Bar Question: Planning for an invasion, Knox,OH
IM FREAKING OUT OVER HERE MAN! My girlfriend wants me to meet her father and he’s flying in from Germany. This guy (from the stories I hear) is pretty menacing and loves his little girl. The only way into a good grace and not cross hairs is his love of beer. I don’t know if I should go with something from Deutschland or try and make him happy with something American. What can I pop the top on that’s going to show some class and difference at the same time?
Planning for an invasion, Knox,OH
Planning for the Invasion:
Pleasing someone from an international origin is always a toss-up. If they're a more conservative personality and enjoy the comforts of home, then you can try to please them with something they're going to be familiar with. Since we don't know where in Germany he's from, we'll just say that he'll probably either drink a dark or a light style of German beer, and getting a Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen (wheat beer that is characteristically clean, a little fruity, and light) and a Warsteiner Dunkel (a dark lager with lots of geist). Otherwise, try a mixture of American beers from a local place: Ohio is ripe with descendants of German émigrés, so there's a good chance you've got a brewery in your backyard, you lucky duck. Check it: http://www.ohiocraftbeer.com/breweries/brewerymap.cfm
Bar Question: Waiting for Pollen, Bedford, VA
Hey Grayhame! When spring finally decides to get here what do you usually get started on drinking?
Waiting for Pollen, Bedford, VA
Waiting for Pollen:
Seasonal drinking! My favorite past-time, right after regular drinking. Spring is when you should be planning outings and enjoying the outdoors again, so we're starting to get back into white wine and white liquor season. Go look for some gin and make some Gin & Tonic, but consider adding a little spice, since a lot of that fresh stuff is now available. A dash of anise, cardamom, or lavender on top of your G&T's will give it some Spring-y action. If you're feeling particularly excitable, make Pink Gin by adding a dash or three of your favored bitters and a wedge of lemon.