And now a word from our Sponsors

Ok, I doubt it would surprise anyone that I started this blog because I am writing/blogging about something I really enjoy in life.

After throwing some posts up though, I learned that you could make a little money if people click on the ads and was curious as to how much.

Since this was Google, I figured it wasn't a scam and included them in my setup.

How good has it been? Well, without even trying I am already over $50 (thanks everyone who helped)....all in a little more than a week.

Is that earth shattering? No. Will I be able to afford both Parkplace AND Boardwalk? No. But what it is, if I continue growing in ad clicks, is more booze for the New Years Bonfire and gets the ball rolling for the next GOAT NIGHT.

I'm sure you are all wondering how you can help. It's easy, click through all the ads once a day. Visit the sponsors. Show/tell them you like their products. Buy stuff.

What if you are not attending either of these events? Well, as far as I am concerned....you all are invited anyway, even those of you I haven't seen in a long time. If you can't attend, you probably know me well enough to know I would buy you a drink anyway next time I see you (or have bought you a lot in the past). This is just a medium so that we can continue life as I like to enjoy it....with Booze for everyone.

I included a picture to show you what the ads look like, because some people say they didn't know where to click.



So, please take a few minutes out of your day and click through the Sponsors. If you are blogging and Monetize your site, I would be more than happy to do the same for you as well....just let me know the site.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled program.

This Day in History

Nov 9 1953

Dylan Thomas allegedly drinks himself to death.

Who is Dylan Thomas, a Welsh Poet and writer who is quoted as saying

"An alcoholic is someone you don't like, who drinks as much as you do."

You can read more about him HERE, but I will close with this poem:

And death shall have no dominion.
Dead men naked they shall be one
With the man in the wind and the west moon;
When their bones are picked clean and the clean bones gone,
They shall have stars at elbow and foot;
Though they go mad they shall be sane,
Though they sink through the sea they shall rise again
Though lovers be lost love shall not;
And death shall have no dominion.

Nut Cracker Ale

Walking through Walmart after Church, I wasn't really planning on picking up a six pack, but then....a name jumped out at me- NUT CRACKER ALE - and I knew I had to have it.

NCA is a somewhat local beer, coming fro Boulevard Brewing in KC, plus this one is also fitting the theme of Seasonal Beers lately, so it looked like an all around win for the blog :P

Getting home, I cracked one open while putting away groceries....and was immediately WOWed by the Hoppyness and Molasses (I actually though of caramelized Maple Syrup) finish. Instantly a winner.

With an IBU of 31, it qualifies as a North American Brown Ale and the variant (Chinook) of Hops really plays through the beer. The Chinook Hops grabbed me so much that I was actually curious enough to look up the IBU on this one, because I thought it would be higher (just short of an IPA).

I didn't pay any attention to the color until I glassed the last one later in the evening, and then only as an afterthought. Very good looking medium brown, that when poured brought out an edge of nuttyness to the aroma for me. I wish I would have tried that earlier......oh well, I was thirsty.

At just under $7 for a 6'er at WalMart, this would be a good dinner beer (it paired great with my steak) and possibly a sit down in front of a fire over the holidays.

It would also make a good gift (when is beer ever a bad one?) with the Holiday Themed Name and Label....sure to bring a smile.

Enjoy

Crystal Head Vodka

Several months ago, I stumbled on a viral video with Dan Akoryd pitching a product called Crystal Head Vodka. At first, the video is so over the top that it couldn't be be believed, but further research showed that it was a real product.

Throwing caution to the wind, I ordered it and surprised Debi.

The Bottle presentation is one of the coolest I had seen, from the great bottle to the runes on the cork....very good.



The real question was how was the Vodka. To often in these decorative decanters, the booze is lacking. When you throw in that Mr. Akoryd stating that the vodka was triple filtered through diamonds......you know its gotta be bad.

WRONG!

The vodka was really smooth, clean and very very drinkable. Not only was the vodka good as a mixer, but could even be drank straight (on the rocks for me) and had a great vanilla aftertaste.

Currently you can buy Crystal Head at the Nostalgia Shop attached to Grand Cru .

Fast forward a few months and my friend Leo asked if he could have the bottle to do a presentation of the Mead that he makes. I thought sure thing and forgot about it. Today he emailed me a picture of it, and I thought I would share....enjoy.



More pictures can be found HERE

Poor Man's Margaritas

Ok, I'm getting ready for bed and I realized I had an ommision in the review of last night.

I covered everything at Paddy Malone's, but then there was the ride home. Jason and I were in the backseat rambling on about how we needed more booze. Jenn was hungry and Debi was tired (still worn out from her bout with H1N1).

It was determined that we would just get dropped off at home and Jenn/Jason would grab some chow in Columbia.

Being the enabler that I am, as soon as we got home....I threw together a quick drink for me and Jason. One I called....the Poor Man's Margarita.

Now keep in mind, I had limited resources to work with....ie, we were out of booze and beer, except for two types of Tequila and a bottle of white wine.

So, thinking quick...I poured a double Milagro, threw in some cubed ice and topped with Mt. Dew.

It actually (in my drunken state) wasn't bad......but was Jason a bit to full to handle it? It was that or the BK. Inquiring minds want to know.

Cheers

Rare Artifact Unearthed

Well, my sister Cathy found this picture the other day and added it Facebook. I had known of it's existence for some time and had often looked for it when going through the pictures at my Mom and Dad's.

It's a fairly typical picture for the early 70's, bunch of men gathered around and someone get's the bright idea to hand the baby a beer. We've all done it. Except in this case, someone had a camera....and in that brief moment in the fall of 1970 (that is an estimate based on my the clothes I am wearing and comparing to other pictures), a legacy is born.

Who knows what would have happened if I had not been given that beer. Who knew that Budweiser was a gateway Beer. What is my oldest brother Jim (in the door) thinking? Would this blog even exist today if it wasnt for that brief brainchild of someone present (who...we'll never know).

Many years ago, I asked my Dad about that day. He told me that the guys all laughed about this picture for hours (the man on the left is my Grandfather, my brother Jim is in the door, Uncle Pete had the bended knee and my Uncle Thad is on the right edge), and that there was only foam in the bottom......but apparently I had kept trying to drink from it. They couldn't get the can away from me.

I owe those Men a lot in life, especially the one who took the picture...my father. They made me what I am today, and now I have photographic evidence :)

Cheers

Paddy Malone's

Last night I surprised my wife and went to Paddy Malone's in Jefferson City with our Friends Jason & Jennifer.

I had never been there, but it had great reviews from other friends.....plus Jennifer had never been to an Irish Pub Environment (other than McNally's in Columbia), so it was looking to be an adventure.

The pub itself is really easy to find, and going to the front door gave a great view of the Capitol Building

Inside didn't disappoint either. The pub is a cross between an Authentic Irish Pub and an Americanized one....but with the flavor very tastefully done. My personal favorite was in the Pub Proper....where all the tabletops had a hand painted "logo" for an Irish City .


Paddy Malone claims to have the best Guinness in Missouri (with great attention to detail), so I decided to kick the night off with that. Debi also went with Guinnes, while Jenn was drinking Amaretto Sours and Jason was having Whiskey and Coke. We also ordered appetizers (Chips and Cheese with Guinness Cheese Sauce, Loaded Tator Tots and the Fried Portabella Mushrooms). We were originally going to work through those and then order real food....but the waitress advised that we wait until we got through the portion size.

The drinks arrived, and I was casually amused with the Shamrock in the foam. I know you are wondering, did the Guinness live up to the hype? I don't know of the best in MO, but I'm pretty sure it's right up there. Perfect temp and very creamy head. When I drank it, the glass striated very well and it arrived ready to go (no waiting for the beer to settle). Since Guinness is my favorite beer on tap.....I know it well, and I was inpressed. Debi said "Very Tasty".

Jenn and Jason liked their drinks (although I can't remember the whiskey in Jason's). Jenn thought the bartender was pretty liberal with booze in her, so that always brings high marks.

Before our food arrived, I followed the Guinness up with a Harp. Again, great temp and very crisp. Service (IMO) was very fast and the waitress was friendly and joked with the table.

When the appetizers arrived, I'm glad our server "scared us off" because there was a lot of food. We all sized an area, I started with the Mushrooms, and dug in. All I can say is Mmmmmm Mmmmmmmm Mmmmmmm (Barak Hussein Obama). Mine was great, the Cheese Sauce was VERY good (with the fries crispilly delicious)and the Tots were not bad. Debi made an astute observation that everyone's favorite was what they started with....so opinions might have been skewed. I tend to think that was the case.

Next round was a Smithwick's, one that I believe I've only had once before. Very good, with a nice Carmel finish. It was hoppier than I expected and that caught me off guard. I loves me some hops....so that was a definite two thumbs up.

After eating, Jason and I explored the patio for cigars. I went with a Gurkha Exotica De Oriente and he had a Crusado from my stock. The patio is the only smoking area of the Pub, but they went to great lengths to accommodate smokers. It is covered, heated and service didn't drop off. They even went out of their way to keep our drinks on our inside tab vs making us run two.

I reviewed their Scotch list, and it too was impressive. I instantly saw Laphroiag and knew what I was drinking for the remainder of the night. I will say, Laphroiag is not for the faint of heart...it is a Peat Bomb in a bottle, and if you are not prepared it can scare you off scotch for life. Jennifer was impressed that adding just a little bit of water smooths out the liquor and really activates the nose. I was in heaven.

Coming back in from Cigars, I went looking for the bathroom...only to find the other section of the bar, where a pickup Irish Music group were playing. Rounding up everyone, we migrated into there and settled in for a couple of sessions. The group was fun to watch and they covered the "Classics". Jenn was in awe, her only forlay into Irish Music had been what is experienced on St Patrick's Day and this was totally different. I did notice that they tended to cover the Chieftains quite a bit, but hey....that doesn't bother me any, and the lead singer tried to always give an explanation of the meaning of each song. Reels, a few hornpipes and some good singing really rounded out the night.


A quick note about the decor of the side room. It's VERY Irish, and is currently being painted with art inspired from the Celtic style, mostly derivatives of animals from the Book of Kells . It's a tight environment and I think this really inspired the guests to participate with the songs. When the room is done, it will be a really nice addition.

Overall, the night was a total success. Good Music, Drinks and Friends made for a great evening. The bill for all four of us was really reasonable (less than $150 with tip, and that is with me drinking a LOT of top shelf scotch) and I would go back again in a heartbeat. If I were to make one recommendation in Jeff City, it would defiantly be..........Paddy Malone's.