski and hang out with some buddies. Three days on the slopes, two nights on the town. Should be a bit different that last time, when I went to Vail for some spring skiing. With any luck, there will be some snow falling while I'm out there. As usual, look for beer updates, I can't find O'Dells anywhere where I live so there will be plenty of that being drunk.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The Hurricane Andrea
It seems like forever, but I'm finally traveling again, this time to the shores of South Florida. Insert obligatory Will Smith reference here.
Yes, I am traveling for work, but that doesn't mean I won't enjoy myself. In fact, I have reason to believe that this trip will be very, very worth it, and not just for the "invaluable experience I will get by seeing how people use our software in a day to day setting." (Aside: the health care industry's transition to digital would go so much smoother if they could teach their employees to touch type. They could probably see about 12 more patients if they didn't hunt and peck.
Anyways, I digress. The trip was kicked off well when I got upgraded to first class on my flight. Only once before, on my flight from Chicago to Munich on Lufthansa, did I receive such great treatment. Now that Seinfeld episode finally makes sense. All the Glenlivet I could drink, a complimentary blue cheese and barbecue chicken salad, and chairs with so much leg room you don't even have to move an inch to let the person *singular* out into the aisle.
Today, I worked for about 11 hours, then went to dinner at a place called Sugarcane Raw Bar and Grill. Right now it is "Miami Spice" where you can get a prix fixe menu at many posh restaurants for $35 on weeknights. This place was listed on there, but I soon found out that the prix fixe was not the way to go. Sugarcane is a tapas place/raw bar. You order things one by one and get a variety of dishes. If you are ever near there I highly recommend the place. 1) Bacon wrapped dates. Incredibly delicious, a bit sweet and very savory, it was recommended by my server as their most popular dish and with good reason. 2) it is a very sexy place. All the patrons and even the staff are extremely good looking. Not a fugly person in the place, although that could just be that part of Miami 3) the Hurricane Andrea, emphasis on the second syllable.
This warrants further explanation. So my buddy Erik spends some time in the US Virgin Islands, since his dad lives there part time, and is always talking about Cruzan Rum. I have often thought about visiting him, but never made it and as a lover of booze, thought many times about this Cruzan stuff. So, now, in Miami they have it everywhere and the bar at Sugarcane had several cocktails with Cruzan in it. Part two: my favorite drink at my favorite bar is the Genna's Jameson Jack Kerouac. Ice, ginger beer, Jameson, bitters, lime. When Gosling's rum is substituted it is known as the Dark and Stormy, so I thought I might try a Cruzan "lightless and tempestuous" (the name "dark and stormy" is actually owned by Gosling's). However, Sugarcane does not have ginger beer at its bar. What it does have though, is a drink called the Ishikari, which features Sapporo beer muddled with fresh ginger, so I let Andrea, my bartender and server, use that instead and make me a drink with Cruzan. Later we discussed how well it had turned out when she suggested that some simple syrup might help take the place of the sweetness of "ginger beer" and it could also be made with Cruzan dark rum instead of light. I had to try it. Turns out, it is excellent. Basically, it is a Dark and stormy made from scratch, with Cruzan Rum. I came up with the brilliant idea of naming it a "Hurricane Andrea". For those of you who did not live in Florida in the early/mid '90s, allow me to explain why this name works on so many levels.
I. A hurricane is "Dark and stormy"
II. I was drinking this in Miami and
IIa. my bartender's name was Andrea. Again, emphasis on the second syllable.
Back to the history lesson: Hurricane Andrew was, in economic terms, the most devastating hurricane in the United States before Katrina (and still to this day the most devastating in Florida). At least Andrea appreciated it. Now all we have to do is find a restaurant to sell our drink to. So, I present the "Hurricane Andrea"
1. Muddle ginger with Cruzan Dark rum and simple syrup in a tall Sapporo glass.
2. Add ice and Sapporo beer
3. Add dash of bitters and garnish with two lime wedges.
4. Stir.
Yes, I am traveling for work, but that doesn't mean I won't enjoy myself. In fact, I have reason to believe that this trip will be very, very worth it, and not just for the "invaluable experience I will get by seeing how people use our software in a day to day setting." (Aside: the health care industry's transition to digital would go so much smoother if they could teach their employees to touch type. They could probably see about 12 more patients if they didn't hunt and peck.
Anyways, I digress. The trip was kicked off well when I got upgraded to first class on my flight. Only once before, on my flight from Chicago to Munich on Lufthansa, did I receive such great treatment. Now that Seinfeld episode finally makes sense. All the Glenlivet I could drink, a complimentary blue cheese and barbecue chicken salad, and chairs with so much leg room you don't even have to move an inch to let the person *singular* out into the aisle.
Today, I worked for about 11 hours, then went to dinner at a place called Sugarcane Raw Bar and Grill. Right now it is "Miami Spice" where you can get a prix fixe menu at many posh restaurants for $35 on weeknights. This place was listed on there, but I soon found out that the prix fixe was not the way to go. Sugarcane is a tapas place/raw bar. You order things one by one and get a variety of dishes. If you are ever near there I highly recommend the place. 1) Bacon wrapped dates. Incredibly delicious, a bit sweet and very savory, it was recommended by my server as their most popular dish and with good reason. 2) it is a very sexy place. All the patrons and even the staff are extremely good looking. Not a fugly person in the place, although that could just be that part of Miami 3) the Hurricane Andrea, emphasis on the second syllable.
This warrants further explanation. So my buddy Erik spends some time in the US Virgin Islands, since his dad lives there part time, and is always talking about Cruzan Rum. I have often thought about visiting him, but never made it and as a lover of booze, thought many times about this Cruzan stuff. So, now, in Miami they have it everywhere and the bar at Sugarcane had several cocktails with Cruzan in it. Part two: my favorite drink at my favorite bar is the Genna's Jameson Jack Kerouac. Ice, ginger beer, Jameson, bitters, lime. When Gosling's rum is substituted it is known as the Dark and Stormy, so I thought I might try a Cruzan "lightless and tempestuous" (the name "dark and stormy" is actually owned by Gosling's). However, Sugarcane does not have ginger beer at its bar. What it does have though, is a drink called the Ishikari, which features Sapporo beer muddled with fresh ginger, so I let Andrea, my bartender and server, use that instead and make me a drink with Cruzan. Later we discussed how well it had turned out when she suggested that some simple syrup might help take the place of the sweetness of "ginger beer" and it could also be made with Cruzan dark rum instead of light. I had to try it. Turns out, it is excellent. Basically, it is a Dark and stormy made from scratch, with Cruzan Rum. I came up with the brilliant idea of naming it a "Hurricane Andrea". For those of you who did not live in Florida in the early/mid '90s, allow me to explain why this name works on so many levels.
I. A hurricane is "Dark and stormy"
II. I was drinking this in Miami and
IIa. my bartender's name was Andrea. Again, emphasis on the second syllable.
Back to the history lesson: Hurricane Andrew was, in economic terms, the most devastating hurricane in the United States before Katrina (and still to this day the most devastating in Florida). At least Andrea appreciated it. Now all we have to do is find a restaurant to sell our drink to. So, I present the "Hurricane Andrea"
1. Muddle ginger with Cruzan Dark rum and simple syrup in a tall Sapporo glass.
2. Add ice and Sapporo beer
3. Add dash of bitters and garnish with two lime wedges.
4. Stir.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Drinking Update
After spending several months sampling the best of European drinking traditions, I'm back to good old 'Mmmerican drinking.
ok, so not completely true, I found out that a liquor store near me carries Paulaner Oktoberfest, which I bought out of curiosity (an expensive curiosity at $10.99 a sixer) and have deemed a) not as good as their German stuff (duh) and b) not worth it (double duh). Aside: at the same liquor store I happened upon several bottles of Kilbeggan's Irish Whisky, the "last independent distillery in all of Ireland" brand I bought in the Dublin airport duty-free store. The woman who was giving out samples assured me I wouldn't find it in the States. I feel had, although I didn't check the price here in the states. That'll teach me to buy anything from an airport ever again.
So even though I can't really afford it, I've been buying the best booze America has to offer: microbrews and bourbon. I've taken to Bulleit for a bourbon, which is both reasonably priced and very good. Also, it is a killer, as I learned on New Years. (Stu, if you're reading, you should try a Sazerac rye whiskey and ginger next time).
For the microbrews, I've been drinking a lot of Bell's from Kalamazoo, MI and Capital Brewery in Middleton, WI. Specifically, the Bell's Two-Hearted Ale and the Wisconsin Amber. My friend Glenn likes to make the joke that "American beer is like having sex in a canoe - it's fucking close to water." Granted, I think he had only ever had Keystone Light at that time (and still prefers Malibu to beer), but the microbrewery explosion really has helped out American beer. Unfortunately, microbreweries have seized upon Yuppie dollars are pumping out a lot of watery ales and unpleasantly hoppy IPAs, but there really are some good beers out there, especially in my neck of the woods. Wisconsin brewing tradition certainly has produced some good little outfits. If you're lucky enough to live outside of Wisconsin but can get your hands on some New Glarus or Capital, do it, by all means, even send me the bill if you don't like it.
All I have left to do is lament that I can't find one of my own favorite breweries in Madison - O'Dells, from Fort Collins, CO. Everybody in the country is now inundated with New Belgium beers, also from Fort Collins, but in my opinion the wrong one got foisted upon us. I'm sure that O'Dells decided to keep operations small, while the phonies at New Belgium aggressively pursued expansion to other markets (they preach sustainability, yet truck their brew hundreds of miles away). All I have to say is that Fat Tire is an OK amber, while O'Dells 90 Shilling ale rivals even my Wisconsin Amber from Capital.
I will step off my soapbox now, time to play team trivia.
ok, so not completely true, I found out that a liquor store near me carries Paulaner Oktoberfest, which I bought out of curiosity (an expensive curiosity at $10.99 a sixer) and have deemed a) not as good as their German stuff (duh) and b) not worth it (double duh). Aside: at the same liquor store I happened upon several bottles of Kilbeggan's Irish Whisky, the "last independent distillery in all of Ireland" brand I bought in the Dublin airport duty-free store. The woman who was giving out samples assured me I wouldn't find it in the States. I feel had, although I didn't check the price here in the states. That'll teach me to buy anything from an airport ever again.
So even though I can't really afford it, I've been buying the best booze America has to offer: microbrews and bourbon. I've taken to Bulleit for a bourbon, which is both reasonably priced and very good. Also, it is a killer, as I learned on New Years. (Stu, if you're reading, you should try a Sazerac rye whiskey and ginger next time).
For the microbrews, I've been drinking a lot of Bell's from Kalamazoo, MI and Capital Brewery in Middleton, WI. Specifically, the Bell's Two-Hearted Ale and the Wisconsin Amber. My friend Glenn likes to make the joke that "American beer is like having sex in a canoe - it's fucking close to water." Granted, I think he had only ever had Keystone Light at that time (and still prefers Malibu to beer), but the microbrewery explosion really has helped out American beer. Unfortunately, microbreweries have seized upon Yuppie dollars are pumping out a lot of watery ales and unpleasantly hoppy IPAs, but there really are some good beers out there, especially in my neck of the woods. Wisconsin brewing tradition certainly has produced some good little outfits. If you're lucky enough to live outside of Wisconsin but can get your hands on some New Glarus or Capital, do it, by all means, even send me the bill if you don't like it.
All I have left to do is lament that I can't find one of my own favorite breweries in Madison - O'Dells, from Fort Collins, CO. Everybody in the country is now inundated with New Belgium beers, also from Fort Collins, but in my opinion the wrong one got foisted upon us. I'm sure that O'Dells decided to keep operations small, while the phonies at New Belgium aggressively pursued expansion to other markets (they preach sustainability, yet truck their brew hundreds of miles away). All I have to say is that Fat Tire is an OK amber, while O'Dells 90 Shilling ale rivals even my Wisconsin Amber from Capital.
I will step off my soapbox now, time to play team trivia.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Gchat with my buddy Schmitty
me: ok
I'm somewhat considering just saying "fuck it" and going somewhere far away for a year or something
Schmitty: do it
ricky williams did
and look at him now
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Bid it up!
I sense I have begun to develop a bit of an addiction lately. After pretty much never having used it before, I've tried it five or so times since I've been home and I even use it when I don't particularly need it. Of course, I'm talking about John Donahoe's company eBay.
It all started when I needed a new charger for my laptop after mine almost started a fire in Europe. Next, was the search for the now discontinued Polaroid film. Polaroids have become a novelty again, ironically, and economics 101 has correctly predicted that the dwindling supply of unused film now translates into ridiculous prices. some packs of film, i.e. 10 exposures, are going for $30. I ended up bidding on four packs of film with a camera included and I won, but at what cost? $80. So now I have 40 exposures of film that has expired a few months ago. We'll see how this all turns out. Then I found an awesome seersucker suit from J.Crew to wear to my friend Denton's Southern shindig wedding, but lost, and made up for it by buying a vintage polo. And capped it off recently by buying a ray-ban sunglasses case to replace the one I lost. So there you have it, my second most expensive "addiction", after alcoholism.
It all started when I needed a new charger for my laptop after mine almost started a fire in Europe. Next, was the search for the now discontinued Polaroid film. Polaroids have become a novelty again, ironically, and economics 101 has correctly predicted that the dwindling supply of unused film now translates into ridiculous prices. some packs of film, i.e. 10 exposures, are going for $30. I ended up bidding on four packs of film with a camera included and I won, but at what cost? $80. So now I have 40 exposures of film that has expired a few months ago. We'll see how this all turns out. Then I found an awesome seersucker suit from J.Crew to wear to my friend Denton's Southern shindig wedding, but lost, and made up for it by buying a vintage polo. And capped it off recently by buying a ray-ban sunglasses case to replace the one I lost. So there you have it, my second most expensive "addiction", after alcoholism.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Dammit, and Unscathed
my documentary about Dartmouth Cross Country is apparently too long for youtube.
In other news, last weekend a glass pie plate exploded about two feet in front of me on the stove. Luckily the only injury was from when I stepped on a shard after I reflexively lifted my leg up in what I assume was a move to protect my gonads. The episode still has my mom, who was also in the kitchen at the time, freaked and she is now absurdly considering switching to metal pie plates as a result (just don't put a glass pie plate on an electric range that is still ON).
In other news, last weekend a glass pie plate exploded about two feet in front of me on the stove. Luckily the only injury was from when I stepped on a shard after I reflexively lifted my leg up in what I assume was a move to protect my gonads. The episode still has my mom, who was also in the kitchen at the time, freaked and she is now absurdly considering switching to metal pie plates as a result (just don't put a glass pie plate on an electric range that is still ON).
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Now I just need to fill the other 6 nights
My new friday night is Genna's Cocktail Lounge. Not that I haven't spend Fridays at Genna's before, but ever since my buddy JP moved away it's been just a little different. However, I've been the past three weeks and each time has been a success, even when I decide to just up and go by myself. It helps that I know one of the bartenders and my friend Brent works as a doorman/barback, but I've run into people I know from my past life each time I've been.
Blah blah blah, it's nice not to drink alone anymore.
In other news I feel like I'm playing Oregon Trail or something; I've been only mildly successful at fending off cougar attacks. She had a house. Wow.
Blah blah blah, it's nice not to drink alone anymore.
In other news I feel like I'm playing Oregon Trail or something; I've been only mildly successful at fending off cougar attacks. She had a house. Wow.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
A mini trip around the (cultures and cuisines of the) world
A few weekends ago I went on a whirlwind trip around the State Fair grounds convention hall, sampling food and shopping for purportedly authentic trinkets from around the world.
The occasion: the annual Holiday Folk Fair, made extra special by the fact that I hadn't been since I was in High School and it was my grandmother's 87th birthday.
This is a family tradition - my Grandma has been going for at least 30 years. It features food and shopping booths sponsored by ethnic group societies and such. Some groups present include the Bavarians, Czechs, Chinese, Egyptians, Thai, Native Americans and Mexicans.
The Folk Fair is a shell of its former self, many of the best food booths have disappeared (the old grannies are too old to cook anymore) or are catered instead of featuring homemade goods, but there is still tasty stuff to be found for adventurous eaters. Considering that half of my mom's family was there, it also helped that they serve 24 oz beers, with no apparent limit.
There was a cool photography exhibition, of astronomical effects as seen from Earth. I really liked how it showed how outer space looks from (and in relation to) vantage points here on earth. I also babysat my mom's cousin's kid Johnny. Johnny is about 4 or 5 but wicked smart. We tried playing chess and while it took some prodding to make him make legal moves, his understanding of some of the basic principles of the game was impressive.
The coolest thing was seeing some of the very things I had eaten in Europe during my trip. I could pronounce the names of the dishes at the Czech and Slovakian booths (but didn't eat them, since I'd had better not too long ago).
The occasion: the annual Holiday Folk Fair, made extra special by the fact that I hadn't been since I was in High School and it was my grandmother's 87th birthday.
This is a family tradition - my Grandma has been going for at least 30 years. It features food and shopping booths sponsored by ethnic group societies and such. Some groups present include the Bavarians, Czechs, Chinese, Egyptians, Thai, Native Americans and Mexicans.
The Folk Fair is a shell of its former self, many of the best food booths have disappeared (the old grannies are too old to cook anymore) or are catered instead of featuring homemade goods, but there is still tasty stuff to be found for adventurous eaters. Considering that half of my mom's family was there, it also helped that they serve 24 oz beers, with no apparent limit.
There was a cool photography exhibition, of astronomical effects as seen from Earth. I really liked how it showed how outer space looks from (and in relation to) vantage points here on earth. I also babysat my mom's cousin's kid Johnny. Johnny is about 4 or 5 but wicked smart. We tried playing chess and while it took some prodding to make him make legal moves, his understanding of some of the basic principles of the game was impressive.
The coolest thing was seeing some of the very things I had eaten in Europe during my trip. I could pronounce the names of the dishes at the Czech and Slovakian booths (but didn't eat them, since I'd had better not too long ago).
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