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Weave

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  2. Complaint Thursdays

    in The Aud Club

    Posted

    Until your last line, I wholeheartedly agree. I'm not registered with either party (or any party). Never will be. But Republican /= Democrat; they are protecting different special interests. And yes, both are interested in acquiring power for the sake of power.

     

    I will say this, though, the last American president that I've seen who is genuinely interested in improving our country is the current one. That doesn't mean that all Democrat presidents are like that (I'm lookin' at you, Kennedy), but it does mean that I'm sick of people bashing Pres. Obama just because he's not on their "team."

     

    Politics isn't sports. It isn't "Hey, I'm a Sabres fan, so I'll always hate the Sens." It's fluid, and smart voting requires a look behind the talking heads, whether conservative or liberal. I have voted for Republicans for high offices before (and for lower offices); I just don't like the spewing I've seen lately, and I spoke my mind. (And not all of the spewing has come from XC; it was a long day of reading ######.)

     

    I'll also say this: we've been through this before a few times before you joined the board; there is a history here. I'm not so much a zealot as I am a zealous anti-zealot (that was a purposeful oxymoron, for those who don't think I know what "apoplectic" means).

     

    1. I wasn't so much responding to your line of debate with XC as I was clarifying for all how similar these two parties really are and that blind faith *and blind hatred* in either party is just blind. They both need to be viewed with skepticism by the masses because their interests do not include us.

     

    2. I doubt BO is any more earnest in his efforts to improve the country than any other President. He is no more, and no less, interested in things going well on his watch thatn any other Prez.

     

    3. The last line is the most accurate IMO. If the only difference is the industries that they favor, there really isn't enough differnece to matter.

     

     

    Anyone really want to make a difference? Support your 3rd party candidates. And don;t just vote for them. Work for them and spread the word. Real change will only come form the outside.

    • Like (+1) 3

  4. Complaint Thursdays

    in The Aud Club

    Posted

    Look, I will only talk politics as long as you continue to assert your completely uninformed and ignorant opinions. Other than that, I'm happy to keep this off of the board.

     

    Blah, blah, blah, blah

     

    I edited to blah, blah for brevity, not out of disrespect. Just so there isn't a misunderstaning about that. All your points are worthwhile. But......

     

    I hate to break it to you but the "other side" is every bit as disinterested in you, your family, etc. etc as the side you are chastising. This is the big falsehood of the whole Dems vs. Repubs garbage. Look at the policies that have been implemented by the last two Dem administrations. They look a whole lot like the ones implemented by Repubs. Both parties are interested in keeping their corporate sponsors happy (they just happen to choose different industries ;) ) and they both insist on empire building. The only thing they are concerned with is power and their side winning at all costs. The current administration is every bit the corporate stooge the previous administration was, and the many administrations previous for quite some time. The idea that Democrats are somehow more interested in the common man is a farce. Their only interest is in buying votes, just like Repubs. They are not interested in your happiness and well being. If something they've enacted socially does positively affect your well being it is gravy. They don't want your happiness, they want your vote. And they'll tell you whatever you want to hear to get it. Even if it means promising you something they can't pay for.

     

    Republican = Democrat.

    • Like (+1) 6

  5. The Official Beer Appreciation Thread

    in The Aud Club

    Posted

    That's a great point about bottled beer. However down here, there are many bars/restaurants that have the same 6 beers on tap: Bud, Mich Amber Bock, Shock Top, Sam, Bud Light, Coors Light. As such, when they have a good bottle beer (some places down here carry Belgian bottle-conditioned ales) or if they have Guinness Draught can, I'll opt for that.

     

    Buffalo has become beer savvy in the last couple of years. Prior to that, most places here also had the same 6 beers on tap. The difference here was, two of those beers were Blue and Blue light. But there seems to be a real change in the drinking culture in Buffalo lately and good beer selections are even showing up in the franchise places.

     

    I wish that culture sould start moving outward a couple of counties. I have two bars in my entire county that have interesting beers on tap. The rest of them all have a base of Blue, Blue Light, Bud, Bud Light, Coors, Shock Top, and Blue Moon. A few include Sam Adams Lager in there somewhere. Fortunately, I live within walking distance of both of those bars. :clapping:

    • Like (+1) 1

  6. The Official Beer Appreciation Thread

    in The Aud Club

    Posted

    No prob, thanks for the input on the place. We're driving up to NY this week and will def stop by for dinner. I'm not surprised about the cost of the beers, as GoDD mentioned the margins may be too tight for the quality of product. Although they should list prices. Were all the Belgians that high? If so I would think they may have to supplement with either more domestics or domestic crafts as we're still talking West Seneca here. They will surely get clientele that splurge, however a great deal wont.

     

    Then again, they may get way with only 3 domestics to appease the masses.

     

    I have no idea if the other Belgians are that pricey. I didn't see a price list anywhere. Had no idea my Qwak was $9.50 until I got the bill. Good thing I wasn't on a lunch budget. I didn't get one so I'm assuming here, but I'm sure beers like Southern Tier IPA and Smuttynose, Flying Bison, et al are probably competitively priced. And that's where the bulk of their sales volume will probably be.

     

    They are making hay with their happy hours. All their bottled beers are $1.50 during happy hour and the bartender said happy hour is jammed. Personally, I don't get drinking bottled beer at a bar. I can get the same product at home. But hey, that's just me.

    • Like (+1) 1

  7. The Official Beer Appreciation Thread

    in The Aud Club

    Posted

    Follow up to my post, a writeup in the Gusto today: Ebenezer Ale House

     

    Made it out to the Ebenezer Ale House for lunch today. I remembered it from its Ebenezer Onion days immediately.

     

    Nice place. Was pretty quiet at ~1pm. Was entertained by a very pretty and talkative young bartender while we were there. Had a pint of Qwak and Omm BPA. The wife went with Breckenridge 471 Imperial IPA. I had the BBQ meatloaf sammich and wife had the reuben. The homemade chips were very good and the mac-n-cheese was made with smoked gouda and very tasty as well. The meatloaf sandwich was monstrous and I took half of it home. Wife said the reuben was ordinary. The beers were all tasty and properly carbonated. Glasses clean and not over-chilled. I think the place has a ton of promise as a different kind of beer haven. I hope they keep the predominantly Belgian theme to the beers.

     

    One note, alot of those unique beers are pricey. My pint of Qwak ran $9.50. Wasn't expecting that and price wasn't listed on their menu. Granted, the more common beers like SA Summer Ale were competitively priced. It's the unusual stuff that's a bit pricier than I expected.

     

    All in all, we enjoyed it alot and will be back there. Thanks for the heads up Braedon.

    • Like (+1) 1

  9. The Official Beer Appreciation Thread

    in The Aud Club

    Posted

    Now, I must say something here as well. Seems a lot of folks still think that beer in a can sucks, and 10 years ago that would generally be the case However, technology has changed and the best storage method for beer now is a can No light, no air,mean better fresher beer..and the newer cans insure no metal taste as well. I believe cans are where plastic enclosures and screw caps were with Wines 10 years ago. Oskar Blues Has some great beer in a can, and 21st Amendment does as well. Star Hill in Charlottsville starting to can some of their beers a well.

     

    All I am saying is don't not try a beer simply cause in a can.

     

    Agreed. Pikeland Pils and Prima Pils are two of my favorites in cans. And I still like a can of Genny Cream on a sreaming hot day.

    • Like (+1) 1

  11. Good whisky/whiskey

    in The Aud Club

    Posted

    I've wanted to try that but I haven't found it here in the PacNW. It's what the old man in the blues guitar movie "Crossroads" was drinking.

     

    I'll chime in on my latest in whiskey tastes. I definitely go through phases. I had moved from drinking primarily Bushmill's and other Irish malts, Jameson, Tullamore, Michael Collins- to drinking Scotch. I had decided I enjoyed the blendeds more that the single malts and settled on the "affordable" Walker black. I bought a friend a bottle of J Walker green as a gift and he shared it with me. It was very good but I thought it was just a little smoother that the black. Not as far beyond black than the black is beyond red label, if that makes any sense. Well after a night of over indulgence of a bottle of single malt (half a bottle between two of us) I cannot enjoy the smoky flavor of scotch just yet. I am a 1,2 or 3 shot a night guy so a 1/4 bottle wrecked my world the next day. That being said I have started to acquire a taste for bourbon. I like Maker's, and REALLY like Hayden Basil though the $45 tag on that on keeps me from buying it very often. Woodford Reserve I enjoyed though it is not quite as smooth, I do like a good burn as it goes down. My latest bottle is Eagle Rare from the Buffalo Trace distillery. It as well is very good. As always I drink all my whisk(e)y's neat with maybe a glass of Canada Dry ginger ale to sip every so often to clear my pallet. Glad this thread was revived.

     

    Have you tried MacAllan and Oban yet? They are both very low in smoke and peat.

     

     

     

    I ended up sitting down to a flight of bourbons last night. Parker's Heritage cask strength, Russell's Reserve, and Jefferson's Reserve. Started out with the lowest priced of the three, Russell's Reserve. It's a Wild Turkey product. Served neat. Smooth and a little sweet. Nice caramel flavors. It had a floral note in the nose that I never get out of other Wild Turkey product. Enjoyed it alot. Parkers was next. Also served neat. I didn't realize it was 124 proof when I ordered it. Yeah, it was a touch hot. It also had alot of barrel notes, heavy in vanilla and caramel, and a touch woody as well. Definitely needed a touch of water to settle it down enough to enjoy it. Jeffersons was the last pour. It comes from a small microdistillery in Kentucky. Served neat. Caramel was the dominant impression. But smooth, soft, and very drinkable. Almost fruity on the tongue before a long barrel finish. It was the lightest flavored of the three. Tasted very much like a wheated bourbon to me.

     

    Of the three, Russell's Reserve was my favorite. Good thing I was walking because I had a pint of Ithaca Cascazilla on tap while I was there too. :D

  12. Good whisky/whiskey

    in The Aud Club

    Posted

    Nifty soapstone glasses for chilling (but not diluting) your drink:

     

    http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/mugs/e9e9/?cpg=165CP&link

     

    They look like sake glasses, but neat idea. I've definitely struggled with getting the amount of ice right to chill but not ruin my scotch.

     

    Ice? :doh:

     

    J/K I find that I don;t need ice with good single malt. I do prefer a cube or two with some of my bourbons.

     

     

    And I'm off to a local watering hole in a bit to have a dram or two of MacAllan 12. It's good to have a bar with a great whiskey selection within walking distance.

     

     

    Edit- I would think that freezer temp is too cold for good whisky. Refrigerator temp may be about right though.

  13. The Official Beer Appreciation Thread

    in The Aud Club

    Posted

    I picked up a 12 of Sam Adams Latitude 48 Deconstructed IPA the other day and am currently enjoying a "Zeus". Very interesting, hoppy taste. Kind of dark tasting, too. It's good, though, and actually mellows appropriately as it warms up a little.

     

    One of you guys who knows beer really ought to host a get-together and turn us dilettantes on to "The Good Stuff".

     

     

    I haven't seen any of the "deconstructed" Latitude 48's around here. I guess they just don't bother to ditribute them out my way. I like the regular L48 so I'd really like to try the single hop varieties that make it up.

     

     

    *sigh* the problem with living in a rural area.

  16. The Official Beer Appreciation Thread

    in The Aud Club

    Posted

    No - don't get to Tonawanda very often, even when I am in Buffalo - may have to make the trip.

     

    *facepalm*

     

    I forget that you are in the Finger Lakes. Beers of the World would be closer for you but they are notorious for having old product on the shelves. Isn't there a really good beer store in Ithaca? I seem to recall one but don't remember the name.

  20. The Official Beer Appreciation Thread

    in The Aud Club

    Posted

    I'll jump in since I've had a little bit of a chance to gather my thoughts on this. I'm a homebrewer and beer lover, but like weave I wouldn't call myself a beer snob at all. There is a time and place for almost every kind of beer. Almost.

     

    My favorite styles are APA, IPA, czech pils, porters, stouts, and some belgians every now and then.

     

    My go to "lawnmower" beer in PBR. An ice cold PBR is fantastic on a hot summer day. Plus it's Drunkard's beer of choice when pillaging the RBC lots. When the Sabres are in the playoffs and I'm watching at my man cave outdoors it's always Labbat Blue.

     

    My favorite beer is Pliny the Elder from Russian River. They "invented" the double IPA style with this beer and it's been voted the best beer in America numerous times by the readers of Zymurgy magazine. Unfortunately, outside of a couple bars in Philly you cant find this on the east coast, but if you ever find yourself out west do yourself a favor and seek this beer out. Unearthly from Southern Tier which has been mentioned is also fantastic, but it's no Pliny. Other good double IPA's are Great Divide's Hercules double IPA and I used to be a big fan of Dogfish head 90 minute but in the last few years it seems like it's gotten to sweet, almost like to keep up with demand they are not letting the beer attentuate fully. The continuous hopping of DFH 60 minute & 90 minute is a great way to get huge hop flavor in your beer. I have homebrewed a few that way and they usually turn out great.

     

     

    Some regular APA & IPA favorites: Great Lakes Burning River, Sweetwater 420, Southern Tier IPA, Bell's Two Hearted Ale, New Belgium Ranger IPA & Mighty Arrow, Bear Republic Racer 5 & Hop Rod Rye (an IPA using rye malt in the grist adds another level of spiciness complexity to the beer that I enjopy a lot)

     

    Victory Brewing in PA makes some fantastic beers. Their czech pilsner Prima Pils is fantastic. Of course the ubiquitous Pilsner Urquell is great too if you can find some fresh stuff that's not in light struck bottles. Their Donnybrook stout is also a great example of an Irish dry stout.

     

    I enjoy Ommengang beers as well. Hennepin being a great farm house saison.

     

    I've been to the national homebrewers conference the last three years and you can always tell what the new "fad" craft beers are by going to these. Last year there were a lot of Belgin IPA's. Big belgian beers fermented with characteristic estery and phenolic Belgian yeast but heavily hopped with american hops (cascade, centennial, amarillo, simcoe etc.). They are ok, but I can't say I'm a big fan. This year at the conference Black IPA's seemed to be the rage. These are basically IPA's brewed with debittered dark malts that give the dark color but cuts down the roasty character normally associated with these malts. There were a few that I enjoyed, but most were not done very well and were not well balanced IMO.

     

    Alaskan Smoked Porter is fantastic. I love a good smoked porter and have smoked my own malt to brew with in the past. I know I have forgotten many but it's now 10 AM and I need a beer!!!

     

    You and me, we're brothers or something, right?

     

    It's funny that PBR seems to be the swill of choice for most every homebrewer. I've never been able to get my mitts on Pliny but Bell's Two Hearted is a fantastic beer. Prima Pils is fantastic too, so is Pikeland Pils. It sounds like we have similar tastes in IPA's and pilsners.

     

    I am a fan of Belgian IPA's. I love the combo of esters and citrucy hops. Brewing one is on my to do list for August. And some of the black IPA's are damned tasty. I first had a black IPA in Vermont 5-6 years ago in a little brewpub in a backwater town. It was heavenly.

     

    Never been to the NHC, or GABF. I'll have to do it sometime.

  23. The Official Beer Appreciation Thread

    in The Aud Club

    Posted

    I think that the nasty feeling we call a hangover has less to do with alcohol (although it is a part of it, certainly) than it does with the unfermentables left over in any alcoholic beverage. That's why you get more of a hangover from red wine than white (glass for glass), or cheap whiskey rather than more pricey stuff (the pricier usually is filtered and distilled better). So, maybe the Straub legend is true. Your reaction to Bud may be due to 1) the high percentage of brewer's rice used (~30%) rather than barley malt and 2) the famed "beech wood aging". This consists of introducing a "charge" of raw beech wood chips into the holding tank and letting the new beer "absorb" the nice woody flavor. Obviously, this would introduce a lot of nasty esters and fusel oils not present in a more "pure" beer recipe (like Straub).

    By the way, try this some time: Get a bottle of you average daily beer of choice (Blue, Canadian, Miller High Life, etc.) and take a couple of good, long tastes. Then, open a Bud. First of all, you will definitely notice the beech wood on the nose of the beer. One sip will reveal that not-really-appealling woody tartness. I tried this at a picnic a few years back and the Bud almost made me lose my lunch. Nasty stuff.

     

    This webpage should help you better understand how a hangover happens.

     

    Hydration is the biggest factor but even with proper hydration alcohol will hurt you the next morning. Period.

  25. The Official Beer Appreciation Thread

    in The Aud Club

    Posted

    For those of you in the Buffalo area, a new restaurant opened up where the Ebenezer Onion used to be in West Seneca, called the Ebenezer Ale House. 2 guys with a boatload of experience, both bartenders, one of them a staple on the bar at Brennans. Right now they have about 20 beers on tap, but the cool thing is that only 3 are domestic.

     

    Oh my. What a great selection of Belgian brews. My in-laws are a short drive from the old Ebenezer Onion. I'm going to have to make a point of stopping in there next time we visit. I absolutely love Ommegang BPA. It is tremendous on tap. And I've never had Qwaak so I need to try that one.

     

    We get into Erie County about once a month and when we do we always make a point of hitting someplace beer-y for a meal. thanks for the tip. I'm adding this place to the list.

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