The importance of remaining faithful to true friends

[shrub]

Yesterday afternoon the missus and I were in the supermarket, and while she picked the steaks I made my way to the holiest of holies; the beer section because I knew that there was one brave little Steinie standing between me an an empty fridge. Monteiths Distinction was on special, as was Steinlager, and both of them have served me well and never let me down no matter how dire the thirst so which should I choose? Maybe even both to encourage the shop owner to keep them specials rolling?

But my eye was taken by the new Ranfurly beers, and my mind switched to the clever new advertising on TV. They looked so refreshing and tasty, so I grabbed a box and hurried past the Macs, Steinlager and Speights stands, paid my money and set off home. I resisted the powerful temptation to crack open a bottle for the long drive home (one of the reasons I have a missus is so she can drive the car - dirty work) because the beer wasn't as cold as it needed to be and I wanted things to be right for my first sip.

Into the freezer, mow the lawns to build an even bigger thirst and when it was nice and icey I cracked it open, filled my mug and sucked it back, waiting for that cold, cleansing sensation as icy beer washed the dust from my throat.

Only problem the beer was sweet, bland and uninteresting. None of that bitter hop tang I love so much, or the full flavour of the malt and the crisp refreshment I demand in beer. I was glad for the last stalwart Steinie that allowed me to refresh my mouth and remember what beer is meant to taste like.

An emergency run to the bottle shop later and my fridge was filled with trusted friends and the Ranfurley swill has been put aside as a reminder to stay faithful to good beer and not to be tempted by the evil art of the advertisers.

[Edbear]

Now who says we aren't influenced by the TV???!!!!

Thanks for the warning. Mind you, as they do say, "One man's swill is another man's fill!"

[scissorhands]

Too cold kills the taste

Nothing good comes from Independant Breweries though, all their beers are shit made with tap water



Below from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer


The temperature of a beer has an influence on a drinker's experience; warmer temperatures reveal the range of flavours in a beer but cooler temperatures are more refreshing. Most drinkers prefer pale lager to be served chilled, a low- or medium-strength pale ale to be served cool, while a strong barley wine or imperial stout to be served at room temperature.[135]

Beer writer Michael Jackson proposed a five-level scale for serving temperatures: well chilled (7 °C/45 °F) for "light" beers (pale lagers); chilled (8 °C/46 °F) for Berliner Weisse and other wheat beers; lightly chilled (9 °C/48 °F) for all dark lagers, altbier and German wheat beers; cellar temperature (13 °C/55 °F) for regular British ale, stout and most Belgian specialities; and room temperature (15.5 °C/59.9 °F) for strong dark ales (especially trappist beer) and barley wine.[136]

Drinking chilled beer began with the development of artificial refrigeration and by the 1870s, was spread in those countries that concentrated on brewing pale lager.[137] Chilling beer makes it more refreshing,[138] though below 15.5 °C (59.9 °F) the chilling starts to reduce taste awareness[139] and reduces it significantly below 10 °C (50 °F).[140] Beer served unchilled—either cool or at room temperature, reveal more of their flavours.[141] Cask Marque, a non-profit UK beer organisation, has set a temperature standard range of 12°-14 °C (53°-57 °F) for cask ales to be served.[

[Pussy]

I have remained loyal to Mac's Gold....

Though I see that the McCashin family are making their own beer again.
May have to give it a bash

[Owl]

I probably average about 1 handle (if that) a week these days and have somewhat lost the taste for beer.

Interestingly, I had 4 handles over about 2 hours the other week and I struggled to walk straight and had a hangover.

[Big Dave]

I drink Bourbon.

[shrub]

Now who says we aren't influenced by the TV???!!!!

Thanks for the warning. Mind you, as they do say, "One man's swill is another man's fill!"

yes, shame on me. I will burn my telly for fear it will tempt me to drink bad beer again.

[wickle]

My cousin in Aussie calls VB (Victorian Bitter ) visitors beer , sounds like Runfurly is in the same class.

[ellipsis]

....it all tastes like weasel piss to me....still seem to keep the kidneys bathed in it tho...the great southern man brew is as consistently horrible as the best of the rest...thats my choice....bought a couple of quarts of Coopers....ozzy I think....bloody lovely....bright, bitter, lively...

[shrub]

and forming a lasting relationship with that beer. It's good to know that no matter what life throws at you, no matter how harsh the thirst or dire the straits; that in your fridge (or cool dark place for some beers) is a trusted friend guaranteed to quench your thirst and remind you that life is meant to be happy.

I've just come back from a ride and now preparing for a BBQ. It felt good as i travelled back the familiar roads to my home knowing that once my bike was parked and resting I could open a cold one that was certain to please.

Amicus certa in re incerta - a certain friend in uncertain times.

[marty]

I suffered thru a winter of Export 33 - it wasn't too bad but the 1/2 price ski tickets made it worth it.

Otherwise, I stick with either Corona or Stella.

[ellipsis]

....Corona brings back terrible memories of drinking enough of it to forget that I should never ever ever drink Tequila...which I did... and still shudder at the two or three days of intense brain pain I had ...that was over 25 years ago and Stella will always bring back a horrible memory of the Porsche powered VW Kombi we were off to the continent in, seizing on the motorway....rabbit hopping at 60+ mph ...off the built up shoulder and ending up in the back yard of a pub near Sevenoaks in Kent....it had Stella on tap....my mate and I had a few hundred quid for our little euro-trip....it went on the bar....we were really fucked off... then we were really pissed... then a day or so later we were really sick....wont touch that anymore either....then there was the big Grolsch session on the way to Holland on the ferry to get to Assen for the Motor Cycle Grand Prix....la de da....wont touch that now either....still lots of other flavours tho.....

[Okey Dokey]

Beer is my favourite alcoholic beverage. My usual is Stella. I will also enjoy Emerson's, Mac's varieties occasionally. I really like Guinness, too, but usually only buy that at pubs that serve it. Exception made for cans with the widget on St Patrick's Day.

BEER: I love the bubbles, the clean malty taste and the yummy dry hoppy finish. So refreshing

I cannot stand any of the various "draught" beers: CD, DB, Speights, Tui, etc. I find them all too sugary and blah-tasting, no matter what temperature they are served.

[shrub]

Beer is my favourite alcoholic beverage. My usual is Stella. I will also enjoy Emerson's, Mac's varieties occasionally. I really like Guinness, too, but usually only buy that at pubs that serve it. Exception made for cans with the widget on St Patrick's Day.

BEER: I love the bubbles, the clean malty taste and the yummy dry hoppy finish. So refreshing

I cannot stand any of the various "draught" beers: CD, DB, Speights, Tui, etc. I find them all too sugary and blah-tasting, no matter what temperature they are served.

You won't like ranfurly's then. Kind of like DB only even less like beer.

[Pussy]

Beer is my favourite alcoholic beverage. My usual is Stella.

Stella? Hope you don't get pissed and start fights, OD!!

I've only had one REALLY good session on Stella....

even I couldn't understand what I was saying!