An open community 
of Macintosh users,
for Macintosh users.

FineTunedMac Dashboard widget now available! Download Here

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 2 of 3 1 2 3
Re: Just dropped by...
donikatz #3386 09/09/09 03:08 PM
Joined: Sep 2009
OP Offline

Joined: Sep 2009
Originally Posted By: donikatz
As for hard to find beer in the US, for my birthday a couple of months ago my wife found a specialty importer downtown and bought me a dozen Belgian ales and a few glasses to compliment. Did I mention I love my wife? grin


What a wife! grin You must love her VERY MUCH!

Leffe isn't too bad, but a bit "boring", a bit "too smooth", but then tastes vary as I already said. I used to be a Gueuze drinker, mainly Bellevue, till it was bought by Stella. I will have a Stella to quench my thirst, but that's all.
I love a real Trappist (mentioned in a former forum: there are only 6 Belgian Trappists, three Flemish, i.e. Westvleteren, Westmalle & Achel, and three Walloon: Chimay, Rochefort & Orval; there is one Dutch Trappist that recently reacquired its license, i.e. La Trappe).
From the bottle (well in a glass; but as opposed to draft beer), my personal favourite is Rochefort 10, then Westvleteren 8, but I do love a Chimay blue. Draft trappist: Westvleteren 12, then Westmalle. I must admit I haven't tasted the others from draft yet.

Not very fond of blond beers like Hoegaarden. Have you ever tried a Duvel (=Devil)?


There's no way out of here,
When you're in here, you're here for good (David Gilmour)
Re: Just dropped by...
pingopuck #3389 09/09/09 04:12 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Offline

Joined: Aug 2009
Quote:
Not very fond of blond beers like Hoegaarden. Have you ever tried a Duvel (=Devil)?


I don't usually like blonds all that much either, but there are exceptions. Delirium Tremens, for example. Duvel is very good for what it is, but again not usually my style. Of course even though I'm normally a medium & dark beer drinker, I do love witbiers in the summertime, even the fruity ones. But if I'm sitting down for a big dinner or long evening, I'll often go for the really heavy stuff (but not too hoppy) like the aforementioned Corsendonck. Last night I had a Rogue Mocha Porter, for example (delicious, but a little thin). One of my all-time favorite dark German beers that I'd recommend is an Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock.

Ok, now I'm getting thirsty and it's barely noon!


Keeper of the Magic Nickel
Re: Just dropped by...
donikatz #3406 09/09/09 05:36 PM
Joined: Sep 2009
Offline

Joined: Sep 2009
Well i see the bar is open... and, welcome back pingopuck.

My favorite US beer when visiting the EU is Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. (for some reason i've never seen it here on the east coast... perhaps Sam Adams won't allow it).

Locally, my preferred brew now is Negra Modelo (from Mexico). Beats XX (Dos Equis) hands down imho. Dark and tasty, yum.

CHEERS!

Re: Just dropped by...
Hal Itosis #3407 09/09/09 05:50 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 7
Online

Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 7
I hope that you didn't get the inspiration for your avatar via one of those brewskis. grin


Jon

macOS 11.7.10, iMac Retina 5K 27-inch, late 2014, 3.5 GHz Intel Core i5, 1 TB fusion drive, 16 GB RAM, Epson SureColor P600, Photoshop CC, Lightroom CC, MS Office 365
Re: Just dropped by...
Hal Itosis #3408 09/09/09 06:02 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Offline

Joined: Aug 2009
Hal, I'm surprised you can't find Sierra Nevada easily; it's widely distributed all over NYC & NJ, not sure about the rest of the east coast. I bought a six-pack of Summerfest a couple of months ago for a party. I'm not a fan of Mexican beer in general, but I agree that Negra Modelo is generally their best, mostly because it's the only one that has even pretends to have a little body. It's an okay medium lager, which goes well with spicey Mexican food. Kind of the way I'd never drink Peroni on its own, but it's a good choice with cheap Italian food. (IMO, the best part of Peroni is the glass. Oh those sexy Italians...)

Full disclosure: When I'd rather have a light soft drink than a beer to cool down in the hot summer, I'll admit to reaching for the occasional Corona. But I'm not proud of it. wink


Keeper of the Magic Nickel
Re: Just dropped by...
Hal Itosis #3411 09/09/09 06:58 PM
Joined: Sep 2009
OP Offline

Joined: Sep 2009
Hi Hal, so glad to see your "face" again. Thanks for the welcome back.
I will start looking, but I do wonder where in Belgium I would be able to find the beers you mention. Never too old to learn, but... I do have my experience with the US meanwhile. crazy
(not that it has anything to do whatsoever with you or my other "forum buddies" on FTM)

(love that abbreviation by the way; I would just add "R" and slightly rearrange the letters grin)

Last edited by pingopuck; 09/09/09 06:59 PM.

There's no way out of here,
When you're in here, you're here for good (David Gilmour)
Re: Just dropped by...
donikatz #3450 09/10/09 07:18 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 15
Online

Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 15
> Kind of the way I'd never drink Peroni on its own, but it's a good choice with cheap Italian food.

Have you ever tried Moretti...not as sweet as Peroni? (I was apprehensive when Heineken bought it a few years back, but they don't seem to have done anything to it other than put their name on the label.)

Mexican beers have their place, but in my opinion it's as an accompaniment for Mexican food...exclusively.

In a different vein, have you heard of The PONY Bar @ 45th & 10th...nice selection of American-only craft beers?


The new Great Equalizer is the SEND button.

In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire
Re: Just dropped by...
pingopuck #3451 09/10/09 07:24 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 15
Online

Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 15
> As regards Palm: not bad at all, amber-coloured and a bit more bitter than the darker beers I personally prefer. Quite well marketed actually and definitely more present in the pubs than De Koninck, which is its Antwerp competitor. I prefer the latter, but will have a Palm on occasion.

Palm had apparently been stateside years back and disappeared; I'm pleased as punch to have found it, as it's a wonderful change from my standard Becks.

Truth be told, though, drinking Pilsner Urquell in Prague was my ultimate beer-drinking experience.


The new Great Equalizer is the SEND button.

In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire
Re: Just dropped by...
artie505 #3458 09/10/09 11:05 AM
Joined: Sep 2009
Offline

Joined: Sep 2009
Originally Posted By: artie505
> Truth be told, though, drinking Pilsner Urquell in Prague was my ultimate beer-drinking experience.

Yes, I second that! I've been to Prague three times, and always enjoyed the beer (what else to drink with the local goulash with dumplings). And while on Prague food and drink, I had a fabulous meal there, the core of which was a pig's knee that had been smoked, and then boiled, and then roasted.
Mind you, I also enjoyed drinking the delightfully named Theakston Old Peculier while in Yorkshire in England.


Mac since 1984, Apple since 1978
MacBook Pro, iPhone 5, MacBook (in living room for iTunes and searching for recipes), iPad
Re: Just dropped by...
oldMacMan #3460 09/10/09 11:15 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 15
Online

Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 15
> what else to drink with the local goulash with dumplings

The best eatery in which I was in Brno offered "Meat" and "Good Meat" on its menu; I wasn't smart enough to take that at face value. (Mods... Is there a smiley for yeeech?)


The new Great Equalizer is the SEND button.

In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire
Re: Just dropped by...
artie505 #3463 09/10/09 11:45 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
Offline

Joined: Aug 2009
Quote:
Truth be told, though, drinking Pilsner Urquell in Prague was my ultimate beer-drinking experience.

I thought I enjoyed the beer in Prague too, until my next stop was Vienna and then Brussels. The beer just kept getting better! grin My favorite Czech brew was Kozel Cerny. The wife was excited to find a bottle of Staropramen downtown, which was her favorite when she lived in Prague a few years ago.

Quote:
Moretti

Don't think so, but I'm not a big pale lager guy (hence the Brussels > Vienna > Prague thing). I'll look for it next time I'm having Italian, though, thanks.

Quote:
The PONY Bar @ 45th & 10th

Yes, the PONY bar's a good one, although I never get out there because I don't work in the area anymore. Ever been to Rattle N Hum, a recent place on 33rd b/t 5th & Mad? Fantastic & right by the office. Another favorite is the Blind Tiger Ale House in the West Village. The Ginger Man used to be a favorite when I first moved to the city, but it's too popular nowadays if you know what I mean. wink


Keeper of the Magic Nickel
Re: Just dropped by...
donikatz #3505 09/11/09 05:22 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 15
Online

Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 15
> Yes, the PONY bar's a good one, although I never get out there because I don't work in the area anymore. Ever been to Rattle N Hum, a recent place on 33rd b/t 5th & Mad? Fantastic & right by the office. Another favorite is the Blind Tiger Ale House in the West Village. The Ginger Man used to be a favorite when I first moved to the city, but it's too popular nowadays if you know what I mean.

I'm familiar with PONY only because I know one of the bartenders; basically, I'm a downtown saloon guy... Walkers in Tribecca, 20 draughts including Palm, is my main hang (but never before 11PM).


The new Great Equalizer is the SEND button.

In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire
Re: Just dropped by...
oldMacMan #3507 09/11/09 09:43 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
Offline

Joined: Aug 2009
Originally Posted By: oldMacMan
Mind you, I also enjoyed drinking the delightfully named Theakston Old Peculier while in Yorkshire in England.

When I lived in Edinburgh, I used to stop off in The Beehive in the Grassmarket on the way home. The only reason to go there was because they had Old Peculier on draught. One pint was lovely. Two pints was a mistake.

I returned for the Edinburgh Festival this year and made a beeline to the Beehive. They no longer serve Old Peculier. Fewer and fewer pubs are bothering to keep real ale. The kids like the gassy stuff.


iMac (19,1, 3.1 GHz i5, 12.7.4, 40 Gb RAM); MacBook Air (1.8 Ghz, 8 Gb RAM, 10.14.6, 256 Gb SSD) Vodafone router and Devolo Wi-Fi Extender, Canon TS8351 printer/scanner.
Re: Just dropped by...
freelance #3508 09/11/09 11:21 AM
Joined: Sep 2009
Offline

Joined: Sep 2009
I spent just a few hours in Edinburgh in 2006. My wife was giving a paper at a conference at Strathclyde University in Glasgow, and we went by train and spent a few hours in Edinburgh. Far, far too short a time, but still loved it. (I'm a single malt man).

We had to return in the afternoon because we were flying to Pisa (budget airline) for two weeks in Italy (Florence, Cinque Terre, Venice and Rome). Photos at:

http://gallery.me.com/pauldickinson

if anyone wants to be bored by holiday snapshots!


Mac since 1984, Apple since 1978
MacBook Pro, iPhone 5, MacBook (in living room for iTunes and searching for recipes), iPad
Re: Just dropped by...
oldMacMan #3509 09/11/09 12:01 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Offline

Joined: Aug 2009
Originally Posted By: oldMacMan
(I'm a single malt man)

I visited quite a few single malt specialists while I was in town. I don't know what made me think a malt whiskey would be any cheaper in Scotland than it is in London. It is probably cheaper in New Zealand!

Anyway, I like a Springbank, but a 21-year-old will break the bank. One seller had a barrel of Campbeltown malt and sold half bottles of cask-strength from the barrel. 55%, so you had to add water to taste after you tired of smelling it. Beautiful.


iMac (19,1, 3.1 GHz i5, 12.7.4, 40 Gb RAM); MacBook Air (1.8 Ghz, 8 Gb RAM, 10.14.6, 256 Gb SSD) Vodafone router and Devolo Wi-Fi Extender, Canon TS8351 printer/scanner.
Re: Just dropped by...
artie505 #3510 09/11/09 12:04 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Offline

Joined: Aug 2009
Originally Posted By: artie505
basically, I'm a downtown saloon guy... Walkers in Tribecca, 20 draughts including Palm, is my main hang (but never before 11PM).


My main hang (BME: Before the Married Era) was an UWS dive bar, since that's my hood. You ever been to the Bohemian Beer Hall & Garden in Astoria? A great time! I've also been going to the Brooklyn Brewery's Fri happy hour on late summer afternoons for years, although this past summer it was so overcrowded I'm not sure we'll keep up the tradition. It's also not the good deal it used to be... but I guess that's just Williamsburg in general, eh?


Keeper of the Magic Nickel
Re: Just dropped by...
donikatz #3557 09/12/09 09:23 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 15
Online

Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 15
> You ever been to the Bohemian Beer Hall & Garden in Astoria?

Nope... I stick to a small circle of downtown joints; traveling for beer is for aficionados, one of which I'm not (which is why I spend so much of my time drinking Beck's and, perish the thought, Heineken).

Thank goodness for the Palm at Walkers. grin


The new Great Equalizer is the SEND button.

In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire
Re: Just dropped by...
artie505 #3679 09/14/09 01:53 PM
Joined: Sep 2009
OP Offline

Joined: Sep 2009
Now shouldn't we start thinking about renaming this "Just stopped by..." thread to "The Beer thread" or "The drinking thread"? grin

What are people going to think of me? blush


There's no way out of here,
When you're in here, you're here for good (David Gilmour)
Re: Just dropped by...
pingopuck #3829 09/16/09 08:27 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 15
Online

Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 15
> What are people going to think of me?

A goodly percentage of Americans will probably think you need a six-pack of Bud to learn what beer is all about. grin

(My friend who introduced me to Palm told me that virtually all Belgian customers to whom he mentions it respond that they drank it in college and have moved past it.

Having at least a vague idea of what's available in Belgium, that doesn't surprise me in the least, but it's hardly a realistic attitude for Americans considering what's readily available here.)


The new Great Equalizer is the SEND button.

In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire
Re: Just dropped by...
artie505 #3840 09/16/09 02:48 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Offline

Joined: Aug 2009
Originally Posted By: artie505
considering what's readily available here.

Thankfully good domestic beer is widely available pretty much everywhere nowadays, it's just that Bud/Coors/Miller unfortunately still dominate domestic advertising. We need to educate consumers! Most people think a "high-end" import is a Heineken! (At least Guinness [incl Bass] has been advertising more the last few years.) Actually, a friend of mine who is a bigger beer aficionado than I recently tried that new Bud American Ale they've been pitching lately and said it's surprisingly decent -- a pretty good amber drinking ale. Haven't tried it myself, but that's a great sign: the big domestics popularizing better beer. Let's hope it's the beginning of a trend! cool Nothing makes my stomach turn quite like the concept of Bud Light Lime... crazy


Keeper of the Magic Nickel
Re: Just dropped by...
donikatz #3856 09/16/09 06:23 PM
Joined: Sep 2009
OP Offline

Joined: Sep 2009
I must say that during my past professional life I regularly visited the States (mostly NY and New Jersey; on one occasion Atlanta and Miami). During those visits I was usually taken out a night by one of my colleagues, and I did visit a couple of good microbreweries. There was this microbrewery in Princeton where I had a couple of damn good "Guinness-like" ales. grin
(there was this one restaurant, also in Princeton, where the bill came in a leather-like folder with the text "Corsendonck". Not bad for a small -and not that good- Belgian beer).

Last edited by pingopuck; 09/16/09 06:24 PM.

There's no way out of here,
When you're in here, you're here for good (David Gilmour)
Re: Just dropped by...
donikatz #3861 09/16/09 06:54 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Offline

Joined: Aug 2009
Originally Posted By: donikatz
Originally Posted By: artie505
considering what's readily available here.
We need to educate consumers!

My brother took me to a "pub" in Sacramento when I went to visit him. The pub specialized in English beers. He bought me a pint of Fuller's ESB (Extra Special Bitter) which, at home, is a pretty decent pint. It was served ice cold so you couldn't taste it, which would be okay for an American beer.


iMac (19,1, 3.1 GHz i5, 12.7.4, 40 Gb RAM); MacBook Air (1.8 Ghz, 8 Gb RAM, 10.14.6, 256 Gb SSD) Vodafone router and Devolo Wi-Fi Extender, Canon TS8351 printer/scanner.
Re: Just dropped by...
pingopuck #3862 09/16/09 07:46 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Offline

Joined: Aug 2009
Quote:
There was this microbrewery in Princeton

Yep, university towns tend to have some pretty good pubs for obvious reasons. I grew up near Princeton, but of course back in school we couldn't afford the fancy stuff, so my cheap/local/decent beers of choice were usually Yuengling, Honey Brown (I was more into the sweeter stuff back then), and the occasional Sam Adams on payday. Actually, I was down in Philly a couple of months ago and snagged a Yuengling for the first time in ages; still goes down pretty well. My first microbrewery experience was Harvest Moon, which they opened a few block from my uni apt (guess it's still there). All I remember is they had an amazing coffee stout.

Last edited by donikatz; 09/16/09 07:55 PM.

Keeper of the Magic Nickel
Re: Just dropped by...
freelance #3863 09/16/09 07:52 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Offline

Joined: Aug 2009
Quote:
It was served ice cold so you couldn't taste it, which would be okay for an American beer.

Good point: Americans usually don't know how to serve beer. They'll serve it ice cold, no matter the brew: Fuller's, Guinness, Trappist ales, barley wine, you name it. They're just too used to Coors Light or what-not that has to be served ice cold lest you actually taste the piss swill. Luckily good craft beer bars where they know how to serve are becoming more common.

Last edited by donikatz; 09/16/09 07:57 PM.

Keeper of the Magic Nickel
Re: Just dropped by...
donikatz #3864 09/16/09 08:04 PM
Joined: Sep 2009
Offline

Joined: Sep 2009
I'll just post this without comment . . .



Mac since 1984, Apple since 1978
MacBook Pro, iPhone 5, MacBook (in living room for iTunes and searching for recipes), iPad
Page 2 of 3 1 2 3

Moderated by  alternaut, cyn 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4
(Release build 20200307)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 7.4.33 Page Time: 0.040s Queries: 65 (0.028s) Memory: 0.7141 MB (Peak: 0.8984 MB) Data Comp: Zlib Server Time: 2024-03-28 15:20:00 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS