Wine and Beer Enthusiasts

[Scepticalscribe]

All my friends find me odd because I cannot stand IPA's (and that seems to be what everyone brews around here.) I am much more of a Hefe or Dopplebock kind of guy.

Why should what your friends like influence your personal preferences if that is not what you like? If you cannot abide IPAs, that's completely fine because that is your choice. You are not your friends. Instead, why not enjoy your Hefe and Dopplebock.

Personally, I like rich, luscious, smooth, highly alcoholic drinks in whatever form I can find them. This means aged whiskies, (preferably 14-20 years old), likewise for cognac and port, and my preferences are equally marked for robust, rich, smooth red and white wines. And beers, preferably Belgian quadruples.

However, as it happens, my choices tend to be on the expensive side, in general, and I have had friends who find my preferences inexplicable. I raise a glass of what I am drinking to them, and toast their health.

 

[Khalanad75]

Why should what your friends like influence your personal preferences if that is not what you like? If you cannot abide IPAs, that's completely fine because that is your choice. You are not your friends. Instead, why not enjoy your Hefe and Dopplebock.

Personally, I like rich, luscious, smooth, highly alcoholic drinks in whatever form I can find them. This means aged whiskies, (preferably 14-20 years old), likewise for cognac and port, and my preferences are equally marked for robust, rich, smooth red and white wines.

However, as it happens, my choices tend to be on the expensive side, in general, and I have had friends who find my preferences inexplicable. I raise a glass of what I am drinking to them, and toast their health.

Don't get me wrong. I drink what I like to drink.

But they all still pull the, " cmon try it. It's better than all the other IPA's. Doesn't really taste like one."

Last one I had was Pliny the Elder, and was still ech to me.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Don't get me wrong. I drink what I like to drink.

But they all still pull the, " cmon try it. It's better than all the other IPA's. Doesn't really taste like one."

Last one I had was Pliny the Elder, and was still ech to me.

I take it that "ech" means you didn't like it.

Others here, on this very thread, have recommended 'Pliny the Elder' to me in terms which suggest that I might actually like it.

In truth, I suppose it largely depends on the tone used.

If the tone used to describe your choice of drink is patronising, or judgemental (and, when I was a student, I used to be astounded by the large number of things that young males affected a judgemental attitude over), then, naturally, that is very off-putting, and the only obvious stance - at least, for me - is to stubbornly stand your ground.

However, if the suggestions offered are offered in a tone of friendly collaboration - as in, "I want to share the fact that this is really good with you" then, trying it out can be a very good idea.

 

[Gutwrench]

Last night was Bloody Mary's. I'll try the Root Beer sometime this weekend.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Last night was Bloody Mary's. I'll try the Root Beer sometime this weekend.

View attachment 567868

Well, I rather like tomato juice, no, I'll amend that, I love tomato juice, - in fact, I prefer it without the vodka, (the so-called 'Virgin Mary') as I am not much of a drinker of spirits.

Nevertheless, the 'Bloody Mary' you posted does look delicious, and a well made one is a genuine treat. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it.

 

[Khalanad75]

I take it that "ech" means you didn't like it.

Others here, on this very thread, have recommended 'Pliny the Elder' to me in terms which suggest that I might actually like it.

In truth, I suppose it largely depends on the tone used.

If the tone used to describe your choice of drink is patronising, or judgemental (and, when I was a student, I used to be astounded by the large number of things that young males affected a judgemental attitude over), then, naturally, that is very off-putting, and the only obvious stance - at least, for me - is to stubbornly stand your ground.

However, if the suggestions offered are offered in a tone of friendly collaboration - as in, "I want to share the fact that this is really good with you" then, trying it out can be a very good idea.

Yes, the ech was the fact I didn't like it. Yet another IPA that my friends made me drink no matter how much I profess I don't care for them.

But I fully understand everyone's taste is different. I just know that Pliny is near tops for most people.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Yes, the ech was the fact I didn't like it. Yet another IPA that my friends made me drink no matter how much I profess I don't care for them.

But I fully understand everyone's taste is different. I just know that Pliny is near tops for most people.

Seriously, nobody 'makes' anyone drink anything, except, possibly at stag parties. You choose to put a drink in your mouth - so, why blame your friends if you don't like one, or if you succumb to their pressure, and - seriously - why pay their preferences so much heed? It is none of their business what you choose to drink, and what your preferences are. Stop blaming your friends, and tell them to mind their own business.

From your posts, I get the sense that you are pretty young.

Seriously, one of the advantages of becoming a bit more mature (i.e. older) is that you really don't give a fiddler's if other people don't share your choices, and the choices made by others will rarely influence you and your choices, because you have developed confidence in what you know you like and are prepared to stand over it.

 

[BittenApple]

Big fan of Sierra Nevada.

 

[JamesMike]

Big fan of Sierra Nevada.

It is a good one!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

When in doubt, nothing beats returning to the tried and tested and utterly reliably excellent. So, after sampling a few new beers - which came highly recommended and which were, to be frank, of varying quality, last night I returned to the classic Trappist beer, St Bernardus Abt 12, a beer which is simply one of the very best brewed.

 

[Khalanad75]

Seriously, nobody 'makes' anyone drink anything, except, possibly at stag parties. You choose to put a drink in your mouth - so, why blame your friends if you don't like one, or if you succumb to their pressure, and - seriously - why pay their preferences so much heed? It is none of their business what you choose to drink, and what your preferences are. Stop blaming your friends, and tell them to mind their own business.

From your posts, I get the sense that you are pretty young.

Seriously, one of the advantages of becoming a bit more mature (i.e. older) is that you really don't give a fiddler's if other people don't share your choices, and the choices made by others will rarely influence you and your choices, because you have developed confidence in what you know you like and are prepared to stand over it.

Wow, your post comes across quite condescending there.

And almost 40 isn't young, but I guess giving into peer pressure makes me immature?

Glad to see you can sit in your high seat and never give in to the "c'mon, give this a try, you'll like it."

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Wow, your post comes across quite condescending there.

And almost 40 isn't young, but I guess giving into peer pressure makes me immature?

Glad to see you can sit in your high seat and never give in to the "c'mon, give this a try, you'll like it."

Well, I'm afraid to say that from the tone and content of your posts you actually came across as very young. To be honest, I had you down for a teenager, unduly influenced by peer pressure.

Three times, in three separate posts, (1000, 1002, and 1006) you wrote that your friends 'made you' drink something you didn't care for. Candidly, I take issue with the verb 'made you' drink. Unless they held you down, and poured this into your open mouth, they didn't 'make you'; they persuaded, cajoled, or nagged, or perhaps even pressured you into drinking the IPA; they didn't 'make you', and, at 'almost 40' I am surprised that you don't seem have more confidence in your own choices.

Anyway, by all means, give into peer pressure all you like, but why then continue to whinge about it here?

For myself, no, I don't give into peer pressure, and didn't do so, even in my teen years. If someone says to me 'c'mon, give this a try, you'll like it' my response will depend on what is on offer. If it is alcohol, I may - or may not - try it, depending on my mood, and if I like it, I'll thank the person who suggested it, and, if I don't much care for it, I'll say so and refuse it if it is offered to me in the future.

 

[rhett7660]

When in doubt, nothing beats returning to the tried and tested and utterly reliably excellent. So, after sampling a few new beers - which came highly recommended and which were, to be frank, of varying quality, last night I returned to the classic Trappist beer, St Bernardus Abt 12, a beer which is simply one of the very best brewed.

Consistently good, no great. Between this and the Rochefort line of beer, I have to agree, one of the best. I think I just might have to open one up tonight and partake in one of the finer pleasures.......

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Consistently good, no great. Between this and the Rochefort line of beer, I have to agree, one of the best. I think I just might have to open one up tonight and partake in one of the finer pleasures.......

Agreed. Yes, it is a bit of a toss up between the superb Trappist Rochefort beers (especially the outstanding Trappist Rochefort 10, although the 8 and the 6 are both excellent, as well) and the outstanding St Bernardus range (again, the Abt 12 is first rate), for the consistently best beers I have had.

Now, I have not yet managed to lay hands on the legendary Westvleteren beers……..so I imagine that a treat may yet be in store for me.

 

[rhett7660]

Agreed. Yes, it is a bit of a toss up between the superb Trappist Rochefort beers (especially the outstanding Trappist Rochefort 10, although the 8 and the 6 are both excellent, as well) and the outstanding St Bernardus range (again, the Abt 12 is first rate), for the consistently best beers I have had.

Now, I have not yet managed to lay hands on the legendary Westvleteren beers……..so I imagine that a treat may yet be in store for me.

You and me both...... If you read some of the reviews, Legendary seems to be the appropriate word to describe this one.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

You and me both...... If you read some of the reviews, Legendary seems to be the appropriate word to describe this one.

Legendary by reputation, limited in availability, and stratospheric (and I am fairly profligate if something takes my fancy) in price.

Still, all that notwithstanding, I have no doubt whatsoever that if afforded the opportunity to sample some of the legendary brew, I would leap at it in a heartbeat.

 

[rhett7660]

Legendary by reputation, limited in availability, and stratospheric (and I am fairly profligate if something takes my fancy) in price.

Still, all that notwithstanding, I have no doubt whatsoever that if afforded the opportunity to sample some of the legendary brew, I would leap at it in a heartbeat.

Oh so would I! I have been known to pay a pretty penny, if you will, for a good beer, not so much for wine.....yet!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Oh so would I! I have been known to pay a pretty penny, if you will, for a good beer, not so much for wine.....yet!

You will, trust me, you will.

Good wine - as with good beer - tends to have a slight (not exact) relationship with rising costs and prices.

I seem to have developed a taste (and marked preference) for better quality (for which, read, somewhat more expensive) wines. The truth is, though, that they are just so much - more pleasant - to drink.

 

[mobilehaathi]

I found a curious ale from New Belgium Brewing Company brewed with pears and ginger. I couldn't resist; I hope it is good!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I found a curious ale from New Belgium Brewing Company brewed with pears and ginger. I couldn't resist; I hope it is good!

Let us know what you think of it, and how you find it. (Pears and ginger?)

 

[mobilehaathi]

Let us know what you think of it, and how you find it. (Pears and ginger?)

Pears and ginger! I've been known to enjoy fruit beers.

I may not get to it tonight, but I'll report on it when I do.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Pears and ginger! I've been known to enjoy fruit beers.

I may not get to it tonight, but I'll report on it when I do.

Have you tried the raspberry (framboise) or cherry (kriek) beers from Belgium? Some of the more commercial ors can be rather (too) sweet, but there are a few from smaller, more discerning breweries (which tend to use more natural ingredients, too) which are supposed to be excellent.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Have you tried the raspberry (framboise) or cherry (kriek) beers from Belgium? Some of the more commercial ors can be rather (too) sweet, but there are a few from smaller, more discerning breweries (which tend to use more natural ingredients, too) which are supposed to be excellent.

I have! Indeed some of them can be cloying, but I've had a few delicious ones. One of my favorite krieks is brewed by Oud Beersel.

 

[JamesMike]

Pears and ginger! I've been known to enjoy fruit beers.

I may not get to it tonight, but I'll report on it when I do.

This beer is brewed in my state of Oregon, note the use of pear juice and it is a tasty beer.

"Seizoen Bretta
Logsdon Farmhouse Organic Ales, Hood River
This Belgian-inspired, farmhouse saison is brewed in small batches on Logsdon’s farm brewery in Hood River. It’s unfiltered and bottle-conditioned with pear juice. It’s a pleasantly spicy, estery and earthy brew with notes of light grains, tea, lemon and grapes. The addition of Brettanomyces yeast contributes a bit of funky goodness, depth and dryness."

 

[mobilehaathi]

This beer is brewed in my state of Oregon, note the use of pear juice and it is a tasty beer.

"Seizoen Bretta
Logsdon Farmhouse Organic Ales, Hood River
This Belgian-inspired, farmhouse saison is brewed in small batches on Logsdon’s farm brewery in Hood River. It’s unfiltered and bottle-conditioned with pear juice. It’s a pleasantly spicy, estery and earthy brew with notes of light grains, tea, lemon and grapes. The addition of Brettanomyces yeast contributes a bit of funky goodness, depth and dryness."

Ooh, that sounds quite nice, I should search for this brewery...