250 years ago, history was changed forever. Arthur Guinness signed the lease on the St. James Gate Brewery in Dublin, Ireland. And more importantly got the water rights on the property.
The lease terms?
100 pounds down, and 45 pounds per year, for 9,000 years.
Sounds like a pretty good deal to me.
And so today, We all must raise a glass to Arthur.
Behold, a true genius! You scored very well on my test. Obviously you know your beer, or you can use the Internet to cheat. I'm just going to hope it's the former.
And what better way to celebrate Tartan Day than with Single Malt Scotch and Great Music.
The Whiskey Because it is a special day, I pulled out a special bottle. I was working in Macomb, IL for my first job out of college from May 2005 til March 2006. During that time, I visited one of the liquor stores in town (it is a college town, there are several for a town of only 10,000 permanent residents). I don't remember exactly when it was during that time, but know I couldn't have afforded to do what I did. I walked into probably the nicest store in town and began perusing the Single Malt Scotch Whiskey selection. Granted, it was not spectacular, but I did find two bottle of interest. One a bottle of 18-year old Glenlivet, and the other, an 18-year old bottle of Glenfiddich Ancient Reserve. Total tab-about $125. The bottle of Glenlivet was good, but only lasted a few months. The Glenfiddich bottle still lives. I have consumed about half of it so far.
Tonight seemed like the perfect night to partake of the finer things in life so I poured a glass. I prefer to drink Scotch on the rocks, with just a little bit of good clean bottled water. I have found that it just cuts the slight bite of the whiskey, as well as opening up the aromas and flavors.
Now, on to the music. Skye Boat Song is a song recalling the escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie following his defeat at the Battle of Culloden, and the hope that he will return to lead another uprising to fight for independence from England.
They lyrics are amazing.
Speed bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing, Onward, the sailors cry Carry the lad that's born to be king Over the sea to Skye
Loud the winds howl, loud the waves roar, Thunder clouds rend the air; Baffled our foe's stand on the shore Follow they will not dare
Though the waves leap, soft shall ye sleep Ocean's a royal bed Rocked in the deep, Flora will keep Watch by your weary head
Many's the lad fought on that day Well the claymore could wield When the night came, silently lay Dead on Culloden's field
Burned are our homes, exile and death Scatter the loyal men Yet, e'er the sword cool in the sheath, Charlie will come again.
For the performance, we have one of the most amazing Scottish groups I have ever heard, The Corries.
(100% dark & bitter, 33% working class, 100% genuine)
So the deal with this test is that each taker, based on his or her scores, is assigned a beer that fits their personality (Corona, Bud Select, and so on), and along with the personality description, there's a poster or an ad for that beer. As you can imagine, most of the images feature booty models, sports cars, or, maybe even more depressing, retro kitsch.
It's a testament to Bass Ale, and therefore to YOU, that when I went to look for ads for Bass, all I found was this. An ad from 1937. Bass is legit, and if your scores are true, so are you. I tip my glass to that.
Personality-wise, you have refined tastes (after all, Bass is kind of expensive), but you know how to savor what you get. Your personality isn't exactly bubbly, but you're well-liked by your close circle of friends. Your sense of humor is rather dark, but that's just another way to say sophisticated, right? Cheers.
Most of you have probably heard of "The Green Fairy." Also known as Absinthe. An alcoholic drink that was banned pretty much everywhere for a large portion of the 20th century. It was also supposed to be part of the "inspiration" of Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso.
Absinthe was purported to be mind altering. Sometimes blamed on the Wormwood used in its making, which is what gives it the green color.
Well, now scientists have studied old bottles of Absinthe and figured out why it was mind altering. Really, it is quite simple. Alcohol. The Absinthe was about 70% alcohol or 140 proof. Whereas, most whiskey is around 40% alcohol, or 80 proof (Jack Daniel's is 86).
Figures.
You know, I have tried Absinthe. Quite frankly, it sucked. Reminded me of Jagermeister, and I don't like Jager. If I want licorice, I will eat licorice, not drink it as alcohol.
I had to go and make my bladder gladder and the path to the pisser goes through the kitchen at my buddies place, which is where I am at tonight. Well, the kitchen is in pieces right now being remodeled. There is plastic and blankets over the doors. I went to duck under the plastic at one door and caught my head on the door frame. Hit it well enough to draw blood.
I need another Guinness and another song.
So, lets go to the "Sally Gardens" and maybe it will help the throbbing.
For starters, The Dubliners, and lead singer the great Luke Kelley with "Dirty Old Town."
Next, the Wolfe Tones to grace us with a song of Irish unity and rebellion to England, and maybe one day again, Ireland long a province, will be "A Nation Once Again."
And finally lets go to sea, as Barney McKenna and the Dubliners share the longing for the place where all good sailor's hope to one day go, "Fiddler's Green."
Now, excuse me, I need another pint of Guinness, a shot of Jameson, and dram of rum.
Friday on my way home from work, I stopped at Friar Tuck's for and extra supply Guinness. Picked up two 8-packs of cans. When I got back to town, I made a stop at my storage unit for my Guinness Tulip Glasses, the only kind of glass to drink a proper pint from.
Saturday night I went to a Shack Attack for something like a St. Paddy's party. Played music, ate good food, good conversation, and BEER. Namely, Guinness and Smithwick's Irish Ale.
But anyway. In honor of the High Holy Day, I will be periodically posting videos and such for your enjoyment of the day.
And for starters, we all should enjoy a fine pint of Guinness, or 37. But to truly enjoy Guinness it must be poured properly. So that is where we start. With Guinness Brewmaster Fergal Murray showing the way to pour a proper pint.
My friends are the best friends Loyal, willing and able. Now let’s get to drinking! All glasses off the table!
Here's to a long life and a merry one. A quick death and an easy one. A pretty girl and an honest one. A cold pint-- and another one!
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