I'm somehow immune from jetlag. I don't know how I'm able to avoid this, but my only real superpower is being able to avoid fatigue after a long (8 hour) trip. Well I'm back in the states for the first time in a month. I think we can all agree that Amsterdam, above all places was the most fun. But in true BB fashion, I will now present a list of underrated/overrated (as well as "accurately rated") in Europe.
1) Most underrated city on my trip: Glasgow, Scotland. This place gets a bad rap. In fact, people looked at me funny when I told them I was going there. To them, it'd be like vacationing in Dover, Delaware. But Glasgow has come a long, long way since....well, since it sucked, I guess. Basically, this city has benefited greatly from the fact that all the smart artsy kids from London move here after finishing school. The biggest beneficiary of this has absolutely been the music scene. Of course we all know Franz Ferdinand and KT Tunstall, but I saw a couple bands during my 5 days here, the most impressive of which was the Attic Lights. Think Wilco, with the lyrical soul and UK spirit of Snow Patrol. Great live band, too. Also great about Glasgow, the girls dress like sluts, and are uber-friendly.
2) Most overrated: Dublin, Ireland. I know! Blasphemous? Maybe...but Dublin has a few things working against it these days. Its hella-freaking-expensive there. Just as bad as London. Its not the cleanest place in the world. And perhaps most disappointing, the nightlife is somewhat lacking. Sure, Saturday nights are rowdy...but I looked onto the streets of Temple Bar and thought I could've just as easily been in Lincoln Park (what with the clientele, and various irish pubs). Another big strike against Dublin was the fact that there is currently a major housing shortage right now, with students and young professionals forced to live in hostels. As in...my hostel...which resembled a multicultural freshman dormitory. Everyone was nice, but they were all broke, and didn't want to go out partying much. The daytime tourist stuff was cool though...remind me to scan my Jameson certificate!
3) Most accurately rated: Amsterdam. Everything you hear about this place is 100% true. There is no vice, no sin, no bastion of excess that isn't within walking distance of your hotel in Amsterdam. I did things in this town that I may never speak of again.
4) Missing the cut: Edinburgh (was having too much fun in Glasgow, skipped it). Brussels (ditto, only in Amsterdam), and Paris (been there done that, not all that great, really). And I guess Sri Lanka is worth mentioning, but I mostly just lay around the pool reading during my two weeks there, while my dad's servants brought me Carlsberg after Carlsberg. I felt like one of those sheik muslim princes.
The moral of the story?
Unemployment rules.
Showing posts with label What I'm Drinking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label What I'm Drinking. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
The Plants and the Animals Eat Each Other
1. I finally did the Red Hook brewery tour a few weekend back...great fun, $1 for basically three beers and a killer bar downstairs with all types of delicious, rare brews. Speaking of brewery tours, BB messaged me (drunk) after touring St. James's Gate in Dublin...Guinness for strength! What I'm drinking tonight: Redhook Copper Hook.
2. Going to Oregon this weekend, never been there before and I'm stoked. Going to see the Rogue Brewery and hopefully the Full Sail as well. Other than that, I'll be hanging in Corvalis and Eugene with some Pac-10 beauties.
3. You guys see this? The best is that big trail of blood left on the ice. Popular or not (and maybe that should be Bettman's blood on the ice), but Hockey players are still the toughest sons of bitches in sports.
4. So Blackberry lost service today. I have a Blackberry. Now, don't get me wrong, I like my Blackberry...a lot even. But c'mon, people...get a fucking grip. People were freaking out. Two co-workers specifically walked into my office today (while I was at my laptop) just to tell me. Then I got a phone call from a frantic co-worker in an airport asking me what was going on. The corporate dream is for douche bags. That's why they call me the Business Hippie. Fuck it.
2. Going to Oregon this weekend, never been there before and I'm stoked. Going to see the Rogue Brewery and hopefully the Full Sail as well. Other than that, I'll be hanging in Corvalis and Eugene with some Pac-10 beauties.
3. You guys see this? The best is that big trail of blood left on the ice. Popular or not (and maybe that should be Bettman's blood on the ice), but Hockey players are still the toughest sons of bitches in sports.
4. So Blackberry lost service today. I have a Blackberry. Now, don't get me wrong, I like my Blackberry...a lot even. But c'mon, people...get a fucking grip. People were freaking out. Two co-workers specifically walked into my office today (while I was at my laptop) just to tell me. Then I got a phone call from a frantic co-worker in an airport asking me what was going on. The corporate dream is for douche bags. That's why they call me the Business Hippie. Fuck it.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Left Coast Goals
1. Hello from Seattle... so since getting here this morning I've:
-Drank a latte
-Listened to Eddie Vedder
-Bought organic bananas
both while it was raining. It's official, I am in Seattle.
2. What I'm drinking:
-Full Sail Brewing's LTD Series
&
Red Hook's Winterhook
3. BB's BOY Ron Paul actually hates half of BB and all of AWM...or at least in 1992 he did. Still voting for him?
4. So where I'm staying is literally 200 yards from Microsoft's World Headquarters. So if anyone is currently having Windows or XBOX issues, please let me know and I'll be glad to shake my fist at it first thing tomorrow. Or, if you prefer, I will throw eggs. Please send a money order to bail me out of jail. Thank you.
-Drank a latte
-Listened to Eddie Vedder
-Bought organic bananas
both while it was raining. It's official, I am in Seattle.
2. What I'm drinking:
-Full Sail Brewing's LTD Series
&
Red Hook's Winterhook
3. BB's BOY Ron Paul actually hates half of BB and all of AWM...or at least in 1992 he did. Still voting for him?
4. So where I'm staying is literally 200 yards from Microsoft's World Headquarters. So if anyone is currently having Windows or XBOX issues, please let me know and I'll be glad to shake my fist at it first thing tomorrow. Or, if you prefer, I will throw eggs. Please send a money order to bail me out of jail. Thank you.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
What I'm Drinking 3.0
What I'm drinking
Three Floyd's Brian Boru- I'm usually not a big fan of Irish red, but the beer is hopped in what's becoming a traditional "three floyd's" style and turned out really well. If you like Killian's you'll love Brian Boru because it's a full percent higher in alcohol and sports a much "bigger" flavor. At $8 for a 22 oz, you can sip this all night or buy two and get bombed for the evening. Cut with your favorite barley wine to create an amazing Irish Phil.
New Glarus Belgian Red - Most cherry beers taste like medicine. Not this one. Simply amazing. Don't believe me? Find another beer on ratebeer.com that lists 100% that you can get in the midwest. So if you're ever in Wisconsin, find this beer. A pound of cherries goes into every bottle, and the beer is aged in oak barrels for over a year. This is probably the most complex domestic beer I've ever had, and at 5.1% alcohol something that would slow me down after 3 or 4. Its only drawback is its pairing ability. Drink this on its own, or with bbq smoked with cherry or apple wood.
What I'm Avoiding
Okocim O.K. Beer- If you're looking to add on to your drunken rampage on a friday or saturday night, drink this beer. Otherwise it's just not worth it. My friend described it best when he said it had an "industrial aftertaste indicative of eastern block beers". I don't know about "eastern block beers" but I do know this beer taste like some body dumped in some gasoline and stirred it with their hand. At $8 a six pack its just not worth it.
Three Floyd's Brian Boru- I'm usually not a big fan of Irish red, but the beer is hopped in what's becoming a traditional "three floyd's" style and turned out really well. If you like Killian's you'll love Brian Boru because it's a full percent higher in alcohol and sports a much "bigger" flavor. At $8 for a 22 oz, you can sip this all night or buy two and get bombed for the evening. Cut with your favorite barley wine to create an amazing Irish Phil.
New Glarus Belgian Red - Most cherry beers taste like medicine. Not this one. Simply amazing. Don't believe me? Find another beer on ratebeer.com that lists 100% that you can get in the midwest. So if you're ever in Wisconsin, find this beer. A pound of cherries goes into every bottle, and the beer is aged in oak barrels for over a year. This is probably the most complex domestic beer I've ever had, and at 5.1% alcohol something that would slow me down after 3 or 4. Its only drawback is its pairing ability. Drink this on its own, or with bbq smoked with cherry or apple wood.
What I'm Avoiding
Okocim O.K. Beer- If you're looking to add on to your drunken rampage on a friday or saturday night, drink this beer. Otherwise it's just not worth it. My friend described it best when he said it had an "industrial aftertaste indicative of eastern block beers". I don't know about "eastern block beers" but I do know this beer taste like some body dumped in some gasoline and stirred it with their hand. At $8 a six pack its just not worth it.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
What I'm Drinking
What I'm drinking
Goose Island IPA - My personal favorite beer at the Goose Island Brewery. Hoppy, creamy, and has a beautiful nose and almost 6% alcohol. I've found this running 5 to 6 bucks a pint or $8 for a six pack. Delicious with burgers and dogs, but exceptional with something spicy like a Indian or hot Mexican salsa.
Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter - I'm not the biggest fan of "imperial" porter, but god damn this is good shit. This beer was made for and dedicated to the original "gonzo" author Hunter S. Thompson upon his death. And a 9.5% alcohol this beer will have you waking up with a biz "z" carved in your forehead in no time. $9 for four bottles.
What I'm Avoiding
Gluten free beer - sorry no link, because I'm pretty much lumping them all in. Avoid names like "redbridge" and "trailblazer". I've tried several of these "gluten free" styles and they all taste like paint thinner. yuck. If you have a gluten allergy, I say skip it, and enjoy vodka. that sh!t will get you fucked up a lot faster.
Goose Island IPA - My personal favorite beer at the Goose Island Brewery. Hoppy, creamy, and has a beautiful nose and almost 6% alcohol. I've found this running 5 to 6 bucks a pint or $8 for a six pack. Delicious with burgers and dogs, but exceptional with something spicy like a Indian or hot Mexican salsa.
Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter - I'm not the biggest fan of "imperial" porter, but god damn this is good shit. This beer was made for and dedicated to the original "gonzo" author Hunter S. Thompson upon his death. And a 9.5% alcohol this beer will have you waking up with a biz "z" carved in your forehead in no time. $9 for four bottles.
What I'm Avoiding
Gluten free beer - sorry no link, because I'm pretty much lumping them all in. Avoid names like "redbridge" and "trailblazer". I've tried several of these "gluten free" styles and they all taste like paint thinner. yuck. If you have a gluten allergy, I say skip it, and enjoy vodka. that sh!t will get you fucked up a lot faster.
Monday, July 16, 2007
What I'm Drinking
As promised the newest segment to this blog. Basically I've drank a lot of different beers since I started home brewing. Most of them good, some of them bad. Since I know Skurny, and BB enjoy a fine brew now and again and J.O.B. is always up for something new this would be a great thing for you guys to read, file back in your noggin' and then when you're at the store, or at a nice bar and you see one of these you can give it a try.
Note: I've backed up my talk with a link to ratebeer.com so you can do your own research on a beer that you discover. Enjoy.
What I'm drinking:
1) Three Floyd's Pride & Joy - classified as a "mild ale" this beer is exactly that, "mild". But make no mistake at almost 5% alcohol the "mild" is in the flavor and not in its ability to get you drunk. Perfect with almost any grilled food, this is a classic summer ale that is meant to be enjoyed out doors with friends and family. About 7-8 bucks a six pack.
2) Delirium Tremens - right now my favorite beer to drink. Brewed in the classic style of the "belgian triple" it's like drinking a cross between champagne and sparkling cider. At 8.5% in the bottle and 9% on tap it doesn't take a lot to get the party going. Also one of the more expensive beers on the market. About $9 a pint at the bar. $9 for a 20 oz bottle or $14 buys you 4 12 oz bottles.
What I'm Avoiding:
3) Shiner Blonde - This is just piss water bottled and sold. Bud Light has more body and texture than this beer. The only possible way I would find this appealing is if I was doing road work, or lawn care in a desert. I found out this was brewed in Texas, so it only reinforces when I would have a taste for this skunk water. I don't even know if you can get this beer in chicago, so I don't have a price. But you're getting ripped off if they're charging you more than $5 for a six pack.
Note: I've backed up my talk with a link to ratebeer.com so you can do your own research on a beer that you discover. Enjoy.
What I'm drinking:
1) Three Floyd's Pride & Joy - classified as a "mild ale" this beer is exactly that, "mild". But make no mistake at almost 5% alcohol the "mild" is in the flavor and not in its ability to get you drunk. Perfect with almost any grilled food, this is a classic summer ale that is meant to be enjoyed out doors with friends and family. About 7-8 bucks a six pack.
2) Delirium Tremens - right now my favorite beer to drink. Brewed in the classic style of the "belgian triple" it's like drinking a cross between champagne and sparkling cider. At 8.5% in the bottle and 9% on tap it doesn't take a lot to get the party going. Also one of the more expensive beers on the market. About $9 a pint at the bar. $9 for a 20 oz bottle or $14 buys you 4 12 oz bottles.
What I'm Avoiding:
3) Shiner Blonde - This is just piss water bottled and sold. Bud Light has more body and texture than this beer. The only possible way I would find this appealing is if I was doing road work, or lawn care in a desert. I found out this was brewed in Texas, so it only reinforces when I would have a taste for this skunk water. I don't even know if you can get this beer in chicago, so I don't have a price. But you're getting ripped off if they're charging you more than $5 for a six pack.
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