Rangerland Forum Information

[Kusand]

Careful -- that's 'Taki's national drink you're talking about. My wife and I think Tsantali is awesome!

It's not a put down.

[Giac]

It's not a put down.

You know, after I posted that, I realized that you might have been complimenting Ouzo....

[Bleedin-Blue]

I just opened the second-to-last of my Stone 11th Anniversary bottle from 2007.



It's a black IPA and it is goooooood. The last one is aging on my wine rack but I don't plan to open that one for a few more years.

[toph]

That glass is fantastic.

[Sed]

Lately...

Beer:
Budweiser original American Ale. I must say it's actually pretty good and i was surprised by AB doing something of good taste.

Had this tonight when I went out to the pizzeria - surprisingly good. I'll have to let my father know so that he can get me cases from work.

[Bleedin-Blue]

Speaking of pizza, you know what goes good with it? The High Life. I don't know what it is about the combination but they work so damn well together.

[Sed]

Speaking of pizza, you know what goes good with it? The High Life. I don't know what it is about the combination but they work so damn well together.

You know, if the pizzeria had it, I would've probably given it a try.

[Bleedin-Blue]

I think the sweetness of the beer balances out the acidity in the tomato sauce and it makes it all taste that much better. Whatever it is, it works. Whenever I'm out and have a good pizza in front of me, it's High Life or bust.

[CsideEr]

really enjoying the honey moon summer ale from blue moon. definitely going to be my beer of choice this summer and possibly summers to come.

also, the combination of clamato and beer that chris mentioned earlier actually exists. it's called a chelada.



have seen it in a few bodegas here in queens. not trying it until someone pays me to do so.

[Bleedin-Blue]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the addition of the tomato called a 'michelada'? I thought it was because when Miller Chill came out last summer, we were told to describe it as a 'chelada' because it DIDN'T contain the Clamato or worcestershire. I could be wrong though. I mean, Miller Chill is sickening enough...but that stuff just looks horrifying. I think they stopped making it actually. I haven't seen it in my area in a long time.

[xcheck24]

really enjoying the honey moon summer ale from blue moon. definitely going to be my beer of choice this summer and possibly summers to come.

I had this recently, and I wasn't that impressed. And I like Blue Moon.

[Dunc]

Speaking of pizza, you know what goes good with it? The High Life. I don't know what it is about the combination but they work so damn well together.

It's like pizza and water! Oh wait......

[Bleedin-Blue]

If it was Miller Lite, I'd agree with you. But High Life is so much better and is nothing like the usual watered-down light beers.

[Dunc]

If it was Miller Lite, I'd agree with you. But High Life is so much better and is nothing like the usual watered-down light beers.

You need to party with Rufus T

[CSI Tink]

nothing beats a good slighty warm pint of cider at an English bar


although I went to Harpoon and tried the raspberry UFO... not so great. Has anyone else had it?

[spitz]

I'm gonna give bud light with lime a shot next time I drink. Heard its pretty good

[leedsy99]

Has anyone else had it?

I don't remember it rocking my socks off. But it also had to compete with my summertime palate of Long Trail Blackberry Wheat, which wasn't going to happen. In Vermont you actually get happier when the Blackberry seasonals come out. It marks the real start of spring/summer.

[Ebase]

Lost Coast Brewery Indica Pale Ale from Humboldt County California

Decent foam head
Little bit of herbal aftertaste
A little thin for my taste

Get some...

For a New York local I would suggest He'Brew Messiah Bold which has a brewery in Brooklyn and San Francisco. A little bitter and sweet at the same time.

Been to Switchback Brewery in Winooski (I think) Vermont. Can't recall the beer flavors but I got pretty shitty there. Worth checking out.

Attached image(s)

 

[Rocha]

Some Napa Valley Merlot. If the world were a lamp, having a few glasses of wine is like putting a lampshade on it.

[Pymonte]

Some Napa Valley Merlot. If the world were a lamp, having a few glasses of wine is like putting a lampshade on it.

Yup. I'm not sure if you mean that in a good way or not, but the calming effect of wine is fantastic. Plus, it's hard to go wrong with any red wine from Napa.

This post has been edited by Pymonte: Jun 10 2009, 12:30 AM

[Rocha]

Yup. I'm not sure if you mean that in a good way or not, but the calming effect of wine is fantastic. Plus, it's hard to go wrong with any red wine from Napa.

Oh yeah. Red wine is like a magic potion. Health and heart benefits out the ass and it puts you in a nice, warm, pleasant mood. I really should get in the habit of having a few glasses a day.

[Pymonte]

Oh yeah. Red wine is like a magic potion. Health and heart benefits out the ass and it puts you in a nice, warm, pleasant mood. I really should get in the habit of having a few glasses a day.

Staff drinks after work for me, every night that I want them. It's really nice. Plus, I get to keep learning about wine, and be in a good mood in the metro station.

[Ebase]

Staff drinks after work for me, every night that I want them. It's really nice. Plus, I get to keep learning about wine, and be in a good mood in the metro station.

I live in the Sonoma Valley so wine knowledge is almost a mandatory requirement. If you need some tips let me know.

[Pymonte]

I live in the Sonoma Valley so wine knowledge is almost a mandatory requirement. If you need some tips let me know.

I'm sorta always trying to increase wine knowledge. I've got a pretty good grasp on varietals (can name the main American-grown ones by taste), have a really good grasp on food pairing, and a decent geographical base. If you were to give me a Napa Shiraz and a Sonoma Shiraz, though, I'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference.

I'm not up to date on a lot of producers, and I don't know all that much about methodology. I'm essentially always on the lookout for quality reds under $25, and have done really well with Cline, Bogle, and a few others.

[Ebase]

I'm sorta always trying to increase wine knowledge. I've got a pretty good grasp on varietals (can name the main American-grown ones by taste), have a really good grasp on food pairing, and a decent geographical base. If you were to give me a Napa Shiraz and a Sonoma Shiraz, though, I'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference.

I'm not up to date on a lot of producers, and I don't know all that much about methodology. I'm essentially always on the lookout for quality reds under $25, and have done really well with Cline, Bogle, and a few others.

The principal difference between Napa and a Sonoma is the appellation. Typically, Napa Valley up to Calistoga produces a less desirable grape due to the heat of the valley. For this reason, they will often cuvee their grapes with grapes from Sonoma, Healdsberg, and Dry Creek. Since Sonoma County is closer to the ocean and is a much more hilly and mountainous region that receives evening marine layer and thule fog we produce the superior grape. Sonoma's grapes typically stand on their own.

In taste, Sonoma Syrahs tend to be much more spicy and more flavorful while Napa syrahs are more fruity. So what does that mean? Nothing unless you are a wine snob or live here and deal with the rivalry between Sonoma and Napa.

Cline Cellars, and Bogle are well respected but they don't particularly specialize in syrahs and they are a little overpriced. For your dollar look for some of these:

Gloria Ferrer Alexander Valley Sirah (recently tasted and should be under $25)

Joseph Phelps in Napa has produced a great Sirah for years that is reasonable.

Geyser Peak Sirah has had some great years recently but maybe a little higher.

Now next time you entertain you can use this information to seem infinitely more cultured then your friends who would drink screw top wine and not be able to tell the difference. If they can then bust this out on them and feel free to take all the credit.

[hoser]

Ebase,
What's your opinion on Hanna? Some of my buddies have recently done a 1999-2001 vertical of the Hanna Bismark Noir. Decent wine that's pretty different than the Washington and Napa wines I've had.

You guys should try some Cabs from Walla Walla, WA if you have a chance. I think it's the premier appellation in WA for cabs/syrah/and blends that's not crazy high priced like Napa can be. A good bottle will run you $30-$60. But most of the wineries will have a low end, but still tasty red blend for $20-$25. 2005 and 2006 are great vintages. And for everyday drinking that's probably available in most cities is the Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot that should run about $13. Great value.

[Ebase]

Ebase,
What's your opinion on Hanna? Some of my buddies have recently done a 1999-2001 vertical of the Hanna Bismark Noir. Decent wine that's pretty different than the Washington and Napa wines I've had.

You guys should try some Cabs from Walla Walla, WA if you have a chance. I think it's the premier appellation in WA for cabs/syrah/and blends that's not crazy high priced like Napa can be. A good bottle will run you $30-$60. But most of the wineries will have a low end, but still tasty red blend for $20-$25. 2005 and 2006 are great vintages. And for everyday drinking that's probably available in most cities is the Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot that should run about $13. Great value.

You know, I just have no experience with wines from Washington. In all honesty, I have no experience with wines even in Santa Barbara or San Luis Obispo. Heck, I live in the same state. The nice thing about the wine country out here is that I have gone wine tasting from the moment I arrived in the summer of 1994 from New Jersey and I don't think that I have been able to sample 25% of the wines. The only exception to that rule is Caduecus and Merkin from Arizona. And this is because Keenan Maynard of Tool owns it.

I have been married at a winery, I go to various wine festivals. I go wine tasting ALOT during the rainy season.

The only thing that I can share is, I know that Napa and Sonoma is synonymous with wine and perhaps that has some inflation (no idea if that is true) on the pricing in other places, but I know that there is just insane amounts of really top notch and reasonably priced wines out there.

I also know that sometimes if you are that into it, you can research the vitner. Often they will work for a mainstream winery to make enough money and gain the reputation and open their own winery. There is so many ways that they cut cost now by using for example: 3rd party bottlers. This enables the start-up costs of a winery to go down. Heck, nowadays you don't even need your own grapes. Grape growers from other regions make their grapes available for purchase. The vitner will still produce a great wine but with a lower price.

Another area that I have gotten very into is the organic wine market. Since we have so much grapes growing out here all over I have become (like so many others) concerned with the effects that this can cause to the soil and our health in general.

Check out Coturri wines in Glen Ellen, CA. They are higher priced but the zins, desert wines, and whites the taste in inexplicably better. Plus you will keep my kids from being born with 3 eyes.

[The Fast Choker]

I wholeheartedly disagree. Low grade tequila, in margaritas or otherwise, will leave you with a nasty hangover. You need to use at least a decent grade of tequila to prevent that unfortunate occurance. We use, at the very least, Cuervo 1800 for whatever the occasion.

Depends on where you are. By me, you can get decent tequila for 20 bucks. I agree not to use the completely cheap stuff, as mentioned in the "avoid plastic bottles". Basically, at most liquor stores, stick to the middle shelf for margaritas.

[Pymonte]

The principal difference between Napa and a Sonoma is the appellation. Typically, Napa Valley up to Calistoga produces a less desirable grape due to the heat of the valley. For this reason, they will often cuvee their grapes with grapes from Sonoma, Healdsberg, and Dry Creek. Since Sonoma County is closer to the ocean and is a much more hilly and mountainous region that receives evening marine layer and thule fog we produce the superior grape. Sonoma's grapes typically stand on their own.

In taste, Sonoma Syrahs tend to be much more spicy and more flavorful while Napa syrahs are more fruity. So what does that mean? Nothing unless you are a wine snob or live here and deal with the rivalry between Sonoma and Napa.

Cline Cellars, and Bogle are well respected but they don't particularly specialize in syrahs and they are a little overpriced. For your dollar look for some of these:

Gloria Ferrer Alexander Valley Sirah (recently tasted and should be under $25)

Joseph Phelps in Napa has produced a great Sirah for years that is reasonable.

Geyser Peak Sirah has had some great years recently but maybe a little higher.

Now next time you entertain you can use this information to seem infinitely more cultured then your friends who would drink screw top wine and not be able to tell the difference. If they can then bust this out on them and feel free to take all the credit.

Drank a Sonoma Pinot tonight. Called Kate's playground, which is a production of the Sebastiani empire, but it's a fantastic wine. Tremendous, especially for a Pinot, with structure like a Rioja (sans oak), and a looooong, deep red fruit finish. I think it was the 2007. I've never had a Pinot as big as this one.

This post has been edited by Pymonte: Jun 11 2009, 02:14 AM

[gkrangers]

Drank a Sonoma Pinot tonight. Called Kate's playground, which is a production of the Sebastiani empire, but it's a fantastic wine. Tremendous, especially for a Pinot, with structure like a Rioja (sans oak), and a looooong, deep red fruit finish. I think it was the 2007. I've never had a Pinot as big as this one.

http://www.sebastiani.com/wines/wines-t4-2...t-sauvignon.asp

I heart this stuff.

[RedHerring]

Do you jerks have a separate wine glass to smell your own farts with, or do you just recycle the one you have?

[Sed]

Do you jerks have a separate wine glass to smell your own farts with, or do you just recycle the one you have?

That "glass" is called a snifter, you philistine.

[beukes]

Beer:
Guinness or Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout (I really only drink stouts or porters)



Vodka:
Reyka & tonic w/ lime



Random summer drink:
a St. Germain Cocktail - contains St. Germain, Prosecco and Club Soda (St. Germain is made from Elderflower... which makes me think of Elderberries... which then leads me to quote The Holy Grail... but I digress)



Oh - and non-alcoholic would be water and Diet Coke... I LOVE Diet Coke.

This post has been edited by beukes: Jun 11 2009, 01:08 PM

[Giac]

(St. Germain is made from Elderflower... which makes me think of Elderberries... which then leads me to quote The Holy Grail... but I digress)

Something to do with taunting Frenchmen and hamsters, I would suppose......

[Rick91981]

This is my plan for the evening:

[Sed]

Just picked up a six of the High Life. I'll be trying it later - or tomorrow, since I'll be grilling then.

[HandsomeSam]

Old Charter, or Bulleit...and as beers go, I'm pretty easy to please. I think I was drinking PBR yesterday, which would explain why my stomach hated me this morning.

[Sed]

High Life's OK, but I should've gone with my original intention and found myself a nice IPA.

[RedHerring]

I had an Arrogant Bastard Ale draft today. Eh. Maybe I'm not extreme enough.

[Sed]

I had an Arrogant Bastard Ale draft today. Eh. Maybe I'm not extreme enough.

I said those words aloud as I read them; I said these words aloud as I typed them.

This post has been edited by Sed: Jun 13 2009, 07:29 PM

[RedHerring]

I said those words aloud as I read them; I said these words aloud as I typed them.

What?

[Bleedin-Blue]

I had an Arrogant Bastard Ale draft today. Eh. Maybe I'm not extreme enough.

You're just a tool, that's all. It clearly says it right there in the label:



See?

[RedHerring]

I had an Arrogant Bastard Ale draft today. Eh. Maybe I'm not extreme enough.

You're just a tool, that's all. It clearly says it right there in the label:



See?

Yeah, too bad in that little speech they have there they forgot to mention that it sucks and you would be laughed at if you tried to pair it with any sort of meal.

Now, the special Magic Hat brew that was made specifically for the place I was at? Awesome. And they don't have a whiny former frat boy clutching to his pitiful past writing obnoxious labels.

[Rocha]

Yeah, too bad in that little speech they have there they forgot to mention that it sucks and you would be laughed at if you tried to pair it with any sort of meal.

Now, the special Magic Hat brew that was made specifically for the place I was at? Awesome. And they don't have a whiny former frat boy clutching to his pitiful past writing obnoxious labels.

[Sed]

Now, the special Magic Hat brew that was made specifically for the place I was at? Awesome. And they don't have a whiny former frat boy clutching to his pitiful past writing obnoxious labels.

When I read the label, I heard it in Comic Book Guy's voice.

[Mike B.]

High Life's OK, but I should've gone with my original intention and found myself a nice IPA.

You're probably just not American enough.

[Sed]

You're probably just not American enough.

Hmm... quite.

Actually, I think the problem is that I was just more in the mood for an IPA but I got the High Life anyway. Tomorrow, when I'm grilling burgers, I'm sure that it'll hit the spot.

[rightbug]

I had grog with my dinner last night. Which is to say rum and water. Of course, it was tonic water. But I put some lime in to ward off the scurvy.

[Sed]

Just made my own Turkish coffee, and it came out great. Good thing, too - cardamom's expensive as fuck. The place that I got it has it at $41.20/lb. Fortunately, a little goes a verrry long way.

[Pymonte]

Just made my own Turkish coffee, and it came out great. Good thing, too - cardamom's expensive as fuck. The place that I got it has it at $41.20/lb. Fortunately, a little goes a verrry long way.

You'll laugh so hard at yourself when you go to an Indian grocery store and see 3 pounds of it for like 4 bucks.