Posts Tagged ‘drinks’

Expand Your Beer Horizons

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

The word "beer" is often used as a generic noun to describe a cold refreshing beverage. However, for those with more than a passing interest in the drink, a single word is far from sufficient to describe it.

When it comes to types of beer, there are many, many options to choose from. The amount of differing characteristics that can be found is surprising, with most people having a favorite type even if they are not aware of it. You'd be surprised at how a pilsner can differ from a porter, or how a stout stands out from a cider.

The method of brewing tends to be somewhat similar for most commercially produced beers. However, the names given to different styles of beer generally reflect individual characteristics of the product, such as where it originated. Different types of beer have unique qualities like appearance, taste, origin and aroma.

Below are some of the most popular types of beer available...

Lager: Some of the world's most popular beer brands are lagers. Incorporated within this type of beer are American styles such as double pilsner, all-malt and 'light' beers. Popular international choices include Czech, European, Japanese and German lagers.

Ale: This includes brown ale, American amber, porter and wild ales. Other variations are ales brewed with local techniques from Belgium, Ireland, Finland, Scotland and France.

Cider: While not an official beer, cider is still enjoyed by many beer drinkers. Favorites include standard cider, New England cider and many specialty ciders.

Hybrids: Combining different beer styles or ingredients create this "experimental" beer. Sub-categories include smoked, spiced, fruit and vegetable beer.

You're missing out if you haven't tried at least the types of beer listed above. If you're a beer drinker, you're likely loyal to a tried and true brand, but remember that variety is the spice of life. There is a world of options available to you, so try something new next time you're in a beer drinking mood.

To learn more from a home beer brewing expert, and to discover the simple secrets of brewing world class beer from the comfort of your home, visit: http://homebeerbrewingsecrets.com/

What is Flair Bartending

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

Flair bartending, just as the name suggests, is something that is fantastic to observe. When the good-looking man or beautiful woman behind the bar mixes you a drink with impressive agility and ostentation, you will be genuinely entertained, and will possibly wind up enjoying your drink and evening even more. The performance is a special attraction and these versatile barmen (or women) are hired precisely for their specific bartending services.

Bartending with flair is an exclusive and specialized art form or service, whereby skilled barkeepers entertain guests in the most inventive and fascinating manner. This includes the handling of easily recognizable bar tools, such as cocktail shakers or liquor bottles, in a series of moves akin to, in several ways, to those of a juggler. What is every bit as impressive is the quality of the drink and how quickly it is created.

The term flair bartending became popular amongst barmen during the mid 1990's, with the advent of such movies as Coyote Ugly and Cocktail, and can best be described as any trick utilized by a barkeeper to entertain clients, while mixing their drinks. The flipping or juggling of shakers, bottles of liquor and such like. are but a few of the various techniques used by professional flair bartenders. Many practitioners even have the ability of making use of flammable spirits, besides being trained to carry out close up tricks, commonly referred to as bar magic. At the end of the day, the main aim of this type of bartending service is to entertain, in a particular style, while mixing drinks, and in the process, providing additional value to a customers general drinking and/or dining experience.

Better known as The Professor, Jerry Thomas introduced the idea of flair bartending to the public over a century ago and is seen as the father of American mixology. The Blue Blazer was a cocktail made by Jerry by combining Scotch Whiskey and streams of hot water. This took place in the 1800's and proved to be extremely popular at the time. It was from these origins that this type of bartending picked up recognition and popularity. The attraction of this particular skill is such that nowadays, these professional bartenders are hot favorites at all types of parties. Bars, hotels and similar institutions employ their services to launch and publicize their premises, while new products additionally use this as a method of promotion. Many leading distilleries and hotels have arranged special bartending events with flair bartenders, to gain mileage for their services or product lines. So popular has this profession become today that you can find professional bartending school tuition and certificates offered on the subject.

If you are curious about flair bartending, why not check one out this evening by visiting a bar or pub that employs a flair bartender. Discover the joy of being served with flair and showiness. Allow yourself to be amazed by the dexterity of these accomplished barkeeps and you might discover that your cocktail has never tasted so good.

Mature Drinking

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

Alcohol is one of the oldest institutions in human society. Some researchers claim that all of civilization was started as a way for humans to more easily produce beer. However, it has always been a double edged sword, proving both recreation and embarrassment to those who play with its intoxicating effects.

The key to drinking well is to find a balance. You want to sip just enough to lose the shackles of inhibition, without losing the control of good sense. Understanding this balance gives you power over the way that people perceive you.

A classic scene is to think of James Bond in a stylish suite sipping on a Vodka martini. This picture embodies sophistication. He is drinking, but he is in total control of the alcohol, and thus dominating it, he can enjoy the night and its mild effects. He chooses what happens next, and doesn’t let the alcohol do the talking for him. The use of stylish beverage coasters is another indicator of control and sophistication.

Many people drink out of fear and anxiety. This is not a healthy approach to life. Self medication of psychological problems only leads to a self destructive spiral. Instead you should drink to celebrate, to enhance and enjoy a situation, and to revel in the beauty of life. Drinking has to be a positive experience, or it will swiftly become a negative one.

That is why the sophisticated drinker will deal with their problems head on, in a sober and confrontational manner. Maybe you need the help of a friend, or the compassionate ear of a psychologist. Whatever manner it occurs in, you should be happyw hen you start drinking.

This is because liquor tends to release pent up or sublimated emotional pain. That means that while you are hiding, and distancing yourself from this pain with each drink, you are also integrating the pain into your personality. This can result in you getting sad or getting into fights, when sober you would never consider such actions.

Being a sophisticated drinker is basically about control, derived through balance. You can’t use liquor to solve your problems. Instead, it should be a toast, a celebration of life. Leave therapy to the couch, drinking is about fun and excitement, and all of the best things in life.