Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

I am in love with this. The variety pack is my camping choice.

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

Tonight I had a Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout.

What a delicious and sweet beer. I highly recommend it.

I also finally got around to trying Old Rasputin a couple of weekends ago. It was great - I loved all the coffee and chocolate flavors it had going on.

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

Currently my favorite scotch for ~$50 a bottle.



Aged in Oak and then Sherry casks, and you notice it. Smooth and sweet with distinct vanilla and fruit flavors. Short, clean finish. Not very smokey at all, which is perfect for the summer months. Highly recommended if you have the cash.

Not recommended for pairing with a cigar due to it's relatively delicate flavors and lack of a strong finish.

Also mixing in:


Got this $30 single malt on sale for $20, and I wish I had bought more at that price. Very smokey up front but quickly gives way to a very sweet fruit flavor (cherry and sugared peaches) with some vanilla. Aged in bourbon, oak, and then sherry casks. Good with a nice cigar. Not sure if I would buy it again at full price. If I want a smokey scotch I can get Laphraoig for about the same price and fill my smoke tank to 11, and NOTHING I've had is better with a cigar than Laphraoig.

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

I'm currently drinking a Schlafly Pumpkin Ale.

Dear god, this stuff is good. Tastes like pumpkin pie. I highly recommend everyone go out and get some of this.

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

Nice! I love that stuff. Had it for the first time last year and really enjoyed it. I think it's in my top 3 Pumpkin beers along with Dogfish Head's Punk'n and Southern Tier's Pumpking. I plan on going to the distributor that actually sells it and grabbing some soon..

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

Fall is my favorite time of the year, and all the pumpkin ales are one of the reasons why. I had Dogfish Head's Punkin Ale for the first time last year, and it's probably my favorite beer overall. I've always wanted Pumpking, but I haven't seen it yet.

This is a picture I took today at the liquor store, and I bought both:

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

Do they sell them at Liquor Barn?

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

I need to find some good pumpkin ale here ... looks as though neither of those make it to the upper midwest. :(

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

Yep, I bought both of these at the Liquor Barn Express on High St, although I know the one at Hamburg has them as well.

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

Totally agreed on Pumpkin beers. The local brewery in Houston, Saint Arnold is remaking one of their one time release specials, an Imperial Pumpking Stout (:drool:) as an annual seasonal starting this year, which makes me very happy.

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

Ooh, that sounds awesome. So far any pumpkin stouts that I've tried haven't lived up to the billing, flavor-wise.

Though, I'm not sure I've ever seen St. Arnold beer, so I'm not sure I'd be able to find it...Maybe we'll tour in Texas in October sometime.

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

I love Old Rasputin. Rasputin was a crazy guy. He was involved with the occult, he was a mystic and a healer, he raped nuns, and was a lady's man, he was hung like a horse, and you couldn't kill the guy.
http://notanotherbeerreview.blogspot...n-russian.html

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

I had the Pumpking recently, pretty good, but I don't drink a lot of pumpkin ales. Did have a 120 minute IPA recently, and that thing was amazing. Can't say I'm a big fan of the 60 or 90, but this was a pleasant surprise.

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

I thought the 60 was a clean and polished IPA....I have a bottle of the 90 I'm about to bust out. I wasn't able to find a bottle of the 120 this year: most of the stores that had it only received like 4 bottles. Crazy stuff.

Anyway, I hear with the 120 you want to either drink it hot off the press or like 5 years down the line. Anything between will leave you with a sugary, sticky, syrupy beer. I guess if it is fresh the hops are bright - between the hops fade but the malts haven't matured - and down the line it becomes more like a barleywine and the malts provide a really nice character to the beer.

So I've heard. The ABV on those is pretty inconsistent, do you know what ABV yours was?

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

I'm of the opinion that there is 0 science in pumpkin beer reviews because it all comes down to what you want and personal preference.

For example:

New Holland Ichabod - very little actual pumpkin, super high in cinnamon and nutmeg. Pumpkin cookie maybe on the back end.

Southern Tier Pumking - Sweet. Cloyingly sweet. This beer is PUMPKIN PIE melted down in stout form. This beer is heavy and sweet. A bomber is way too much for me, and I'm glad I was splitting it. This is absolutely delicious, but like pumpkin pie I only want a small amount.

Sam Adam's Harvest Pumpkin Ale - Really surprised. This was malty, spiced with nutmeg, and had a decent pumpkin backdrop.

Of these three beers I actually thought the Sam Adams was the most balanced. The Ichabod was too spiced. The Pumking was good but I only want 8oz of the stuff, and only if I'm in the mood.

I could actually drink the Sam Adam's with food. That's my preference. I noticed that a lot of people like the sweet pumpkin pie flavor of Pumking. Some people hate spices. I think your best bet to trying pumpkin beer is to get your hands on 3 or 4 different beers and test them out. I'm the guy who only wants one slice of pumpkin pie a year. I love pumpkin pie in small amounts. I'm not getting 2nds or 3rds like I do with pecan pie or apple pie.

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

Wow. I love this beer. I got three bottles that i found at this crazy liquor store in Airdrie, Alberta. It wasn't the largest liquor dome I've been in, but the liquor selection was by far the most diverse. I think they stocked import liquors just for the sake of 'any liquor you want'. The beer selection wasn't anything special but I found the hobgoblins! I've got a glass and bottle gift set that I left in BC, but will be gifting it to one of my lucky friends come christmas.

ohoh oh I love this brew.

got a Tiger in the fridge for later tonight :p I haven't had a singaporean beer since I was in Thailand, 5 years ago.

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

Let us know how that stuff tastes! I have a thing for beer glasses....and I would love to get my hands on Tiger glass. Obligatory:

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

Honestly, the Tiger was a let down.
Have enjoyed Stella and Hobgoblins this weekend.

Also on friday I picked up this, quite enjoyable. Last of the store's stock.

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

Let's see. Is anyone into smoked beers or "Rauchbiers" as they're known? I've been enjoying those recently. A good one tastes like eating bacon around a bonfire.

This one is good.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/263/1324

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

I've had a few Rauchbiers. Beer drinking is making me more worldly, learning all the German, Belgian, and English beer terminology.

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

No idea. It was on tap at the local beer shop, same one who had Pliny the Elder the other day. So delicious.

I had one of those a while back. Took one sip and poured the rest down the drain. I hate smoked beers, which is a bit odd, since I drink scotch (and Laphroaig at that).

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

I thin it depends on how the smoke is used and works with other flavors. I'm a fan of Laphroaig as well, but I shy away from other peat-monsters. I think it's that it's not very sweet and the mix of smoke with the briny, ocean notes that that I enjoy so much in Lap. But smoke paired with just peach or honey flavors? Blech..

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

So, I finally got around to buying another batch of kefir. Takes about 2-3 brew turnovers before they really start to multiply again.

Anyway, ginger apple beer! I like using raisins as well, in the second filtered brew.

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

Had to revive this thread because I just bought one of the holy grails of beer, Westvleteren XII on 12-12-12. This is the first time it's been available in the US and potentially the last time. The monks needed renovations for their roof! Hefty price at $85 for a six-pack and two glasses. But I may give 3-4 bottle to friends at face value and drink the last 2-3. For a beer lover, I figured I'd give in for the once in a life-time opportunity.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/12/12/166987378/a-sign-from-above-needing-new-roof-monks-sell-rare-beer-in-u-s?utm_source=NPR&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=20121211

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

This thread just reminded me how depressed I am that I didn't get any Dogfish Head Punk'n Ale this year. It's my favorite beer, and every time I went to the store they were sold out. Never was able to locate any. :(

I'm thinking about asking my wife for some scotch for Christmas...any recommendations?

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

Yeah, Dogfish Punk'n went quick around these parts, and I basically live in Delaware where Dogfish is from and it never seems to run out...Only got two four packs of it this year...Had it on draft a couple of times too. The pumpkin beer season just starts too early in my opinion. I'd rather still be drinking pumpkin beers now then August 15th.

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

I drank a lot of these
this season. Better than the Rickards Cardigan but hard to better the St Ambroise pumpkin ale.

ahhh

So I've been making lots of herbal tinctures, which has subsequently comprised about 90% of my alcohol intake.

mmm everclear echinacia and gingko with ginger tea. the burnn!

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

I've been loving Maker's 46. All the flavor notes of a good bourbon, but with the complexity of a scotch. The age it charred oak barrels, just like any bourbon, but then add charred oak staves. The result is sweet and spicy.

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

Thinking about making Mulled Wine for an end of days/holiday party this Friday. Anyone have experience with that, or a recipe they'd recommend?

I've never had it before, but you can only read so many Fantasy Novels that take place in cold climates before you start wanting to emulate their lifestyle in reality. I've already taken to growing a beard and having unprotected sex...

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

I've done some mulled wine before. No really crazy recipe, just the basic ones I've found online. Red wine, orange wedges/zest, cinnamon sticks, cloves, ground ginger, a little honey. Make sure you don't boil it, that's about it.

Mulled wine is definitely nice this time of year.

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

Mulled wine is awesome. It's hard to fuck up....just drop a bunch of holiday flavored shit in some wine and heat it up.

Germy, how was the Westy 12?

Closest I've had was the St. Bernardus Abt 12, which is supposedly the same recipe without the Monk magic. Seems like the Westy 12 and Rochefort 10 duke it out for top dog.

You can age that shit too, like wine. It should hold up nicely and peak around 2 to 3 years, but people have held onto similar beers for longer.

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

Yeah, I haven't dipped into the Westy 12 yet...I'm selling some bottles to some friends, and we might all drink it together sometime in the coming weeks.

You're right, a lot of people argue that the Westvleteren 12 isn't all that different from St. Bernardus, but I figured I'd take a shot at a once in a lifetime opportunity to have it. I don't except it to be life changing, but it better be damn good.

I'm definitely going to age a bottle or two of it as well..

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

I love mulled wine. I have a great recipe for Yulgloog, a Norwegian spiced wine that will FUCK YOU UP. I make large batches, bottle, and age it. Gets better after it rests a few months or years.

1 gallon burgundy
1 gallon port
1 bottle 750 ml Brandy, Aquavit, or Cognac (I prefer Cognac).
4 cups of sugar
4 oranges, juiced and zested
handful of cinnamon stick
handful of cardamom
handful of clove
2 cups blanched almonds
1 cup currants
1 cup cranberries
1 cup dried cherries
One stick lighter

Empty liquids into a pot, reserving 1/2 bottle of brandy/liquor
Bring to LOW covered simmer (I often put 1/2 the pot on the burner to be sure)
Once warm, tie all spice/zest into a cheesecloth ball and dunk in the pot to steep
Put sugar in a pan with high sides with the reserved liquor on medium heat
Once the sugar begins to dissolve, LIGHT THAT FUCKER UP (the fire caramelizes he sugar)
Once the sugar mixtures is a deep caramel color, empty into the pot and let the entire mixture steep, while covered (save the alcohol) for 30-60 minutes depending on taste.
Serve in a teacup with a cinnamon stick and orange peel. This WILL fuck you up, so watch out.
Recommendation: Make this a week ahead of time to let the flavors mellow. This can taste like cough medicine right out of the pot, but is incredible once rested.

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

NICE! I will try and make a batch of this to let rest, while I make a less complicated one for this weekend's party. Thanks!

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

Had a discussion with my friends earlier over what mixes best with eggnog, wanted to hear suggestions and the likes.

We've narrowed it down to anything.. but seems like rum, whiskey and brandy are the top picks online

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

I've made a killer aged eggnog for the last few years that calls for mostly Bourbon, and roughly equal parts dark rum + cognac. Of course tons of egg yolks, sugar, cream and milk. It ends up being about 20% alcohol and you can drink it up to a year or two after it's made. It's good stuff.

Re: the "post your thoughts/review on the alcohol you have been drinking" /thread
 

FYI - If you want to make smaller batches, this is a the closest traditional recipe I could find:

http://www.georgetowner.com/articles...12/yule-glogg/