Beer, Beer, Beer, Tiddly-Beer

[Revenant]

So for a while's now I've been interested in home-brewing. Not nearly as long as I've been interested in beer, but it's still something I've been thinking about. Well yesterday I finally got around to sitting in on a class that the local brew shop holds and got started. With my wife being incredibly forbearing, a friend and I now have 5 gallons of Brown Ale fermenting in the water heater closet. Hurray.

Does anyone else home-brew? If not, what types of beer do you all drink, assuming any at all?

I'm in a beer sort of mood.

[Duffy]

I've got a very peculiar palate when it comes to beer, which means I'm very choosy.

The only 'beer' I drink, which people usually take to mean lager, is Coors Light.

Real ale is where it's at, and I'm a bitter man in particular. My favourite mass produced beer is anything from the Brain's Brewery, a welsh brewer - especially the Brain's Dark, or the SA Gold when it's sunny (and when it's chilled to sub-zero, it's divine).

I rather like Cobra and Tsingtao, too, if a curry or Chinese is on the go - just to throw a few about.

[Revenant]

Here in the Good Ole' US of A we call both lagers and ales "beer" so there's that.

Newcastle is my favorite.

[Letho]

All beer tastes like piss. And I tasted a lot of different ones. I never really understood the point of beer, that bittery-ass taste of it. Yeah, not a big beer person here I guess.

[Amber Eyes]

All beer tastes like piss.

I completely agree. Though I did learn in my high school days that once you've been held upside down over a keg a few times you can't taste it at all...

I've always prefered mixed drinks or shots depending on the occasion. Beer was always the backup plan. We actually have a beer festival around here where you can taste all the different kinds but I've never gone.

[Duffy]

Oh, don't get me wrong, I'll drink Australian Shiraz or spirits more often than beer, but not all of it tastes like piss :P.

[Silence Sei]

I'm inclined to agree with Letho and Jess. Beer is horrible, and the closest I'll get to drinking it is Smirnoff (sp?) ice. I'd much rather have a glass of rum, or vodka, or scotch. Mostly rum though.

[Enigmatic Immortal]

Guiness and new castle. I don't think it tastes so bad but that's what makes opinions great. Personally Smirnoff all taste the same to me. But i like chug drinks so take that into consideration.

[Duffy]

Cider is a different story altogether...

Oh Kate's Rocket, how I adore thee!

(9%...)

[Paladin]

Love Killian's Irish Read. Guinness is great to but that stuff fills you up. Seriously, it's like a liquid loaf of bread. Developed a taste for Budweiser because I grew up in the deep south where it's inevitable. Other than that beer is beer and I'll drink just about anything.

[Letho]

Cider is a different story altogether...

Oh Kate's Rocket, how I adore thee!

(9%...)Cider is just about the only form of alcohol that I can drink without feeling like I would retch.

Also, Jim Beam sometimes when I'm in a festive mood. But that's extremely seldom.

[Luned]

I don't really like beer, but I do like Newcastle. If you like cider, try perry. It's pretty much the same thing, but made with pears and way better. (Well, imho.)

[Minako]

Surprised to hear that people don't like beer. I would have thought that if Althanas came together to drink, it would be beer all around. Interesting.

I'm more of a beer person though, my favourite is Alexander Keith's (Canadian). Interestingly, being Canadian, I don't like Molson Canadian. Stella Artois is delicious with burgers, though apparently its super low-class in Europe. Heineken is great too, but the after taste is similar to a good toke of pot. Bruli is a strawberry-flavoured beer (cider?) from... Belgium or Germany, I think. It's delicious - almost seems like a dessert beer.

[Max Dirks]

Well, it's clear now that Sei is, in fact, not a man. It's cool to not drink beer if you drink straight vodka, for example, but not if you drink Smirnoff Ice! For those of you who are anti-beer, I recommend a wheat beer to get you started. They are typically light, and less bitter. Boulevard is my favorite, but you can only pick that up near Kansas City. After you've acquired the taste or at least can tolerate the beer flavor, move to Blue Moon. Savor the orange. After that, beer is just a good cheap way to get drunk.

Boulevard is obviously my favorite light beer. I prefer Yuengling for my lager. And of course, Bud Light or Pabst Blue Ribbon to get hammered quickly.

I guess my favorite alcoholic drink is a tried and true dirty, dry vodka martini. No juice either, real mashed brine olives.

Edit: And Letho, you disappoint me. I figured Croatians knew how to drink. Straight vodka, chased with pickles. For shame, for shame.

[Silence Sei]

As a matter of fact Max, I can drink vodka straight, though I prefer straight rum or Jager bombs. I'm not a beer fan, but the closest I will get to actual beer is Ice, though I don't think that's as good as the harder stuff.

So **** my ****

[Canen Darkflight]

There's a beer here in the UK that's legally only served in half pints called Old Tom. It's called a 'Real ale' for two reasons:

1) It is a smooth, chilled bitter that is not pumped full of carbon dioxide that will make you feel bloated and sick.

2) It will put you in a real coma if you drink more than three pints of it.

Generally when I order this stuff, I order two halves and an empty pint glass, pour the two halves in, and neck it in front of the barman to let him know that in about five minutes, I will have grown an entirely new pubic region.

That, gentlemen, is how we do it when we mean it here in England.

[Minako]

Canen, what do people think of Stella Artois in the UK? Canadians seems to think it's a fancy thing; I've heard otherwise.

[Revenant]

There's a beer here in the UK that's legally only served in half pints called Old Tom. It's called a 'Real ale' for two reasons:

1) It is a smooth, chilled bitter that is not pumped full of carbon dioxide that will make you feel bloated and sick.

2) It will put you in a real coma if you drink more than three pints of it.

Generally when I order this stuff, I order two halves and an empty pint glass, pour the two halves in, and neck it in front of the barman to let him know that in about five minutes, I will have grown an entirely new pubic region.

That, gentlemen, is how we do it when we mean it here in England.

I wish to drink this ...

[Canen Darkflight]

Canen, what do people think of Stella Artois in the UK? Canadians seems to think it's a fancy thing; I've heard otherwise.

We call it "Wifebeater", for self explanatory reasons. Personally, I think it's too gassy to be enjoyable on draught or out of a can, even worse in a bottle, but it's strong stuff and is more often fuel for a fight then an enjoyable beer. There are better lagers, and better lagers for you than Stella in my opinion.

EDIT: Of course, if you are looking to get shit-faced on your own (so you don't start a fight, unless its with a pet or yourself), it's a quick-fix.


I wish to drink this ...

I admire you and your courage.

[Duffy]

Wait a minute...you're from the UK, Canen?

[Canen Darkflight]

Wait a minute...you're from the UK, Canen?

Born and bred. Specifically Manchester, England. The greatest of all student shitholes.

[Max Dirks]

I had an "Old Tom" at a bar here in D.C. Not only was it astronomically priced (like $30 per half pint), it tasted like ringed out rubbing alcohol. But, the 18% alcohol content was nice.

[Duffy]

OH.

MY.

GOD.

NOW WE'RE A TRIO!

Mwhahaha.

I live in North Wales, not far from you, actually.

Oh, I don't feel so alone now, huzzah!

And also - you pussies, try THIS (http://www.brewdog.com/product/tactical-nuclear-penguin). (One very messy party later...jeesh).

[Flames of Hyperion]

Wait a minute...you're from the UK, Canen?

He referred to Stella as Wifebeater. He's the real deal.

Personally I'm a pear cider person, or chuhai when I get back to Japan. I might drink beer (from Continental beers to real ales to that fizzy stuff) / rum / anything fruity. Rare is the occasion that I drink, though - I listen to enough drunken students outside my window on a Friday evening.

[Duffy]

Says...the student :P.

[Canen Darkflight]

I had an "Old Tom" at a bar here in D.C. Not only was it astronomically priced (like $30 per half pint), it tasted like ringed out rubbing alcohol. But, the 18% alcohol content was nice.

In Manchester, we would describe a price like that as being "rubber dicked". I can't possibly describe to you how ridiclous that amount of cash is for what you got. Now, think about this...in a pub not ten minutes away from me, I can get the same product for about $5 (UK equivelent).

Believe me when I tell you that's a dangerous thing, considering we often take about £40 to £50 out with us when we drink.

However, I salute what must be left of your taste buds.


OH.

MY.

GOD.

NOW WE'RE A TRIO!

Mwhahaha.

I live in North Wales, not far from you, actually.

Oh, I don't feel so alone now, huzzah!

I'm glad to hear it. I know a few UK based people on here, but most of them roleplayed with me since school. Nice to meet someone outside of the circle.

Perhaps we should get a UK-American Althanas Drinkers Union together. That way we can all get smashed and feel like it's justified in the interests of American-British relations.

Not that I need justification. Ever.

[Flames of Hyperion]

Says...the student :P.

Touche ^^.

Albeit a postgraduate with a part-time job on the side and an overseas student loan to repay.

[Canen Darkflight]

http://www.brewdog.com/product/tactical-nuclear-penguin

Tactical Nuclear Penguin?

Why have I never had this beer? I must obtain.

[The International]

OH.

MY.

GOD.

NOW WE'RE A TRIO!

Mwhahaha.

I live in North Wales, not far from you, actually.

Oh, I don't feel so alone now, huzzah!

And also - you pussies, try THIS (http://www.brewdog.com/product/tactical-nuclear-penguin). (One very messy party later...jeesh).

I've always been into 'high gravity' beers, but that's... That's a black hole.

[Canen Darkflight]

I've always been into 'high gravity' beers, but that's... That's a black hole.

That's the filling in a coma sandwich, and I want a bite.

[Duffy]

Me and a friend brought one bottle each, vowing to finish it all in one night to celebrate completing University.

It did not end well...

But hey, when you get grades like mine, you need something to burn a hole in your memories!

Canen.

Write with me.

It is fated.

[Canen Darkflight]

Me and a friend brought one bottle each, vowing to finish it all in one night to celebrate completing University.

It did not end well...

But hey, when you get grades like mine, you need something to burn a hole in your memories!

Canen.

Write with me.

It is fated.

This could well be the start of a beautiful friendship.

PM me with any details, and also the phone number of anyone I can get hold of in a drinking related emergency. Like Dominos Pizza.

[Minako]

Perhaps we should get a UK-American Althanas Drinkers Union together. That way we can all get smashed and feel like it's justified in the interests of American-British relations.

Not that I need justification. Ever.

This is a fantastic, fantastic, amazing idea. Worlds colliding.

[Canen Darkflight]

This is a fantastic, fantastic, amazing idea. Worlds colliding.

Really? Wow. Most people just dismiss my ideas as the ramblings of a drunken retard.

Speaking of which, i'm on a stag party tonight. Interesting game called pub golf coming up whereby a 'course' of nine 'holes' (pubs) is selected, a 'par' set (target number of pints consumed) and scorecards printed. The idea is that instead of aiming for a low score, you have to try and get over par. The Salisbury, my favorite pub in Manchester due to its rock and metal roots is a par 4. I think I can probably play maybe a five or six on that one.

Of course you have to be sure not to drop penalty marks for chucking your custard, pissing your pants or selecting a poor song from the jukebox.

[Revenant]

I too would love to get together and share a drink with most of you. It would hopefully be interesting.

BTW, I just added the dry hops to the Brown Ale I mentioned waaaaay back in post #1. Keeping my fingers crossed that I'm not a complete moron on this batch.

*on a side note, bourbon and Barenjaeger make for a very nice sipping drink. Also, I get wordy when tipsy*

[Canen Darkflight]

All beer tastes like piss. And I tasted a lot of different ones. I never really understood the point of beer, that bittery-ass taste of it. Yeah, not a big beer person here I guess.

One exception: Crabbie's Ginger Beer.

It's sex in a pint glass, except you know she's not faking it.