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Why do you drink?

Why do you drink?

  • Total voters
    52
Lursa said:
Do you have it with food, esp. the appropriate food? It can make a difference.

I dont like sweet wines, but if you have a dessert (sweet) wine with dessert, it works. Try some wines with cheeses, if you havent. Personally I think that chardonnay and pretzels is an awesome combination.

Edit: and there's tons of decent wines in the $12 - $15 range.
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I do. I generally have it with dinner when I do, but it's just always underwhelming. Like, the last one I had just ended up having this weird vinegar aftertaste, and it was just unpleasant. Poured a beer to cleanse the pallet afterwards. :lol:

A big problem is I don't know where to start really. No real idea about the styles, and whatnot. Plus, compared to beer, it is pretty expensive. Even at $12-15 a bottle, that's still just one night. Where I can get at least a 4 pack of beer for that amount, and I half way know what I'm getting into. I know the styles, the good breweries, etc.
 
Gina said:
I wasn't so into wine until a friend of a friend had a wine tasting party. He had worked at several vineyards in Oregon and shared a lot of information about what we were drinking. That really opened the door for me. I learned what to look for and had an idea of what I liked. I hate cabernet sauvignon. But I love Zinfandel, Syrah and Shiraz. Pinot Noirs are tricky, but I'm head over heels when I find a good one. Whites are more friendly, to me anyway. :) Chards, Viogner and Pinot Gris are my faves right now.

Also, wine tasting at vinyards is a great way to learn. If there are some vineyards you could go visit, it's a good way to figure out what you like.

Sorry you spent so much to be disappointed.
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Yeah, I have no idea what any of those words mean. :lol: I mean, I've heard them, but I couldn't tell you if they're white wines, or reds. If they're fruity, or smokey, what the mouth feel is like, nothing. lol

Beer on the other hand, I'm your gal. IPA's, stouts, ESB, pale ales, porters, red ales, pilsners, lagers, etc, etc. I got you covered. Just got no idea with wine.

I'll have to try that out with some friends. Wine always seem more social to me anyways. I mean, if you're gonna open a few bottles, you have to drink them that night, and you need people to share.
 
Your Star said:
Yeah, I have no idea what any of those words mean. :lol: I mean, I've heard them, but I couldn't tell you if they're white wines, or reds. If they're fruity, or smokey, what the mouth feel is like, nothing. lol

Beer on the other hand, I'm your gal. IPA's, stouts, ESB, pale ales, porters, red ales, pilsners, lagers, etc, etc. I got you covered. Just got no idea with wine.

I'll have to try that out with some friends. Wine always seem more social to me anyways. I mean, if you're gonna open a few bottles, you have to drink them that night, and you need people to share.
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I didn't know what they meant either. I don't even claim to be knowledgeable about wine, but just about what I like. That's all it is. Learning what you like.

I love beer. You have suggestions, I have a palate. :D

Sharing with friends is a great plan. I have a neighbor who was wanting to learn what she liked. There was a wine column in the Portland paper, so we studied that (among other sources) and had wine "dates" on Friday evenings. :D Which we later expanded to include our circle of wine loving friends. :D
 
Gina said:
I didn't know what they meant either. I don't even claim to be knowledgeable about wine, but just about what I like. That's all it is. Learning what you like.

I love beer. You have suggestions, I have a palate. :D

Sharing with friends is a great plan. I have a neighbor who was wanting to learn what she liked. There was a wine column in the Portland paper, so we studied that (among other sources) and had wine "dates" on Friday evenings. :D Which we later expanded to include our circle of wine loving friends. :D
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That is basically what I did with beer. Just tried a bunch of different things, and found out what I liked. And obviously, over time your palate changes, you become accustomed to things, etc. I will probably try another wine sometime soon. Tax refund, woot! :lol: Honestly, the biggest thing about wine is the price. It's hard being a college student and justifying spending 10 bucks on a bottle of wine. (Forget the fact that I do that with beer way too often. :lol:) Maybe I'll get like a crazy port, I love big flavors, and I've never had a port and I've heard they're intense.

Now, as for beer suggestions, what do you usually like? You like bitter? You like sweet? You like roasty? I've got suggestions!
 
Your Star said:
That is basically what I did with beer. Just tried a bunch of different things, and found out what I liked. And obviously, over time your palate changes, you become accustomed to things, etc. I will probably try another wine sometime soon. Tax refund, woot! :lol: Honestly, the biggest thing about wine is the price. It's hard being a college student and justifying spending 10 bucks on a bottle of wine. (Forget the fact that I do that with beer way too often. :lol:) Maybe I'll get like a crazy port, I love big flavors, and I've never had a port and I've heard they're intense.

Now, as for beer suggestions, what do you usually like? You like bitter? You like sweet? You like roasty? I've got suggestions!
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I like ports, but I haven't had great success in consistently picking them. They are also heavier in alcohol content and more like dessert wines.

If you like big flavors, I'd suggest a Zinfandel or a Malbec. They are hearty, accessible reds. I like Gnarly Head Old Vine, 7 Deadly Zins, Bogle Old Vine. Those are medium priced, IMO and pretty dependable. I may get skewered by real wine buffs, but I like Coppola wines. I have not been disappointed yet.

I know I like IPAs, stouts and porters. Not a fan of hefefizens (sp). And fo some reason, I haven't found a red I truly enjoy. They meh to me.
 
Captain Adverse said:
Well, I don't drink alcohol (or energy drinks) at all.

I wanted to vote, but the only closest option was "I don't drink, but I wont want to be left out of a good poll."

Couldn't pick that one because I didn't want to be left out of a "bad" poll. ;)
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Luftwaffe said:
Welcome to the club ;)

Although of course, my situation is a matter of being too young to legally drink (although I could EASILY get drinks illegally if I so choosed), I dont plan on doing so even when I do reach 21.
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Now it's the three amigos! And would you look at that, we're ALL libertarians. Sweet.
 
Gina said:
I like ports, but I haven't had great success in consistently picking them. They are also heavier in alcohol content and more like dessert wines.

If you like big flavors, I'd suggest a Zinfandel or a Malbec. They are hearty, accessible reds. I like Gnarly Head Old Vine, 7 Deadly Zins, Bogle Old Vine. Those are medium priced, IMO and pretty dependable. I may get skewered by real wine buffs, but I like Coppola wines. I have not been disappointed yet.

I know I like IPAs, stouts and porters. Not a fan of hefefizens (sp). And fo some reason, I haven't found a red I truly enjoy. They meh to me.
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I'll keep on the lookout for those and report back if I give them a try! The local Kroger has a pretty kick-ass wine and beer section. I'll have to wander over to the wine section next time I'm there.

IPA's are probably my favorite style. My go to, at the very least. I really love anything Stone Brewing does, especially their IPA's. Probably the best IPA's that are widely available on the market. Sierra Nevada is also a strong choice. Their Extra IPA is still one of my favorites. They had a spring seasonal called Ruthless Rye, that they phased out and I'm so bummed. It was a rye IPA and I just loved it. It was peppery and citrusy and just perfect. It even had cool packaging.

Both of those breweries also make excellent stouts, and porters, as well. Other breweries I like include, that you could probably find up in the northwest, Dogfish Head, Rogue, Lagunitas, Bells, Left Hand Brewing, Avery, Boulevard.

You have to try Left Hand Brewing's Milk Stout Nitro. It's what Guinness should be. Rich coffee flavors with a roasty malt backbone that doesn't let you down like regular Guinness kinda does.
 
FreedomFromAll said:
If I were to drink I would do it to get drunk. But I dont really like the high.
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I dont really understand why people want to get drunk. I have been, on rare occasions, when younger.

Didnt care for it. And I find those that are, generally act like assholes.

I tend to avoid such behavior but as an adult past college, it's not that hard.
 
Your Star said:
I do. I generally have it with dinner when I do, but it's just always underwhelming. Like, the last one I had just ended up having this weird vinegar aftertaste, and it was just unpleasant. Poured a beer to cleanse the pallet afterwards. :lol:

A big problem is I don't know where to start really. No real idea about the styles, and whatnot. Plus, compared to beer, it is pretty expensive. Even at $12-15 a bottle, that's still just one night. Where I can get at least a 4 pack of beer for that amount, and I half way know what I'm getting into. I know the styles, the good breweries, etc.
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Bummer but hey! Just look at it that you wont have another expensive interest. If you are happy with good quality beer, enjoy!

I'll never forget, I finally got my cousin and her husband to visit me in Seattle (a suburb at the time). I knew he liked beer and stocked several micro brews for their visit. He disliked all and picked up a case of Bud at the local grocery. It's nearly flavorless, esp. in comparison to the micro-brews...but that's what he was used to. Oh well.

I just told him to hide the Bud case and bottles in my recycling so my neighbors wouldnt know. The SHAME!!! LOL
 
Gina said:
I wasn't so into wine until a friend of a friend had a wine tasting party. He had worked at several vineyards in Oregon and shared a lot of information about what we were drinking. That really opened the door for me. I learned what to look for and had an idea of what I liked. I hate cabernet sauvignon. But I love Zinfandel, Syrah and Shiraz. Pinot Noirs are tricky, but I'm head over heels when I find a good one. Whites are more friendly, to me anyway. :) Chards, Viogner and Pinot Gris are my faves right now.

Also, wine tasting at vinyards is a great way to learn. If there are some vineyards you could go visit, it's a good way to figure out what you like.

Sorry you spent so much to be disappointed.
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Erath pinot noir. (Erath is an OR vinyard). Great stuff.

Their pinot gris is my favorite wine and affordable at about $12.
 
Lursa said:
Bummer but hey! Just look at it that you wont have another expensive interest. If you are happy with good quality beer, enjoy!

I'll never forget, I finally got my cousin and her husband to visit me in Seattle (a suburb at the time). I knew he liked beer and stocked several micro brews for their visit. He disliked all and picked up a case of Bud at the local grocery. It's nearly flavorless, esp. in comparison to the micro-brews...but that's what he was used to. Oh well.

I just told him to hide the Bud case and bottles in my recycling so my neighbors wouldnt know. The SHAME!!! LOL
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I. . . . I . . . . . think I'm gonna vomit. :vomit:

I've never had a Budweiser or Bud Light. I mean, not specifically, I've had Miller Light, Coors, and Coors Light, and they're essentially the same thing. But I refuse to buy Bud products. They're anti-craft beer ads can **** off!
 
Your Star said:
I'll keep on the lookout for those and report back if I give them a try! The local Kroger has a pretty kick-ass wine and beer section. I'll have to wander over to the wine section next time I'm there.
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Cool! :) Please do!

IPA's are probably my favorite style. My go to, at the very least. I really love anything Stone Brewing does, especially their IPA's. Probably the best IPA's that are widely available on the market. Sierra Nevada is also a strong choice. Their Extra IPA is still one of my favorites. They had a spring seasonal called Ruthless Rye, that they phased out and I'm so bummed. It was a rye IPA and I just loved it. It was peppery and citrusy and just perfect. It even had cool packaging.

Both of those breweries also make excellent stouts, and porters, as well. Other breweries I like include, that you could probably find up in the northwest, Dogfish Head, Rogue, Lagunitas, Bells, Left Hand Brewing, Avery, Boulevard.

You have to try Left Hand Brewing's Milk Stout Nitro. It's what Guinness should be. Rich coffee flavors with a roasty malt backbone that doesn't let you down like regular Guinness kinda does.
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I've had some Sierra, Rogue varieties (love their Dead Guy) and I think the Lagunitas but not the others. The way you describe the Left Hand, ooh my goodness. I'm going to have to get me some of that! Sounds awesome! I will keep the others in mind and let you know!

Thanks! :)
 
Gina said:
Cool! :) Please do!



I've had some Sierra, Rogue varieties (love their Dead Guy) and I think the Lagunitas but not the others. The way you describe the Left Hand, ooh my goodness. I'm going to have to get me some of that! Sounds awesome! I will keep the others in mind and let you know!

Thanks! :)
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I've never had their Dead Guy ale. I need to break down and buy some, lol. The only problem I have with Rogue, and Lagunitas for that matter, is that they don't date their beers. If I'm not at a store that I know regularly rotates their stock, I just pass. If an IPA is 9 months old, it's just simply no good.

Just something else to keep in mind while beer shopping. If you can, try to see if there is a bottled on date, or a best by date. Can save you some cash, and a bad beer night.

And yes! The Milk Stout Nitro is just awesome. Always a favorite.
 
Your Star said:
I. . . . I . . . . . think I'm gonna vomit. :vomit:

I've never had a Budweiser or Bud Light. I mean, not specifically, I've had Miller Light, Coors, and Coors Light, and they're essentially the same thing. But I refuse to buy Bud products. They're anti-craft beer ads can **** off!
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Actually I cant help it. I love the Budweiser Clydes and have many fond memories of drinking Budweiser products. Not that I do, by choice, anymore.
 
Lursa said:
Erath pinot noir. (Erath is an OR vinyard). Great stuff.

Their pinot gris is my favorite wine and affordable at about $12.
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Bingo! Love it! Elk Cove has a very decent pinot noir too (one of the first I ever tasted, OMG was awsomeness). I get to liking a vineyard and then some years, the quality changes, so I jump around a bit.

I was not loving pinto gris for long while. They were too thin and bland. Then in the last couple years I happened on some goodies. My current favorites come from Kings Estate. I went tasting there a couple times over the summer. They tried an experiment and did some stuff in the processing of a batch they called Paradox. I can't remember the year, but the vintage I was trying was their first full go at it. Wonderful stuff! It wasn't all that at the first sip, but it built after the second sip and by the end, whew! Yum. I just saw it on their website! $24.
 
Your Star said:
I've never had their Dead Guy ale. I need to break down and buy some, lol. The only problem I have with Rogue, and Lagunitas for that matter, is that they don't date their beers. If I'm not at a store that I know regularly rotates their stock, I just pass. If an IPA is 9 months old, it's just simply no good.

Just something else to keep in mind while beer shopping. If you can, try to see if there is a bottled on date, or a best by date. Can save you some cash, and a bad beer night.

And yes! The Milk Stout Nitro is just awesome. Always a favorite.
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It's really good. Even my sons, who don't like ale, love Dead Guy. We can get it at one of the growler stores in town too. I love growler stores. :D

Ok! Good advice! I will keep an eye on the dates. I've never been mindful of that kind of thing.

Wish I could go shopping right now. :)
 
I used to enjoy a rum and coke

That was before I discovered how much more marijuana is at relaxing, and no feeling like crap the next day haha

Have not touched a drop in 8 months and I don't miss it

Someone pass the ganja please
 
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Gina said:
Bingo! Love it! Elk Cove has a very decent pinot noir too (one of the first I ever tasted, OMG was awsomeness). I get to liking a vineyard and then some years, the quality changes, so I jump around a bit.

I was not loving pinto gris for long while. They were too thin and bland. Then in the last couple years I happened on some goodies. My current favorites come from Kings Estate. I went tasting there a couple times over the summer. They tried an experiment and did some stuff in the processing of a batch they called Paradox. I can't remember the year, but the vintage I was trying was their first full go at it. Wonderful stuff! It wasn't all that at the first sip, but it built after the second sip and by the end, whew! Yum. I just saw it on their website! $24.
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Yikes $24 !!

I don't regret giving up the grog

I never understood why it costs so much to get a decent bottle of wine in this country. When I was stationed Europe, cheap good quality wine was plentiful.
 
Gina said:
Bingo! Love it! Elk Cove has a very decent pinot noir too (one of the first I ever tasted, OMG was awsomeness). I get to liking a vineyard and then some years, the quality changes, so I jump around a bit.

I was not loving pinto gris for long while. They were too thin and bland. Then in the last couple years I happened on some goodies. My current favorites come from Kings Estate. I went tasting there a couple times over the summer. They tried an experiment and did some stuff in the processing of a batch they called Paradox. I can't remember the year, but the vintage I was trying was their first full go at it. Wonderful stuff! It wasn't all that at the first sip, but it built after the second sip and by the end, whew! Yum. I just saw it on their website! $24.
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Chardonnay can be the same way, esp the cheaper ones. Many are thin and bland. Try Geyser Peak chard for a reasonably priced one with lots of flavor. Or try some Sauv blancs if you like dry.

With the pinot gris, that is the American grape. it's the same grape in Italy, but called pinot grigio and without fail, I find them way too sweet. I guess it is the soil (terrior) that makes the difference.

I dont like cheap reds. I dont like the tannins of wines not aged a long time. So I go with the mellower pinot noirs, the chiantis, a cab. sauv I've found that I drink at home because it's the most 'healthy' of all the grapes.
 
Lursa said:
Bummer but hey! Just look at it that you wont have another expensive interest. If you are happy with good quality beer, enjoy!

I'll never forget, I finally got my cousin and her husband to visit me in Seattle (a suburb at the time). I knew he liked beer and stocked several micro brews for their visit. He disliked all and picked up a case of Bud at the local grocery. It's nearly flavorless, esp. in comparison to the micro-brews...but that's what he was used to. Oh well.

I just told him to hide the Bud case and bottles in my recycling so my neighbors wouldnt know. The SHAME!!! LOL
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Ha! I know huh? I can't believe I ever drank that stuff. Mostly in the dive hamburger joint I used to frequent. LOL

On the flip side, I went to California to help my Dad after my grandma passed. When my cousins arrived for the funeral, we thought we'd go buy some beer. They all live or have lived in the NW too. We were bitterly disappointed at the lack of micro brews, at that time (early 2000's). I forget what we settled on, but it was fail for us. :(
 
Gina said:
It's really good. Even my sons, who don't like ale, love Dead Guy. We can get it at one of the growler stores in town too. I love growler stores. :D

Ok! Good advice! I will keep an eye on the dates. I've never been mindful of that kind of thing.

Wish I could go shopping right now. :)
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Yeah, I wish I had a good growler store near me. I'd be such a good customer. :lol:

Yeah, you really want to pay attention to low alcohol beers, IPA's, and other hoppy beers or beers where flavors can fade away. An IPA two weeks in the bottle can be completely different six months later. Stouts and porters, especially the high alcohol ones, you don't have to worry so much. It's nice to know for aging purposes - I've got like, 6 or 7 in my fridge now that are more than a year old, one is like, 4 I think :mrgreen: - but other than that, the date is less important.
 
Lursa said:
Chardonnay can be the same way, esp the cheaper ones. Many are thin and bland. Try Geyser Peak chard for a reasonably priced one with lots of flavor. Or try some Sauv blancs if you like dry.
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I hear ya. Since I don't drink a lot, I gave up cheap cheap. Just is not worth drinking wine I hate. Thin, bland, no character. I like oaky (although it seems that's fallen out of favor). There was steel fermented bottling I liked for a while, even without the oak. I get real picky with whites and pour out what I don't like. Hmm! Thanks, I will look for it. I haven't had a lot of luck with Sauv blancs.

With the pinot gris, that is the American grape. it's the same grape in Italy, but called pinot grigio and without fail, I find them way too sweet. I guess it is the soil (terrior) that makes the difference.

I dont like cheap reds. I dont like the tannins of wines not aged a long time. So I go with the mellower pinot noirs, the chiantis, a cab. sauv I've found that I drink at home because it's the most 'healthy' of all the grapes.
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Now that you mention it, I seem to like the American version. The Italian version hasn't made much of an impression.

I like pinot noirs, but I hate spending the money on a bottle and being disappointed. Like I said, some bottlings from vineyards I like have varied (probably the weather) from year to year. I probably have a less discerning palate when it comes to reds and so less expensive (not bottom shelf, or the next up cheap) reds are drinkable.
 
Your Star said:
Yeah, I wish I had a good growler store near me. I'd be such a good customer. :lol:

Yeah, you really want to pay attention to low alcohol beers, IPA's, and other hoppy beers or beers where flavors can fade away. An IPA two weeks in the bottle can be completely different six months later. Stouts and porters, especially the high alcohol ones, you don't have to worry so much. It's nice to know for aging purposes - I've got like, 6 or 7 in my fridge now that are more than a year old, one is like, 4 I think :mrgreen: - but other than that, the date is less important.
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We have a few and they change it up. Not always the same "menu". Only drag is, it's a lot of beer. Too much for me to drink before it flattens. I can get a 1/2 growler, but only if my son is in the mood to have some. Otherwise, it's only when the whole family is together.

Great advice! :) I'll keep that in mind and not stock up.
 
yankintx said:
Yikes $24 !!

I don't regret giving up the grog

I never understood why it costs so much to get a decent bottle of wine in this country. When I was stationed Europe, cheap good quality wine was plentiful.
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There are decent wines for less. This was special. Though I can't say I would mind having cheap good quality wine. :D
 
Lursa said:
I dont really understand why people want to get drunk. I have been, on rare occasions, when younger.

Didnt care for it. And I find those that are, generally act like assholes.

I tend to avoid such behavior but as an adult past college, it's not that hard.
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I havent been hammered since my Dad died in 2007. The laws make it hard for a person to get the high that they actually like.
 
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