Is it possible to have a true outdoor barbecue without alcohol?
I'm not sure, but if any of you out there try it, let me know how it goes, because I fear the results will be less than stellar. My friends and I cook out a lot, no seriously, A LOT, so you'll be hearing much about my cookout philosophies, but here's a taste.
Grilling and drinking go hand in hand, literally. For me, while I grill, I virtually always have the spatula or food utensil in my left hand and a frosty mug in my right. (NT3: Interesting, because I always go with the beer in left hand, spatula in right hand approach.) It's a right of passage when you become the resident "Grill Master" and work the grill while everyone else is hanging out, drinking, socializing, etc. It's a unique feeling because although you may be removed from all the action physically, you're actually the center of the magic, everything relies on you. The fate of the party's appetite lies in your hands.
That's a pretty big responsibility, and it's not something that anyone can or should do. Oh no, quite the contrary, a true Grill Master is able to balance the responsibility of the cooking with the other aspects of the party. Earlier tonight as I was grilling for some friends, I had the pleasure of having someone constantly fill up my beer as I was working the grill. This role is vital to the Grill Master because it allows us to focus on the food and not have to worry about filling up our glasses. Next time you're at a cookout, do everyone a favor, and make sure the person manning the grill doesn't have to get his/her own drink. Remember, keep the cook happy; some good advice for ya.
Now, during cookouts, variety in your beverages can make or break the party. Sure, everyone knows what I'll be drinking, but if you're hosting, you better bring the good stuff and not phone in the choices. If you're going to do something then do it right. That's not just a cookout philosophy of mine, that's a life philosophy of mine.
A summer time fan favorite at my cookouts are Mudslides. They're delicious, they're creamy, they're refreshing, they're pretty strong, they're cold-I see no downside here. Plus they sorta act like a dessert, how can you go wrong? Next time you're hosting a cookout in the summer, throw in a frozen concoction like a Mudslide and see what people think, especially the women out there. My guess, it'll be a big hit.
See ya at the next cook out-I'll be the one with the beer and spatula in my hands
Swallow Your Pride(and Drink)
Alright friends, the little write-up to the side of the blog does not kid...I am a Bud Light fan through and through. I drink it all the time, I promote it, it is the proverbial life blood that fuels my social life. I am pretty much a Bud Light poster boy for The Northeast, along with some of my friends. I drink others beers from time to time, but no other light beers...sorry Coors and Milller. NT3, on the other hand has a more welcoming and far less ignorant palate than me....poor guy.
Having said that, something happened the other night that challenged my very principles as a person, nevertheless as a loyal Bud Light drinker. I was at the bar with some people Thursday night when a friend of a friend sent over a pitcher of beer to the table...
it was MILLER LITE....
I didn't even need to hear him order the pitcher or taste it, we knew it was Miller Lite. Sure enough, upon further examination, it was indeed that other "lite" beer, and I was faced with a situation I never want to be in again.
Now, I had just finished my beer, and stared at the full pitcher cautiously studying the non-Bud Light contents. My beer was empty, there was a full pitcher, and the guy was right next to us...I couldn't possibly insult the guy by not drinking the beer he bought us, right? on the other hand, I couldn't possibly compromise my beer beliefs, right?
The others at the table looked at me, wondering what I would do, if I would place etiquette and courtesy over taste and loyalty, or if my beer instincts would take over and displace my sense of graciousness and gratitude.
Then I did it. I poured myself a glass of Miller Lite, thanked the guy, and choked down the beer like I was 6 years old and my mom was sticking a spoonful of medicine in my mouth. It's also possible I shed a tear, just like I probably would have nearly 20 years ago.
Lesson to be learned:
Though we may all have favorite beers or ignorant taste buds, there are few things more sacred and honored than when someone buys you a beer. You drink it, pretend to like it, be grateful for it....don't do it for yourself, do it for the person who bought you it. This is obviously a small metaphor for life as well, and I'm all about life lessons. It's better to swallow your pride for an instant, then breach etiquette and insult. (Pun very much intended, expect way more of those in the future)
Keep drinkin'
Having said that, something happened the other night that challenged my very principles as a person, nevertheless as a loyal Bud Light drinker. I was at the bar with some people Thursday night when a friend of a friend sent over a pitcher of beer to the table...
it was MILLER LITE....
I didn't even need to hear him order the pitcher or taste it, we knew it was Miller Lite. Sure enough, upon further examination, it was indeed that other "lite" beer, and I was faced with a situation I never want to be in again.
Now, I had just finished my beer, and stared at the full pitcher cautiously studying the non-Bud Light contents. My beer was empty, there was a full pitcher, and the guy was right next to us...I couldn't possibly insult the guy by not drinking the beer he bought us, right? on the other hand, I couldn't possibly compromise my beer beliefs, right?
The others at the table looked at me, wondering what I would do, if I would place etiquette and courtesy over taste and loyalty, or if my beer instincts would take over and displace my sense of graciousness and gratitude.
Then I did it. I poured myself a glass of Miller Lite, thanked the guy, and choked down the beer like I was 6 years old and my mom was sticking a spoonful of medicine in my mouth. It's also possible I shed a tear, just like I probably would have nearly 20 years ago.
Lesson to be learned:
Though we may all have favorite beers or ignorant taste buds, there are few things more sacred and honored than when someone buys you a beer. You drink it, pretend to like it, be grateful for it....don't do it for yourself, do it for the person who bought you it. This is obviously a small metaphor for life as well, and I'm all about life lessons. It's better to swallow your pride for an instant, then breach etiquette and insult. (Pun very much intended, expect way more of those in the future)
Keep drinkin'
Let the Games Begin...
Sun in the sky, pool's getting ready, beers cracked open, grill's fired up, blender's motoring some crazy alcoholic concoctions, maybe you're up the Lake or Beach House(for you lucky ones haha) and of course, friends and family....what a lineup. For many of us, this is a scene around this time of the year, Memorial Day Weekend.
It's like the ceremonial start to Summer fun, and inevitably leads to countless laughs and stories. For my 24 years on this earth, I have been able to determine what kind of summer it would be based on what took place during Memorial Day Weekend...and it never fails. In fact, I am just now recovering from last night's festivities with friends. From drinking in the hot tub, to beer pong til all hours of the night to random shots at 3,4,5 am for no real reason, it was certainly a good night, becoming of Memorial Day tradition. I can forecast already that we're going to have an awesome summer with many more parties in mind.
It's almost like Punxsutawney Phil on Groundhog Day, if you wake up on Memorial Day morning with a hangover...that's 12 weeks of awesome summer fun ahead, if not, you probably won't make it out of June before you're bored out of your mind.
Sometimes overlooked essential to Memorial Day or any Party:
Music- Absolute necessity, and me, being our resident DJ, luckily came through on this last night with 4 mixtapes then perhaps the gem of the night, Michael Jackson's This Is It around 3am when it just seemed appropriate for MJ sing-alongs. Music drives the party and ensures no silence throughout the night, even when people start dropping like flies.
Virtue of Memorial Day Cooking:
Grilling must be done people, must be done. Burgers, hot dogs, chicken, whatever, but if you don't have the grill on this weekend, you're simply not American.
Happy Memorial Day everyone...eat, drink, be merry, but especially drink.
It's like the ceremonial start to Summer fun, and inevitably leads to countless laughs and stories. For my 24 years on this earth, I have been able to determine what kind of summer it would be based on what took place during Memorial Day Weekend...and it never fails. In fact, I am just now recovering from last night's festivities with friends. From drinking in the hot tub, to beer pong til all hours of the night to random shots at 3,4,5 am for no real reason, it was certainly a good night, becoming of Memorial Day tradition. I can forecast already that we're going to have an awesome summer with many more parties in mind.
It's almost like Punxsutawney Phil on Groundhog Day, if you wake up on Memorial Day morning with a hangover...that's 12 weeks of awesome summer fun ahead, if not, you probably won't make it out of June before you're bored out of your mind.
Sometimes overlooked essential to Memorial Day or any Party:
Music- Absolute necessity, and me, being our resident DJ, luckily came through on this last night with 4 mixtapes then perhaps the gem of the night, Michael Jackson's This Is It around 3am when it just seemed appropriate for MJ sing-alongs. Music drives the party and ensures no silence throughout the night, even when people start dropping like flies.
Virtue of Memorial Day Cooking:
Grilling must be done people, must be done. Burgers, hot dogs, chicken, whatever, but if you don't have the grill on this weekend, you're simply not American.
Happy Memorial Day everyone...eat, drink, be merry, but especially drink.
Mortal Sins of Drinking: Part 1 of Many
There are countless party fouls, social faux pas, and all around no-no's that must be avoided when you're out with your friends or out in any general, social setting. There are certain things people sometimes do that will not only irritate others, but turn them off completely. There are other things that people do that can end friendships. I've seen it friends, oh I've seen it.
Now, depending on your social circle, perhaps the first sin has led to the break up of a friendship, and that sin, is of course, Piking Your Drink.
Yes, we have all heard of the term 'peer pressure' since we have been 10 years old. And yes, I know not everyone loves the taste of an alcoholic beverage, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, and there are a lot of people who don't drink, and more power to you, seriously. But what gets me is when someone will get a drink and...wait for it...NOT DRINK IT, and even worse, get rid of it secretly(you definitely know what I mean too). I'm not talking about when you are absolutely wasted and somehow end up with 3 beers in your hand and put 1 down and forget about it(that's more a venial sin of drinking), I am referring to when you are having a few Bud Light's or whatever your beer of choice is, and you open one, don't finish, open one, don't finish, etc. perhaps in an effort to "fit in" or "keep up" with others. This could be an extremely tough thing to remember too, but don't be a hero, drink what you're comfortable drinking, your body will thank you...and trust me, I have been on the other side of this, so I'm speaking from experience.
To the true beer aficionado, there are fewer things more saddening and depressing than seeing an open, 3/4 full beer sitting warm on the table at the end of the night. Now, a few years ago, it wouldn't surprise me if I went to a party(college/high school) and saw someone pour their beer out, hide it behind a plant, the usual kid tricks. Just this past St. Patrick's Day in Hoboken, myself and another friend of mine nearly lost it because as we were cleaning up, we found about 8-10 nearly full beers-beers we could have drank, beers that could have not went to waste. Why waste them, it's literally like throwing money down the drain. I was this close to shedding a tear as we were pouring out warm beers. What's even worse is after this, we looked into the fridge, and there was no beer left, so we had to find a place open late to refuel ourselves. Alright, I'm getting worked up here thinking about it, so I'll digress.
So friends, don't waste your drink, there are millions of thirsty people out there who'd love to have a frosty cold brew-if you're not going to drink it, don't open it, don't buy it...save it for the rest of us.
Mortal Sin of Drinking #1: Piking Your Drink
Now, depending on your social circle, perhaps the first sin has led to the break up of a friendship, and that sin, is of course, Piking Your Drink.
Yes, we have all heard of the term 'peer pressure' since we have been 10 years old. And yes, I know not everyone loves the taste of an alcoholic beverage, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, and there are a lot of people who don't drink, and more power to you, seriously. But what gets me is when someone will get a drink and...wait for it...NOT DRINK IT, and even worse, get rid of it secretly(you definitely know what I mean too). I'm not talking about when you are absolutely wasted and somehow end up with 3 beers in your hand and put 1 down and forget about it(that's more a venial sin of drinking), I am referring to when you are having a few Bud Light's or whatever your beer of choice is, and you open one, don't finish, open one, don't finish, etc. perhaps in an effort to "fit in" or "keep up" with others. This could be an extremely tough thing to remember too, but don't be a hero, drink what you're comfortable drinking, your body will thank you...and trust me, I have been on the other side of this, so I'm speaking from experience.
To the true beer aficionado, there are fewer things more saddening and depressing than seeing an open, 3/4 full beer sitting warm on the table at the end of the night. Now, a few years ago, it wouldn't surprise me if I went to a party(college/high school) and saw someone pour their beer out, hide it behind a plant, the usual kid tricks. Just this past St. Patrick's Day in Hoboken, myself and another friend of mine nearly lost it because as we were cleaning up, we found about 8-10 nearly full beers-beers we could have drank, beers that could have not went to waste. Why waste them, it's literally like throwing money down the drain. I was this close to shedding a tear as we were pouring out warm beers. What's even worse is after this, we looked into the fridge, and there was no beer left, so we had to find a place open late to refuel ourselves. Alright, I'm getting worked up here thinking about it, so I'll digress.
So friends, don't waste your drink, there are millions of thirsty people out there who'd love to have a frosty cold brew-if you're not going to drink it, don't open it, don't buy it...save it for the rest of us.
Mortal Sin of Drinking #1: Piking Your Drink
My Picks For The Summer
Summertime is upon us. Sure, there's some clouds in the sky right now and I'm actually a little chilly with my ceiling fan going but such is life in Northeast PA. Memorial Day is next weekend which means, weather or not (see what I did there?), it's time for summertime. And what's more enjoyable during the summer months than sitting outside on your porch or deck, firing up the grill, and cracking open a few frosty cold brews?
If you're sick of the usual choices or want something different to compliment the season, here are a few great summer beers to try out.
LandShark Lager
The safest bet is the Jimmy Buffet inspired LandShark, Anheuser-Busch's version of Corona. Sure, the purists among you will scoff at the easily skunked clear bottles and mass produced nature of the beer. But I think there's not anything more refreshing than an ice cold 'Shark on a hot summer day. Plus the flavor itself beats Corona and there's no need for limes. Fins up!
2nd Choice: Modelo Especial
Ithaca Apricot Wheat
This might be the official beer of the summer of 2010 for me. It's got the right amount of refreshing fruityness without making me feel like I'm sipping an old wine cooler. From the very first sip, this beer IS summer.
2nd Choice: Seadog Apricot Wheat
Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy
If you really want to plunge headfirst into summer, give this beer a whirl. It claims to be half beer and half lemonade. It's more like a refreshing beer with a kick of Mike's to it. It's definitely not for everyone but I actually think it's LESS fruity than the Ithaca Apricot and is a great choice for a party where the guys want something different and the girls are afraid to veer from the usual.
Harpoon Summer Beer
If you're looking for something with a little more of a kick, try out this incredible offering from Harpoon. There's a good bit of hop bitterness but it's not so overpowering that you can't drink it during your cookout or enjoy it all day long. A perfect tailgating beer, this one tastes better every time you drink it.
2nd Choice: Ithaca Partly Sunny
Try out one of those beers for your next barbecue or ballgame. Then there will be no doubt that summertime is here.
If you're sick of the usual choices or want something different to compliment the season, here are a few great summer beers to try out.
LandShark Lager
The safest bet is the Jimmy Buffet inspired LandShark, Anheuser-Busch's version of Corona. Sure, the purists among you will scoff at the easily skunked clear bottles and mass produced nature of the beer. But I think there's not anything more refreshing than an ice cold 'Shark on a hot summer day. Plus the flavor itself beats Corona and there's no need for limes. Fins up!
2nd Choice: Modelo Especial
Ithaca Apricot Wheat
This might be the official beer of the summer of 2010 for me. It's got the right amount of refreshing fruityness without making me feel like I'm sipping an old wine cooler. From the very first sip, this beer IS summer.
2nd Choice: Seadog Apricot Wheat
Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy
If you really want to plunge headfirst into summer, give this beer a whirl. It claims to be half beer and half lemonade. It's more like a refreshing beer with a kick of Mike's to it. It's definitely not for everyone but I actually think it's LESS fruity than the Ithaca Apricot and is a great choice for a party where the guys want something different and the girls are afraid to veer from the usual.
Harpoon Summer Beer
If you're looking for something with a little more of a kick, try out this incredible offering from Harpoon. There's a good bit of hop bitterness but it's not so overpowering that you can't drink it during your cookout or enjoy it all day long. A perfect tailgating beer, this one tastes better every time you drink it.
2nd Choice: Ithaca Partly Sunny
Try out one of those beers for your next barbecue or ballgame. Then there will be no doubt that summertime is here.
I Drink Therefore I Am
There are endless reasons for what makes a person fill up their glass; from drowning sorrows, to celebrating happy times, and everything in between. We'd be lying to you if we said we were any different. That being said, there are few things better in life, especially to these two bloggers, than having a few brews with friends. We are wildly blessed with great friends who happen to be the source and center of such great times, laughter, entertainment, and amusement, and we love them for it. Sure, some have a different perspective of the world of beer drinking as us two, but it's always good to have some diversity.
Ladies, I know many of you have undoubtedly observed this for years, but I first want to give you all an initial disclaimer and a little peek into the psyche of a beer drinking male. This may sound ridiculous or something out of the Jersey Shore/Hills/etc, but there really is a certain bond amongst us guys when we're throwing a few back. It's a cathartic, therapeutic, even galvanizing experience that can sometimes yield unbelievable outcomes (how do you think we got the idea for this?) Don't take it personally if your boyfriends or husbands stumble in hammered after a night with the boys, even if you told them they "better not drink if they really love you" and all that other nonsense. I'm a man, I drink the occasional beer or 20, it's not a big deal, doesn't mean we have a "problem" or need "help." Don't take it personally, this is what we do. It's science. Don't kid yourselves either that this isn't a source of heated debate, I would make a healthy wager that most of us have fought this battle before in our relationships; I know I have. We're lovers, not fighters, and we promise you that us men would love nothing more than to avoid confrontation over us hanging out and drinking...especially since we're probably going to do it anyway.
May the beer with you.
Ladies, I know many of you have undoubtedly observed this for years, but I first want to give you all an initial disclaimer and a little peek into the psyche of a beer drinking male. This may sound ridiculous or something out of the Jersey Shore/Hills/etc, but there really is a certain bond amongst us guys when we're throwing a few back. It's a cathartic, therapeutic, even galvanizing experience that can sometimes yield unbelievable outcomes (how do you think we got the idea for this?) Don't take it personally if your boyfriends or husbands stumble in hammered after a night with the boys, even if you told them they "better not drink if they really love you" and all that other nonsense. I'm a man, I drink the occasional beer or 20, it's not a big deal, doesn't mean we have a "problem" or need "help." Don't take it personally, this is what we do. It's science. Don't kid yourselves either that this isn't a source of heated debate, I would make a healthy wager that most of us have fought this battle before in our relationships; I know I have. We're lovers, not fighters, and we promise you that us men would love nothing more than to avoid confrontation over us hanging out and drinking...especially since we're probably going to do it anyway.
May the beer with you.
Welcome. Crack open a brew...
Welcome to "The Beer Drinker's Guide to the Galaxy." We know that not everyone is a beer aficionado and not everyone is satisfied with the same can of Coors Light night in and night out. Here we try to find a happy medium between the beer snob and the multi-million dollar ad campaign.
We're also here to take a look at the art of drinking and life in general, through the bottom of our beer mugs. Over the years we've met more crazy characters and had more insane nights than you can imagine. Some of the stories are unbelievable and some of them you just plain won't believe. But trust me, we've seen it all...until the next thing comes along.
We're here to share our experiences with you. The beers we've drank, the places we've been, and the people we've met along the way. Like any good night involving alcohol, we're not really sure where things are going to end up, but we know it's going to be a great time. Bottoms up!
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