Drinking

[LeftyJason]

Huckleberry soda is my favorite exotic. And Cock & Bull ginger beer. Absolutely amazing.

Grand Teton brewing company (of Idaho) Mountainberry is amazing. Also love their cherry (it's probably my favorite cherry). Too bad I can't get their stuff in utah. I lived in south east Idaho for 2 years.

Anchor ginger rootbeer is probably my favorite. Cicero beverage company's caramel rootbeer is also amazing. Along with anything Virgils.

 

[Barneybdb]

 

[Veer_G]

Johnnie Walker "Yellow" ... if our Natty Ice fanatic ever won the lottery.

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

You got this. I joke. I haven’t drank in 18 years. I regret nothing

Congratulations! That's a hell of an accomplishment.

 

[FS1]

Any ideas for cool bar glassware?

https://us.hkwebshop.com/hkstorefront/hk/en/Accessories/Drinkware/HK-Stein/p/708250
https://us.hkwebshop.com/hkstorefront/hk/en/Accessories/Drinkware/MP5-Shot-Glass/p/95000267
https://benshot.com/

 

[Redmanss]

I don't drink much anymore, it gets in the way of me living my life as I want. I was "good" at drinking too. I used to pound away at beer and whiskey and woke up more than a few times thinking "I'm not doing that shit again." I finally listened to my own advice and stopped doing that again. I'm a bit (understatement) of an asshole when I get drunk as well, and I've had regretful mornings looking in the mirror following getting blasted and doing something I would absolutely never have done sober. No more.

Now I just enjoy a glass or two of bourbon, split a bottle of wine, or have a couple beers while grilling out every now and again and call it good. Never drink the night before I have to work, never when I remotely think I might have to drive somewhere (another stupidity I did when I was young and dumb, thankfully never leading to irrevocable consequences), and never drink alone anymore either. I'm more boring these days, but at least I'm happier.

Americans learned how to blend whiskey the right way with new world corn as its base. We left that single malt barley bullshit behind with the crooked teeth plaid skirt wearing old world.

 

[Nik H]

You bring up many good points @Redmanss

1. I am not an asshole but certainly can be if the situation warrants it. However, I am mostly a happy drunk for the simple reason that fighting when drunk is a poor way to fight and a great way to get your ass kicked. I have had mornings that I regret but not due to fighting.
2. Much like you, when much younger I drove a lot when I should not have. Never got a DUI or involved in any type of accident. I am super lucky. Never...EVER do that anymore. I always drink locally. If I have too much to drive, I Uber or cab it home. I won't even get in someone else's car who has been drinking.
3. Drinking is a social thing for me...I never drink alone.
4. I limit myself to a glass of wine with my dinner during the week. I don't really get hangovers in terms of headaches and the such but I feel woozy the whole next day if I tie one on and that interferes with peak performance at work.

 

[Redmanss]

Mine was an in general post, certainly not directed at you Nik.

I love drinking, it just doesn't love me like it used to. After working a dry contract for eight years where I can count on one hand how many times I actually got drunk over that entire time, I've never had the cause to go back to that life. Of course, I count my five day "Fuck yeah, I'm finally divorced" bender in Dubai as one drunk, because I never sobered up the entire time. Interestingly enough, I also wasn't an asshole then either. Hmm...

 

[Veer_G]

Interesting thread.

I've been dry per doctor's orders since 2001, and dryer still per doctrinal obligation since 2006. I use it for cooking these days if the recipe requires it. I know down deep that pizza needs beer, and that my favorite peninsular Spanish dishes would be better with a dry Rioja, but I have never looked back with any strong regrets.

As an outsider now to the whole alcohol culture, I find its intertwined nature in social settings amazing. We've been programmed from youth to turn to it as a panacean lubricant, and to regard it as a reward for achievement and an essential part of celebrations. Mow the lawn? Watch football? Have a beer. Celebrate New Year's? Drink. Get kicked out of the hotel bar? Have a glass of room service Champagne.

I'm not throwing stones at it. But it's just easier to see when you've pulled back and gotten some perspective. The whole craft beer movement has been fun to watch, especially having tried the local brews in Europe. When I was still elbow-bending, I was partial to Harp, Bass, San Miguel, Modelo Negra, and Leffe Blonde. In Spain I did whatever was on tap wherever I was, typically Águila, Mahou, or Cruzcampo. Most of the hard stuff that I had there was either a product, undoubtedly, of DYC or Larios. It's pretty funny for an English-speaker the first time you hear a DYC ad.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Veer, you think cooking with beer or wine is good, just wait till you try (if you haven't yet) cooking with Bourbon. And once the alcohol is cooked/burnt off, it's just a flavor ingredient.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Doctor and Doctrine both prevent you from "drinking alcohol" whereas once the alcohol is gone, it truly IS just a flavor-medley base, right?

The point of my point is, the whole gamut of nuances available to add to dishes/sauces/marinades is a thing to behold in itself.

 

[Veer_G]

Veer, you think cooking with beer or wine is good, just wait till you try (if you haven't yet) cooking with Bourbon. And once the alcohol is cooked/burnt off, it's just a flavor ingredient.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Doctor and Doctrine both prevent you from "drinking alcohol" whereas once the alcohol is gone, it truly IS just a flavor-medley base, right?

The point of my point is, the whole gamut of nuances available to add to dishes/sauces/marinades is a thing to behold in itself.

I'm not supposed to "consume" it in any quantity as a libation because it interferes with a bunch of my medications, either multiplying their effects or blocking them. The doctrinal issue really means that I shouldn't use it in cooking or baking at all, but having spent three decades married to two Italian-Americans, and being up to my neck in continental cuisines where its use is pretty much obligatory in certain items, I side with reason. I don't eat anything that's alcohol-soaked, for sure, but brandy and Chablis, among others, get used to flambé and deglaze PRN.

Strangely enough, Punjabis, 60% of whom or more share my obligation, if not its outward manifestation, count among them some badass guzzlers.











It's the 800 lb. gorilla in the corner of many of our communities. Sadly, not everyone's commitment is solid. I'd sooner see them dropping the pretense of piety than living like this. One hears story after story after story of the struggle and the refusal to accept responsibility every Vaisakhi at amrit sanchars.

 

[TheGerman]

https://us.hkwebshop.com/hkstorefront/hk/en/Accessories/Drinkware/HK-Stein/p/708250
https://us.hkwebshop.com/hkstorefront/hk/en/Accessories/Drinkware/MP5-Shot-Glass/p/95000267
https://benshot.com/

That MP5 shot glass should be 30 little thimble sized shotglasses.

 

[el-wood]

I am literally having a full blown bar installed in my house next week.

Sinks, 2x beer fridge, 1x wine fridge, 1x champagne fridge, ice maker. Trying to figure out how to incorporate taps for pony kegs.

You faggots are invited over. Pool table to go infront of it is next.

Any ideas for cool bar glassware?

Get something like this then make/buy some stencils and make your own custom glass ware.

 

[Nik H]

Mine was an in general post, certainly not directed at you Nik.

I love drinking, it just doesn't love me like it used to. After working a dry contract for eight years where I can count on one hand how many times I actually got drunk over that entire time, I've never had the cause to go back to that life. Of course, I count my five day "Fuck yeah, I'm finally divorced" bender in Dubai as one drunk, because I never sobered up the entire time. Interestingly enough, I also wasn't an asshole then either. Hmm...

I never took it that way sir. Just commenting on the similarities

 

[Dirty D]

 

[Ric O'shay]

I quit drinking 2 years and 8 months ago. Did it on my own terms, and i knew if I continued I would be in a premature death spiral. I was in the Mountain Dew and Vodka for breakfast to chase away last nights hangover phase.
I took note of what Veer said about how it changes your perspective. You really do not now how invasive the culture of social drinking is when you are part of it.
My wife and daughters are social drinkers and I like it when others (friends) enjoy whatever they wish around me. It would be super awkward if they changed their behavior because of me.
I also do not look down on those that drink, and oddly still like to discuss the merits of good USA distilled bourbon, while I sip my tea or Sundrop.

Not that I am here to dispense advice, but if I had to do it over I would have tried to maintain moderate social drinking status. Giving it up altogether is a bitch. Sobriety has changed my life. Mostly better, but it does change how you interact socially and that may not always be positive.
So Cheers!!,,,,,in moderation

 

[CJS-6.5]

When you wake up every morning and wonder what you are going to regret is a sign that it may not be worth it. I still haven't decided.

 

[Kickin45]

Balvenie 14 right now.

 

[Nik H]

I quit drinking 2 years and 8 months ago. Did it on my own terms, and i knew if I continued I would be in a premature death spiral. I was in the Mountain Dew and Vodka for breakfast to chase away last nights hangover phase.
I took note of what Veer said about how it changes your perspective. You really do not now how invasive the culture of social drinking is when you are part of it.
My wife and daughters are social drinkers and I like it when others (friends) enjoy whatever they wish around me. It would be super awkward if they changed their behavior because of me.
I also do not look down on those that drink, and oddly still like to discuss the merits of good USA distilled bourbon, while I sip my tea or Sundrop.

Not that I am here to dispense advice, but if I had to do it over I would have tried to maintain moderate social drinking status. Giving it up altogether is a bitch. Sobriety has changed my life. Mostly better, but it does change how you interact socially and that may not always be positive.
So Cheers!!,,,,,in moderation

Congratulations to you....I hope it continues positively

 

[Spblademaker]

When you wake up every morning and wonder what you are going to regret is a sign that it may not be worth it. I still haven't decided.

I’ll drink to that.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

When My Lady and I had an opportunity to travel to Seattle here, just over a month ago, we picked up 3 bottles of Bourbon that we don't have access to up here where we are. We've opened one of them so far, about a week ago. Each had 2 shots out of it, and that was good for us for the evening.

Tonight, I'm thinking about opening a second bottle, to see what it is like. We generally drink like this, about once a month, sometimes two... even three. Months between having a few, that is. And we're perfectly good with it. We look at is as quality over quantity. And we really enjoy the multitude of flavors in our drinks as we do such. Maybe once a year or so, we'll "have a few more", but not that often.

My father's a drunk, still is to this day. Still rewards himself for being a 'good boy' by getting something accomplished by 10:30 am. I haven't seen him since '05, but he still phones to tell me about how great all his drinking buddies are doing, and how much of a social butterfly he is and that they all come over every day to drink with him.

That's not how I plan on living my life. Neither does My Lady.

 

[Nik H]

When you wake up every morning and wonder what you are going to regret is a sign that it may not be worth it. I still haven't decided.

I think the frequency of occurrence is important. I do not get hangovers or ever get sick regardless of what I put down in the right social environment.

When I worked in San Francisco and commuted to RI for 4 years, it began to worry me. I lived on my own 18 days a month in SF and home with the family for 12 days. Weekends I was there were a hoot. I had a few, well maybe more than a few mornings post blackout...large parts of the evening before that were gone. It was a troubling reality. I left that job and went back home full time...my drinking has decreased a lot. No more f'ing black outs...well maybe one or two a year versus 2 weekends a month.....when I see childhood friends that I have known for 40 years.

There are a lot more facets to this subject but I don't know anyone here that well...Those of you that like to drink and revel in the moment know what I mean

 

[CJS-6.5]

It is one of the most complex things there is. It's a chemical and as such affects everyone differently. There is so many facets to it, because everyone has had a different experience via personal or family reflections. I have found that the persons that are violently against alcohol are ones that cannot handle it themselves or have seen so much damage to their families by it. On the other hand I have seen persons that have such a strong grip on their mind and life that alcohol cannot affect it . Personally I enjoy a good drink and the social benefits enough that I'm not going to wreck that privilege by abusing it. If alcohol makes you into a person you don't want to be then by all means don't drink. If it helps you relax and deal with life without turning into a monster to your family then I say that you should take advantage of it. There has been granted man a few pleasantries in life. Don't destroy them by abusing them. And cheers!

 

[Nik H]

It is a complex subject and one that can't be discussed on a keyboard

 

[Veer_G]

It is a complex subject and one that can't be discussed on a keyboard

Over drinks, then?

 

[powdahound76]

I had some beers with my brothers last night. The oldest likes Corona so I choked one down with him as he had a bunch. Went and got some IPA after that.
Had 3 of those (one of my 1-2 nights/year of that many) and called it quits. I could tell this AM and wasnt really hung over. Slept like crap, like always when there are more than 2 drinks.

I have 1 beer about 3 days a week. Whiskey (good single malt or bourbon, I appreciate both) if with a friend who likes it. Not many of my buddies do, so its rare. In the summer I have more beers, 1-2 most days. Always trends down when it cools off.

I enjoy one later in the evenig, usually after kiddos are down, sitting in my very comfy old wingback chair that was my grandads, reading. It is very relaxing to me.

 

[Nik H]

Over drinks, then?

HAHAHAHAHA...I see what you did there

 

[FS1]

If god did not want us to drink...then why did he put alcohol in Sterno?

 

[Strykervet]

I can't drink much, it usually makes me sick long before getting drunk. I used to drink a lot of beer when I was younger, in the army. We had shit beer in AL so when I got to WA, it was on. Our whole unit drank tons of beer though, and then get up and run it all off the next morning.

But I enjoy a good beer still, a GOOD one, usually with dinner here or there and sometimes I have a few with my buddy if we go somewhere. But I seldom drink and when I do it's not much or very fast. When I was younger I could put it away though, then get up and run 12 miles. Now I can't do either!

So I have Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest and it's a really good American/German concoction. Not as sweet as the German stuff, but not hoppy, it's well balanced and still very much an Oktoberfest. Then I got a six of Pacific Drift amber. It's just a damn good amber with a good malty character. Their other beers are also good. Schlenkerla Rauchbier is my favorite (all of 'em) and I really like Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout. Schlenkerla is smoky, a smoke beer and nothing goes better with BBQ, and Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout is basically a beer made using Espresso instead of water. It's STRONG all the way around. Piss on alcoholic energy drinks, this stuff is better.

If you like beer, you should look into home brewing. A good kit will have parts you'll use even if you graduate to more expensive setups. The kit with a 5 and a 6.5 gal. fermenter plus all the other stuff and you'll be able to make extract and partial mash kits, then splurge on a really good kettle and make a cooler sparging tank and you can make really good beer from all grain. Anything after that is just optimizing. My buddy's 15 gal custom kit cost him several thousand (and will be invaluable if shit falls apart). It's badass, but you don't have to spend anywhere near that much, especially if you can weld SS and score used kegs cheap or for free to modify into kettles. Hell, some of you on here could easily build one from scratch, no problem. Then it's super cheap. Making grain alcohols isn't much harder either.

But my absolute FAVORITE is Coca Cola!

 

[jungle45]

I can't drink much, it usually makes me sick long before getting drunk. I used to drink a lot of beer when I was younger, in the army. We had shit beer in AL so when I got to WA, it was on. Our whole unit drank tons of beer though, and then get up and run it all off the next morning.

But I enjoy a good beer still, a GOOD one, usually with dinner here or there and sometimes I have a few with my buddy if we go somewhere. But I seldom drink and when I do it's not much or very fast. When I was younger I could put it away though, then get up and run 12 miles. Now I can't do either!

So I have Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest and it's a really good American/German concoction. Not as sweet as the German stuff, but not hoppy, it's well balanced and still very much an Oktoberfest. Then I got a six of Pacific Drift amber. It's just a damn good amber with a good malty character. Their other beers are also good. Schlenkerla Rauchbier is my favorite (all of 'em) and I really like Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout. Schlenkerla is smoky, a smoke beer and nothing goes better with BBQ, and Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout is basically a beer made using Espresso instead of water. It's STRONG all the way around. Piss on alcoholic energy drinks, this stuff is better.

If you like beer, you should look into home brewing. A good kit will have parts you'll use even if you graduate to more expensive setups. The kit with a 5 and a 6.5 gal. fermenter plus all the other stuff and you'll be able to make extract and partial mash kits, then splurge on a really good kettle and make a cooler sparging tank and you can make really good beer from all grain. Anything after that is just optimizing. My buddy's 15 gal custom kit cost him several thousand (and will be invaluable if shit falls apart). It's badass, but you don't have to spend anywhere near that much, especially if you can weld SS and score used kegs cheap or for free to modify into kettles. Hell, some of you on here could easily build one from scratch, no problem. Then it's super cheap. Making grain alcohols isn't much harder either.

But my absolute FAVORITE is Coca Cola!

Try Rogue brewing "Dead and Dead" it's still available (wine and more) .

 

[Yasherka]

For the current 16 degree weather...

 

[Mooncake]

This is the time of year I drink too much beer. The German märzens that are imported ahead of Oktoberfest are the only beers that I really love. The rest of the year I usually drink tequila in summer and Scotch in winter.

Really, I can’t drink much anymore without paying for it. Happened sometime in my late 30s. And no amount of night time fun is worth burning a whole day. That, and kids don’t give a shit if daddy’s hungover, they’re still barreliNo and jumping on the bed when they wake up. So, everything in moderation.

 

[Dewey7271]

Some interesting posts.
I enjoy a drink or two. Beer also but my tastes are more pedestrian it appears than most of you. Shiner Bock, Yuengling Black and Tan, etc.
Zero blackouts. I seem to be able to recall pretty much everything although sometimes I would rather not. I enjoy the happy loose social part not wanting to reach the commode hugging part.
Had a grandfather that was a functional alcoholic. Kept me worried a little for a while in younger years.
Figured partially due to that I’d keep an eye on my consumption until around 55. After that I figured I probably had less in front of me than behind, kids were gone and school paid, financially we were fine so that grind was released a bit so screw it.
I have eclectic tastes. I enjoy good bourbon, old scotch, a very dry dirty martini from time to time, tequila if I feel the need to storm the trenches and a few other distillations. As long as there’s no sweet mixers, I’m a straight up or something and water guy, I’m good to go the next day even though my “watch until 55” time has come and gone.
If it ever became a problem for me or for my family I’d be done with it.

 

[Geno C.]

I am literally having a full blown bar installed in my house next week.

Sinks, 2x beer fridge, 1x wine fridge, 1x champagne fridge, ice maker. Trying to figure out how to incorporate taps for pony kegs.

You faggots are invited over. Pool table to go infront of it is next.

Any ideas for cool bar glassware?

Steal a pint glass from every bar you go to. Preferably with their logo on it. ? I’ve lost count of how many are in my bar

 

[Soulezoo]

I am having something....

 

[el-wood]

Oooohh baby, that Pappy Van 20 year......

 

[Ric O'shay]

I got "F"ed-up bad on that White Dog once. Yikes!! Nice selection though.

 

[TheGerman]

Anyone happened to have a Louis XIII Cognac decanter?