http://icrontic.com/categories/brews-spirits/feed.rss Sat, 25 May 2013 04:02:11 -0400 Brews & Spirits - Icrontic en-CA http://icrontic.com/discussion/73475/what-are-you-drinking Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:32:45 -0400 Brews & Spirits shwaip 73475@/discussions http://icrontic.com/discussion/95708/help-vote-grand-rapids-michigan-for-beer-city-usa-ends-today Sun, 13 May 2012 16:38:30 -0400 Brews & Spirits WagsFTW 95708@/discussions Beer City USA 2012 by Examiner.

Grand Rapids was put on this ballot from a nominating ballot, and is head to head with Asheville, NC, which has won this 3 years in a row. Currently Grand Rapids is at 30%, only 1 or 2 % behind Asheville, with the rest of the cities very far behind. Voting ends tonight at midnight.

Icrontic is based in Michigan (and a few of us Icrontians live in Grand Rapids), so help support Michigan by voting for us! Grand Rapids has Founders Brewing Company, which has been named one of the top breweries in the world, and HopCat, one of the top beer bars in the world. We have several other breweries in the city, with more popping up every year! (I believe there are 3 more that will be opening this year.)

If I'm not convincing enough, here is a list of reasons why Grand Rapids should be named Beer City USA: http://sicilianosmkt.blogspot.com/2012/05/vote-gr-for-beer-city-usa.html

Here is the poll: http://polldaddy.com/poll/6132829/
(P.S. You can vote on multiple browsers, multiple computers, etc. if you so choose.)

Thanks!]]> http://icrontic.com/discussion/97479/because-it-helps-you-start-your-day Tue, 14 May 2013 12:37:29 -0400 Brews & Spirits oni_dels 97479@/discussions calendar of the future!]]> http://icrontic.com/discussion/97399/any-calicrontians-near-firestone-walker-brewery-buellton-ca Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:31:12 -0400 Brews & Spirits MAGIC 97399@/discussions
If anyone could, I will pay for shipping and your time. Let me know THANK'EEE!]]> http://icrontic.com/discussion/97311/pre-prohibition-cocktails-and-sours-a-study-of-bartending Tue, 19 Mar 2013 09:54:30 -0400 Brews & Spirits Lincoln 97311@/discussions Mr Boston's latest edition a few years back, an unassuming little red hardbound book. It contains not just a reference list of drink recipes, but a full tutorial of bar basics, classic techniques, cocktail histories, and a drink list vetted for quality. I enjoyed reading the initial chapters when I bought it, but have only recently turned my attention to plying the trade between its pages.

I must admit it started with a new favorite: margaritas. I looked up the classic recipe and was surprised by its strength - I typically add simple syrup to tone it down a little. We experimented with those for a while, and then I went for the Manhattan. That's really the one that put me over the edge. It took one of my favorite drinks (rye, with a rock or two) and turned it into something amazing.

So, I stocked up my bar further with 2 brands of gin and 3 of vermouth (each in sweet & dry) to tackle my next project: the martini, starting with dry. It seems terrible things pass for a martini these days. Everything from gin neat to vodka with a splash of vermouth (flavor? what's that?) passes for one, and I'd never had a good one. So I set myself up a vertical tasting of the ingredients and started mixing this past weekend. With assistance from the palattes of @RyanMM, @LeahVoice, @lershee and @primesuspect I winnowed down my own take on the classic formula: 50/50 gin & dry vermouth with a dash of orange bitters and a lemon twist. I made a pair of them for @Aaron and I last night and they were just perfect.

Immediately after enjoying that one though, I had the sweet vermouth out and was sampling them to rethink my Manhattan before I take on the regular (non-dry) martini. I think I have a problem, folks. A glorious, geeky, delicious problem.]]> http://icrontic.com/discussion/95582/i-had-an-interesting-weekend Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:33:40 -0400 Brews & Spirits PirateNinja 95582@/discussions ]]> http://icrontic.com/discussion/84413/icrontic-mixology Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:41:56 -0400 Brews & Spirits Lincoln 84413@/discussions

Water Moccasin (pigflipper)

• Crown whiskey
  
• peach schnapps
  
• sour mix
  
• Mix (equal parts) until it frothes, then pour.
  

Of Icrontic LAN/Expo fame.


Retarded Tigers (pigflipper)

• 8oz beer (lager or malt liquor preferred)
  
• 1/2 shot of sour
  
• Drop in shot of spiced rum and chug
  

Another ICHQ favorite.


Tuesday Night Special (Lincoln)

• Double shot of rasberry vodka
  
• Quadruple shot of Blue Hawaiian schnapps (or any "tropical" flavor)
  
• Dash of cranberry juice
  
• Fill with OJ
  

Suggest picking a cutoff point before you start.


Fuzzy Pissbomb (Jokke)

• Mountain Dew
  
• peach schnapps
  

Check your blood sugar levels before and after.]]> http://icrontic.com/discussion/95978/bacon-and-beer Thu, 21 Jun 2012 21:02:04 -0400 Brews & Spirits WagsFTW 95978@/discussions


Discuss]]> http://icrontic.com/discussion/97337/tea-od Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:33:07 -0400 Brews & Spirits primesuspect 97337@/discussions @Teramona, @lincoln, et. al.

Tea OD]]> http://icrontic.com/discussion/97348/lets-talk-vermouth-its-classic-uses Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:27:08 -0400 Brews & Spirits Lincoln 97348@/discussions @midga and realized we should just have a talk about it! I recently went thru 3 dry vermouths to work on my dry martini (50/50 gin & vermouth, 2 dashes orange bitters).

Martini & Rossi was the overwhemling favorite (over Stock and Noilly Prat). My current recipe is to mix Marti & Rossi with Stock 50/50 (maybe a little more of the former) because while the M&R is better, it's also smoother and (I think) a little boring over the course of the cocktail. Stock adds some teeth to it to make you think about what you're drinking. It was widely preferred over the straight M&R martini.

I will confess the bottle of dry Stock I was using is quite old (like, damn). A fresh bottle would likely change the equation.

Noilly Prat is definitely not for martinis as far as I'm concerned, dry or sweet.

In my Manhattan, I'm still using Stock after trying NP and M&R variants (all sweet). Haven't attempted a perfect Manhattan yet (50/50 sweet & dry vermouth).

I haven't gotten far enough with (sweet) martinis to know which way I'm headed there, but I feel like Stock has the lead.]]> http://icrontic.com/discussion/97263/any-good Wed, 06 Mar 2013 17:22:49 -0500 Brews & Spirits JBoogaloo 97263@/discussions
So I found these minis of Early Times Whisky from 1972. The content itself is 44yrs old and I have 10 of the 12. I would like to give one a shot, but because I know absolutely shit about old whisky I turn to you classy mofos. Would these be any good after that long, stay the same (I vaguely remember a discussion about whisky not really aging after it's bottled), or junk? Thanks for the input!
Here's a pic of one:
]]> http://icrontic.com/discussion/97251/its-ok-to-be-jelly Mon, 04 Mar 2013 12:37:33 -0500 Brews & Spirits Basil 97251@/discussions


Dat whisky-cask-matured-freeze-distilled-32%-imperial-stout.

[spoiler] I won't be drinking it! [/spoiler]]]> http://icrontic.com/discussion/97137/vodka-250000-scoville-units-must-be-opened-with-wire-cutters-for-consumer-safety Sun, 10 Feb 2013 20:43:58 -0500 Brews & Spirits Thrax 97137@/discussions http://www.masterofmalt.com/vodka/the-hot-enough-vodka-co/250000-scovilles-naga-chilli-vodka/]]> http://icrontic.com/discussion/96816/hey-icrontic-detroit-is-getting-a-microdistillery-with-a-tasting-room Thu, 06 Dec 2012 14:30:55 -0500 Brews & Spirits primesuspect 96816@/discussions about a mile and a half away from ICHQ.]]> http://icrontic.com/discussion/96758/hard-ciders Fri, 23 Nov 2012 23:36:56 -0500 Brews & Spirits Nemikan 96758@/discussions ]]> http://icrontic.com/discussion/85843/lets-see-your-stash Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:50:52 -0400 Brews & Spirits UPSLynx 85843@/discussions
What populates your current collection of scotch, gin, tequilla, rum, whiskies, beer, whatever. Lets see your minibar, your closet stash, the booze hidden under the bed, the top shelf of your pantry. Pictures are nice, too.

I'm sure some of you have some epic bottles (along with that one bottle that never goes away because no one will touch it). Sound off!

I haven't been buying drinks for at home for very long, mostly because a year ago I was living with a youth pastor and couldn't keep alcohol in the house (that doesn't mean there wasn't a bottle of Jerry hidden in the closet ;) ) But I'm happy with my current:



This is all kept on the top shelf of my closet. Current living situation doesn't leave me with many options. Also, a sixer of Sam Adams Octoberfest in the fridge.]]> http://icrontic.com/discussion/65427/brewing-tea Wed, 12 Sep 2007 16:10:32 -0400 Brews & Spirits Sledgehammer70 65427@/discussions
Most likely a setup that is a Infuser that dumps into a mug? did I say that right?]]> http://icrontic.com/discussion/96637/65-abv Wed, 31 Oct 2012 21:30:48 -0400 Brews & Spirits BobbyDigi 96637@/discussions
http://www.brewmeister.co.uk/#/shop/4567737660/Brewmeister-Armageddon/3232040

-Digi]]> http://icrontic.com/discussion/96547/in-case-any-of-you-nasty-whiskey-drinkers-want-to-go-in-on-a-20k-bottle Wed, 10 Oct 2012 09:42:07 -0400 Brews & Spirits MAGIC 96547@/discussions http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-19884930

Here's your chance. ]]> http://icrontic.com/discussion/96533/scotch-pronunciation-guide Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:19:35 -0400 Brews & Spirits primesuspect 96533@/discussions
Anyways, so you don't sound like a redneck Murikan, here's a solid Scotch pronunciation guide.]]> http://icrontic.com/discussion/96356/epic-2012-beer Thu, 23 Aug 2012 21:39:09 -0400 Brews & Spirits MAGIC 96356@/discussions

After a bit over a month in ICHQs basement the Epic 2012 brew has been moved to a secondary fermentor and has been dry-hopped and oak chipped.

It'll be in here until around the end of september. Then I'll bottle it. ]]> http://icrontic.com/discussion/94240/the-homebrew-thread Sat, 19 Nov 2011 11:32:36 -0500 Brews & Spirits mertesn 94240@/discussions
I'm getting ready to brew my third batch of beer. Still using beer kits though - I'm not quite ready to try my own recipes.

The first batch was AK-47 Pale Mild. Turned out really well.

The second batch was Smashing Pumpkin Ale. It just finished bottle conditioning...and apparently I didn't get the priming solution mixed in properly as my first test bottle was rather flat. The second was fine though, so there's still hope.

The third batch arrives today, and is Saison de Noel. It'll get brewed either today or tomorrow and should finish just in time for Christmas or New Year's Day.]]> http://icrontic.com/discussion/93709/german-beer Mon, 03 Oct 2011 01:39:19 -0400 Brews & Spirits erichblas2005 93709@/discussions http://icrontic.com/discussion/95677/vodka-crystal-head-vodka-yay-or-nay Tue, 08 May 2012 13:25:02 -0400 Brews & Spirits one234h 95677@/discussions The CHV homepage, for clarity.

Made by Dan Aykroyd's, (Blues Brothers, Ghostbusters, etc), company and going for approximately $110 in PA, the vodka is usually on the top shelf, but do you think it belongs there? Many say that the marketing which centers around the lore and legend of the 13 Crystal Skulls is the best -and most laughable- thing about the overpriced, over-marketed, nail polish. Others swear it's the best vodka they've ever had and await their new crystal head overlords to swoop in and take them off to their astral projection of Atlantis.

My Take
-------
Specs: 80 proof, grain alcohol, clear
Smell: Next to none.
Taste: Impressively neutral, smooth, with a buttery, bitter finish.
Mixablity: Blends seamlessly with sweet, sour, creamy or fruity drinks.
Price: Inexorably tied with the marketing. There is no way to buy it in a normal bottle and refill the awesome-looking one.

Key Points:
It is the smoothest vodka I've had, but not the best tasting. The vodka is prohibitively expensive for me to be sloshing it about with mixers, so the mixability of the spirit is unfortunately negated. This means it's great for special occasion shots. For sipping though, I prefer the much cheaper, but still legit, Ketel One. I think the product is over-sold so it does not stand up to its larger-than-life filtration process and inspiration for many people.

One thing on which haters and fanboys can easily agree: the bottle is kick-ass.

What do you think?]]> http://icrontic.com/discussion/94217/favorite-scotch Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:21:45 -0500 Brews & Spirits Mscrnt 94217@/discussions
Here's mine:
http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-5862.aspx]]>