Alcohol thread

[old_man_tiger]

Any recommendations from forumers?

I enjoy my beers and spirits and this being a weekend with no sport I'm interested in, I think it's a good time to talk alcohol.

For mine, if you haven't tried them I'd recommend the following:

Beer
Balter XPA. I'm not usually an IPA drinker, but this has very balanced hops. And beer in a can, coming up to summer, what's not to like?

Whisky
I mostly drink islays and I enjoy Lagavulin, Laphroaig etc… recently picked up an octomore 8.1 at a good price to celebrate our second child (poor kid). Fantastic. For a more budget friendly option, if you like any of those listed above but want something a bit milder I have a bottle of Caol Ila 12 which has been a great surprise.

If you don't like peat smoke I can only recommend glenfarclas 15, my experience is limited with others because I've never liked anything else enough to buy it twice.

Vodka
I rarely drink it but just picked up a bottle of Ketel one. IMO as good as the grey goose and belvedere I used to spend double on. Maybe bit milder but that's ok for me as I find neat vodka similar to what I imagine metho would taste like.

Not advocating getting blind drunk or drinking by people who shouldn't. Just sharing ideas for people who like to have a couple of quiet drinks with good company and can make recommendations to like minded individuals.

 

[swag_tiger]

I normally get my beer form The Batch or Young Henry's.

 

[old_man_tiger]

Batch I want to try. YH hasn't really done it for me.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Beer:

My favourites are Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Hacker Pschorr Munich Gold lager. Paulaner Weissbier is pretty nice as well.

Whiskey:

Not much of a spirits drinker but I quite enjoy Jack Daniel's and Chivas Regal.

Don't drink Vodka, many silly nights on that as a young bloke.

 

[swag_tiger]

Batch I want to try. YH hasn't really done it for me.

I live in Newtown so both are easy to Find.

 

[Masterton]

I've always enjoyed a decent scotch but preferred other options. Recently my (wealthier) cousin gave a glass of Octomore 8.1 and it blew me away. Unfortunately, I'm probably too poor to get any more for a while.

 

[old_man_tiger]

I've always enjoyed a decent scotch but preferred other options. Recently my (wealthier) cousin gave a glass of Octomore 8.1 and it blew me away. Unfortunately, I'm probably too poor to get any more for a while.

Wife got me tickets to whisky live for Christmas. Got a bottle there, can't afford it again at retail. Still, glad I got to try it.

 

[Sabre]

Young Henrys has to be the most overrated, overpriced drink available. Nothing special about it whatsoever.
When I saw this was a recommendation thread my first thought was Balter XPA. Fantastic drink. But looks like you've discovered that already.

I don't mind Kosciusko. That goes down well. Stone and Wood is nice too.

 

[happy_tiger]

Rarely drink beer anymore , Canadian Club Dry is my choice

Johnny Walker Black if I buy a bottle

Goes alright in your Irish Coffee as well , fantastic drink when the WT's are getting hammered and the wife doesn't have a clue either

 

[Geo]

Red cordial..

 

[Demps]

Red cordial..

LOL.

I have not drank alcohol in over ten years.

Made that choice because I don't like the taste or how it makes me feel.

My body is a temple and I'm always attempting to live the healthiest life I can live….. Although my diet can definitely improve.
\
\
Best drink I ever had though was cranberry juice with chambord.

 

[hobbo]

Golden Gate Spumante

 

[Tigerdon]

Love Beer. I try to buy Australian owned, which is getting hard as most sell out to Internationals. As a mid strength Balter- Captain Sensible. Coopers has always been my full back when I can't decide. On tap I generally choose different beers at different venues. My fav is a pint of the Atomic Stout at the Four Pines in Manly.
I did like Kosciuszko until they sold out to Lion Nathan and moved the brewing to Vic. It doesn't taste the same now.

Lagavulin is a favourite. Ardbeg, smokiest I've had but I prefer the oils in Lagavulin.

 

[Byron_Bay_Fan]

my only alcohol is in rum and raisin chocolates and ice cream and cough mixture - can I join in?

 

[JB]

I brew my own beer & I'm trying to get close to a decent IPA. I've tried Batch and Willie The Boatman; Willie's in front so far with (no joke) the Crazy Ivan IPA.

For those in Sydney, the Sydney Beer Week is on later this month. Batch, Willie TB and others from the inner west will be at Precinct 75 in St. Peters on the 27th October, along with a variety of food trucks.

https://sydneybeerweek.com.au/events/iwba-food-truck-event/

 

[NT_Tiger]

Whiskey: I don't drink much whiskey anymore, too expensive, but Laphroaig is the one I usually get when I feel like it.
Tequila: Generally if I buy spirits, I usually get Sierra Silver tequila neat, with lime juice or occasionally when my NZ mate is around, Margaritas.
Beer: Coopers Pale or Sparkling. On occasion when I go down to Cairns, the beers at the Macalister Brewing Company are sensational. Nice views over the cane fields as well.
Wine: Home made fruit wines. At the moment it's Tangerine. Very nice, clean, and refreshing, if a bit strong. Next batch will be either straight lime or lime/tangerine.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Difficult doing your own wines NT?

 

[NT_Tiger]

Difficult doing your own wines NT?

So far, no. Far less difficult than I had thought. I have access to a lot of fruit at times through the year so figured it would be inexpensive, just some hard work. I did a lot of reading about making fruit wines and 'averaged' some recipes(i.e. took the bits that sounded good). I also spoke to the local brew suppliers, who tried to sell me kits at first but then passed on a few tips. There are a lot of opinions about how to best make fruit wines, but I just went for the most basic, simplest methods.
The Lime wine should be interesting. I can't find a decent recipe so will average one ok lime recipe I've found with the Tangerine recipe I last used. Hopefully it won't come out tasting like floor cleaner.
Are you making wine?

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Difficult doing your own wines NT?

So far, no. Far less difficult than I had thought. I have access to a lot of fruit at times through the year so figured it would be inexpensive, just some hard work. I did a lot of reading about making fruit wines and 'averaged' some recipes(i.e. took the bits that sounded good). There are a lot of opinions about how to best make fruit wines, but I just went for the most basic, simplest methods.
The Lime wine should be interesting. I can't find a decent recipe so will average one ok lime recipe I've found with the Tangerine recipe I last used. Hopefully it won't come out tasting like floor cleaner.
Are you making wine?

Not making my own, no. Started drinking more lately though since I don't drink heavily anymore. Spirits and wine are good as I'll only have a glass or two and be content whereas I can throw beers back without even thinking. Enjoy a chilly bottle of wine on a stinking hot day just as much as a beer these days.

Was wondering how difficult it was as I've never really known anyone to make their own. Plenty of home beer brewers but not wine.

 

[NT_Tiger]

Difficult doing your own wines NT?

So far, no. Far less difficult than I had thought. I have access to a lot of fruit at times through the year so figured it would be inexpensive, just some hard work. I did a lot of reading about making fruit wines and 'averaged' some recipes(i.e. took the bits that sounded good). There are a lot of opinions about how to best make fruit wines, but I just went for the most basic, simplest methods.
The Lime wine should be interesting. I can't find a decent recipe so will average one ok lime recipe I've found with the Tangerine recipe I last used. Hopefully it won't come out tasting like floor cleaner.
Are you making wine?

Not making my own, no. Started drinking more lately though since I don't drink heavily anymore. Spirits and wine are good as I'll only have a glass or two and be content whereas I can throw beers back without even thinking. Enjoy a chilly bottle of wine on a stinking hot day just as much as a beer these days.

Was wondering how difficult it was as I've never really known anyone to make their own. Plenty of home beer brewers but not wine.

Except for the fact that you have to take the time to press the juice from the fruit, the process is at least as easy as home brewing beer. Of all the people I have known (including me)to home brew beer only one (not me)has produced something that I would call quality beer.
The wine on the other hand is simple and bright, very nice chilled. Very easy to drink. The main thing I keep in mind is ensuring everything is sterile through the process.