BEER (and apparently, WINE)

[Ishmayl-Retired]

Nice, I'm never really sure which wines are good - I'm not super familiar with most wines.  I'll make sure to give that one a try.

[LordVreeg]

Nice, I'm never really sure which wines are good - I'm not super familiar with most wines.  I'll make sure to give that one a try.

half the reason I post these.  Not everyone likes to drink, but I have people telling me all the time that they don;t have ideas one what is good wine to try.  
and also becasue both pf my main gaming groups could be called wine-tasting sessions with some gaming thrown in...(well, not really, but it feels that way some times...)

[limetom]

In honor of that certain day of the year, make sure to have a Guinness Draught, Stout, or Extra Stout tonight... for you health ;).

[SDragon]

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! or whatever holiday put this lovely glass of rum & coke in my hands.....

(yes, hands, plural. I can't hold it one-handed.)

I was really hoping for guiness or whiskey, though....

[LordVreeg]

Oriel's 2003 'les paves' chateaunuef du pape tonight.  Very sharp on openning, almost thought it had turned at first.  After breathing fo 45 minutes, starting to open, but that 'barnyard earth' taste is a little too on the 'barnyard' side.  Nice pencil lead and tight fruit afterwards, but that initial taste is somewhat off-putting.  

[LordVreeg]

Peter Lehman's 'Clancy's Red' 2004, very smooth and mellow mewritage.  Easy and good with steak tips.  Not too tannic, so not that good for cellaring.  Great for drinking now.

[limetom]

Tonight, I had Lucid, a traditional French-made absinthe verte.

For absinthe's reputed strength, it was surprisingly smooth, and had only a tiny kick, which wasn't at all expecting.  That being said, I was feeling it even with half a shot of diluted absinthe; it is strong stuff.  I experienced none of hallucinogenic effects that have been attributed to absinthe made with wormwood.  Lucid is one of the very few brands of absinthe now actually legal in the United States, and is well worth the $60 to $90 (depending on where you buy it from) if you've never had it before.

Diluted in the classical method, with sugar and cold water, it smells and tastes a lot like Good & Plenties.

[LordVreeg]

I have had good and bad.



We had an absinthe party back when it was still illegal about 9 years ago, which became known also as the 'Taste's like Ass' party.  

Since the recent legalization, I have had a lot more good stuff.  I don't remember if I have had Lucid, but I will make it a point to get some for the next gaming session.  I might have to add theat picture above to my setting thread.

My thanks, Limetom.

[Xeviat]

I'm with you Ishy. I haven't ever had a wine I really cared for; I like how wines smell, but I'm more of a hard liquor, bear, and mixed drink kind of person. There are far too many wines for me to get a good feel of what I like (I know that I really dislike the acidity in some wines, as it reminds me of drinking vinegar and it makes my saliva glands go crazy).

It was sad, because I worked for 3 months backstage at Disney's California Adventure's wine bar. I talked to two of the bar tenders about wine a lot, but I still didn't taste anything that particularly jumped out at me as amazing.

[Polycarp]

I had plenty of Absinthe in the Czech Republic a few years back.  I don't remember the specific varieties but I thought it was all rather lousy.

[LordVreeg]

96 Whitehall Lane Cab reserve (floral bottle).
The joys of having a cellar, I tell you now.  Dark, needed about 45 minutes before even openning a little.  hour and ahalf later, jammy earth, pencil lead, and a eucalyptus end note, with a currant/berry taste that went on about 30-45 seconds.  
Made it with a horseradish and garlic beef tournedos with garlic potatoes.  For those who are yet to really discover wine, it is with food that the stuff shows best.

[SDragon]

I would love to try absinthe sometime. I don't expect it to quite live up to its reputation, but it might still be nice. Too bad it's so expensive, though.

[LordVreeg]

D'arenberg 'Dead Arm' Shiraz.  Dark and very strong, the taste of berry and flint lingers on your tongue for a long time.  Tons of tannins, it is still mellow.  Goes great with Chocolate...

http://www.darenberg.com.au/default2.php

Almost anything from this Vineyard is slightly different, but always decent or better.

[Haphazzard]

As far as dark, try a chocolate stout (if you like beer).  I made some a while ago and it was STRONG (as stouts tend to be).  Strong, but good.  I also saw a stout with like, coco, cofee, and some other things in it.  However, I didn't have the chance to try it (it was a seasonal beer at a local brewery/restaurant).

[LordVreeg]

There is a coffee stiout at the Watch City Brewer in Waltham, Mass, on Moody street.  The service was deplorable...but the beer was stellar.  Hap, make an Espresso Stout, and I might have to visit....