The Finer Things In Life

[G&T]

I was sitting on a bottle of Mount Gay Eclipse for a while not really sure what to do with it. It comes in handy in a few drinks but nothing that I consider a simple, go to. So not wanting to further deplete the rum bottles that get worked out all too frequently for the sake of stalling on another replenishing (read: spending more money), I went to the Mount Gay website and found a simple Mount Gay and tonic.

 

This was excellent. Prepared with the same ratios as a traditional gin and tonic (2oz of heat: 3oz of tonic) and a generous squeeze of lime. Quite spicy and very refreshing. I think I might prefer this to a G&T and Mount Gay tends to be sitting on the shelf at every event without much play.

[FlaSoxxJim]

I pretty much have exactly that relationship with Mount Gay Eclipse. It us too venerable a rum nit to keep on hand, and for emit was one of the gateway rums that led me away from the utter unremarkableness of Bacardi and into rums with character. But these days the bottle gets dusty. I will grab the Cockspur 10 times out of 10 if I need a Barbados rum, and there are at least six or eight gold rums I will reach for ahead of Eclipse for home mixology duty.

 

I do use Mount Gay as the rum of choice for Hot Buttered Rum for cold weather camping and holiday festivities. And I will also use Mount Gay as the first choice gold rum in a Trader Vic Molokai Mike - a fun bi-layered frozen drink my wife is quite partial to. It is also a drink that at least the L.A. Trader Vic's has totally forgotten how to make correctly. When my wife ordered one last year we expected to be blown away by an original TV Molokai Mike, but it sucked. I just follow the recipe as given in the Trader Vic's drink books and they come out splendid, so I am not sure how the bar can screw them up so badly.

Edited September 5, 2011 by FlaSoxxJim

[BigSqwert]

"Eight Beers Americans No Longer Drink" Shows America Getting Smart

[GoSox05]

"Eight Beers Americans No Longer Drink" Shows America Getting Smart

 

Those are some pretty big drops. I like that people are trying local brews more. I just hope it's not a fad.

[G&T]

Those are some pretty big drops. I like that people are trying local brews more. I just hope it's not a fad.

 

I dont think it could be considered a fad. Within the industry there are fads, e.g. IPAs or wheats. But the ideal behind the craft beer movement is not limited to beer. It is in eating local, looking for higher quality spirits, and higher quality ingredients. I think there are a lot of people willing to spend more to eat and drink far tastier foods even if it costs more.

 

There will be a day of saturation, then it will be interesting to see what happens.

[FlaSoxxJim]

My "day of saturation" was today and it came not a day too soon :-)

 

First stop this evening with a work buddy was to a local beer place that just tapped a keg of Brooklyn Brewery's Concoction. Smokey and sweet and spicy all at the same time. Very nice balance once he initial smoke hit sits back a bit and lets the other flavors come out.

 

The next stop was the spirits shop to pick up a bottle of Famous Grouse so I could go home to make a Penicillin Cocktail, the cocktail that inspired Brewmaster Garret Oliver at Brooklyn to brew the Concoction. I used ginger syrup that I have had in the fridge for a few months so the fresh ginger bite wasn't really there, but this cocktail has a lot going for it. I understand why it has become a popular one in the craft cocktail world.

[southsider2k5]

"Eight Beers Americans No Longer Drink" Shows America Getting Smart

 

Damn, there was enough clicks to get to that article... Anyways, as for the beers on that list, I say good!

[Leonard Zelig]

Any Octoberfest lovers out there? So far this year I've had Bell's, Sam Adams, & Schlafly in bottles and Sam Adams & Schlafly on tap. I think Spaten will be my next choice when the Schlafly is gone.

 

Anybody have any suggestions of others?

[FlaSoxxJim]

Any Octoberfest lovers out there? So far this year I've had Bell's, Sam Adams, & Schlafly in bottles and Sam Adams & Schlafly on tap. I think Spaten will be my next choice when the Schlafly is gone.

 

Anybody have any suggestions of others?

 

So far this season of the authentic Munich Big 6 Oktoberfestbiers, I have only had Paulaner (draft). As for the other Big 6 Hacker-Pschorr and Spaten have shown up locally so I need to get around to those; Löwenbräu typically only shows up in bottles, Hofbräuhaus hasn't come locally in a few years, and I don't think I have ever seen Augustinerbräu in teh states — a shame, because that is the favorite of the Münchners who know their bier.

 

I also have had this year's Sam Adams Oktoberfest-style beer (bottle) and thought it was quite as good and malty as ever.

[Leonard Zelig]

So far this season of the authentic Munich Big 6 Oktoberfestbiers, I have only had Paulaner (draft). As for the other Big 6 Hacker-Pschorr and Spaten have shown up locally so I need to get around to those; Löwenbräu typically only shows up in bottles, Hofbräuhaus hasn't come locally in a few years, and I don't think I have ever seen Augustinerbräu in teh states — a shame, because that is the favorite of the Münchners who know their bier.

 

I also have had this year's Sam Adams Oktoberfest-style beer (bottle) and thought it was quite as good and malty as ever.

 

Yeah, I only see two or maybe three of those German ones so I just get what I can. More craft and local breweries. There's about 6 small brewers within a few miles of my place so its a pretty good time to be a beer lover here.

[G&T]

So last weekend I was in Maine and brought a few beers up for the trip. Two from Ithaca brewing: 13 and white gold. Each were good though and recommended for anyone that can find it.

 

The real winner was Mikeller rauch beer geek breakfast (Aka beer geek bacon) which was outstanding. It is a smoked oatmeal stout and lives up to the billing. The stuff has an over powering bacon smoke aroma as soon as it is poured. Actually quite intimidating. The smoke levels are second only to some true rauch beers but that flavor mellows after a couple sips. It takes on it's true form as a smoke tinged oatmeal stout. Rich in chocolate and a hint of graham cracker with that smokey backbone. Im actually not a huge Mikeller fan because their prices are ridiculous. But I bought this because it was the last in stock and I wasn't sure if I would see it again anywhere around me. This one is worth the price tag. I think it was $12 for a 550ml.

 

I also grabbed some Allagash which they stopped selling upstate due to demand in the city and grabbed a sided of Cadillac Mountain stout, which is a favorite of mine. Anyone in Maine should give it a try. Also had a chance to have a Maine Beer Company Peeper Ale. Very good stuff decidedly on the hoppy end. Maine beer culture, in general, produces a sort of working mans micro brew. Rarely spectacular but always solid. The Peeper was definitely at the high end of the local Maine products.

 

Oh and I had my first true Dark and Stormy. Everywhere in Bar Harbio has them on the menu it seems. I don't know what ginger beer (probably Maine Root) they used but fresh ginger was added to the drink and it was awesome. I never fancied myself a ginger fan but it is addictive. As the drink mellowed over the ice the heat settled and sweetness of the rum came through. It was damn good. Especially on a dark and stormy night along the ocean.

[bigruss]

Anybody ever have rumchata before? My dad and I were at the liquor store and it was onsale, so we were intrigued but for the price and the 27 proof, we decided to pass. I saw it advertised at a campus bar once though, so may have to try it later, because it does sound delish.

 

 

[bigruss]

Oh and Im curious to hear peoples favorite vodkas, I was wondering if there were any gems out there that are cheaper than the mainstream high end stuff like Goose (where my guess is that the bottle adds quite a bit of tax since I believe that still gets taxed like crazy too).

 

For cheap vodka I tend to stick with Sobieski ($17 on sale for 1.75L is a steal imo), but my roommates like nicer stuff for when we want to be classier or other occasions. I tend to buy Goose, but even on sale it's like $24 for a fifth.

[gatnom]

Anybody ever have rumchata before? My dad and I were at the liquor store and it was onsale, so we were intrigued but for the price and the 27 proof, we decided to pass. I saw it advertised at a campus bar once though, so may have to try it later, because it does sound delish.

 

It's basically rum + horchata, so it tastes a lot like the milk after you eat cinnamon toast crunch. It's pretty popular at the bar I work at, but I'm not a huge fan myself. You can make some decent drinks with it if you have a few other liquors on hand like kahlua, creme de cacao, caramel liqueur, etc.

 

 

[FlaSoxxJim]

Oh and Im curious to hear peoples favorite vodkas, I was wondering if there were any gems out there that are cheaper than the mainstream high end stuff like Goose (where my guess is that the bottle adds quite a bit of tax since I believe that still gets taxed like crazy too).

 

For cheap vodka I tend to stick with Sobieski ($17 on sale for 1.75L is a steal imo), but my roommates like nicer stuff for when we want to be classier or other occasions. I tend to buy Goose, but even on sale it's like $24 for a fifth.

 

Unless you are looking for a traditional artisinal potato vodka my honest opinion is you are throwing money away buying anything other than Sobieski and you are just paying for hype and image and not substantially better quality.

[FlaSoxxJim]

So last weekend I was in Maine and brought a few beers up for the trip. Two from Ithaca brewing: 13 and white gold. Each were good though and recommended for anyone that can find it.

 

The real winner was Mikeller rauch beer geek breakfast (Aka beer geek bacon) which was outstanding. It is a smoked oatmeal stout and lives up to the billing. The stuff has an over powering bacon smoke aroma as soon as it is poured. Actually quite intimidating. The smoke levels are second only to some true rauch beers but that flavor mellows after a couple sips. It takes on it's true form as a smoke tinged oatmeal stout. Rich in chocolate and a hint of graham cracker with that smokey backbone. Im actually not a huge Mikeller fan because their prices are ridiculous. But I bought this because it was the last in stock and I wasn't sure if I would see it again anywhere around me. This one is worth the price tag. I think it was $12 for a 550ml.

 

I also grabbed some Allagash which they stopped selling upstate due to demand in the city and grabbed a sided of Cadillac Mountain stout, which is a favorite of mine. Anyone in Maine should give it a try. Also had a chance to have a Maine Beer Company Peeper Ale. Very good stuff decidedly on the hoppy end. Maine beer culture, in general, produces a sort of working mans micro brew. Rarely spectacular but always solid. The Peeper was definitely at the high end of the local Maine products.

 

Oh and I had my first true Dark and Stormy. Everywhere in Bar Harbio has them on the menu it seems. I don't know what ginger beer (probably Maine Root) they used but fresh ginger was added to the drink and it was awesome. I never fancied myself a ginger fan but it is addictive. As the drink mellowed over the ice the heat settled and sweetness of the rum came through. It was damn good. Especially on a dark and stormy night along the ocean.

 

Sounds like a great trip, with a few nice libations along the way!

 

[G&T]

Ken Burns's Prohibition continues tonight. Part 2 of 3. I'm sure Part 1 will re-air, but it was the 100 year lead up to prohibition.

[southsider2k5]

Ken Burns's Prohibition continues tonight. Part 2 of 3. I'm sure Part 1 will re-air, but it was the 100 year lead up to prohibition.

 

I am DVRing the mini-series.

[Balta1701]

I am DVRing the mini-series.

Kids keeping you up all night I take it?

[southsider2k5]

Kids keeping you up all night I take it?

 

Breaking Bad.

[FlaSoxxJim]

Ken Burns's Prohibition continues tonight. Part 2 of 3. I'm sure Part 1 will re-air, but it was the 100 year lead up to prohibition.

 

loved part 1, looking forward to watching the rest in the next few days.

 

Make a lovely Prohibition-era Scofflaw Cocktail to commemorate the rele

Ase of the documentary:

 

1 ounce rye whisky

1 ounce dry vermouth

1/4 ounce lemon juice

1 dash grenadine

1 dash orange bitters

Garnish: Lemon wedge

Stir with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass.

[southsider2k5]

loved part 1, looking forward to watching the rest in the next few days.

Make a lovely Prohibition-era Scofflaw Cocktail to commemorate the rele

Ase of the documentary:

 

1 ounce rye whisky

1 ounce dry vermouth

1/4 ounce lemon juice

1 dash grenadine

1 dash orange bitters

Garnish: Lemon wedge

Stir with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass.

 

I should have known it would have been talked about in here. My personal favorite part was when they talked about schools teaching that you could spontaneously combust, after just one drink.

[G&T]

I have been making my way through the Southern Tier collection. Slowly but surely. I guess the fall (and now early winter) have gotten me off cocktails for little while.

 

In any event, Southern Tier has proven itself worthy of the accolades. A couple must tries are Mokah and Hop Sun (summer seasonal). Mokah smells like chocolate ice cream and the flavor nails it. Truly an impressive brew, and a dessert in a bottle.

 

I also recommend Phin and Matt's Ale which is a nice entry level brew for those uninitiated and others just looking for something simple. I have a bottle of Oat sitting the fridge waiting to be drunk.

 

Their raspberry wheat wasn't too bad either. The only real loser, for me, was Pumking which is considered the best pumpkin ale in the world. The one I had was terrible. Tasted like ginger bread and not in a good way. But obviously I'm alone there.

 

I have plenty more to try from them. Unfortunately, they sell almost everything in bombers so I can't mix up a sixer and take a tour.

 

Oh and if you haven't tried Lagunitas Little Sumpin' Sumpin I recommend you remedy that situation. It's a wheat IPA (or some oddly made up style) but it is essentially a wonderfully malty pale. Plenty of hops for the hop head but a great brown sugar backbone that makes it a pleasing sipper for everyone. Of course, I practically slammed it.

[Balta1701]

I attempted a Rogue Chipotle ale last night. Fascinating. Got some of the smokiness early, then a hit of spice builds with time. Never had a beer with heat before.

[bigruss]

I attempted a Rogue Chipotle ale last night. Fascinating. Got some of the smokiness early, then a hit of spice builds with time. Never had a beer with heat before.

Not a fan of that beer, my taste buds just don't like the spice flavor from the beer.