The official "Who's drinking tonight?" thread

[DitchPanda]

Picked up a Jack Daniels single barrel select store pick today and its much better than I anticipated. Also picked up 3 budget scotchs but haven't tried them yet.

[TnRiver46]

Ooooooo, @DitchPanda, which scotch????

 

[DitchPanda]

3 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Ooooooo, @DitchPanda, which scotch????

 

Dewars 12, Dewars Japanese smooth and Cutty Sark Prohibition edition

[TnRiver46]

I’ve had the regular cutty sark and always enjoyed it 

[DitchPanda]

10 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I’ve had the regular cutty sark and always enjoyed it 

I've never had the regular cutty, I've heard its pretty bad but everybody's palate is so different. That said the prohibition edition is surprisingly good for $27. The Dewars Japanese smooth is easily the best of the bunch. The Dewars 12 is the most expensive out of the 3 and the one I like the least, nothing really wrong with it but nothing going on either, pretty Meh. That said it was still only $35 so I won't feel bad making cocktails out of it. I've got a Lagavulin 8, Ardbeg On Oa and an aberfeldy 12 in the cabinet, none of the new bottles are at the level of these but again we are talking bottles that are 1\2 or even 1\3 the price. If you see the Japanese smooth id recommend picking it up...should be in the $25-$30 range.

 

[TnRiver46]

Most people say all the scotch I drink is pretty bad 😂 

 

Oh well more for me , my ancestors drank moonshine so I’ve got a rotgut palate. I’m not above plastic bottles 

[DitchPanda]

2 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Most people say all the scotch I drink is pretty bad 😂 

 

Oh well more for me , my ancestors drank moonshine so I’ve got a rotgut palate. I’m not above plastic bottles 

What scotchs are in your regular rotation? I'm more of a bourbon and rye guy but I've started to really like scotch and Irish the past few years as well. Variety is the spice of life!

[TnRiver46]

21 minutes ago, DitchPanda said:

What scotchs are in your regular rotation? I'm more of a bourbon and rye guy but I've started to really like scotch and Irish the past few years as well. Variety is the spice of life!

I don’t have any regularly but I like teachers and McClellan islay. Problem is McClellan is no longer cheap like it once was. 
 

Favorite is laphroaig islay but cannot afford to just pee out that much money. 
 

The more harsh and smoky and peaty the petter 

[DitchPanda]

2 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I don’t have any regularly but I like teachers and McClellan islay. Problem is McClellan is no longer cheap like it once was. 
 

Favorite is laphroaig islay but cannot afford to just pee out that much money. 
 

The more harsh and smoky and peaty the petter 

I keep meaning to pick up a Laphroaig 10 but always forget. I've never tried it.

[TnRiver46]

I’ve stooped to inver house and cluny…….. tough times make tough stomachs 😂 

 

Johnny walker red is always there for you 

[DitchPanda]

On 8/11/2024 at 12:21 PM, TnRiver46 said:

I’ve stooped to inver house and cluny…….. tough times make tough stomachs 😂 

 

Johnny walker red is always there for you 

I've heard the inver house is basically the juice from the bottom of a hot dumpster in the summer. Never had it but I think ill steer clear. Johnny Walker red is passable, makes a decent cocktail. I've seen you mention Teachers a few times over the years, also heard several other people say its actually pretty good...may have to check it out. My problem is I go thru streaks where ill only buy budget stuff, then ill turn the other way and only buy bottles in the $50-$100 range. Ill do it with beer to only drink Hamms at $5 for a 6pk of tall boys, then the next week shell out $17 for a 12pk of shiner bock.

[slonezp]

Twas a gift

Jameson's and ginger ale

[slonezp]

Another new one for me. Too much of a bite for me neat, at 100 proof, but a couple of ice cubes really smooth it out

 

 

[Timpson]

Just got home from work I think it's time 

[fishhugger]

On 8/11/2024 at 10:18 AM, DitchPanda said:

I keep meaning to pick up a Laphroaig 10 but always forget. I've never tried it.

it's more expensive...... but i think worth it. lagavulin 16 yo. i've never been a laphroiag fan.  the taste dissipates super fast for my palate. lagavulin is more intense, but smooth and incredible. imho

[1984isNOW]

 

More than my wife realizes haha

 

8 hours ago, Timpson said:

I know it's tacky to invite yourself, but I'll be right over 🥴

[TOXIC]

Question: Do you think the craft beer industry is on the decline? Reason I ask is I’ve been reading articles about some pretty established breweries going under and my brother-in-law is part owner in a brewery in St Augustine and per him, they have had a down year for the first time in the last 7 years.  I also made note while in Wisconsin (a beer drinkers Mecca) that the craft breweries were putting out some weird concoctions like cookies and cream beer, smore marshmallow beer, etc., have they ruined the craft? On the other hand, we went to Central Waters brewery, and Hinders brewery and they were both expanding and doing well it seemed.  Central Waters just put 500 barrels of bourbon barrel aged stout in a freshly built warehouse and Hinders just doubled its footprint and is expanding into events, weddings etc.  What’s your take? 

[Rockhopper]

12 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

Question: Do you think the craft beer industry is on the decline? Reason I ask is I’ve been reading articles about some pretty established breweries going under and my brother-in-law is part owner in a brewery in St Augustine and per him, they have had a down year for the first time in the last 7 years.  I also made note while in Wisconsin (a beer drinkers Mecca) that the craft breweries were putting out some weird concoctions like cookies and cream beer, smore marshmallow beer, etc., have they ruined the craft? On the other hand, we went to Central Waters brewery, and Hinders brewery and they were both expanding and doing well it seemed.  Central Waters just put 500 barrels of bourbon barrel aged stout in a freshly built warehouse and Hinders just doubled its footprint and is expanding into events, weddings etc.  What’s your take? 

I live in Washington. Close to Portland, Or.  The northwest in general has an insane amount of breweries with more popping up all the time.  I have to admit I am a bit of a beer snob.  I have had microbrews from all over our country (ordering direct).  There are a couple east coast and midwest breweries I do enjoy, but in general, the micro's produced in the northwest are hands down better than any other region in the US.  It is really hard to beat the hops that are grown in this area.  I do not believe the beer industry is on the decline what so ever in my area.

[GReb]

20 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

Question: Do you think the craft beer industry is on the decline? Reason I ask is I’ve been reading articles about some pretty established breweries going under and my brother-in-law is part owner in a brewery in St Augustine and per him, they have had a down year for the first time in the last 7 years.  I also made note while in Wisconsin (a beer drinkers Mecca) that the craft breweries were putting out some weird concoctions like cookies and cream beer, smore marshmallow beer, etc., have they ruined the craft? On the other hand, we went to Central Waters brewery, and Hinders brewery and they were both expanding and doing well it seemed.  Central Waters just put 500 barrels of bourbon barrel aged stout in a freshly built warehouse and Hinders just doubled its footprint and is expanding into events, weddings etc.  What’s your take? 

It had to flatten out eventually especially with the economy.  There’s only so many IPAs a store can shelve. 
 

A lot of the big craft friends of mine have turned their attention to bourbon and whiskey. I think there’s a certain group of people who just like exploring and once they’ve hit a certain point in their journey it becomes boring and they have to find a new one. 
 

But I don’t think craft beer in general has any threat of going extinct 

[TOXIC]

Quote

It had to flatten out eventually especially with the economy.  There’s only so many IPAs a store can shelve.

That’s a whole different discussion as to whether or not to get into distribution (store shelves).  Most craft breweries are single locations with crowlers or growlers for takeout.  As for better hops or grains, I know of some who import hops from Germany.  It’s all in the unique craft of craft brewing.  @Rockhopper  I’m more concerned about the craft breweries chasing the niche “candy beer” market as I call it.  Turning more to the White Claw or Mikes Hard Lemonade.  When does beer not become beer? Pale Ale, Porter, Stout, Lager, IPA, Wheat, Amber, Blonde Ale, off the top of my head are all established brews it’s one thing to give an original brew a catchy name, it’s totally another thing to make it less like beer.  Axios has an article that states the craft beer industry sees worst ever slump in 2023 production.  While I will admit there’s probably markets that haven’t had as much of a hit overall craft breweries are suffering. Anchor Brewing, the first and oldest craft brewer shutting down after 127 years.  

[Rockhopper]

I did not know that about Anchor.  That is crazy to hear.

@TOXIC Are you into dark beers?  That is about all I drink when I am drinking a beer.  Deschutes Black Butte Porter has been my staple go to.  But when I want something for flavor, always bourbon barrel aged imperial stouts.  Beers so dark and thick you can eat them with a spoon.

 

Not much of an IPA fan.  There are only two I have ever tried that I like.  Anything that says "sour" or "fruit" you can keep.

[TOXIC]

@Rockhopper I’ve certainly started to gravitate that way.  Some can be a bit too bitter or coffee tasting for me and with the elevated ABV, I limit the number I drink.  This was a favorite this trip. 

[GReb]

https://www.brewersassociation.org/statistics-and-data/national-beer-stats/
 

This suggest the beer market is down overall with craft beer actually doing better than mass production companies 

[TOXIC]

Numbers can be deceiving.  # of units sold? Overall revenue? # of locations closed as a percentage of sales?  I retired from a federal agency and I definitely know how to spin the numbers.😂😉. The number of craft brewers vs overall beer sales is a tricky comparison .  Obviously more craft brewers can drop out of the market due to the sheer numbers of them and the “industry” can look better than the big boys.  

[fishhugger]

2 hours ago, Rockhopper said:

I did not know that about Anchor.  That is crazy to hear.

@TOXIC Are you into dark beers?  That is about all I drink when I am drinking a beer.  Deschutes Black Butte Porter has been my staple go to.  But when I want something for flavor, always bourbon barrel aged imperial stouts.  Beers so dark and thick you can eat them with a spoon.

 

Not much of an IPA fan.  There are only two I have ever tried that I like.  Anything that says "sour" or "fruit" you can keep.

deschutes is my go to also......... actually, one of the few i notice.  any recommendations for the bourbon barrel aged??? i never heard of those.  i used to like guinness.......  as i recall, it was fairly sweet, and really good. 

yeah, around here, everyone LOVES ipa's.... uh, but me.  

@Rockhopperi will wait with held breath for my ideal candy beer - uh, since you['re talking about candy beers???? ...... jelly bean beer........ wow.  is it like the vapes that are all candy now.....