The Syndicate

Had the best time at the Outer Backs Brewing Station this evening. If you ever find yourself in Nags Head, they have an awesome fenced outdoor area with picnic tables, corn hole, and a wooden pirate ship playground. It is seriously awesome for kids and their parents. We all had the Abracadabra Brown Ale, which was fine, but not anything to write home about.

Portland beer report:

Having a small bebay seriously infringes on your drinking time, but we managed to squeeze some in anyway. Our friend's wedding was at McMenamins Edgefield, which is basically a complex that is nicer than college dorms, but designed for events. They have 17 bars/distilleries on site, some not bigger then a closet. McMenamins beer served all places and they have lots of pubs all around Portland too. Our favorites were their Porter and Stout, probably because those are our favorite types of beer. However, when we tasted each other's we noticed there was not a huge difference between these two beers. So...

Other place we enjoyed was Hopworks Urban Brewery. Had their flight of 10 types and yes they really do like hops. They were intensely hoppy overall, but my favorite was their 7 grain stout. Too much coffee flavor for the husband though. But I dont drink coffee, so I actually enjoy a bit of coffee flavor in my beer and ice cream. Plus, this has got to be super healthy beer for you right? It's organic and has whole grains!!
http://hopworksbeer.com/organic-beer/survival-stout

We are off to a wedding in Portland, OR next week and getting ready to try a few of the microbreweries. Excited about the great food and drink culture, not excited about the first flight with a baby.

I will report back on any deliciousness we find. Rogue is out there and I have enjoyed their Mocha Porter.

http://beerlabelsinmotion.tumblr.com/

If Harry Potter drank beer, this is what it would look like.

Oh red beers! i like those too. Killian's is a great safe choice for me. I know what to expect amd know I will enjoy it.

Spices in alcohol I generally dislike. I specifically don't like every pumpkin beer I have ever tried. This included a pumpkin beer tasting at our local place.

Epignosis wrote:I do enjoy a snifter of port around the holidays.

Do you also offer Sherry to your guests during the holiday season sir?

Way to start this off right!

I am partial to darker beers. I like Porters, ESB, Ambers, and Stouts usually. Generally like creamy English, Scottish or Irish beers. Things like Fuller's, Rogue, Bell's Best Brown, Dogfish Head had a Chicory Stout years ago that I liked too.

Learning to like scotch, but it burnsss uss my preciousss! I like a mellow scotch, that doesnt burn my mouth first sip, been trying various things because my FIL amd family like a good scotch. I can never remember which tastes like what, but I tried some Laphroaig, Talisker, Lagavulin, Ardbeg, Glenfidditch, and others I am sure forgetting.

I haven't been a big cocktail person. I do enjoy a G&T, and saw a delicious looking Gin and Cucumber Lemonade recipe from Alton Brown recently I want to try.

I am also a big fan of a dry Cider and love that so many new cideries are popping up.

Wine is becoming my go to more and more. Red or White, Sparkling or not. I tend to like Sav. blanc, Pinot grigio, cab. sav, malbec, tempranillo, and prosecco.

Llama- I will take your word for it on Chartreuse. I tried Port once, but didnt enjoy it. Maybe I should try it again.

Mongoose- Llama knows a good thread when he sees it! Have you tried Prosecco instead of Champage? I hear it's supposed to not be as bad for headaches. Ginger syrup with Prosecco is delicious!

This is a thread for those who may imbibe occasionally or more than occasionally. Do you have a favorite scotch, beer, wine etc that you just loooove? How about something that you tried that one time and will never drink again. Favorite cocktail? What's the recipe?

All Bea's zombie bar regulars are invited!