Should The Drinking Age Be Lowered?

When I growing up the drinking age was 18. As a kid I never did like the idea of drinking much. That was mainly because as a kid, maybe at the age of 7 or 8, I took a little sip of beer or something and it was so bitter that I “yucked” at it. (I am so sorry beer that I ever did that. I know I was just a kid at the time but still, I apologize)

When I was 16 that changed and I looked at beer differently. My older cousins took me to a restaurant where they knew the owner and they were over 18, they served my cousins beer. I took a glass and got almost drunk at that. That was my first proper taste of beer. And I was hooked. At 17 I and my friends would buy bottles from a bar in Edapally and the bartenders would only tell us “you can’t drink it in here but I will sell it to you as long as you carry it of in a bag”. Ofcourse we said yes and it was glorious. We friends shared a few bottles between us and it was fun.

I see it as a rite of passage for a lot of people, especially here in India. Now, a few years ago – I don’t remember which year – they changed the minimum drinking age from 18 to 21 in most states in India. In a couple of states it’s 25! What the fuck!! I think they can keep it at 18 for beer and maybe 21 for hard liquour. Knowing the kind of trouble some of these kids get into (comparatively, I was more careful when I was a teenager) it would be wise.

Prompt from 401 Prompts for Argumentative Writing At The New York Times

Beer Types – Stout

Stout is a dark, top-fermented beer with a number of variations, including dry stout, oatmeal stout, milk stout, and imperial stout. Many great stouts are complex and low in alcohol, with beautiful roundness and a touch of roastiness. The dry versions are appetizing and quenching; the sweeter styles are silky and well rounded, perfect for an evening of food and drink.

No beer style is more intertwined with a single country than dry stouts are with Ireland. The country’s brewing culture has been traced back about five millennia. But it is the past 300 hundred years, and the well-known brewing revolution in England, that directly influenced the craft and commerce of Ireland.

Before anyone ever gave us a lesson on how to pour the perfect pint of Guinness, we were all very much obsessed with the Porter style. And stout basically emerged as a sort of stronger porter (originally called “Stout Porter”), eventually taking off as its own style with more depth thanks to the use of roasted barley. Irish stouts are classically dry, meaning you won’t get much in the way of overpowering malty sweetness (or hops, for that matter), but you may very well get flavors of chocolate and coffee or toffee swimming around in that dark malt profile. As in most stout, carbonation is very low (and often supplemented with nitrogen for a finer, creamier overall mouthfeel).

Stout’s complexity makes it an excellent companion for a wide variety of foods. Stout can be paired with chocolate, meat prepared almost any way, and oysters.

Couchyn Meet With Anil

It has been a very long time. With his work schedule for his new employers and the fact that he is based out Thrissur and has to travel a bit, I haven’t met my buddy Anil in a long, long time. We chatted on Whatsapp a couple of days ago and he called me this morning and said he was coming to town and would I be free to meet him. I sure was and I was planning on going out anyway.

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We met at Couchyn and despite his pleas to go elsewhere I told him that we were here; let’s drink. I finally convinced him and we were hungry – I hadn’t had anything other than a black coffee all day and it was just after 12 pm – so we ordered some French fries and I finally got to have a Bira! I will talk about Bira brand of beers later but it is a first for me. And he ordered a couple Old Monk rums with a Coke.

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We talked and ate a bunch. After the French fries, we had some honey flavoured crispy chicken strips and chilly fish (which was awesome).

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We also ordered an Ammachi’s chicken which was terrible. We sent it back and instead got a cheese omelet each which were yum.

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By 5 pm we left and I went to get some groceries on my way back home and took a nap.

Food & Beer At Olive Downtown’s Bar

Once again, we were at Olive Downtown’s restobar The Blue Note. This is quickly becoming my favourite place to drink deer and hang out with a beautiful girl. The we being me and Alza. Fried cheeseballs, fried chicken, French fries (it’s kinda her favourite snack) and some beer. We ended the afternoon with some pastries as we both have a sweet tooth.

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A Wednesday Afternoon @ The Ava Lounge

This is from a couple of weeks ago. On a Wednesday in NOvember, I had taken a personal day to chill out at home. However, I also wanted to get some beer and Alza was also free. She asked me if I could meet her in the evening but I prefer to meet up during the afternoon hours so we decided to meet up at 1 pm at Radisson so we could chill at the Ava Lounge.

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We had beer – she moved to Coke after one beer, while I had three. We ordered some seekh kebab (not that good) lots of French Fries, some chicken and salad. And ofcourse we took a bunch of pictures.

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By 5pm I was tired and wanted to get home. BY 5:30 pm we left and I dropped her off at her place before going on home.

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Party At Mezzo

So as it my friend & now ex-colleague Yashila’s last day at work on Friday, she invited some of us for drinks and snacks at Mezzo, a lounge bar on MG Road. I had never been there before as I knew it was expensive and usually very crowded and they don’t have much room and tables. We met by 8:30 pm and has beers, cocktails, some spicy potato wedges and cornflakes fried chicken with a delicious spicy mayo.

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After the party ended at around midnite, 3 of us wanted more food so we went to the cafe in the same building and had chicken wings which were good.

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Apple Martini

Ingredients

Ice cubes
2 ounces vodka
1-1/2 ounces sour apple liqueur
1-1/2 teaspoons lemon juice

GARNISH:

Green apple slice

Directions:

Fill a shaker three-fourths full with ice. Add the vodka, apple liqueur and lemon juice. Cover and shake for 10-15 seconds or until condensation forms on outside of shaker. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish as desired.

Nutrition Facts

2/3 cup: 357 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 2mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (31g sugars, 3g fiber), 0 protein.

World’s Most Famous Cocktails And Expensive Whiskey

In this blog post, we’re going to talk about some people’s favorite topic: alcohol! From crafty cocktails to expensive whiskey, let’s go…

When you go to a bar, are you the type of person to immediately grab the cocktail menu? A lot of people enjoy doing this, as it gives them the opportunity to taste unique drink creations. There are lots of tricks when it comes to being a good bartender, from knowing how to properly store wine to knowing when to stir or shake. However, the first step is to learn the classics.

Needless to say, some cocktails are more popular than others and have consequently become classics. Here are four cocktails which fit that mould…

Old Fashioned

Let’s begin with an Old Fashioned. You will find this cocktail in a variation of forms all over the world. This is due to its old history, as you have probably gathered by the name. Essentially, any drink that is a blend of spirits, liquor, water, sugar and bitters, constitutes as an Old Fashioned. Since the original recipe allows spirits of any kind, it’s not uncommon for you to see this drink made with anything from whiskey, to rum, to brandy, to tequila.

Bloody Mary

You can go to any bar and you will always find someone ordering a Bloody Mary. This is undoubtedly one of the most popular cocktails and it’s a very distinct one as well. The main ingredients of this cocktail are vodka and tomato juice. However, you will often find added ingredients designed to provide that extra bit of spice, such as Cayenne pepper and/or Tabasco sauce. A stick of celery is often added to balance out the cocktail. This is the sort of drink you either love or hate.

Irish Coffee

If you are looking for a warm and comforting drink to help you through the winter months, an Irish Coffee is a perfect choice. This is one of the easiest drinks to make, as it only contains a few ingredients. You simply need freshly brewed coffee, simple syrup and a good dash of Irish whiskey. Finish off with some whipped cream and you are good to go. Delicious.

Whiskey Sour

Last on the list of best selling cocktails is a Whiskey Sour. This is a refreshing cocktail that is enjoyed all over the world. Of course there are many types of whiskey to choose from, but when creating this cocktail you should opt for either rye or bourbon. Mix with a teaspoon of sugar and some freshly-squeezed lemon juice and you have a simple yet delicious cocktail. A lot of people opt to add orange juice or even an egg white if they are feeling adventurous.

World’s most expensive whiskey

Would you spend more than $6,000,000 for a bottle of Scotch? For most people, the sheer thought seems absurd. But, for those with a taste for the lavish, it can certainly appeal. Irrespective of what category you fall into, there’s one thing everyone wants to know… Is it really worth it?

Well, let’s find out! Below you will find a list of the five most expensive whiskies, with some information about the characteristics of each one.

5. Dalmore 64 Trinitas

First on the list of expensive Scotches is Trinitas. Selling for $160,100, this was actually the first ever Scotch to sell for six figures. It combines rare stocks of spirits dating from 1939, 1926, 1878 and 1868. There are actually only three bottles of this type of Scotch whiskey that have ever been made.

4. Dalmore 62 Single Hiland Malt Scotch

This rare Dalmore 62 Single Hiland Malt Scotch has quickly increased in value. In 2005 it was purchased by a UK businessmen at Singapore’s Changi Airport. He spent $58,000 for the bottle, which was admittedly a bargain at the time. Nonetheless, when sold he profited by almost $200,000 by selling it for $250,000.

3. Macallan 64 Year Old in Lalique

Third on the list we have Macallan 64 Year Old in Lalique. This is a rare whiskey that was sold at a New York auction in 2010 for $460,000. The crystal decanter is a collectible in itself. It’s one of a kind.

2. Macallan ‘M’ Whiskey

Imagine walking into one of the best bars and being charged £628,205 for a bottle of whiskey! This is what one buyer forked out to obtain this Macallan blend. What makes this Scotch different from the rest is the fact that it is selected from an assortment of casks that range from 25 years to 75 years of age. Nevertheless, this was not the only attractive factor, as the hand-blown decanter took over 50 hours and the work of 17 craftsmen to complete. It is only one of four Constantine bottles in existence.

  1. Isabella’s Islay

Last but not least, the most expensive Scotch is Isabella’s Islay. This will set you back a whopping $6,200,000. But, not only will you get to experience an exquisite single-malt, but you will also be lavished in diamonds. In 2010, the Luxury Beverage Company in the UK released a primo bottle covered in diamonds, which of course added immensely to the price tag. The bottle boasts 8,500 diamonds and 300 rubies. As a consequence, Isabella’s Islay receives more attention for the bottle than the whiskey that is inside.

Beers, Cocktails, Pork & Fries In Couchyn

Yesterday afternoon was a welcome visit to Couchyn after a couple of months. I don’t go out to drink much anymore and prefer to buy my booze from BevCo and drink at home. But it’s been over a month since cousin Sujith and I met so we decided to get a couple of beers at Couchyn and have lunch there.

We started off with Amstel beers, two each, and choose French fries as the first accompaniment. They also provide you with free masala peanuts which are always great with beer. We talked and laugh a bit. And then we got the grilled pork with veggies.

This is an amazing dish which should be in the hall of fame as far as food in Kochi goes. Succulent and juicy and big pieces all. Wow and the grilled veggies and fries goes well with them. After the two beers we moved onto a cocktail each. We choose the passion fruit and vodka cocktail with a squeeze of lemon in it. I must say that I could knock off quite a few of those in an afternoon. Dangerous!

We also had grilled chicken sandwiches which were small but good and finished off with banana splits. And then we both had to split as it was 5 pm by then.

Me Time

This is is me for the evening. Except I do not have a cat. Though I want one. I want 2 cats. Yes I want 2 cats and 2 dogs. I want my cats and 2 dogs back.

This morning after breakfast and coffee I quickly dressed, booked an Uber and went to Supply Co in Gandhinagar to check out what was in stock there in terms of alcohol. A little disappointed in what they had so I went to the BevCo self service that is right next door to them, the one I usually go to. I bought 6 beers – 2 Kingfisher Blue 650 ml botles, 2 Hunter 500 ml cans and 2 650 ml bottles of a new beer which is called Woodpecker, a wheat beer, that I had never seen before.

I’ve watched a movie (Replicas), did a video review of the film, been watching Youtube videos since 5pm and I have ordered some food for dinner. Chicken wings and a pizza which will be coming over to me via UberEats. After a couple of beers and dinner, I will watch the series finale of The Big Bang Theory and then another movie before I go to bed.

Ava Lounge @ Radisson Blu

One of my wishes for this month was to try out one or two bars in 5 star hotels. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Radisson Blu. It was back in 2015 when it was still called Dreamz Hotel before the Radisson group took over, that I was in the place for attending an office function and lunch.

So I finally I joined my cousin Sujith, who has been here a couple of times before, to visit the Ava lounge bar. We had Amstel beers, a Long Island Ice Tea each then a 340 ml Budweiser while munching on a couple of plates of delicious Afghani chicken tikka, chicken seekh kabab and tempura prawns.

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When we went in at 12:34 pm the place was empty and we enjoyed the corner table and comfy cushiony seats we had. About an hour later some folks from a wedding party downstairs came in for some wine and beers and other stuff and were making a ruckus. But we still enjoyed the afternoon and I want to come in for more. Enjoy the pics!

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Afternoon In Couchyn

My only agenda for today was to go and pay the advance for the new dvd/bookshelf that I am having custom built at a furniture store nearby. After I did that I went to Coucyhn for some drink and good food.

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I hadn’t had any breakfast and having woken up at 9 am and the fact that it was almost 12:45 pm by then, I was starving. I ordered a half tandoori chicken and a Budweiser. That went down well indeed.

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A while later I moved onto vodka. My cousin turned me onto Smirnoff Espresso vodka mixed with Coke which makes it taste a lot like iced coffee. This is awesome.

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I also ordered a plated of grilled beef with veggies, which is a superb dish. They ought to market this dish a lot more.

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At around 3pm I left and came back home and watched a movie. Now I’m listening to some tunes and drinking a juice.

Vodka + Cranberry Juice Dreams Dashed

The Cape Cod or Cape Codder is a type of cocktail made with only fruit juice and spirits. The name refers to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, a peninsula and popular tourist destination located in the eastern United States which is famous for growing cranberries. A Cape Cod is made with vodka and cranberry juice, and may be garnished with a lime wedge. Proportions vary, with sources giving a recommended vodka-to-juice ratio of 1/4, 1/3.7, 1/2 and 1/1.5, while other sources do not recommend precise proportions. Some sources recommend lime juice instead of a lime wedge garnish.

This is what I was hoping to down a few of this long weekend, while chillaxing at home. I imagined me, fried chicken for dinner, several glasses of vodka & cranberry juice. Knowing about the 4 day weekend in advance, I even purchased a set of long glasses for juice/cocktail drinks so I could enjoy drinking them in these glasses. Especially since I loved the way the vodka and Smirnoff Espresso vodka looked in similar glasses 2 weeks ago in Couchyn Bar. By the way, I actually thought I was buying just one single glass at Rs.412 + taxes and thinking it was expensive for just one and finding out that it’s actually a 6 glass set.

So anyway, I’ve had a bad cold and cough and phlegm infection since Tuesday and today the cold and cough is gone but the infection remains. Oh all the bad luck! 4 days off and if I cannot drink then I will go crazy. Well, I could drink but I don’t drink if I am unwell or recovering.

Couchyn Visit After Over A Year

I haven’t been into Couchyn lounge bar, attached to the famous Grand Hotel, in over a year. July of 2017 was the last time I went to a bar, that was Couchyn itself, as the prices for beer and alcohol drinks went up to way beyond what i would want to pay after the ban on alcohol in non-5 star bars was lifted. The bars in the state tried to compensate or over-compensate by charging premium prices for beer (a Rs.100-120 bottle of beer from a BevCo is served for Rs.250-300 or so in bars like these.

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Hence I prefer to buy my beer and vodka, and the odd rum, from BevCo, come home and order some food and drink from the comfort of my home. It’s way cheaper and way convenient. The bars/restaurants are awesome since you can order and enjoy some really great hot meals.

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However with apps like UberEats, Swiggy and Zomato coming in to cities like mine, going to bars has become unnecessary. I can chill my beers to a nice cold degree in my fridge or freezer and I can mix drinks in my home. I can also order pizza or any of my favourite foods from any of the best restaurants in the city and have them bring it to my home within 30 minutes and enjoy both in the comfort of casualness.

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Today was the day I went to Coucyn with my cousin Sujith and we had Tandoori chicken, French fries, grilled beef, shared a club sandwich and had two beers plus two vodkas – one with Red Bull and one with Pepsi. Food was great and the drinks were awesome.

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It was an awesome few hours. I miss going to bars like Couchyn and would like to go more often if only the prices were more decent.

Unboxing The YuBingo Frosted Mug

Seeing as it is my birthday tomorrow, I decided to get myself a little gift. Not really…well yeah almost! A couple of weeks ago, during Amazon Prime week, at the office some of us were going through the various offers that were available at that time. A couple of us bought a few items and I was looking at a few things – new laptop bag, some granola bars and then I decided to check out beer mugs.

I found a few that I liked and put them in my wishlist. I looked at this one, pictured here and thought that it would be great to have one for a lark and buy it as a present for my birthday. However, a few days later when I checked the “Legends are born in August” one was out of stock while they had some in stock for some of the other months. I kept checking every day and it was still out of stock.

On Wednesday last week I message the seller, YuBingo, to see if they could get one for me and about 6 hours later I get an alert on my Amazon app stating that the August one was back in stock. I immediately placed and order for the phone and it showed that it would reach me today, August 1st. Great!

Well it actually reached me yesterday, July 31st and I happily opened the box and shot a quick video of it. No beer in the house so I made due with some mixed fruit juice a la Tropicana. It’s pretty nifty to have a frosted mug in the house. This weekend I will get some beer and enjoy a couple using my new mug.

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Enjoy the pictures and here is the unboxing video, down below. Cheers!

Miffed At BevCo

It’s fast becoming a pain in the ass. My outlet for buying liquor is the Self-service BevCo outlet (Kerala State Beverages Corporation BevCo for short) in Gandhinagar. This is the closest Bevco outlet that is self-service to me. The reason I like the self-service ones is because I hate standing in a queue at the smaller outlets which are more in number and I have one closer to me. But the snake like queue outside them are a blight on society and it’s ridiculous to stand like that for 30-40 minutes, sometimes longer and then ask them what they have.

I prefer this – no rush, no fuss! Go in, pick a basket, browse through the aisles and pick your poison and then go and pay. A few months ago they started the option of accepting payments through debit and credit cards – YES – and that was convenient. Yeah, until mid 2017, a government beverages outlet only accepted cash! And mind you, we also had a demonetization issue in between! Anyways, what my issue with them is that they have such limited selection of beers now. No Budweiser or Magnum, Miller or Tuborg in the last few visits and this weekend when I went no Carlsberg or Heineken either. Foster is available but I hate that.

But they have the Indian brands – Goa, Black Fort, Hunter, British Empire and lots of Kingfisher! Lots of it. And some new brand that I hadn’t seen or heard of before. I am not 100% sure but the other outlets seem to have more stuff and stuff that I want. I might have to check out ConsumerFed’s Liquor store or another self-service BevCo because others have said that they have better stock.