KegWorks Blog

Not too long ago I used to partake in a hefty amount of alcohol consumption. I would often get hangovers. That still was not enough to keep me away from the strip of bars that were walking distance from my apartment. These days it’s rare that I don’t feel very sick after a few too many drinks. Here is a graphic description of how a typical hangover takes affect along with some visual aids.

First you need to question the things alcohol does to you before you feel all crappy.

1. Karaoke?
2. Telling people you love them?
3. Telling long stories?
4. Fights / Beer Muscles?
5. Trying to challenge someone who is way bigger than you?

Next is the realization that you have had too much and you will be paying the price. Let me take this opportunity to state the obvious. NEVER drink and drive and NEVER let your friends drive drunk.

I have tried some of those hangover remedies that you find in stores. They don’t seem to help me at all. I have my own tricks and techniques for the pain and sickness:

1. Cool off - getting in a cool room or getting some ice water and a cold cloth for my head really helps, even before the headache starts.

2. Good distractions - play music or TV or something that will take your mid off of the stupid thing you just did to yourself.

3. Get comfortable - no matter what it takes, get into a position that settles your body and head down. Go ahead and straddle the arm of your couch if it feels right.

4. Lights out - you know as soon as you can, you want to sleep, so prepare for bed. Sleep is your main goal.

5. Be prepared - get everything you need within reach:

• Leave vital lights on
• Make sure the bathroom is clear
• Keep ice handy
• Lots of water and whatever you use to re-hydrate

One more thing, make sure you have nothing to do the next day. Chances are you will not be leaving the bed until the next evening.

Good luck!

TAGS [ HANGOVER | HANG OVER | HANGOVERS | HANGOVER REMEDIES | HANGOVER REMEDY ]

Ladies and gentlemen, I am sorry I do not have tales from the humidor or the nineteenth hole this week. Instead I came across another blog regarding beer’s cousin, Boza, from Turkey and I just had to share this with all of you, Enjoy!

Bulgaria reportedly has a breast-enhancing beer:
Sources here. “Bulgaria’s ‘Boza’ beer is a traditional Turkish drink made from wheat flour and yeast and is reputed to enlarge women’s breasts. Apparently, though, customs duties on the beer were too high to be worth bringing the drink out of Bulgaria… until now. When Bulgaria joined the European Union, those duties were abolished and now European men have been flocking to Bulgaria to stock up on the beer for their wives/girlfriends. Don’t get your hopes up, guys.”

TAGS [ BOZA | BOZA BEER | BREAST ENHANCING BEER | BULGARIAN BEER ]

I was snooping around the interweb this morning, and came upon some quite bizarre photos. According to the site, the guy who lived in this house did so for 8 years, and was thought to be the best tenant ever, since he never bothered landlords for fixes or random problems in the house. Obviously, he was keeping himself busy with other activities…

Now, that’s a LOT of Coors Light. I mean, whoa. I imagine that whoever ended up bringing all of those back got a hefty deposit return. I guess that’s one way to put money away until you really need it - that is, if you don’t mind wading through smelly aluminum cans in the interim.

TAGS [ BEER | COORS | COORS LIGHT | BEER CANS | BEER CAN HOUSE | BEER NEWS ]

This morning, upon opening my email for the day, I was presented with an article, “A Pint-Sized Problem,” sent by Dave. Although I’ve heard of pubs and restaurants, here and there, shorting patrons on their brews of choice, I had no idea it was such a prevalent problem.

Turns out quite a few establishments are turning to 14-ounce glasses, usually the size and shape of a 16-ounce pint, but with thicker glass on the sides or on the bottom of the glass, especially since the prices on hops and barley have risen so much. On top of serving inadequate pints, bartenders are also charging more. Less beer for more money? Perish the thought… and yet, it’s happening more and more often. I noted from the article that bars can get 20 more beers out of a keg by serving 14-ounce glasses instead of a true pint. What’s a beer lover to do?

Luckily, you and I aren’t the only ones upset about the Less for More Pour. And not all establishments are jumping on this wagon. Portland, Oregon’s Raccoon Lodge has begun serving beer in 20-ounce glasses, instead of 16-ounce pints;

“The 16-ounce glasses held only about 14.5 ounces, says restaurant manager Lisa Crombie; the 20-ounce glasses hold about 18 ounces. ‘We just thought it was fair,’ Ms. Crombie says. ‘People were paying for a pint, so they should get a pint.’”

Cheers to Raccoon Lodge for truly fulfilling the pint, as it should be. (You do know that an actual pint in Britain is 20 ounces, right? How did we fall into 16-ounce pints here, anyway???)

Think I’ll stop out for a tasty brew tonight, and try some measuring at my own favorite hole-in-the-wall. If I find that I’m being shorted on a weekly basis, I know where my preferred bar can get some true, 16-ounce pint glasses…

What can you do about puny pints in your own neck of the woods? Well, beer activists are currently chatting about creating stickers for the windows of bars that serve true 16-ounce pints. This way, patrons can take their money places that they know won’t stiff them on their favorite brews. Prefer to take immediate action? The article suggests that you try asking for a “top-off” once the foam settles. And why not? I do it every time I’m out for coffee; why not beer? Most likely, you won’t be denied… at least that’s the hope.

TAGS [ BEER | BEER PINT | PINT GLASSES | PINTS | FALSIES | HOPS SHORTAGE | DRAFT BEER | BEERS ]

When thinking of reasons why I love Buffalo, there are many things that come to mind; such as the friendly people, all the great summer events and festivals… but it is some of the smaller things that make me appreciate Buffalo the most. You don’t necessarily know what these little things are until you leave Buffalo.

One of these small things is Sweetened Iced Tea. Go into a bar anywhere in the country and order a vodka tea. It’s not going to taste the same as it does in Buffalo. Buffalo is unique in that we use sweetened Lipton (or similar brand) iced tea. It’s right on the soda gun. Everywhere else uses unsweetened tea and it’s just not the same, even with a packet of sugar. So next time you’re in Buffalo, order yourself a Peach Vodka on the Rocks with a splash of tea. No need to specify sweetened - it’s assumed and it’s delicious!

TAGS [ BUFFALO | VODKA | PEACH VODKA | VODKA ICED TEA | COCKTAILS | COCKTAIL RECIPES ]

I fully intended, last night, to resume my weekly visits to Scarlet. Once I arrived home from work, though, I decided I did not want to leave. To be honest, I haven’t seen much of my apartment in the last 3 weeks. Last night seemed like a perfect night to enjoy time with myself. And what better way to celebrate some much needed me-time than with beer and chocolate?

I made a stop over at the Village Beer Merchant, one of the newest beer and fine food stores here in Buffalo, and just a few blocks from my home. The selection of brews - and chocolate, for that matter - is fantastic. A stockpile of smooth, Belgian chocolate caught my eye immediately. I knew right then and there that that was exactly what I wanted. The next question was, which beer to pair it with?

Normally, when indulging in chocolate and beer - especially if enjoying dark chocolate - I tend toward the stout side of things. Imperial and oatmeal stouts always pair great with dark chocolate. But this was Belgian chocolate, and I wanted to imbibe in something other than a stout (for once). So, I made a beeline for the Belgian Abbey Ales. I’ve tried a number of these in the past, and although it’s not actually in Belgium, the Ommegang Brewery of NY makes a most fantastic Abbey Ale. You may have read Pete’s review of Ommegang Abbey Ale a few months ago.

The deep, rich, dark, malty roasted brew was a perfect match to my Belgian chocolate - so much so that I most definitely over-indulged. That took care of my chocolate craving, at least for a little while.

TAGS [ BEER AND CHOCOLATE | BELGIAN BEER | BELGIAN CHOCOLATE | OMMEGANG | ABBEY ALE | ABBEY ALES ]

Since working here at KegWorks all things libation seem to pique my attention, even in my down time.

As a self-described geek and “big kid” (and, no, I’m not ashamed to admit it), I set aside a day or so every week for one of my favorite guilty pleasures: World of Warcraft, or “WarCrack” as it’s known among seasoned players. Its nickname stands as such because it is a very addicting game with very intricate storylines, picturesque play zones, imaginative characters, and heavy player versus player action. Of course killing things in-game is also a great stress release. (My fellow Warcrafters out there will back me up on this.)

In addition to a rabid fan base, Warcraft’s popularity is further evidenced by boasts from Blizzard, the creative minds behind the game, of a 10 million subscriber base. (ftw!)

When not slaying monsters or otherworldly minions, avatars can purchase “Strong Alcoholic Beverages” from an in-game drink vendor. (Woohoo!) That may not sound too exciting to some, but in this expansive, magical world where factions fight to the death to tip the scales of the world’s fate, it’s good to know that in your down time your avatar can sit and chill long enough to throw back a few and actually get drunk – complete with blurred vision, shlurred shpeech - (hic!), unsteady gait, bad aim, and sometimes, getting sick. Hey, at least you won’t have to worry about getting a hangover. W00t!

Another aspect of game play, enables players can choose when to engage in combat with other players (Player vs. Player, or PvP mode). Some engage in full-on PvP combat that takes place in massive battlegrounds on teams (with up to 40 other players), killing opposing team members for honor, reputation, and gold. Another PvP option is called “dueling”– (aka PvP practice). The objective is to pit your character’s weapons, armor and skills, as well as your game playing skills against other players in a fight for flat-out domination.

Marry the concepts of getting your avatar completely drunk or hammered with dueling and you get a rather amusing game I like to call, “Drunken Dueling.” The objective? Stupid fun. Get your avatar absolutely hammered, then fight someone to the death. Still doesn’t sound appealing? Drink along with your character while you play! Before you do, a word of warning: Keep in mind that (sometimes) the 3-D rendering can really make you feel nauseated if you’ve been drinking a lot. Trust me, I know firsthand.

In the end, it’s all about killing stuff, blowing off steam and having a good time - in a geeky sorta way. At least it’s good to know that, after all is said and done, you won’t have to worry about getting a ride home or doing something stupid that you’ll regret the next morning.

For the Horde! – erm – Cheers!

TAGS [ WORLD OF WARCRAFT | WOW | WARCRACK | VIDEO GAMES | RPG | GAMING ]