Cocktails

[Zaukrie]

This literally just popped up on my radar.

I’ve never had anything like it, and it interests me. But I’m not likely to try it anytime soon.

A new channel to follow! Thanks.

 

[Bohandas]

This is technically a beer question rather than a cocktail question, but does any of you know if there's any beer currenrly on the market that's just fermented wheat or barley with nothing else added (and most especially no hops)?

 

[TiQuinn]

This is technically a beer question rather than a cocktail question, but does any of you know if there's any beer currenrly on the market that's just fermented wheat or barley with nothing else added (and most especially no hops)?

That's tough - there's really nothing our there in the mass market that satisfies the no hops requirement. I would really look at another drink like mead. Mead has a lot of variety in flavor and complexity, and even amongst the beers that get close to having no hops, like Dogfish Head's Midas Touch (which still has hops), it's very mead-like as a result.

 

[Bohandas]

I honestly don't understand why hops is still used in beer at all. It was originally added as a preservative, but now beer is canned, refridgerated, and frequently has a higher alcohol content. There's no reason anymore to throw in a bunch of crap that just makes it bitter.

 

[payn]

I honestly don't understand why hops is still used in beer at all. It was originally added as a preservative, but now beer is canned, refridgerated, and frequently has a higher alcohol content. There's no reason anymore to throw in a bunch of crap that just makes it bitter.

 

[TiQuinn]

I honestly don't understand why hops is still used in beer at all. It was originally added as a preservative, but now beer is canned, refridgerated, and frequently has a higher alcohol content. There's no reason anymore to throw in a bunch of crap that just makes it bitter.

Well, that preservative is still a big part of keeping it shelf stable and for taste purposes over time. A lot of beer is still at only a 4% to 5% ABV.

 

[R_J_K75]

I'm a simple man, shot of whiskey or whisky at times. Chivas Redal if I splurge. I like a good Godfather, the drink that is. But...

I prefer vodka. I have a tea steeper, a 5 qt pitcher, and I make my own tea. Add some sugar, lemon and honey and your night (or morning) drink just got better.

Cheap but good Vodka

Home - Sobieski

100% rye Polish Vodka

sobieskivodka.com

 

[Knaves Quill]

I've recently had a blast making base syrups using demerara sugar and turbinado sugar. My partner and I love to compare old fashioned tweaked as such. Turbinado is the way to go, in my opinion, for many cocktails, if you want the drink to have a denser body/floor without overtaking the drink.

 

[CleverNickName]

I honestly don't understand why hops is still used in beer at all. It was originally added as a preservative, but now beer is canned, refridgerated, and frequently has a higher alcohol content. There's no reason anymore to throw in a bunch of crap that just makes it bitter.

Hops are only slightly effective as a preservative, at least in lagers and pilsners and such...the alcohol content does the heavy lifting in that department. Mostly, hops were added to beer because they're a bittering agent. The bitter flavor of hops helped hide the taste of oxidation and "staleness" in old beer, and it also balanced the sweetness of the malts. Modern refrigeration and faster shipping means the first reason isn't needed as much, but the second reason still persists.

But that's all ancient history (literally). The real reason hops are still added to beer, in this day and age?

Because most folks like the taste. Hops are expensive; the Coors Brewing company would love to cut that ingredient out of their recipes to save money (and they have tried), but the recipe just doesn't sell.

That said: I've made a few hop-free beers in my day that used other things as the bittering agent: fresh sage leaves, juniper berries, squash blossoms, grapefruit peel...some work better than others, but they can be done.

 

[R_J_K75]

Turbinado is the way to go

Yes, I agree. I can get a 10# box for maybe $15-$20 at the local wholesaler. Great in coffee too, with some "Hood" coffee creamer.