It should really come as no surprise that I am a bit of a beer snob. Living just outside Düsseldorf and studying at Heinrich Heine Üniversität really spoiled me back in 2002. That was when I first discovered Altbier, a style of ale that can be found nowhere else. Och meine Himmel... I was already picky about alcohol before I moved to Benrath, but a particularly delicious Altbier sealed it. No more would I let a lame American domestic touch my lips.That being said, we have no idea why so many of the couples competing think the bar scene in Thailand is tantamount for their travelogues. Amber and I have been involved in the Ultimate Thailand Explorers contest for almost two months now, and I have seen countless pictures roll through the UTE Facebook page displaying hedonistic beer binges beyond what I think lies in good taste.
Just a glance of some of the pictures of other teams, and most of the jolly good friends are in some back alley dive drinking the night away. I guess if that's how you want to promote Thailand, I can't stop you, but you're out of your mind if you think I'm not going to rip you for it.
I've written about the Altstadt in Düsseldorf, and I had lots of fun there. But that was not the essence of my time in Germany. Two teams in particular, one not included in the contest (and thank the good Lord for that) actually posted an update with a picture of a women's glittering glutes while in a dusty establishment in Cambodia. Another proudly displays half-inebriated pics of "him and his bros" while chugging in a boozy board in Bangkok. They devoted half a post on their "blog" to where to drink the night away in Railay.
We'll enjoy our taste of Thai liquor when we go someday. We'll promote it with the best of them as well, but Amber and I can promise you this: we're there to see and promote Thailand, not to drink ourselves silly like we're back home in Ann Arbor. That's akin to heading to Hokkaido and stopping at the McDonald's in Sapporo. Please.
We enjoy the nightlife, but if we're heading to a wonderfully historic city like Chiang Mai, you can bet we're there for other reasons. So while we won't win this edition of the UTE contest, you can be sure that we'll raise a glass of Chang beer for the winners. We can guarantee we'll do it responsibly.
Ooooh... I like beer snobs, haha!! Our local package store has a "beer fest" every summer. That's the first time I was introduced to Chang - and we loved it! What is Altbier like? What are some of your favorites that you can find in the states? My new favorite is "Hop Devil" by Victory. And it's pretty fitting for Halloween, too! :)
ReplyDeleteLauren,
ReplyDeleteAmber and I both enjoy Abita from your neck of the woods. I really liked the Amber, and I am looking forward to trying the Turbodog. One of our best friends is Cajun and she introduced us to it at her Halloween party last year.
The best description for Altbier is like a smooth red without the bitey/hoppy aftertaste. I'm not a hoppy guy of course, pilsners and IPAs are not my standard fare, although Chang is a little hoppier than most. Hop Devil sounds a little dangerous for me ;), but I'll try anything once.
Here are some beer's I like: Old Speckled Hen, little fruity, but good clean amber; Bell's Kalamazoo Stout, creamy and delicious; Kona Longboard Island Lager, (i had it for the first time in Japan) nice Hawai'ian style lager; and there's a Tommyknocker that I've tried but I cannot for the life of me remember the name. Oh one more! It's not domestic, but it's God's gift to beer, Tennant's Lager. If you're ever in Louisville, KY, stop by the Irish Rover, they have it on draft. I've tried to find it, but it's a bar to bar thing.
Thanks for reading and we're glad you commented. Hope you have a great Halloween!
Thanks for the recommendations! I just wrote out the list and am now on a treasure hunt - I'll let you know if I find any!
ReplyDeleteHappy Halloween to you and Amber, too! :)