Truly the water of life as far as I’m concerned (Whisky is good for putting in tea, or cleaning your drains) and definitely one of life’s simpler pleasures.
This is my current favourite, McEwans Champion Ale, which is fortunately available all over Britain, and as far as I know, possibly abroad as well, sold under the name of ‘Scotch Ale’. It’s a very dark, rich ale and is fairly strong at just over 7%. However, it is surprisingly drinkable and slips down very easily - perhaps too easily as you will find when you try to stand up after a bottle or two!
If you want a second opinion, first have a laugh at this review of it:
It is firm and malty, lightly balanced with hops but with a predominantly fruity feel. Gages, plums and black grapes are all present, with some summer fruit (loganberries) making a cameo appearance. The malty fruit lays a thick, cloying carpet of flavour on the palate which develops through the long finish.
And then read the comments underneath, for a much less pretentious, and far more balanced view of the beer.
Of course there may be lager drinkers amongst you, and a good German lager has it’s place on a hot day, given that they’re made from all natural ingredients and you will not get a hangover from them. However, I’ve visited the brewery where the following stuff is concocted, and you don’t want to know what goes into it…
So what’s your poison?
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“Whisky is good for putting in tea, or cleaning your drains.”
Isn’t that heresy in your part of the world? If you don’t post for a few days may we safely assume you’ve been burned at the stake?
At our recent 25th Anniversary party, someone produced an elderly Islay single malt — oh t’was hea’nly indeed — my mouth tasted like I’d been chewing on a peat bog the entire next day… but it was a grand taste nonetheless.
So I’ll drink Scotch or Irish or vodka. I believe most beer is brewed through horses; Budweiser is brewed through the Clydesdales… But I’ll take a Guinness now and again….
Must go now; getting thirsty….
Brandy, at the moment (due to a bit of sicky-sickness), but usually whisky - and the finer, the better.
Give me a drop of Glenfiddich or Laphroaig and I’m quite a happy man (put that in your tea and I’d cry wastage!!)…
Whisky
You’re right Curmudgeon, I wouldn’t say it out loud around here…
Impatiently googling McEwan’s for a local distributor (still searching, but I’m scrappy - I’ll find it), I ran across this reviewon Dr. J’s Beer Blog. If I can’t find McEwan’s, I’ll have to give Arcadia a try.
Someone else can drink the Fizzy Piss.
Whoops - scroll down to This Month’s Beers to see the McEwan mention.
I will have to ask my husband if he has tasted the McEwan’s. He has been a beer fan for years, but just recently he and his friends at work have gotten into the “designer beers”. We have a brewery a few miles north of us and they make Fat Bastard brand, among others. I can’t drink (meds) but I take a sip now and then of his. When we lived in Germany we got to like their beer and then came back to the states and it was like drinking water it was so weak. Ugh!
Good find Melissa, I believe McEwans Scotch Ale has made it to the states, but Arcadia sounds like a worthwhile alternative until you make it to Scotland
While German beer is very different to English ale, it’s still right up there when you want a light refreshing drink Webduck. Having said that, their double malted dark beer (Doppelmalz) is something else…
Hey Chris
Mines a Vodka
Preferably back with coke!!
Failing that Czech beer served with flaming hot monster munch, oh as long as its not fizzy piss.
German beer all the way for me. What can I say I was weaned on it.
I cannot stand that fizzy piss, worse stuff I ever tasted, yeuch.
UPDATE: My husband reports that the Scottish Ale he likes to drink is called Wee Heavy. I told him about the McEwan’s and he is going to see if he can find it or get our local beer/wine shop to get it in stock. Thanks for telling us about this brand. It’s the important things in life you know.
Hi Kathryn, you have….unusual tastes….
I haven’t eaten Monster Munch since they did away with the beef flavour 
Good luck Webduck, it’s important to get your priorities straight!