I am drinking Smoking Loon.....

[LoungeMachine]

It makes sense to a degree, but it still sounds more like some heavy-handed blackmail than anything to do with a practical business practice. Not so much with the chains (who may be more capable of absorbing a loss), but with the mom and pop stores. Then again, even the chains here are having difficulty, closing stores and letting people go. You'd think that some of these reps would realize that they are hurting themselves long term and if so, that they would point this out to management.

Yeah, like that's going to happen.

It's much like ordering a case of CVH, but getting told you have to pay top shelf price for a case of CVH with 25% wolfie in it.



Now that should stir the pot........

[MAX]

Hell son, shady bartenders have been slipping well liquor into top shelf bottles for eons



What I love is when you see someone order a LIIT and ask for Grey Goose



as if you're gonna be able to tell.....

Hey, I bartended for many years and know ALL of the tricks.

[chefcraig]

Actually, many of those are "married" from multiple wineries.

So that's where they come from. Oye.

Back in the late eighties, several of the salestwits I worked around were into making their own wine at home. This makes as much sense to me as making homemade pasta, via the work to taste ratio. Besides, I don't know about you, but I never got used to "wine" that had twigs in it.

[LoungeMachine]

Hey, I bartended for many years and know ALL of the tricks.

same here.



weird.

[JOEThasreturnen]

immediate candidate for number 1 "who gives a fuck" post of the year. Boy u stupid.

[LoungeMachine]

Joe!!

Good to see you.

How's WARF?

[MAX]

same here.



weird.

Do you know the old "Visene" trick for shitty tippers?

[LoungeMachine]

Do you know the old "Visene" trick for shitty tippers?

omg, no.

But I can only guess.

shit man, that's fucked up

[chefcraig]

Do you know the old "Visene" trick for shitty tippers?

Hell, even I know that. You can't spell Murine without...

[MAX]

omg, no.

But I can only guess.

shit man, that's fucked up

It would work within minutes and apparantly last ALL NIGHT. Better than Ex-Lax

[MAX]

Hell, even I know that. You can't spell Murine without...

Actually is would make 'em go number two as opposed to number one.

[Sensible Shoes]

Boutique beer is the big thing around here right now - I like Yeasty beers, and when my seasonal favorite got tossed until spring, I tried some of the large bottles from the competitors. 10 bucks a bottle, probably 2 plus glasses, and it was like drinking liquid soap. But as you say, cases and cases of the artsy cool little labels and the clever names. And if I see one more "beer tasting" I'm going to shoot somebody

[Sensible Shoes]

omg, no.

But I can only guess.

shit man, that's fucked up

reference the movie "Wedding Crashers"

[chefcraig]

Actually is would make 'em go number two as opposed to number one.

From what I've experienced, it more often than not doesn't work, at least in beer. Mixed drinks allow you to hide the flavor somewhat, yet even so, the effect is minimal. A mildly upset stomach or increased bladder pressure is about it.

A more practical solution would be serum of ipecac. But if you work in a small pub or bar, as bartender there is a good chance that you will wind up cleaning the mess up anyway.

[LoungeMachine]

Boutique beer is the big thing around here right now - I like Yeasty beers, and when my seasonal favorite got tossed until spring, I tried some of the large bottles from the competitors. 10 bucks a bottle, probably 2 plus glasses, and it was like drinking liquid soap. But as you say, cases and cases of the artsy cool little labels and the clever names. And if I see one more "beer tasting" I'm going to shoot somebody

Micro Breweries, and their products rule.

The mass produced Coors/Bud/Millers of the world churn out gawd awful swill.

But now even the big guys are trying to cash in with their fake IPA's

Just like with wine, I wont drink mass produced cheap swill.

And YES, I AM a beer "snob"



wtf is wrong with beer tastings?

Great way to sample many, many styles without getting shit faced drunk.

[LoungeMachine]

From what I've experienced, it more often than not doesn't work, at least in beer. Mixed drinks allow you to hide the flavor somewhat, yet even so, the effect is minimal. A mildly upset stomach or increased bladder pressure is about it.

A more practical solution would be serum of ipecac. But if you work in a small pub or bar, as bartender there is a good chance that you will wind up cleaning the mess up anyway.

The best revenge against shitty tippers was always a good memory.

[MAX]

From what I've experienced, it more often than not doesn't work, at least in beer. Mixed drinks allow you to hide the flavor somewhat, yet even so, the effect is minimal. A mildly upset stomach or increased bladder pressure is about it.

A more practical solution would be serum of ipecac. But if you work in a small pub or bar, as bartender there is a good chance that you will wind up cleaning the mess up anyway.

I don't even know if it works anymore but back in the early 90's we always had a large bottle of Visene behind the bar. I'm guilty as charged for using it a cupla times and I watched the effects almost immediately.

I know it was wrong but I was a dumb kid at the time. I've seen (first hand) stuff that would make you spit up your soup, literally.

[diamondsgirl]

I have a relative, an older Italian man, who makes his own wine. I save my old bottles and give them to him and he fills them with his stuff for free.

His wine tastes really good, but would probably fail all the "good wine" tests.

Another cheap jug wine that tastes pretty good is Fortissimo

When I was a little DG, my family passed around giacobazzi lambrusco at the dinner table like it was water.
I grew up on that shit.

[MAX]

The best revenge against shitty tippers was always a good memory.

True. Especially when it's really busy. Those fuckers were like the Saharra cos they were so dry.

It was always "I'll be right with you." Twenty minutes pass, everyone else has been thoroughly taken care of and they're still swilllin' the melted ice cubes from their first cocktail. lol

[Sensible Shoes]

Micro Breweries, and their products rule.

wtf is wrong with beer tastings?

Great way to sample many, many styles without getting shit faced drunk.

The mentality of wine tasting and beer tasting is different in this way: People chug beer. They don't chug wine. I've never been to a tasting of either one where people DON'T end up shitfaced drunk. And that is the strategy of tastings. Get them stewed enough that they can no longer taste ANYTHING, therefore everything tastes good, and by the end of the day, you're buying cases at a time.

Now, you may live in California where these things are now nicely evolved from decades of experience, but in the great midsection of the country, these ideas are new - and for most, simply an invitation to put on a nice imitation of a beer tent at the fireman's picnic.

[MAX]

I have a relative, an older Italian man, who makes his own wine. I save my old bottles and give them to him and he fills them with his stuff for free.

His wine tastes really good, but would probably fail all the "good wine" tests.

Yeah but one sip prolly sends one over the moon, no?

[chefcraig]

I don't even know if it works anymore but back in the early 90's we always had a large bottle of Visene behind the bar. I'm guilty as charged for using it a cupla times and I watched the effects almost immediately.

I know it was wrong but I was a dumb kid at the time. I've seen (first hand) stuff that would make you spit up your soup, literally.

The manufacturers must have changed the formula in the past few years, as other than making the victim a bit uncomfortable, it does very little today. And, yes the concept is morally reprehensible.

[MAX]

The mentality of wine tasting and beer tasting is different in this way: People chug beer.

Incorrect. Beer has grown up over the past twenty or so years. It's paired with foods just as much as wine.

[Sensible Shoes]

Ah well I shall just leave all you alcohol experts to continue the thread I started, and never dare to mention the words wine or beer again.

[MAX]

The manufacturers must have changed the formula in the past few years, as other than making the victim a bit uncomfortable, it does very little today. And, yes the concept is morally reprehensible.

I heard they changed it in the late 90's cos the "trick" was too well known.

[MAX]

Ah well I shall just leave all you alcohol experts to continue the thread I started, and never dare to mention the words wine or beer again.

What's ironic is I no longer drink. It's fun to discuss though.

I'm just sharing my knowledge having been a part of the industry for so many years.

[LoungeMachine]

The mentality of wine tasting and beer tasting is different in this way: People chug beer. c.

College students and hard core alkies chug beer.

People dont.

[LoungeMachine]

Ah well I shall just leave all you alcohol experts to continue the thread I started, and never dare to mention the words wine or beer again.

You offer up a critique of something, and dont expect others to offer their opinions?

really?

The passive-aggressive side of you is shocking, I always thought of you as one of the good ones around here.

The PASSION around art, music, wine, beer, spirits is what makes for lively conversations.

Sorry you were looking for nothing but ooohs, and aaaahs.



Yes or no, you bought the wine because spED drinks it and thought you'd try it?

Not because you heard great things about it....

[diamondsgirl]

Yeah but one sip prolly sends one over the moon, no?

Yup, and no headache the next day

[MAX]

Speaking of beers that one definitely doesn't chug...

Any of you ever tried this?



It almost has a sweet and almost caramel taste. Would be great for dessert.

Anyhoo, it's one of the most potent beers I've ever had. I once drank two (it's so full bodied, that's all my tummy could handle) and when I got up to use the little boys room, I almost fell over the coffee table. lol

[MAX]

Yup, and no headache the next day

Wow!!!

This friend of my aunt's makes her own wine (taste's like vinegar) it's supposedly "white" but I swear it's moonshine. Had a glass once as not to offend her and I was HAMMERED after just the one. She's like "Another glass? and I'm like "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO THAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANKS."

[chefcraig]

Yes or no, you bought the wine because spED drinks it and thought you'd try it?

Not because you heard great things about it....

I almost bought a Mister Coffee machine because Joe DiMaggio said he'd never tasted better. Then it dawned on me that he had to have been lying, as he was married to Marilyn Monroe.

[LoungeMachine]

I almost bought a Mister Coffee machine because Joe DiMaggio said he'd never tasted better. Then it dawned on me that he had to have been lying, as he was married to Marilyn Monroe.

ba-dum-bum



Chef will be here all week.... try the veal

[LoungeMachine]

Incorrect. Beer has grown up over the past twenty or so years. It's paired with foods just as much as wine.

yep.

If not more so.

Especially up here in the PNW



Hell, Red Hook even came out with a Copper Hook in time for the Copper River Salmon Run.

[MAX]

You offer up a critique of something, and dont expect others to offer their opinions?

really?

The passive-aggressive side of you is shocking, I always thought of you as one of the good ones around here.

The PASSION around art, music, wine, beer, spirits is what makes for lively conversations.

Sorry you were looking for nothing but ooohs, and aaaahs.



Yes or no, you bought the wine because spED drinks it and thought you'd try it?

Not because you heard great things about it....

I think her new name should be Shoes, Sensitive!!!

Here she starts an intersting threadzilla and gets go pissy? I don't get it?

[LoungeMachine]

I think her new name should be Shoes, Sensitive!!!

Here she starts an intersting threadzilla and gets go pissy? I don't get it?

Me neither....

Great thread.



Maybe she just needs a drink

[MAX]

yep.

If not more so.

Especially up here in the PNW



Hell, Red Hook even came out with a Copper Hook in time for the Copper River Salmon Run.

I know, your region's kind of the father of microbrews.

Ahhhhhhhh.... Red Hook. I haven't had that in years. Memories.

My friend used to live up there, we spent a day boating on Lake Washington with an entire cooler filled with it. Great day.

[kwame k]

A good wine for me has nothing to do with cost and it's seems more important what you are pairing the wine with. It goes without saying that wine can enhance the food it's served with and conversely, a bad pairing of wine with food can ruin the overall enjoyment of the food.

I tend to stay in the under $20 price range, too, but have found several wines in the $10 price range to be acceptable.

Usually I'll buy the cheaper wine to serve with food and if I am drinking wine without food, I tend to drink wines in the upper price range. Must be quirk with me.

I agree with you guys about the wine snobs and have witnessed people raving about a wine that to my taste wasn't as good as a $10 bottle.

Taste is subjective and I get a kick out of finding that gem in the bargain bin....serving it to unsuspecting guests and seeing what the results are.....more times than not people can't tell the difference between a $10 bottle and a $20 bottle.

I've been reading about the box wines and how they have improved in quality over the years..... artificial corks too. Seems that the old myth that wine has to have a wooden cork and come in a bottle does not necessarily make for a great product. I haven't tried the boutique box wines yet to have an opinion.

The thing that fascinates me about wine is....you can buy a bottle one year and the very same bottle from the next harvest has a totally different taste....so much of the wine's characteristics come from the climate of that year's harvest.

Here's a great show with John Cleese called, Wine For The Confused......

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[Sensible Shoes]

You offer up a critique of something, and dont expect others to offer their opinions?

really?

no I do expect that. That isn't what you did.

The passive-aggressive side of you is shocking, I always thought of you as one of the good ones around here.

is that a JOKE? Read some of your own responses in the post back and tell me who's being passive aggressive. And this is the one place in the world where I will be OPENLY aggressive. And I am one of the good ones.

Yes or no, you bought the wine because spED drinks it and thought you'd try it?

Not because you heard great things about it....

Yes! Is that not what I said? Did I equate it to a bottle of Dom? I said it wasn't bad. YOU are the one who has the bitch with the wine and who drinks it.

Does it even matter? You guys are in here to make yourselves all feel squishy about your knowledge of fine things. So have at it.

[chefcraig]

You guys are in here to make yourselves all feel squishy about your knowledge of fine things. So have at it.

Not me. I lost all that stuff in the divorces.