Beer..

[Lithgae]

Originally Posted by HollyElise

No... it's the McEwan's Scotch Ale that i liked... though i don't know what you mean by "not for the faint of heart"... it's neither strong in alcohol, nor i think, particularly strong in taste....

McEwans Scotch ale is 8% alcohol... that's pretty strong, especially when you consider that superlagers, like jakeys drink, are 9%, and you can actually feel the slight burning as it goes down your throat! The average % for beer in Britain is around 5%, and i think (from memory) that in the US, the average is (or used to be) around 3.5%.

Are you sure it was McEwans Scotch Ale you were drinking, and not McEwans Export?

[ConorC]

I used to live in the Czech Republic for nearly two years. They have the most beer orinated culture that I have yet experienced. It is not unusual for businessmen to start drinking at 11 in the morning. It is also the birthplace of Pilsner. However, I grew to dislike Pils (the name of the Pilsner), its taste was too sweet. I switched my allegiance to Gambrinus, a much bitter beer.
I brought home a bottle of Primator special brew. It was 10% and very syrupy. Czech beer, like German, does not give you a hangover.
This and the fact that it is very cheap makes for very long nights.

Back in Ireland I used to drink Murphys stout. Those of you familar with Guinness would find this stout much less bitter. Almost silk in texture and very cold. However, due to its increasing price (ditto Guinness) I switched my allegiance to Beamish Irish stout.
This stout is nutty in flavout with a slight chocolate taste as well. It is also 40 cent cheaper. It is there policy to maintain this price difference.
It has also been voted best stout several times at the world beer awards.

My ambition is to make it to the Munich Oktoberfest someday.

[SherbrookeJacobite]

Originally Posted by Lithgae

McEwans Scotch ale is 8% alcohol... that's pretty strong, especially when you consider that superlagers, like jakeys drink, are 9%, and you can actually feel the slight burning as it goes down your throat! The average % for beer in Britain is around 5%, and i think (from memory) that in the US, the average is (or used to be) around 3.5%.

Are you sure it was McEwans Scotch Ale you were drinking, and not McEwans Export?

I wondered the same thing. I find McEwans Scotch Ale both strong tasting and strong in alcohol content (many people do not like it) - McEwans Export Ale is a very pleasant, and much milder ale - but it would taste stronger than typical American beer.

Typical Canadian beer is 5%, American beer, I believe, is mostly 4%.

I too like the Beamish Stout - all this talk is making me thirsty!

I didn't realize there were "hangover free" beers. I guess I'll have to experiment

[Lithgae]

Originally Posted by SherbrookeJacobite

I too like the Beamish Stout - all this talk is making me thirsty!

I too, prefer the 'Cork Juice' to the 'Dublin Juice'.
But nothing was as nice as the 'Edinburgh Juice'... the much-missed Gillespie's Scottish stout.

[HollyElise]

Originally Posted by Lithgae

McEwans Scotch ale is 8% alcohol... that's pretty strong, especially when you consider that superlagers, like jakeys drink, are 9%, and you can actually feel the slight burning as it goes down your throat! The average % for beer in Britain is around 5%, and i think (from memory) that in the US, the average is (or used to be) around 3.5%.

Are you sure it was McEwans Scotch Ale you were drinking, and not McEwans Export?

When it's something i like, i soak off the label and keep it... so i have it right here: "McEwan's Scotch Ale, Brewed by Scottish Courage, Ltd., Edinburgh Scotland, by appointment to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Brewers." I don't have the neck lable or the back label saved. Can you tell from that much, which it is?

[HollyElise]

Originally Posted by ConorC

I used to live in the Czech Republic for nearly two years. They have the most beer orinated culture that I have yet experienced.

...and this, coming from an Irishman!

[Lithgae]

Originally Posted by HollyElise

When it's something i like, i soak off the label and keep it... so i have it right here: "McEwan's Scotch Ale, Brewed by Scottish Courage, Ltd., Edinburgh Scotland, by appointment to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Brewers." I don't have the neck lable or the back label saved. Can you tell from that much, which it is?

Well, if it says its McEwans Scotch Ale, then... it is.
It's just when you said it wasnt strong... 8% is pretty strong for beer, as i said above.