What Are You Drinking?

[niko_cee]

The spirit of £10 for a litre of Baileys.

Went bad in the end as the head essentially turned into a sludge biscuit.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Its or yours?

[Baz]

Today’s advent offering is surprisingly only 7.7% but it’s a chocolate peanut butter banana milkshake stout (https://untp.beer/f95d7c2b21) and I cannot wait.

The other days was a ‘hard smoothie’ and I’m glad it wasn’t just me kicking off in the instagram comments. :nono:

[niko_cee]

30% off Lidl's 'deluxe' wines until Christmas Eve with their app, making them insane value. £5 for a decent Barossa Shiraz is about half of what you'd pay as an absolute minimum anywhere else.

[Shindig]

Got a bottle of Glenlivet for my birthday so I've broke into that. It's alright. I'd usually take Aberlour at this time of year but the cherry overtones of that tends to pack a punch. This is a lot more civilised, although I feel that way about most whiskeys you can grab off a supermarket shelf.

[Baz]

Turns out flavoured gin is pretty good. Rhubarb and ginger was decent but blueberry was the one. :drool:

With lemonade.

[Ian]

The Tanqueray Rangpur lime gin is great.

[Manc]

Tried a fig & cacao bourbon last night. Genuinely rancid.

[niko_cee]

Wife needed a small amount of fino sherry for some vegetarian abomination so as a toast to Withnail/Uncle Monty I'm tucking into the remainder. Not bad. Not sure it's really the season for it, aren't you meant to drink fino on the streets of Seville where it's always about a billion degrees? Pedro Jiminez XO more of the festive choice, I would guess. Still, not a bad aperitif.

[Baz]

Well I’ve 10 Neck Oil, 4 Hazy Jane and a 10.5% stout (https://untp.beer/GrmOp) to get through before attempting Dry January.

[Giggles]

I got a few cans as presents this year but I bought none and just made a Landlord clone back in October for this week.

[niko_cee]

Got some Northern Monk DDH IPAs, think it's called Ride Like Fire of something and it's very good. Few festive porters off them too which have been decent.

[niko_cee]

Just found out Dark Star have closed their Sussex [Partridge Green] brewery. Sad times. Had no idea they had been bought by Fullers and then Asahi. :cab:

Firebird it is then.

[Ian]

I bought a Theakston's Old Peculier earlier because I like to retry some of the stuff I deemed to be The Good Shit when I was first getting into good beer. Haven't had it yet but was interested to note on the bottle that they now have the line "The original craft brewery."

That's clearly a bit of an affectation to shift where they sit in the mind of the punter from "bottles bought by smelly old men" to "oooooh CRAFT."

This page has some interesting stuff: https://www.theakstons.co.uk/pages/our-story

I suspect them now being owned by Shepherd Neame dents their craft credentials a bit (whatever 'craft' really means) but was interested to note they have in-house coopers to make barrels for them. Would also be interested to know if they hired a bloke to pretend to be a cooper for the picture in that section of the page or if they're all hunky and ripped.

[niko_cee]

Ringwood went through the same thing when they rebranded Old Thumper et al with trendy modern craft packaging.

And that's just what everyone under the age of 30 now looks like, having eschewed a life of fun for one of the gym and massive amounts of synthetic protein.

I've clocked Hepworth Brewery nearby which sounds oldie worldie but apparently isn't. Dorking Brewery too, which should really be called Capel Brewery but I guess that sounds less Surrey which seems to be a selling point for them. Jimmy will have to elucidate on what 100% Surrey entails.

[Ian]

To be fair the label for Old Peculiar looks much as I remember it, just with that one line. And they're still in bottles, where I imagine a lot of these breweries who could probably afford to swap from a bottling line to a canning line if they wanted just don't want to alienate the aforementioned smelly old dude market.

[Giggles]

Loads here going back to bottles now because the greens are taxing cans at the end of this month. I find the quality far more consistent with bottles, and some beer just belongs in them.

[niko_cee]

Beer shop man was telling me about a Vault City [?] Irn Bru Sour which apparently is highly sought after in these parts. I've never got on with sours, but it piqued my interest as I'm a longtime Irn Bru appreciator, and it sounded like something you may have encountered Ian . Recommended?

[Ian]

I haven't had that one but I've certainly never had a bad Vault City and in my experience if they're going for a [specific flavour] sour they tend to hit the mark. And while they fucking love making sours they tend to have a nice mix of ones which'll turn your face inside out and ones that just have a bit of a tang to them. If you're a big Irn Bru likerer then I'd say definitely give it a bash if you can, especially if you've never tried a Vault City before.

[Baz]

I want one

[niko_cee]

I ended up going with a Burning Sky DIPA called Media Blitz, something from Abyss called Soft Hair and something from a Liverpool brewery, I think Azvec maybe, called Alice Rings.

[Raoul Duke]

My local beer shop has a bunch of Vault City in it today. Didn't see Irn Bru but they did have some Skittles-themed sours. I picked up the blackcurrant one.

Also got some other random stuff - currently having an "Even sharks need water" by Verdant Brewing from Cornwall. How this guy in a small Dutch town gets hold of this shit, I do not know :D

[niko_cee]

Verdant do some good stuff.

Booze importation like water off a duck's back for the Dutch, one would imagine.

[Raoul Duke]

btw - does anyone here use Untappd? I'm alagemo on there, feel free to add me. It's essentially this thread in app form...

[Ian]

I only don't use Untappd because I'd already done too many ratings on Ratebeer before I learned of it.

[Giggles]

I was too late to it and it never let you add ones you've already had when you sign up so never bothered.

[niko_cee]

Just Raoul and Baz then.

[Ian]

I was too late to it and it never let you add ones you've already had when you sign up so never bothered.

That can't be right, surely? What'd be the difference between rating something for the first time and rating something you've had before?

[niko_cee]

I recall it being brought up here before.

This stuff (https://www.burningskybeer.com/product/media-blitz-dipa/) is mega.

[Giggles]

That can't be right, surely? What'd be the difference between rating something for the first time and rating something you've had before?

It seems to want a more live timeline and nothing else. There's always been big calls to add a history but they've never budged.

[Giggles]

I'm still on the landlord clone from Christmas and have a properly done German Pils lined up for whenever it's gone.

[niko_cee]

I am intrigued by the idea of brewing your own stuff. I have a few friends who have done it and whilst I have nowhere near the capacity to do it at the moment, I definitely plan to tap you up for a complete guide in the future, just to put you on notice.

[Ian]

It seems to want a more live timeline and nothing else. There's always been big calls to add a history but they've never budged.

I might be missing a point here (given I am entirely ignorant of Untappd other than liking the places which put up menus when you're in there) but if you added a thing just now you'd tried before it'd still show up in your ratings wouldn't it? Is the issue that if you worked through adding them all that it'd show them as you having drunk them all within a day or whatever?

I mean the only person I'm friends with on Ratebeer and that's only so that if I'm buying him stuff for a birthday or whatever it's easier to check if he's had it (or it was before RB changed how that stuff works to make it even easier) so it's not a social thing for me, it's purely for me to check if I've had and forgotten something before.


I recall it being brought up here before.

This stuff (https://www.burningskybeer.com/product/media-blitz-dipa/) is mega.

Burning Sky are a brewery I don't but probably should include among my favourites. I've never had anything from them that'd make it into my all time faves but they also never miss in my experience.

[Giggles]

I am intrigued by the idea of brewing your own stuff. I have a few friends who have done it and whilst I have nowhere near the capacity to do it at the moment, I definitely plan to tap you up for a complete guide in the future, just to put you on notice.

It’s took a fair while but I’ve finally got very good at it now, easily as nice as anything I’d buy. I’ve spent a fair whack over the years on equipment and upgrades and I always would love to go back and start again knowing the same as now.

[Baz]

btw - does anyone here use Untappd? I'm alagemo on there, feel free to add me. It's essentially this thread in app form...Yep, added. Gutted it didn’t exist/I didn’t have it when I was 20.

I’m doing dry Jan til 20th though so expect radio silence for a bit.

[Ian]

I've dabbled in a very limited way but I'm fundamentally quite lazy.

Also I think my tastes are more wanker-y than yours which would probably involve more faff if I was trying to replicate that in good home brew.

[Mike]

Yep, added. Gutted it didn’t exist/I didn’t have it when I was 20.

“Smirnoff Ice 8/10 - Not as good as a Cherry VK.”

[Ian]

:D

[niko_cee]

Just had an email from Trembling Madness making mention of all sorts of Vault City Iron Brew offerings.

[Ian]

Those must be brand new in today because they didn't have them when I ordered yesterday.

[Ian]

Just had an email from Trembling Madness making mention of all sorts of Vault City Iron Brew offerings.

Popped into the beer shop on the way home and they had three of these. Iron Brew, Fiery Ginger and Iron Brew Float. Got the first two, might get the third next week if they have it in still.

[niko_cee]

You'll have to report how they were. Local beer shop didn't have any in so I picked up a couple of Beak DIPAs [Friends and Intervals]. I know it's good to support small businesses but it is a bit galling to be paying over what even the brewery sells it for themselves for these things, and quite a bit more than the likes of Trembling Madness, even though they don't stock those two at the moment.

[niko_cee]

Another slightly galling thing is I've just clocked that Beak do a monthly subscription box which seems decent value [£45 for 12 beers plus a few perks]. Now, on their website a £50 order gets you free delivery, so the £45 monthly box comes with a nice £5.99 delivery charge, which pisses me off to the point of going from considering it [their beer is good] to it being completely out of the question.

[Ian]

https://i.ibb.co/4dXyd1B/image.png

The can art is great, though it occurs to me that with just a slight further twist I realise I could have made it look like the hench lad was really enjoying smashing that coo's back doors in.

[Ian]

Arbor Mini Milk, a 4.3%er, is one of the best sessionable stouts I've ever had I reckon. Lovely stuff. And comes in one of their lovely big pint cans too.

[niko_cee]

Will keep an eye out for it.

Still hard to beat Broken Dream now it seems to be a feature of ASDA's 4 for 3 deal.

Also got some North Brewing Songbird in that which, like it's fellow offeree, Buxton's Phoenix, is a really solid supermarket choice.

The Beak DIPAs were good, but I really don't think you can justify the cost of them.

[Baz]

Wanky beer has never been about justifying the cost.

[niko_cee]

To me it is part of the equation, as I'd rather have 4 beers than 1 if at all possible.

1 can wanky independent shop DIPA

or

4 cans Phoenix/Songbird/Broken Dream

or

10 cans Doom Bar

Is a legitimate quandry for me.

[-james-]

Thai Thai "spicy trippel" with galangal, coriander and chilli. Top, top stuff.

That's a beer btw not a curry.

[Baz]

I must say, it feels like Dry January so far has done nothing for my physical or mental health. Absolutely cannot wait for a drink on Saturday. Tried to go for one today in work but it didn’t come to fruition. The Dry January app tells me I’ve saved £43 which is complete bollocks considering I’ve leftover Christmas beer in the fridge. The 2984 calories saved is also barely worth writing about.

[niko_cee]

I'm still working through the tail end of my Christmas stock of Camden Stout and Doom Bar. Still plenty of Lidl red in the tank as well. Dry January can get fucked.

[phonics]

I'm doing some work for these lot.

https://tvbweb01.myshopify.com/collections/case/products/box-of-12-500ml-talbot-blonde-4-4

They've given me a bottle of the stuff and you need to open it, leave it for 24 hours, pour it into a glass, leave the glass for 30 minutes, then you can drink it. What a load of wank.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm still working through the tail end of my Christmas stock of Camden Stout and Doom Bar. Still plenty of Lidl red in the tank as well. Dry January can get fucked.

I met two friends for pints in the last two evenings - or rather I had pints, and they had a fucking orange juice because they're doing dry January. What the fuck is this bullshit? I felt like some kind of Russian tramp in a ditch.

Wet January for me.

[niko_cee]

I'm doing some work for these lot.

https://tvbweb01.myshopify.com/collections/case/products/box-of-12-500ml-talbot-blonde-4-4

They've given me a bottle of the stuff and you need to open it, leave it for 24 hours, pour it into a glass, leave the glass for 30 minutes, then you can drink it. What a load of wank.

Are you sure they aren't having you on?

[Giggles]

They must be. It's just a bog standard blond ale, not some mad thing that's been 2 years in a barrell with wild yeast or something. And even at that, I've never heard of such wank around drinking a bottle.

[Giggles]

Maybe at a push and being a real tosser you'd advise someone to drink it up near 10⁰ or something, but that's about it.

[phonics]

https://i.imgur.com/mS8Zvqn.png

[Giggles]

That bottom blurb would be standard enough. Just means have it upright and cold for 30 mins of you've had it on its side to let the yeast from carbonation go to the bottom. No harm in drinking the bit of yeast though.

[Giggles]

You'd have it closed up until drinking it though.

[Raoul Duke]

My local beer shop does this thing where they stand their sours on their head so that when you get them home and turn them the right way up, the fruity bits go back into the bottom of the can (or something).

a) I'm not sure this is how these work and b) it makes it a nightmare to read what the actual can is

[phonics]

I've opened it. It's quite nice but I'd prefer a Tyskie

[Ian]

https://www.azvexbrewing.com/shop/dark-matter-polaroid-5-pale-ale-440ml-can/

I am the easiest of marks when it comes to a tonka stout but this is delicious all the same.

[Baz]

Gone some gay af bar and they’ve got the iron brew vault city. Here we go

[Ian]

In solidarity with Baz I'm having this one: https://vaultcity.co.uk/products/fiery-ginger-iron-brew

It's very tasty.

[Baz]

I’d picked up the ‘float’ version initially but realised my error before paying so got the regular iron brew. Honestly wish I’d got something else, but hey ho TTH peer pressure is real.
Mike hated the bar cos it was essentially a ‘bottle shop’ with a 100% markup and a few tables. One can of stout was £12.

[niko_cee]

Not sure that's a 100% mark-up on a bottle shop price, plenty of stouts weigh in around that. Was wondering how they'd price it. At Unbarred (https://www.unbarredbrewery.com/) I always find it a bit odd that they have a fridge of cans at what feels like pub prices that you can take away if you want. I know there isn't necessarily a logic to it, but I feel much more affronted paying £5 for a can of something than I would paying 5 or 6 quid for a pint of it on tap.

[Ian]

There's absolutely no logic to that but I absolutely feel the same way. Even though I can do the maths and know fine well you're often getting more for the price than what a bar would charge you to put it on tap.

[niko_cee]

Had a coffee porter, a chocolate stout and a NEIPA from Firebird today. All pretty decent, but nothing mega. The porter was probably the best of the bunch.

[niko_cee]

Picked up some Northern Monk Heathen things from ASDA, which roll in at 7.4%, as I was feeling a bit sporty/wanted a bit of bang for my buck and yeah, you know about them quite soon into the consumption process.

[Giggles]

My absolute cracker pilsner has just ran dry :(

All I have in the house are some bloody Belgian styles that one of the lads gave me. Might have a water.

[Ben]

Chelsea finally field a proper XI the other night against us and now they’re back to playing really good teams, it’s a proper mong selection. Baffling.

[niko_cee]

Was in Tesco earlier and was quite impressed with their DIPA selection. They seem to be committed to some serious ABVs which my intel tells me is not really a very sensible sales model. Picked up a Buxton Kingslayer, Vocation Aoraki and North Ultra Phase which all bowl in the right side of 8% and to round out the high strength 4 for 3 deal an 8.4% Northern Monk fudge/brownie stout of some sort.

[Ian]

The supermarkets I go to always have at least a few high ABV things (for example by Sainsburys has TWO stouts of 10+%.)

I always enjoy going to Tesco because it's the supermarket least convenient to me so they've invariably got something in I've not had before. I've had all those four (assuming it's the NM I think it is) and they're all pretty decent.

[niko_cee]

The North one was something like £2.89 which is pretty good value for an 8% beer, assuming it isn't weapons grade piss. 4 for £8.67. You get 1 Beak for that.

[Ian]

The Iron Brew 'Float' from VC is also very decent.

Had a TM order arrive yesterday so it's gonna be a good night. :drool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Was in Tesco earlier and was quite impressed with their DIPA selection. They seem to be committed to some serious ABVs which my intel tells me is not really a very sensible sales model.

Think your intel is underestimating the thirst of the British population, especially in winter.

[niko_cee]

I don't think high strength stuff sells all that well generally, or at least struggles to cover cost of production if my inside sources in the small brewing world are to be believed.

I respect it though, so I hope you are right. Just had the Mt Cook and am halfway through the Kingslayer and both are as good as recalled. I'm definitely leaning toward Buxton being my favorite brewery. I've no idea how they manage to get into so many supermarkets at reasonable prices whilst still being a pretty tiny operation, or did I miss them being acquired on the sly by Diageo?

[Ian]

I don't think high strength stuff sells all that well generally, or at least struggles to cover cost of production if my inside sources in the small brewing world are to be believed.

I assume this is just a case of the difference when you're already doing well enough to be in supermarkets you can take the punt.

As for Buxton I think they're still independent, just that they've timed their expansions very well from what I know.

[Baz]

The Iron Brew 'Float' from VC is also very decent.

Had a TM order arrive yesterday so it's gonna be a good night. :drool:wish I’d got that instead of the regular one

[Baz]

How much tequila can you have and still drive? :dirk:

[niko_cee]

Probably one 50ml measure [shot], if that.

None is probably the safe answer.

[Baz]

Too late. One and a pint, we’ll see how I go.

[Manc]

Reprobate.

[Giggles]

Just book you and the sidekick a hotel.

[Baz]

Was fine. For the record the tequila cocktail was at 4 and the (3.4% Windermere Pale) pint was at 7, with lots of non-alcoholic drinks and a maccies in between, and I drove home at 8.

Turns out tequila in a cocktail is rancid.

[Ian]

Tequila generally is rancid.

[Baz]

Apple crumble flavoured gin :drool:

[Ian]

Had some bangers tonight. A coffee stout ("Zombie Squirrel Returns") by Azvex which must be one of the best no-nonsense coffee stouts I've had. And now having the port version of Good King Henry V by Old Chimneys, because now the dude is working with a brewer (Grain) he's doing MAD shit like barrel aged versions.

And it's delicious, this is the port version.

[Giggles]

I'd hate to be cleaning out your cage.

[Ian]

Absolutely no problems on that front, my guts are not weakly enough that a few impys is enough to create some sort of brown catastrophe.

[niko_cee]

Picked up a 'Wheat Beer' and a Festbier in the discount aisle of Lidl today. They look sort of German, but then the wheat beer has WHEAT BEER written on it with all the usual beer wench livery, which should probably have been a bit of a red flag. The look is pretty dank for a wheat beer and the taste is a bit that way too.

[Ian]

Two Vault City related things:

Firstly, they're doing 33% off EVERYTHING on their online store, to whoever that may interest: https://vaultcity.co.uk/

Secondly, I had this by them (and Vocation) just there and it was mega: https://vaultcity.co.uk/products/kirsch-of-life-dark-chocolate-and-morello-cherry-vault-city-x-vocation

[Giggles]

I'm just kegging my brew if Tribute. If it's even half close to the original then :drool:

[Baz]

If your local Aldi has any of the bottles of the Caramel Biscuit Beer left, well worth picking one up. Like drinking butterscotch angels delight, but in liquid form.

[Ben]

Butterscotch Angel Delight sounds awful.

[Giggles]

Fucked up rightly on bland black shite for the day that's in it :cool:

[Baz]

CyBgStKtDt8

Picked one of these up for later, hopefully.

[niko_cee]

Any good? Or should I say, as good as the song?

I'm off to get myself a Phoenix. I also see Siren have changed their Broken Dream cans. Shiny.

[Baz]

It's okay. Not sure what I expected from a 4.8% NEIPA but it tastes very watered down.

[Giggles]

Hazy IPA's need to be 6%+ or there's no point in them.

[niko_cee]

Agree.

I'm morally opposed to buying anything from the overpriced dickhead part of the supermarket which clocks in sub 6%.

[Baz]

In 2017 I rated Hoegaarden 2.0 (out of 5) :cab:

Today I’m drinking [a giant bottle of] it and have rated it a 4.25. :drool: How times change.

[niko_cee]

I had a Northern Monk Tropical World earlier which was pretty decent.

[Baz]

Saw a question on Reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/UKfood/s/nbtAFv0fM6), what’s the best IPA you can get in supermarkets.

It really is Neck Oil isn’t it. :drool:

(Jaipur is winning the votes at present)

[Ian]

If it's as standard across the country then I guess it'd be one or those. I can get better in mine currently though.

Fairly play to Beavertown turning a selection of decent beers into £6 a pint as standard now.

[Baz]

Aye, that is a bit of a kick in the nuts - especially when I'm in rounds with Carling drinkers but that's not my problem. Similar to Big Wave, it's worth the expense if the only other options are your standard lagers/bitters.

[Giggles]

I'd have Jaipur a million times over Neck Oil. The correct answer is Proper Black though.

[Baz]

Meanwhile I’ve got ten of these (https://groceries.aldi.co.uk/en-GB/p-brasserie-biere-superieure-imported-premium-lager-10x250ml/4088600241302) for in the garden tomorrow:

https://aldprdproductimages.azureedge.net/media/resized/$Aldi_GB/16.04.24/4088600241302_0_L.jpg

:youpi:

[niko_cee]

North Brewing Piñata seems to be on clearance in ASDA for 80p a can. Clear the shelf. :cool:

[Baz]

Apparently, I'm a fan (https://untappd.com/user/baz9torres/checkin/1274811294).

[Ben]

Yeah I think I’ve had that one. Not usually a fan of overly fruity shit but that was alright. Certainly at 80p I’d be making a run on it.

[niko_cee]

Is Brewdog's "Cold Beer" any good as what I guess what our antipodean friends would call a mid-strength lager? Saw it on offer earlier, although now looking it up the offer was only a quid less than the official website price so perhaps not that great.

[Baz]

Sorry I’ve never had it. Reviews favourably enough on Untappd though, like a slightly better Lost Lager.

I usually avoid anything Brewdog related, since advent calendar scorned me. However I did pick up one of their King Crush (https://untp.beer/l7JP5) yesterday, as a birthday treat to myself.

[Baz]

Go to Asda and buy a can of this Croatian beer:

https://thegarden.hr/app/uploads/2022/09/plima.jpg

Incredibly tasty (https://untp.beer/14eBp)! :drool:

[Ian]

I've had a handful of theirs and they were mostly at least pretty decent. Their baltic porter, somewhat predictably, my favourite.

[niko_cee]

I have a look for some on Friday. 7.4% appeals.

[Baz]

How sad is it that I look up pubs I know I’ll be going to on Untappd, to see what beer they do in advance? Tomorrow’s (https://untp.beer/344nM) looks promising for the England game. A pale ale called Paradise No. 3 by Thwaites, with Neck Oil as a failsafe. HEYYYY JUUUUDE…

[Ian]

I don't think it's that sad but I'm probably not the reassurance you were looking for here.

I'm currently drinking a 12% Tonka-heavy Vaulty City collab and loving life.

[niko_cee]

Not realising it was likely some Jamie Laing collab I bought 4 of Brewdog's Candy Kittens Eton Mess NEIPAs as they worked out at £1.50 a can, discounted to £2 each and then 4 for 3 in Sainsburys. It's not bad. A bit sickly. Probably something to try if you're into your fruit beers. Buying 4 was probably an error.

[Manc]

Vault City Peach Ice Tea. Does the job.

[Baz]

Ordered my Brew Export Advent Calendar (https://brewexport.co.uk/products/2024-advent-calendar-160-over-3-payments).

Think I’ll knock drinking on the head until 1st December.

[niko_cee]

Just made a mai tai with overproof rum. Jesus. I guess I shouldn't be shocked that the jump to 60% is a noticeable one but that stuff certainly puts hairs on your chest.

[Giggles]

I just got my homebrewing medals in the post :cool:

[Giggles]

Found some Beamish, hard to get outside the southwest. How this isn’t more popular than Guinness is a marketing miracle.

[Shindig]

Got a haul from the work lot that included a bottle of Muckle Berry, an ale from some Northumberland lot. I started with that because I figured it would be the thing I liked least. Turns out it was canny. You get a window of opportunity to taste the dark berries until the alcohol kicks your door in. Good.

[Mike]

Wife’s full of a cold and the kids are being pains as they’ve been stuck in all day, so they’ve got hot chocolate with film. Mine has Bayleys.

[Giggles]

Couldn't drink them all the time but there's nothing as nice as a good wheat beer every once in a while.

[niko_cee]

I've been sampling Austrian supermarket beers. Some come in at 55 cents and are perfectly decent, and this is a ski resort so I assume the normal supermarket price for them would be about 4p. Then they have ostensibly similar beers for €9 per 6 pack, which seems less reasonable. I assume I've just gravitated towards the tramps' choice but I can live with it.

I'm starting to think weissebier doesn't agree with me though, think it's the acidity.

[Luke Emia]

I've been sampling Austrian supermarket beers. Some come in at 55 cents and are perfectly decent, and this is a ski resort so I assume the normal supermarket price for them would be about 4p. Then they have ostensibly similar beers for €9 per 6 pack, which seems less reasonable. I assume I've just gravitated towards the tramps' choice but I can live with it.

I'm starting to think weissebier doesn't agree with me though, think it's the acidity.

Where are you in Austria?

[niko_cee]

Saalbach.

Initial impressions are that Austria shits all over the french resorts, although think we've been lucky with snow.

[Luke Emia]

Saalbach.

Initial impressions are that Austria shits all over the french resorts, although think we've been lucky with snow.

Went a few years ago and liked it there. We had incredible snow when we were there. Found the resort to be reasonable on price compared to France and the lift systems are a 100 times better.

Get over to Leogang if you can, slopes are dead and there is some good skiing over there.

[niko_cee]

Think the novice children may make that tricky although 15 years ago me would say yes. Maybe on the return visit if it ever happens.

[niko_cee]

Another positive to accompany the drinking are the alpenbrezl things I have found, which are akin to the superb but generally discontinued in the UK Snyder's pretzel pieces.

[Giggles]

Don't pretzels have fuck all flavour? Cheesy wotsits are what you want.

[Giggles]

Where is Ian and his stupid stouts?

[niko_cee]

Don't pretzels have fuck all flavour? Cheesy wotsits are what you want.

Yeah, pretzels are shit, unless you're a devotee of the chocolate covered stink palm varieties, but the pretzel pieces, usually chilli or cheese flavoured are monster snacks. Snyder's, who I think may be American, used to be in UK supermarkets, but haven't seen them for years. They were great, particularly the jalapeno ones.

[Shindig]

Just the usual bottle of Aberlour to bring in the new year with. I've already stopped drinking because I'm feeling it and I don't want tomorrow to be a waste.

[niko_cee]

Got a loads of Sirens for Christmas.

Joblot of Broken Dream, win.

Had an IPA called still standing or something which was good.

Cherry Negroni Sour, no. I reckon you could make a cherry sour along the lines of a pink gin/singapore sling which would be good. A Negroni is obviously a 10/10. But sour beer, I just don't get it and still have no idea why it appears to be one of the dominant craft varietals. It's like a drink for people who don't like all the good drinks but instead want them blended into some low alcohol nightmare instead.

[Manc]

I'm partial to a sour. Gives me something to stew over. Everything else goes down too easily (oi oi).

[niko_cee]

I'm going to be driving through the low countires in early April so am going to try to get myself some Westvleteren. They at least appear to have stepped into the 21st century with an online ordering system.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Just a reminder that there are no service station toilets in the Netherlands.

[niko_cee]

You could put that in a 2025 update of Everybody's Free [To Wear Sunscreen].

[niko_cee]

April 1st is the order day for the Westvlet, I think, if I have got a proper understanding of the monks' website.

Bought myself some massive [pint can] Northern Monk Go Beyond IPAs today in honour of having passed* my government mandated midlife health check. Very decent. Not had a crafty for a while.

*passed all actual tests, failed all 'questionnaire' tests.

[niko_cee]

Managed to finally get some of the monk's finest. 96 bottles. 24 blondes, 24 eights and 48 twelves.

:cool:

Walking around with crates of Trappist beer gets you a lot of kudos and attention from the men of the low countries.

https://i.ibb.co/ymSTLBSW/PXL-20250407-132555517.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/0Vq0V0MX/PXL-20250407-201949551.jpg

It's good stuff. Obviously not some transcendent experience, but worth the pilgrimage. The twelve is the business and apparently gets better with age for a few years. The place itself is really nice as well although it is in the middle of nowhere.

[Baz]

Fantastic.

How much did all that set you back?

[niko_cee]

Best part of 300€.

:face:

Thieving cunts make you pay for the crates and the bottles. Think the beers themselves are around €50 a case.

[Raoul Duke]

It's what Jesus would have wanted.

I've yet to go there but have started floating the idea a bit with my in-laws who live there