This is more than just home brew

I’m sure of all of you remember your first taste of beer fondly.  Mine happened when a cold beer was secretly handed down to me by my dad whilst he is watching sport with his mates. Whispering nervously he said “just a sip mate, but don’t tell your mom”.  Man, that beer tasted like shit! I doubled back in disgust and carried on drinking my coke, swearing to myself I would never taste that amber fluid again.

But oh how times and tastes changed.  Sure the first few attempts at drinking beer did not go down so well but then I started fostering this unusual taste for it.  Before you know it, it became the tipple of my choice and has been for many years….well until it’s like 2 in the morning and I’m needing to cleanse the pallet so opt for some vodka soda’s and freshly squeezed lime.

Anyway, enough with the reminiscing here though and more about the breweries who produce the best beers in the world. Who are they?  Well we are about to find out as we jump on this little journey into the world of brews.  The deciding elements in creating this top ten list has been the sampling of some of the top beers from these brewers.  But more importantly finding the breweries that offer a range that can be appreciated by a broad spectrum of beer drinkers.  I’m sure we will not please everyone and maybe upset those knobs who will only drink the finest Trappist beers from Belgium and who have a penchant for being spanked by a dominatrix, but hey, thems the breaks.

Epic – A brewery in New Zealand that has one of the best Pale Ales that we have ever tasted.  To be completely honest their entire range of beers is absolutely outstanding.  So if you are looking for that x-factor in your next beer purchase then look these guys up. Check out: Epic Brewery

Weihenstephaner – One of the oldest brewries in the world and the best in Bavaria.  Our personal favourite is the clean tasting Pilsner. Check out: Weihenstephaner Brewery

Unicer – We know we are going to get grief for having this Portuguese Brewery at number 3 but dam it their Super Bock brand is simply the best main stream pale lager in the market today.  I don’t care if you are a veteran beer critic who only likes boutique beers from micro breweries, Unicer’s beer is superb. Check out: Unicer’s Super Bock

Brewery Bosteels - Brewed in Belgium and famous for the production of  Kwak.  Served in a traditional glass (mini yard glass) and wooden stand. Needless to say a night on this left me trying to jump start an abandoned bob cat in the middle of Brugge at 3am. Check Out: Brewery Bosteels

Deschutes - This American brewery has a serious range of beers that have been generating awards for a while now.  You can’t go past their Mirror Pond Pale Ale. Check out: Deschutes Brewery

 BierVision Monstein – This brewery is located high in the mountains of Switzerland and is fact the highest altitude brewery in Europe.  Their beautifully refreshing Bernina is sensational and truly encapsulates the fresh mountain ingredients such as the water and hops. Check out:  BierVision Brewery

Kiuchi – This Japanese brewery started back in 1823 and has been producing everything from Sake to beer.  If you are feeling like something a little different then you get your lips on a bottle of the Red Rice Ale which has a multitude of differing flavors that will get your taste buds in a spin. Check out: Kiuchi Brewery

Erdinger – Another German triumph in the world of brewers and one of the largest wheat beer breweries round today.   I personally feel in love with Erdinger’s famous Weissbier whilst working in London and spending a few Friday winter lunches at The Slaughtered Lamb in Clerkenwell. This beer definitely sneaks up on you but is an absolute pleasure. Check out: Erdinger Brewery

Wells & Young’s – This top ten list would not complete without a good sturdy English Brewery and in terms of their beers you don’t have to look any further then the signature “Wells Bombardier”.  This will keep you happy no matter how rubbish the weather is. Check out:  Wells & Young’s Brewery.

Guinness - Just because it’s main stream does not make this brewery any less iconic or worthy of making this top ten list.  We have also had the added bonus of trying the famous Irish stout fresh from the brewery tap in Dublin. Check out:  Guinness Brewery.

Multi award winning vodka, 42Below

On your numerous relapse’s with lady liquor you may think that most Vodka’s taste exactly the same but oh how wrong you would be.  This simple, clean and clear devils juice is more complex than you think based on the ingredients used during the distilling process.   For example, wheat vodkas are smooth and soft while rye produced vodkas are more hardy and lightly spiced.

The production origins of vodka use to stem mainly from the distilling and fermentation of potatoes and grain. But as it became more widely distributed the humble potato did not have the purity qualities of grain.  Therefore  the main distillation switch was made to cereal grains such as; rye, wheat, barley, and most commonly corn.

But what is the best Vodka out there?  What distillation and fermentation process a long with quality product has been used to get the cleanest, most pure vodka in the market?

42 Below – New Zealand

Finlandia - Finland

Reyka – Iceland

Grey Goose – France

Absolut – Sweeden

Chopin – Poland

Bogorodskaya – Russia

Ciroc – France

Jewell of Russia – Russia

Effen – Netherlands

Recycled Absolut bottle’s as tumblers anyone?

Happy New Year, well hopefully.

Is it getting to the time of the year again when all your thoughts start to focus on “the biggest” party of the year? You know the one where you get invites about 3 months out and turn them down because you think something better will come along and you don’t want to over commit?  Yes we are talking about New Years,  the one night in the year where people will do almost anything to make it “the best new years ever”.But we want to de-stress your approach and open you up to the world of possibilities that await you in this list of the Top Ten places to party for new years.  Sure you might need a passport and you might need to save some cash to get to these places.  But commit early, forget about the $50 per week coming out of your account to pay for the trip and be ready to live the NY’s dream at these destinations.

1. Rio de Janeiro – You are going to be fighting the crowds but once you get over this and get involved in the euphoric party atmosphere there will be no turning back.
2. Sydney – Not only will you get to see one of the more amazing firework displays but you can also carry on in to the wee hours and any number of the fantastic clubs.
3. New Orleans – Whether it’s Frenchmen Street or Bourbon Street you are going to have an amazing time in amongst this eclectic brew of bohemian atmosphere, music and drinking.
4. Berlin – This city is perfect all year round if you are looking to party but on New Years it kicks it up a notch.  Just be sure yo get down to the Brandenburg Gate a couple of hours before midnight.
5. Buenos Aires – City of the beautiful people with an atmosphere that you can’t help but get involved with.  Be ready to welcome in the first dawn of the new year as it’s going to be a late one.
6. Tokyo – Prepare yourself for a different new years when visiting Tokyo.  This urban jungle of gadgetry and quirk comes alive with anything and everything an avid party goer requires.
7. New York – A bit cliche and overcrowded, yes. But the time honored tradition of partying in Time Square is synonymous with New Years the world over.
8. Barcelona – It might be winter in this beautiful city but it does not mean that the locals take their celebrations any less seriously.
9. Edinburgh – The chances are it’s going to be quite cold.  But if you wrap up warm and pack a little single malt whisky then you should be fine amongst the hundreds of thousands of party goers celebrating Hogmanay (New Years) in and around Edinburgh.
10. Vancouver – Another cold city to celebrate New Years. But Vancouver has so much to offer before, after and during New Years that if you get the opportunity, take it.  If it sucks you can always pop up to Whistler for more debauchery:)

No ice please.

Cocktails are often associated with white sandy beaches, parasols, neon signs, sunshine and handsome bartenders called ‘Jack’.  Thanks to the Quickten team you don’t have to wait until summer in fact you don’t even need Jack. Try some of these tasty tipples to melt away the chill of winter:

1. The Godfather – 1 measure Amaretto, 2 measure whisky. Serve in a tumbler over ice.
2. Mulled wine/gluhwein –750ml bottle merlot, 2/3 cup of Demerara sugar, juice and rind of 1 orange, 2 cinnamon stick, 4 cloves, 2 cardamom pods, 1 bay leaf, rind of ½ lemon,  large pinch fresh grated nutmeg. Put everything in a pan, heat until the sugar has dissolved. Don’t boil.
3. Boston Sidecar – 1 measure brandy, 1 measure light rum, 1 measure orange liqueur, and 1 tsp lemon or lime juice. Mix in a shaker with ice, strain and serve.
4. The Sazerac – 1 ½ measure bourbon, 3 dashes bitters, ¼ measure absinthe, ¾ measure simple syrup*. Chill a tumbler with ice. In a separate glass mix the simple syrup with the bitters, add the bourbon and ice stir. Discard the ice from the tumbler and rinse with the absinthe to coat the glass. Strain the bourbon and bitters into the chilled absinthe coated glass, discard the ice. Squeeze a lemon twist over the top off the glass.
5. Irish coffee – 1 measure Irish whiskey, hot coffee, whipped cream.
6. Brandy Sangaree – Simple syrup, 2 measures brandy, splash of port, fresh ground nutmeg to garnish. Mix the simple syrup in a glass, add the brandy top with port and sprinkle nutmeg on the top. To make a longer drink add soda water after the brandy, top with port.
7. Brandy Alexander – 1 measure cream, 1 measure brandy, 1 measure of crème de cacao, nutmeg to garnish. Mix the brandy, crème de cacao and cream in a shaker with ice. Strain and serve with fresh grated nutmeg on top.
8. Tom and Jerry – 1 egg, 1tsp icing sugar, 1 measure brandy, 1 measure dark rum, hot milk, freshly grated nutmeg to garnish. Separate the egg white from yolk beat them separately. Fold eggs together and put into a heart proof glass. Add the sugar, rum and brand. Top with hot milk and stir.
9. Moscow Mule – 2 measures vodka, 1 measure of lime juice, fresh mint, ginger beer, Demerara sugar, 3 drops of bitters. Muddle the sugar and mint in a tall glass, add the vodka and lime. Then ice, ginger beer and bitters. Stir and serve.
10. Vodka Martin – 2 measures vodka, 1 tsp vermouth, olive, lemon rind twist. Chill martini glass with ice. In separate glass chill vodka with ice. Empty ice from martini glass and rinse with the vermouth. Strain the chilled vodka into martini glass. Add lemon twist and an olive.

Summer time where you are reading this or off to the islands? Watch out for the top ten summer time cocktails coming soon.

*Simple syrup: 1 tsp powdered sugar (icing or fine sugar), dissolved with 1 tsp water

For the purpose of this post I have used a 25ml/1oz jigger as 1 measure.

Drink responsibly.

Cannon Ball!

You have an important party coming up at your house and you really need to make sure it goes well.  With this in mind The Quick Ten tam have put together a Top ten List for tips which will save you from having a disaster on your hands.  Just keep us in mind next time you have a party though and maybe set some beers aside for us or even send us an invite!

So lets begin!

1. Chill your warm beer/wine that’s not in the fridge fast by placing them in a tub of ice water and salt – Find out more here: http://howto.yellow.co.nz/food-drink/wine-and-beer/how-to-chill-a-beer-fast/
2. Use a BBQ to cook the food.  It’s easy and can cater to the masses.
3. Prep the toilets and stock up with plenty of toilet paper.
4. Tell you neighbors before the big night so that they are not shocked by the amount of noise so as to avoid a call from the local noise control.  Even better yet, if you are friendly with your neighbors invite them over and they will be doping shots of Jagermeister in no time!
5. Music, Music and more music.  Make sure you have enough variety to keep the mood going and upping the tempo over the night as people have a few more drinks is always a good idea.  If you cannot be bothered sorting this and have some extra cash then source a good DJ.
6. Use social media.  Sure it might be a bit naff but set-up an event on your facebook account so at least you can have a running total on who is coming and who is not coming.  Therefore when you go to get supplies you will have  a good idea of numbers attending.  You can even engage further with them and get them to vote on music, food, alcohol etc they wan to have.
7. Prepare for rain.  If it’s going to be an outdoor party then prep for rain even if you live in California.  Some options are; Patio Umbrellas, plastic sheets or covers on the floor for when they storm the house, clear out the garage for an additional space.
8. Keep the numbers manageable especially if you are going to be hitting the booze quite hard.  If you can cope with 50 then invite 40 so as you are not having to fight fires all night….hopefully not literally.
9. Carbo load.  Buy food that is heavy and will soak up alcohol and lessen the nights debauchery.
10. Be a responsible host and provide transport options for people leaving the party.  This could be anything from a taxi number to a map of where the local train or bus station is.

Great NZ Vines

New Zealand is fast becoming one of the finest wine producing countries in the world.  Their world renowned range of Sauvignon Blanc’s has really put them on the map.  But now they are starting to conquer the world with other great varieties of grapes that they use to create their varietal wine.  But what are the top grape varieties in New Zealand?

1. Sauvignon Blanc
2. Chardonnay
3. Pinot Noir
4. Merlot
5. Riesling
6. Cabernet Sauvignon
7. Chenin Blanc
8. Pinot Gris
9. Gamay Noir
10. Syrah

For a great choice of wines then look no further than Wild South’s white label range.  They have vineyard’s throughout both Wairau and Awatere valleys in the South Island of New Zealand.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER WILD SOUTH

Boxing Day for Santa.

Drinking alcohol is a favourite past time of many people.  For some it’s a way of forgetting their tough day at work or maybe simply looking to relax during the weekend.  Show we have all had one too many and ended up doing something we regretted.

But who takes it more seriously than others (and is in constant need of hangover cures)? Which country can claim to consume the most alcohol per capita? Not too sure if the country who wins this award should be proud of their achievement but then again they probably wouldn’t remember it anyway.

Luxembourg - 14.9 litres per capita

Ireland- 14.2 litres per capita

Portugal - 13 litres per capita

Hungary - 12.3 litres per capita

Czech Republic - 11.8 litres per capita

Spain - 11.7 litres per capita

Denmark - 11.5 litres per capita

Austria - 11.3 litres per capita

Switzerland - 11.2 litres per capita

France - 10.5 litres per capita

Alcohol!

We have all needed Aphrodisacs at some time…well we have anyway so sit back and enjoy our Top Ten list  of the best Aphrodisacs.

1. Alcohol (in moderation)
2. Viagra
3. Oysters
4. Chocolate
5. Truffle
6. Vanilla
7. Pomegranate
8. Honey
9. Banana
10. Blowfish

It's boring but it works!

Most of us have gone through the pain and suffering of a self induced, hedonistic hangover.  At the time you thought it was the best idea to keep drinking till 4am and get up for work at 7am whilst slurring the famous words of “I’m not even drunk”.

Well we know the hurt you go through, therefore The Quick Ten now present to you the best foods for curing your hangover….well at least giving you enough clarity to be able to explain to your boss why you are not wearing any pants.

If you really need to detox then check here.

Water, water and more water - It may be boring but it will work a treat.

Watermelon - try making a watermelon shake with a bit of Electrolyte powder.

Caffeine - Just make sure it’s not a feeble mocochino.

Salted peanuts - For those allergic to nuts then go for pretzels.

Sports Drinks - The more Electrolytes the better

Sausages, Bacon and eggs (combined) - Probably one of the most satisfying cures

Banana - The potassium in these yellow bad boys will have you back on track in no time

Potatoes - Carbs are goooood

Grapes - Don’t get stuck into them straight away as the acidity could upset your stomach

Bread - Again, more carbs into your morning will get you sorted if not a little lethargic