The Finer Things In Life

[FlaSoxxJim]

Just because I love you Jim...

 

http://www.binnys.com/spirits/Luxardo_Mara...eur_125511.html

 

Thank you. I'm trying to avoid the insane $15 shipping charge on a single bottle if I can get the Old Man to drive one down with me, but, yeah, mail order is my lest recourse otherwise.

[southsider2k5]

Thank you. I'm trying to avoid the insane $15 shipping charge on a single bottle if I can get the Old Man to drive one down with me, but, yeah, mail order is my lest recourse otherwise.

 

They have Binny's all over the place in Chicago. There has got to be one close to him.

[NorthSideSox72]

This year I'm trying to conquer the task of drinking about 100 beers I've never had before. Here's how my list is going so far:

 

Xingu Black Beer

Rogue Dead Guy Ale

New Belgium Fat Tire

Sweetwater Blue

Newcastle Brown Ale

Woodchuck Amber

Guinness Draught

Killian's Irish Red

Rolling Rock

Shiner Bock

Kelpie Seaweed Ale

Harp Lager

 

My favorites have probably been the Xingu, Sweetwater Blue, and Newcastle. Though, I haven't had one I didn't like. I need to step up my game. At this rate I'll only get about half way, but that's fine since I'm a poor college student that shouldn't be buying these expensive beers anyway.

 

Kelpie Seaweed Ale? What was that like?

 

 

[FlaSoxxJim]

They have Binny's all over the place in Chicago. There has got to be one close to him.

 

Excellent! Thanks!

[FlaSoxxJim]

My favorites have probably been the Xingu, Sweetwater Blue, and Newcastle. Though, I haven't had one I didn't like. I need to step up my game. At this rate I'll only get about half way, but that's fine since I'm a poor college student that shouldn't be buying these expensive beers anyway.

 

Yeah, the Killian's and Rolling Rock may just break the bank.

 

Seriously, there are some good beers on that list and good luck to you crossing many more off the to do list (tough job!).

 

NSS, the Kelpie is actually a very nice malt-accented and very smooth traditional ale, and you wouldn't know there was seaweed in the mix if they didn't tell you. It's a Scottish Gruit /Ancient Herbed Ale produced by the well-regarded Craigmill Brewery in Scotland, so knowing your affinity for Scottish ales I'd recommend it as one for you to seek out.

Edited October 7, 2009 by FlaSoxxJim

[dasox24]

Yeah, the Killian's and Rolling Rock may just break the bank.

 

Seriously, there are some good beer on that list and good luck to you crossing many more of the to do list (tough job!).

 

NSS, the Kelpie is actually a very nice malt-accented and very smooth traditional ale, and you wouldn't know there was seaweed in the mix if they didn't tell you. It's a Scottish Gruit /Ancient Herbed Ale produced by the well-regarded Craigmill Brewery in Scotland, so knowing your affinity for Scottish ales I'd recommend it as one for you to seek out.

Wow, well put. Much better than I would have said it...

 

And thanks, I'll keep the list updated as the year goes on.

[FlaSoxxJim]

Sonuvab****. . . I just went through five limes in less than three hours. . . And I've only mixed three drinks!!

 

Maybe the Mrs. will go get me some more limes.

 

[FlaSoxxJim]

Who here can give me a first hand review of the In Fine Spirits Bar at 5418 N. Clark? It looks like it's been open less than 2 years (there was an Andersonville wine shop before that), but it sure looks like they take their drinks seriously. Cask ale, housemade falernum, agricole rhum daiquiris and Demerara rum cocktails, authentic sazarac cocktails and even Victorian-style fountain absinthe service. I want to go!

[G&T]

I want to try absinthe, but I have some block that makes me believe that something strange will happen. Anyone ever try it?

[FlaSoxxJim]

I want to try absinthe, but I have some block that makes me believe that something strange will happen. Anyone ever try it?

 

Rex is the closest thing on this site to an afficianado (sp?) . . . had it in Europe when it was still illegal here and enjoyed the experience. The wormwood stuff is all blown waaay out of proportion, and there was not a lot of factual evidence behind its ill effects and it never should have been banned.

 

I've tried a couple of brands since its reintroduction, and done traditional style with sugar and lots of cold still water it is an interesting change of pace. It's a seriously strong licorice flavored drink and I have a very low tolerance threshold for strong licorice flavors, so I need it cut way back with water and sugar.

[G&T]

Yeah I hate licorice flavor. Tough call. My fiance had, I think, in England a while back. She hates the flavor so it doesn't seem like a sell to her.

[FlaSoxxJim]

At the same time. . . there's something so mysterious and ritualistic and seemingly illicit what with the abisinthe fountain and the slotted spoos and whatnot.

 

 

Also, the louche effect is just plain cool — adding water to the bright clear green to tarnsform it into the cloudy pale green of the done up drink is wicked.

 

When I use Pernod (basically abisinthe without the wormwood) in cocktails I literally add it using an eye dropper — exactly 6 drops in a dark rum cocktail, and any more than that gives it too much licorice flavor for my liking. So you know I'm not a huge licorice fan but still am intrigued enough with the abisinthe to remain open to it.

[G&T]

I wonder if they sell small bottles of the stuff. It looks pricey.

[FlaSoxxJim]

Most bottles are in the $40-75 range here, so yeah, probably better to mooch off a pretentious friend.

[Dick Allen]

I want to try absinthe, but I have some block that makes me believe that something strange will happen. Anyone ever try it?

They have it around but its not the original stuff. Even in Amsterdam its not the original. You have to go to Prague I believe to get it. I've heard its effects are overblown and I've heard you do really strange things hopped up on it.

[FlaSoxxJim]

They have it around but its not the original stuff. Even in Amsterdam its not the original. You have to go to Prague I believe to get it. I've heard its effects are overblown and I've heard you do really strange things hopped up on it.

 

That's not true anymore. Prior to 2007, that was absolutely the case, and products like Pernod's "Pernod" (without the specific "Absinthe" designation) were all that was available — essentially absinthe without the wormwood and therefore without the compound thujone that was supposedly the harmful component of the spirit. But starting in the early 2000s and finally in the US in 2007, nearly all the laws banning the sale and/or production of wormwood-containing absinthe were repealed. There are undoubtedly changes and modernizations in the way the spirit is produced now compared to how it was done prior to the (1915) ban, but of course that is the case with every manufactured product.

 

[apologies in advance, because I'm going to geek out on you now. . . ]

 

The persistent belief that the postban products labeled "Absinthe" and available now are fundamentally different/less potent/less toxic, etc., was challenged in a 2008 scientific study by Lachenmeier et al. published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry that performed chemical analysis of vintage preban absinthe as well as the modern products and the results indicated no discernible differences in the products:

 

ABSTRACT

 

Thirteen samples of authentic absinthe dating from the preban era (i.e., prior to 1915) were analyzed for parameters that were hypothesized as contributing to the toxicity of the spirit, including naturally occurring herbal essences (thujone, pinocamphone, fenchone), methanol, higher alcohols, copper, and antimony. The total thujone content of preban absinthe was found to range between 0.5 and 48.3 mg/L, with an average concentration of 25.4 ± 20.3 mg/L and a median concentration of 33.3 mg/L. The authors conclude that the thujone concentration of preban absinthe was generally overestimated in the past. The analysis of postban (1915–1988) and modern commercial absinthes (2003–2006) showed that the encompassed thujone ranges of all absinthes are quite similar, disproving the supposition that a fundamental difference exists between preban and modern absinthes manufactured according to historical recipes. Analyses of pinocamphone, fenchone, base spirits, copper, and antimony were inconspicuous. All things considered, nothing besides ethanol was found in the absinthes that was able to explain the syndrome “absinthism”.

Edited October 9, 2009 by FlaSoxxJim

[G&T]

Back off the wagon. I've been pretty sober lately due to a really bad cold. Today I have an Oskar Blues Old Chub scotch ale. It's a perfectly dreary day for a robust beer like this one. The 8% is getting to me very quickly, however.

 

I also have a sixer of Victory Moonglow, and the Stingo. I'm slowly getting to it.

[FlaSoxxJim]

I'm quick to dismiss the majority of Bacardi products, and most of them really are pretty awful. But their 8 year Ron Reserva Superior is really very good. I've had a taste for cocktails showcasing good Puerto Rican rums the last two weeks or so, and the Bacardi 8 is putting its best legs forward in everything I use it in. Anybody here that is in the rut of using Bacardi Gold as the only gold rum in your bar, spend a few extra bucks next time around and get a bottle of the 8 year and you'll have a hard time going back to the big jug of Gold.

[hogan873]

I picked up a 6-pack of O'Fallon Pumpkin Beer this weekend. Wow. Probably the best pumpkin beer around, IMO.

[FlaSoxxJim]

I picked up a 6-pack of O'Fallon Pumpkin Beer this weekend. Wow. Probably the best pumpkin beer around, IMO.

 

Missouri brewery, yes? That's one that comes nowhere near me, sadly. I had the Post Road Pumpkin Ale last night. It was pleasant but didn't knock my socks off. Still have a Dogfish Head Punkin in the fridge.

 

Right now it's Depaz Blue Cane rhum agricole, with a dollop of cane syrup and a twist of lime juice and lime oil. 'Ti Poonch!!

[FlaSoxxJim]

'Ti Punch with St. James Royale Ambre was qite nice as well, but now that 'm catching up on Mad Men I had to ho with Don Draper's preferred drin, rye and rocks. Don't know what brand Don drinks, but since I need to be armed and ready to mix up authentic sazarec cocktails as needs be, Old Overholt is the rye on hand here.

[AssHatSoxFan]

Purchased 3 new beers tonight: the two other Sierra Nevada Harvest Ales I haven't had yet the Harvest Wet Hop Ale and the Estate Brewer's Hop Ale and lastly a 4 pack of the Sam Adams Imperial White

[FlaSoxxJim]

Purchased 3 new beers tonight: the two other Sierra Nevada Harvest Ales I haven't had yet the Harvest Wet Hop Ale and the Estate Brewer's Hop Ale and lastly a 4 pack of the Sam Adams Imperial White

 

You have an extremely rare beer in that Sierra Estate Harvest Ale. If I believe my grog shop seller (who is usually well-informed), there are only a few cases of the stuff getting out here to the east coast. She supposedly has laid claim to one of the cases so I'm hoping I have a bottle as well in the near future.

 

A true estate beer, with both the barley and the hops being grown on estate property, is practically non-existent. In the case of Sierra, they are utilizing fresh-picked, undried hops to really showcase the hop freshness.

 

I hope it lives up to expectations.

[G&T]

So yesterday we went to Newport and Providence, RI for the day. Those are really cool places. Newport is extremely touristy, but I can't complain when I'm a tourist. Unfortunately, not a lot of beer going on in Newport. There are a few places with good beer menus, but we didn't have time to hit them up. Nevertheless, we happened upon a seafood festival out on the warf with fresh oysters, clams, mussels, chowdah, everything. It was sponsored by Sam Adams. They were serving offerings from the Harvest Collection, but I stuck with the Octoberfest as I didn't realize they had the dunkleweizen until we were about the leave. In any event, the buildings in Newport look like they are out of the 1700's, which most are. There are still narrow cobblestone streets and colonial buildings. It is one of the few places I've been where you can place yourself in the time of the revolution.

 

After grabbing a half dozen oysters for $5(!), and a cold one, we sat outside in the 45 degree New England air and ate about the freshest seafood you can ever have at the absolute cheapest price imaginable.

 

I have no real reason for telling this except that, sometimes, the whole scene comes together. Great food, good beer, and savoring it unadorned. No restaurant can ever match that moment.

 

We then went to Providence and took a ghost tour (hey it's Halloween). The tour was sorta retarded, but interesting information. I'd love to go back. One of the coolest looking cities I've been to. It's like an even smaller, more compact, but just as beautiful form of Boston.

 

[FlaSoxxJim]

I really like Providence as well although it's been almost 15 years since I've been there. I've never made it to Newport but it has been on the to do list for a long time.

 

Two Providence brewpubs that were both worth hitting up at least when I was there the Trinity Brewhouse and the Union Station Brewery — Do you know if they are still any good? Ifr I'm not getting them mixed up, Union Station was a great lunch spot with decent beer and Trinity was smaller and more eclectic with first-rate pub beer.