Poll:Alcohol

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

I don't understand, beer causes a net loss in hydration, were people just sucking on a lot of limes?

Well, beer doesn't usually cause a net loss of hydration, it just hydrates a heck a lot less than the same amount of water. And since it fills you up, you are likely not to drink water later when you should. Wine and whiskey can, indeed, easily cause pure dehydration rather than hydration (same amt of alcohol in fewer ounces).

 

[Leonidas]

I don't understand, beer causes a net loss in hydration, were people just sucking on a lot of limes?

I don't know, hadn't considered the dehydration factor. The quality of water was originally the reason why they drank anything but water. Here's a pleasant description of toilet facilities from early London:

Against the streams and tributaries there were 'houses of office' too, although many consisted simply of wooden planks with holes carved out of them. More elaborate public privies were constructed some with fouir or more holes, culminating in Richard Whittinton's fifteenth century 'house of Easement' or 'Long House' over the Thames at the end of Friar Lane It contained two rows of sixty-four seats, one row for men and the other for women, while the refuse dropped into a gully washed with the tides.

Considering that, and the fact that all other sorts of refuse found its way into the water, I'd pick smashed and poorly hydrated over drinking the water.

The whole bad water thing may have been why the English took to coffee, and later tea, with such vigor when they were first imported. The colonists brought their old habits with them apparently:

In the Colonial era, a normal family would have gathered for breakfast and all of them -- children included -- would have routinely received beer to drink," said Mr. Wagner, who has spent 25 years researching the history and technology of brewing. "They drank beer like we drink water or coffee, and there are a number of reasons for that."

I remember reading once about something called "small beer" that was made with a similar process as beer (boiling water), but was different in some fashion that allowed for a much reduced alcohol by volume. (I wonder if they hung the guy who first said "Hey, the heck with beer - let's just boil the water!") Exactly when they started boiling water rather than relying on beer is not something I'm clear on. I remember reading a description of how army cooks could boil mud into clean water during the Civil War War of Northern Aggression. The Great Awakening took place before the war (I think - dim recall right now) and I wonder if there was not some sort of concurrent general turning away from universal use of alcoholic beverages.

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Perhaps the generally accepted notion that English cuisine is abominable is because they were all too drunk to care what they were eating.

That also explains Denny's and the International House of Pancakes. Which by the way i've never seen in any other country.

I did see a Beekveld's in holland once. I think that was a Bickfords but I wouldnt bet on it.

 

[Leonidas]

That also explains Denny's and the International House of Pancakes. Which by the way i've never seen in any other country.

I think IHOP stakes its claim on being international from menu items that are from different countries. Pretty thin evidence for that (Belgian Waffles and Vive La French Toast). They do have locations in Canada and Japan, but that's as international as it gets.

I don't have a problem with Denny's or IHOP - it's not fine cuisine, just breakfast.

 

[brewer12345]

I remember reading once about something called "small beer" that was made with a similar process as beer (boiling water), but was different in some fashion that allowed for a much reduced alcohol by volume. (I wonder if they hung the guy who first said "Hey, the heck with beer - let's just boil the water!")

Actually, there are a couple of twists on this. Small beer was at different times and places either something fermented made with relatively little fermented material (and low alc.) flavored with herbs, roots, etc. that anyone could drink (small children, the elderly, etc.). Basically a middle ages version of rootbeer.
Small beer was also a low strength version of what we would think of as beer or English bitter. They would start out with a big load of malt and take the very sweet first running for the hefty stuff that the wealthy drank (and which was quite strong 8 to 10% alc. not uncommon), then they would take the middle runnings that were about what we drink today, and finally the twopenny or small beer, using extra water to rinse the grain and squeeze out the last bit of goodies to make a low strength beer that one and all could drink.

 

[Leonidas]

Actually, there are a couple of twists on this. Small beer was at different times and places either something fermented made with relatively little fermented material (and low alc.) flavored with herbs, roots, etc. that anyone could drink (small children, the elderly, etc.). Basically a middle ages version of rootbeer.
Small beer was also a low strength version of what we would think of as beer or English bitter.

That explains a few things I read that referred to a "debate" on the strength and nature of "small beer".

Regarding how the US switched over from beer to other beverages, the Great Awakening did play at least a part in that process. My poor memory forgot that there were actually several different Great Awakenings, with one just before and another right after the war. An issue in the former, and much more so in the latter, was the general perception that alcohol was causing many of society's ills.

 

[kaudrey]

I'm with californiadreamin' - I drink Argentinean (and Chilean) Malbecs and Spanish Tempranillos, mostly, right now. I also like a good Pinot Noir and Australian Shiraz.

I usually go out with friends one night during the week and 2 nights on the weekend, so that's 3 nights (sometimes less) of 3 drinks each. The other days I don't generally drink.

Karen

 

[work4beer]

The advantage that beer has over boiled water is that it STAYS potable. Water might turn bad based on whatever you were storing it in.

Small beers for children and the elderly went up into modern times. When I was doing some work on the house, we found some bottles from the 10's or 20's for a malt beverage, around 3.5% alcohol; the label specifically state it was a health drink suitable for children and the infirm!

And, I've been to Denny's in Japan. It's weird.

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

And, I've been to Denny's in Japan. It's weird.

Okay, i've got some popcorn, lets hear it...

 

[Nords]

And, I've been to Denny's in Japan. It's weird.

Okay, i've got some popcorn, lets hear it...

Shakey's Pizza in Yokosuka offered squid & corn as two toppings. On the same pizza at the same time.

Somehow they interpreted "Hawaiian" pizza as pineapple & Canadian bacon.

By the way, is that popcorn with furikake or kaki mochi?
http://islandprincesshawaii.com/products/caramel_popcorn/053-1.html
http://starbulletin.com/2006/12/22/features/story01.html

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

I poured coconut oil directly from the can on top of it.

Some ice cream place in mountain view or palo alto (forget which) has trout flavored ice cream, and as I recall that wasnt the most disgusting sounding flavor option. Just the one I remember best.

 

[califdreamer]

Some ice cream place in mountain view or palo alto (forget which) has trout flavored ice cream

Reminds me of Dan Akroyd's bass smoothies a few years back.

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

The bassomatic...

http://www.rmwaetjen.com/link_counter_nosql.php?u=http://rmwaetjen.com/movies/snl_bassomatic.mpg

 

[Khan]

The bassomatic...

http://www.rmwaetjen.com/link_counter_nosql.php?u=http://rmwaetjen.com/movies/snl_bassomatic.mpg

Don't forget the chinch burgers.

 

[donheff]

Reminds me of Dan Akroyd's bass smoothies a few years back.

Haven't thought of that one in a while:

 

[free4now]

And, I've been to Denny's in Japan. It's weird.

I'll second that. I ate in a Denny's in Tokyo. It's much more upscale than in the USA, kind of a classy place that you might do a low end business deal. Filled with people in business attire. I remember it having a modern minimalist decor with lots of frosted glass and expensive surfaces. Like most restaurants in Tokyo, the menu was very heavy on steaks. I had a thin but filling steak and I remember being adventurous and ordering some drink with Lychee. I think my meal was about $25.

 

[NW-Bound]

I just found this old thread to revive. I just voted too: "7 or less a week".

I drink wine, beer, and also hard liquor. However, I do not have a habit of having a drink every day, or at every dinner. I can go 1 or 2 weeks without drinking, if there is no special occasion for it. However, on rare occasions, I can drink a lot.

One time, we were entertaining two other couples for dinner. As my wife did not drink at all, there were 5 drinkers including myself. From 6PM to near midnight, we emptied 6 bottles of wine, then switched to Cognac (French brandy) and cleaned off 1 and 1/2 bottles. I didn't know how the other people fared, but I was fine the next morning.

I am sure the other couples still remember fondly of that dinner. We might have to do that again some time.

 

[bbbamI]

Hmmm...I can't believe I missed this thread way back then.

Heh...maybe I was tipsy...

 

[freebird5825]

Hmmm...I can't believe I missed this thread way back then.

Heh...maybe I was tipsy...

Same here as far as missing the thread.
I usually stick to lite beer and keep a wine box of Sangria in the frig. Summer favorite is Mike's Hard Lemonade in black cherry, lime, and cranberry flavors.
I don't drink hard liquor unless it's a holiday or I'm in the mood for a vodka & cranberry.

 

[bbbamI]

I don't drink hard liquor unless it's a holiday or I'm in the mood for a vodka & cranberry.

Hmmm, I pretty much only drink hard liquor these days. I guess I just want to 'git 'er done'!

 

[WhoDaresWins]

I usually have a couple of drinks a week, almost always on the week-end. So far this week I have had exactly one Tanqueray and diet tonic water, consumed last night when I got in from a day of running all over creation on a holiday house tour with a friend of mine.
I will occasionally drink a draft beer when out with friends. I like India Pale Ales and also dark fairly bitter beers. Favorite red wine is a Pinot Noir and favorite white probably sauvignon blanc. I like an occasional spicy Bloody Mary or a Bellini cocktail, also a martini or cosmopolitan (all consumed in restaurants as I would not bother to mix something like this at home). Stuff like a chocolate martini or alcoholic coffee drinks do not appeal to me at all. I love very dry champagne but have not indulged in years as what comes in the little single serve bottles also does not appeal to me.

 

[Dawg52]

I missed the thread too. But I was still working and January was my busiest month of the year. Glad those days are over.

 

[bbbamI]

I missed the thread too. But I was still working and January was my busiest month of the year. Glad those days are over.

Yeah...I joined in Dec 06, was not w*rking...but still missed it. I guess I was shy back in the day.

Yes Dawg...it feels good to be retired...

 

[NW-Bound]

In searching old threads on smoking and drinking, I also found this old thread of yours: http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/want-to-stop-smoking-26834.html

Still not smoking, are you, my dear?

 

[haha]

Yeah...I joined in Dec 06, was not w*rking...but still missed it. I guess I was shy back in the day.

Yes Dawg...it feels good to be retired...

I think drinking adds pleasure to life. In my case, mostly wine at dinner or an oyster bar/sushi bar. On Friday nights if we haven't gone TGIF at a Happy Hour, my GF likes to have a bourbon at home. Creates the right funtime atmosphere.

I had a short time in college where I got blotto from time to time, but I cut that out fast. I do not like to be mentally or physically dulled.

Ha