The Finer Things

**redbaron** · 01-03-2007, 03:17 PM

thou shalt not speak of a non-single malt!

I was reading over some of the last pages regarding beer, and there are times that I actually forget that the rest of the country/world isn't as blessed as we are here in the PacNW regarding micros. IMO the only place you can do better for beers is continental europe, though this may be due to my favoring of german beers, and belgian trappist ales.

Honestly, if you're drinking something that's *filtered* and lighter than mt. dew you should pour it on some meat to marinade, because that's all it's good for.

Corona is ok with lime on a hot summer day, or chugging, but there's really no fun in that either.

Find a good Hefewiezen, Amber, bock, IPA, Porter, Stout, etc and stay away from your traditional macro lager garbage. I saw some of the AU guys in here, so i'll give you a revision for the commercials they play up here. "Fosters: Australian for beer" should read more like "Fosters: Australian for cheap crappy beer, like Budweiser, Coors, or Labatts"

find a local micro & fall in love again.

I just got some beautiful bottle fermented beers for christmas (from Quebec) and they're probably my last for a while since i'm trying to reduce el-beergutto

FTS · 01-03-2007, 03:47 PM

Just tried a Tui last night, absolutely delicious. I think that's the sweetest beer I've ever tasted. It's an East India Pale Ale.

**redbaron** · 01-03-2007, 05:07 PM

a sweet IPA? weird. are these available up in the northern hemisphere to your knowledge?

most IPA's are really hoppy (and hence bitter)

FTS · 01-03-2007, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redbaron

a sweet IPA? weird. are these available up in the northern hemisphere to your knowledge?

most IPA's are really hoppy (and hence bitter)

It tasted sweet to me. My tastebuds may be twisted.

Ah, I believe the only place in the northern hemisphere that they're available is Hong Kong. Other countries in which they're available are Australia and Fiji.

**H.M. Murdock** · 01-03-2007, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redbaron

Given that i'm guessing you're probably a minor, this thread really isn't for you anyway.

Hey now. I was posting in here long before I could even buy a cigar. *stomp*

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kepa

Ah, I believe the only place in the northern hemisphere that they're available is Hong Kong. Other countries in which they're available are Australia and Fiji.

Hahahaha. Of all the places where a unique IPA could be found, two of them are Hong Kong and Fiji? That's like finding an amazing tobacco blend in Northwestern Canada. I love it.
"Good news, everyone! I've invented the world's premier pipe tobacco blend! It's called 'Eh?'"
"What's it called?"
"'Eh?'"
"What's it called?"
"I said, 'Eh?'"
"Yes. And then I said, 'What's it called?'"

FTS · 01-03-2007, 08:51 PM

I think part of the reason it's in Fiji is because that's where a lot of New Zealanders tend to go on holiday.

**meatfinger** · 01-03-2007, 10:29 PM

Quote:

I was reading over some of the last pages regarding beer, and there are times that I actually forget that the rest of the country/world isn't as blessed as we are here in the PacNW regarding micros.

I read somewhere that the Portland metropolitan area (of which I am now a part) has the highest number of microbreweries per capita anywhere in the U.S. That may or may not be true, but I do know that we have a lot of them. I believe there's a beer tour bus in Portland that tours five or six breweries on its evening run.

Visirale · 01-04-2007, 03:28 PM

Hey, so what's the point of smoking a pipe if they make little cigars made of pipe tobacco? The pipe really just isn't doing for me. Would a pipe tool really make it that much better? And what's all this "gurgling" I've been reading of? Mine stays compltely dry.

Djarum Cherries are very good, haha.

I might ditch the pipe if I don't make it work out. But I'll have my cigars... ahhhhh. Great stuff. Had a 17 year old "vintage" cigar the other day. Very good.

The very best taste to me thus far has been that McClelland's Navy Cavendish blend. It tastes very full and sweet... but I can't get the pipe to stay lit or get a lot of smoke to come out. The Black & Milds weren't even in the same league as it...

FTS · 01-04-2007, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Visirale

Hey, so what's the point of smoking a pipe if they make little cigars made of pipe tobacco? The pipe really just isn't doing for me. Would a pipe tool really make it that much better? And what's all this "gurgling" I've been reading of? Mine stays compltely dry.

Djarum Cherries are very good, haha.

I might ditch the pipe if I don't make it work out. But I'll have my cigars... ahhhhh. Great stuff. Had a 17 year old "vintage" cigar the other day. Very good.

The very best taste to me thus far has been that McClelland's Navy Cavendish blend. It tastes very full and sweet... but I can't get the pipe to stay lit or get a lot of smoke to come out. The Black & Milds weren't even in the same league as it...

Well, a pipe isn't for everyone.

Gurgle occurs when the smoke condenses and turns into moisture. It usually happens when smoking a pipe "hot", or puffing too much. It more commonly happens in a bent pipe. When/if it happens, you'll want to shove a pipe cleaner down the stem.

I don't think a pipe tool would make the experience better to the point that you forsake cigars and smoke a pipe alone.

I myself enjoy cigars more than a pipe, but I still enjoy a bowl of tobacco every now and then.

Visirale · 01-04-2007, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kepa

Well, a pipe isn't for everyone.

Gurgle occurs when the smoke condenses and turns into moisture. It usually happens when smoking a pipe "hot", or puffing too much. It more commonly happens in a bent pipe. When/if it happens, you'll want to shove a pipe cleaner down the stem.

I don't think a pipe tool would make the experience better to the point that you forsake cigars and smoke a pipe alone.

I myself enjoy cigars more than a pipe, but I still enjoy a bowl of tobacco every now and then.

Ahhh that makes sense. I have a straight pipe...

And on another note... the other half of this thread... I'm going to Europe this summer. I already know (heh) that I like some harder drinks, what are some beers I should keep an eye out for?

**bread man** · 01-04-2007, 10:16 PM

In regards to Fosters and Australia, I don't know any over here who drinks it. Supposedly it sucks. I don't know of any non-lager beers that are popular over here. I might try Guiness.

**Sean.thomson** · 01-04-2007, 10:21 PM

Well, I tryed my first "Lucky Strike" today. I think it's safe to say I'll be sticking to Reds though.

TheProdigalModern · 01-04-2007, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bread man

In regards to Fosters and Australia, I don't know any over here who drinks it. Supposedly it sucks.

I disliked it, and believe me, I tried hard to like it. Because, you know, Foster's is Australian for beer.

I have a friend who spent a while in Australia. She said that it's basically considered pisswater down there.

**meatfinger** · 01-05-2007, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bread man

In regards to Fosters and Australia, I don't know any over here who drinks it. Supposedly it sucks. I don't know of any non-lager beers that are popular over here. I might try Guiness.

If you have a hard time with beer already, I don't know that Guiness is your best option. I'd try something a little lighter, like maybe some kind of amber ale.

Chris · 01-05-2007, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meatfinger

If you have a hard time with beer already, I don't know that Guiness is your best option. I'd try something a little lighter, like maybe some kind of amber ale.

Agreed. You definitely do not want to go towards stouter beers if you're having problems with lagers. I suggest going for an India Pale Ale. Nice smooth flavour, I've heard good things about cream ale but have yet to try it.