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Wine and Beer Enthusiasts

Krafty said:
I think I'll just your preferences first, thanks for the reply!
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No; forget my preferences, trust your own, or try your own.

My preferences are quite specific, and, unfortunately, very pronounced.

For example, I also like - actually love - anchovies - I am perfectly capable of devouring a small tin of Ortiz salted anchovies in one sitting; and I adore cheeses, the richer, and more aromatically pungent, the better: Thus, I love aromatic Epoisses, and rich creamy Camembert, amazing Munster, and serious Gorgonzola or Bleu d'Auvergne. Then, again, I absolutely detest ice-cream, and milk chocolate.

So, my point is that taste is such a personal and subjective thing; my advice would be to try champagne, and if you dislike it - or find that you don't like it, you don't have to touch it again, but you will know that you dislike it.
 
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Scepticalscribe said:
No; forget my preferences, trust your own, or try your own.

My preferences are quite specific, and, unfortunately, very pronounced.

For example, I also like - actually love - anchovies - I am perfectly capable of devouring a small tin of Ortiz salted anchovies in one sitting; and I adore cheeses, the richer, and more aromatically pungent, the better: Thus, I love aromatic Epoisses, and rich creamy Camembert, amazing Munster, and serious Gorgonzola or Bleu d'Auvergne. Then, again, I absolutely detest ice-cream, and milk chocolate.

So, my point is that taste is such a personal and subjective thing; my advice would be to try champagne, and if you dislike it - or find that you don't like it, you don't have to touch it again, but you will know that you dislike it.
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I agree with SS, your taste is your taste. I personally like champagne myself.
 
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Krafty said:
I see a lot of mixed reviews (worth trying if received but not buying, which I guess is partially why its so rare?)

Is it worth the purchase?
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It was a delightful experience but it was over priced. If you want nice bubbles you can get very nice champagne for much cheaper. I'm a fan of Champagne Launois Père et Fils http://www.champagne-launois.fr/ personally.
 
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rhett7660 said:
Just going to go out on a limb and say you really love champagne! :D

Do you mix it your champagne with anything? Orange juice etc...?
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Not really. I am taking a liking to mixing vodka, but thats because I was just... in a low point in life and wanted to hit the floor hard that weekend. I usually dont mix my wine, or champagne, but I'd like to experiment.
 
Krafty said:
Not really. I am taking a liking to mixing vodka, but thats because I was just... in a low point in life and wanted to hit the floor hard that weekend. I usually dont mix my wine, or champagne, but I'd like to experiment.
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Well the (French) 75 cocktail is a nice little champagne and gin based cocktail if you're looking to try such things.
 
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mobilehaathi said:
Well the (French) 75 cocktail is a nice little champagne and gin based cocktail if you're looking to try such things.
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Now, that is an area where I have to say I am not really either an aficionado, or much of a fan. In general, I don't much care for cocktails, though I know that some of them can be very creative and inventive.
 
mobilehaathi said:
Some good news for folks in the Western US: Founders Brewing adds California, Nevada to distribution map.
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OH HELL YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :):):):):):):):):)

I have been waiting to try their Oatmeal Stout for a very, very, very long time!

But it looks like it might be limited to Northern Cal! But it is at least in the same state which means there might be slim shot of someone shipping it!
 
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rhett7660 said:
OH HELL YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :):):):):):):):):)

I have been waiting to try their Oatmeal Stout for a very, very, very long time!

But it looks like it might be limited to Northern Cal! But it is at least in the same state which means there might be slim shot of someone shipping it!
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So, the folks I buy most of my wine and beer from have three locations: two in NorCal and one in SoCal. According to the guys I talked to, Bell's has been distributing in one or more counties down there, and they've been 'smuggling' the beers north. So for the past few months (at a premium) I've had access to a small range of Bell's. :cool:

Perhaps someone might do something similar with Founders!
 
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After sailing in the Baltic, Stopped off at Flensburg, trip to local brewery, 12 bottles of White beer.

IMG_1197_zpsviikhyhv.jpg
 
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Picked these up today, two breweries that almost never disappoint, Founders and Dogfish Head. Notes from the breweries:

CURMUDGEON OLD ALE
Think classic seafaring ports, local pubs and weathered old fishermen. This old ale is brewed with molasses and an insane focus on the malt bill, then oak-aged. The result is a rich, malty delight that’s deceptively smooth and drinkable.

ABV: 9.8%
IBUs: 50
RateBeer Rating: 98

***

PUNKIN ALE (love the label design)

Tasting Notes:
Malty, pumpkin, caramel, brown sugar

Food Pairing Recommendations:
Turkey, roasted duck, lamb, stuffing, dessert dumplings, sharp cheddar

Glassware Recommendation:
Pint

Wine Comparable:
Mulled burgundy

IMG_7637.JPG
 
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I don't know the Punkin Ale, - indeed, until you posted this, I had never even heard of it - but I am a big fan of the Old Curmudgeon.

It is a somewhat sweet, smooth, gorgeously balanced, rich, robust yet slow sipping beer. Personally, I recommend serving it in a chalice (such as many of the Belgian beers come in) or a half pint glass. Enjoy them both.
 
Totally agree on the glassware! It's so rich and aromatic, I love really getting "into" the glass. :)

I was surprised I hadn't noticed the DFH seasonal before, surprising, since October/fall/pumpkin is one of our favorite beer styles. It was right next to the glorious Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin, but I was sucked in by the neon orange packaging :D
 
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D.T. said:
Totally agree on the glassware! It's so rich and aromatic, I love really getting "into" the glass. :)

I was surprised I hadn't noticed the DFH seasonal before, surprising, since October/fall/pumpkin is one of our favorite beer styles. It was right next to the glorious Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin, but I was sucked in by the neon orange packaging :D
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Well, I have never even heard of DFH (Dogfish Head) until I read this thread. (And yes, you are absolutely right - it looks fantastic).

But, life is an education. Until I read this thread several months ago, I had the typical European liberal disdain for American beers, thinking (erroneously, I readily admit) that they were all clones of Coors, or Bud, or some such utterly forgettable drivel.

But, as is the way of such things, and the wicked, ironical way of life, this thread introduced me to the joys of Founder's. In turn, I persuaded one of my friends in the wine and beer trade to import them (for myself). Happily, they also sold well - sufficiently well - with the general public for them to become a permanent feature of a good alcohol store in my home city….

Are you suggesting that DFH are equally good?
 
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Yes! Dogfish Head products are consistently pretty spectacular (they generally land in the top N breweries in various lists), and they have even a wider range of offering than Founders. Their 60, 90 and 120 Minute IPAs are legendary :)
 
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D.T. said:
Yes! Dogfish Head products are consistently pretty spectacular (they generally land in the top N breweries in various lists), and they have even a wider range of offering than Founders. Their 60, 90 and 120 Minute IPAs are legendary :)
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Sounds excellent. I must keep an eye out for them.

Meanwhile, tonight, I am sipping a glass or two of Chateauneuf-du-Pape (white) - an excellent wine from the Domaine Des Sénéchaux - while browsing, and reading. Sublime.
 
D.T. said:
Picked these up today, two breweries that almost never disappoint, Founders and Dogfish Head. Notes from the breweries:

CURMUDGEON OLD ALE
Think classic seafaring ports, local pubs and weathered old fishermen. This old ale is brewed with molasses and an insane focus on the malt bill, then oak-aged. The result is a rich, malty delight that’s deceptively smooth and drinkable.

ABV: 9.8%
IBUs: 50
RateBeer Rating: 98

***

PUNKIN ALE (love the label design)

Tasting Notes:
Malty, pumpkin, caramel, brown sugar

Food Pairing Recommendations:
Turkey, roasted duck, lamb, stuffing, dessert dumplings, sharp cheddar

Glassware Recommendation:
Pint

Wine Comparable:
Mulled burgundy

View attachment 582804
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Have you had a chance to open up and try this years Pumpkin Ale? I don't know if those are your notes or not. Last years was just "Ok", while the year before was outstanding. An excellent blend and just the right amount of pumpkin and spice. Don't get me wrong, I pick up a four pack from them every year. But I wasn't impressed with lasts years batch.

The same thing happened two years with Sam Adams Octoberfest. IT was a horrible batch and ended up getting rid of a six pack or more of it. This years batch seems to be on par!

I so can't wait to try something from Founders. I really really want to try the Breakfast Stout!
 
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rhett7660 said:
Have you had a chance to open up and try this years Pumpkin Ale? I don't know if those are your notes or not. Last years was just "Ok", while the year before was outstanding. An excellent blend and just the right amount of pumpkin and spice. Don't get me wrong, I pick up a four pack from them every year. But I wasn't impressed with lasts years batch.

The same thing happened two years with Sam Adams Octoberfest. IT was a horrible batch and ended up getting rid of a six pack or more of it. This years batch seems to be on par!

I so can't wait to try something from Founders. I really really want to try the Breakfast Stout!
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Well, I can attest to the fact that the KBS (Breakfast Stout) is superlative, and is easily one of the best beers I have ever had, rich, luscious, and freighted with a lovely balancing sweetness. An outstanding beer.
 
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rhett7660 said:
Have you had a chance to open up and try this years Pumpkin Ale? I don't know if those are your notes or not. Last years was just "Ok", while the year before was outstanding. An excellent blend and just the right amount of pumpkin and spice. Don't get me wrong, I pick up a four pack from them every year. But I wasn't impressed with lasts years batch.

The same thing happened two years with Sam Adams Octoberfest. IT was a horrible batch and ended up getting rid of a six pack or more of it. This years batch seems to be on par!

I so can't wait to try something from Founders. I really really want to try the Breakfast Stout!
Click to expand...

Hey! We did, it's pretty outstanding, though I don't recall having it last year (for a comparison). It's got a nice real pumpkin flavor, and pretty decent kick of "pie" spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and it's also nicely carbonated (these kind of beers can get syrupy if too flat).

Last week at the grocery I picked up a New Belgian's Pumpkick, it was a nice variation on pumpkin beers as it uses a touch of cranberries and lemongrass!

Did you notice that Sam's had two different pumpkin-ish type seasonals this year? They have Pumpkin Patch _and_ Harvest Pumpkin (the former only in seasonal mixed packs), in additional to the classic Octoberfest.

I think we have a Harvest left over, maybe I'll score some others and do a massive tasting :D
 
D.T. said:
Hey! We did, it's pretty outstanding, though I don't recall having it last year (for a comparison). It's got a nice real pumpkin flavor, and pretty decent kick of "pie" spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and it's also nicely carbonated (these kind of beers can get syrupy if too flat).

Last week at the grocery I picked up a New Belgian's Pumpkick, it was a nice variation on pumpkin beers as it uses a touch of cranberries and lemongrass!

Did you notice that Sam's had two different pumpkin-ish type seasonals this year? They have Pumpkin Patch _and_ Harvest Pumpkin (the former only in seasonal mixed packs), in additional to the classic Octoberfest.

I think we have a Harvest left over, maybe I'll score some others and do a massive tasting :D
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Awesome,,,,, I should have some within the week!
 
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