Tia,

I was a contributor to the casino... usually happens that way... but my wife won enough that we ended up out only $60.

Of course we had their buffet while there. It wasn't that good. Didn't have one drink since it's about a 35 mile drive. It's an interesting town. Hayward, WI... Population: 1,900, but during the summer, with the resort area around it, they say there's at least 30,000 to 40,000 people there all the time. Quite a tourist area.

But we did stop and see the largest fresh water Musky (fish) ever caught. A big sucker! I've seen it before but my wife hadn't. She was totally in awe, considering it was longer than she is tall. A little thinner though... (I pointed that out and got punched in the arm --- ).

I did ask the barkeep for a Mahou though when we went in... since they didn't have any, I settled for a 7up...

Hey! I don't need to win a million to have an open door policy at our home. It's always been that way. We always welcome visitors...

Wolf (Who's wallet is $60 lighter.)

Speaking of beer, or perhaps dreaming of it,

In the USA and in Holland (Heineken) there are guided tours of many breweries with much needed samples offered. In Spain do the large breweries open their doors to the public in a similar way? As a matter of fact, the tour could be omitted, provided the samples are abundant. I pose this important question since I am committed to fermenation science and its future growth, or perhaps I should merely be committed :p

Cheers!

Anchovy--are you from Granada? I lived just off of Pedro Antonio de Alarcon in 1993--talk about partying out in the street until all hours of the night!! I was always the lucky one, living near all the action, but when it was time to go to bed, I could still hear everyone, even in my little room on the inside of the building! Now from what I hear they're spread out more, we went to one last April near the Albaicin, I cant remember the name of it, but we saw a bunch of American high schoolers who were on our flight there!!

What about the liter bottles of Alhambra beer?!

Speaking of drinks, since I don't really drink beer, and mixed drinks aren't too popular there, I'd end up ordering Vodka with pineapple juice--very nice & refreshing! But you can walk from bar to bar with open containers, no problem, as long as you're not making a scene.

Have fun!

-GG

I was in Spain this Sept and savored the summer varieties of vino tinto with La Casera and cerveza con La Casera. (Pim has mentioned these in another thread). I also enjoyed rose wines from Navarra and I usually don't like that kind of wine.

I wasn't blown away by any particular beer, but the alvarinho wine ... and chupitos de orujo ... and the pristine air that filled my lungs ... (sigh) ... Galicia is so intoxicating "as is"

Oh and sidra! Did I mention sidra?

I went to a wedding in Asturias and unfortunately there was nothing to drink at the church ceremony :o (zzzzzz ... I was scolded for trying to take a siesta, at which point I said I was really getting into the sermon and doing yoga), ok I digress ... but the party afterwards featured open bar pre-dinner cocktails and sidra, different wines with each course, cava for dessert, after-dinner drinks and then post-dinner open bar consisting of hard liquor and mixers, available till 6 am.

Holy matrimony! I've never seen anything like that at any US wedding. I wonder if the bride woke up wondering who the groom was?




Churrito

[ 12-06-2001: Message edited by: churrocaliente ]

Drinks on the streets.

We must avoid this practice. It is not funny seeing so many young people really drunk, shouting loud, disturbing the neighborhood, leaving the streets so dirty, with that smell...

No matter if it is cheaper than taking a drink in a pub. The street is not the place for long drinks ('tubo' glasses as someone said above)

Enjoy the beers of Spain, specially Mahou, but try one of these too:
- Aguila Reserva.
- Voll Damn.

And forget those American beers that makes you feel as being in the States (Budweiser, Miller's or Mexicans as Coronita, Sol...)

Try also the beers from the rest of Europe (German WeissBeer as Erdinger, and the ones from Belgium/Holland as Leffe...)

If your are a wine drinker during 'tapas', be sure that the bottle you are drinking from has been opened for you or for the man who is at your side (the oxigen is not good for Baco's drink, and can make it taste as vinegar).

[ 12-06-2001: Message edited by: josemacall ]

Churro,

I totally agree with you....I love Alvariño!(specially when having tapas gallegas). Have you tried Ribeiro?, you'd like it because it's very similar, a little bit less expensive I think(at least where I buy them). Have you ever drunk them in those special 'cuencos'(strange porcelain glasses/bowls)
I know a great place where we can have some when you get here, if you want

I also love sidra casera when having some 'pintxos'(tapas basque-style) or bacalao, etc; and some Jerez/fino/manzanilla ('oloroso' is my favourite), when going for 'tapeo' andaluz.


pim

Pim yes I have tried Ribeiro and I would be honored to drink some in Madrid with you! I'll be there as of the 26th.

I also love jerez/fino/manzanilla. The good stuff is a bit pricey in Miami's tapas places, but occassionally I'll order a copita at my watering hole, condal y peñamil.

By the way everyone, it's funny to me that kids would drink out on the street when they CAN get into a bar. Over here, at least in South Florida, the drinking age limit is higher, and so kids don't have a choice but to drink at home or at a park somewhere. You can't drink on the street or in front of an establishment because that's considered loitering. Of course we don't have plazas and streets like they do in Spain -- those great urban spaces.

In South Beach, it's possible to order a "to go" cocktail from some places, but this isn't for drunken loitering, it's just to have something to drink as you stroll down Lincoln Road or walk to Ocean Drive. I am an early bird, but many folks in vampire mode stay at a bar until 5 am and then go to an after hours bar ... of course they don't have a churrería to go to!

It's funny to read all these postings regarding beer, wine, etc. because all the friends I have who are from Spain drink one thing and one thing only........SCOTCH AND COKE!

Drinking age may be 18, but nobody cares, at least up north.
Drinking in the street is tolerated, at least as long as you aren´t loud and excessively obvious.
Coke and wine is called a "calimocho" (spelled phonetically). Not a personal favorite.
Never heard of anyone that drank scotch and coke.
San Fermin is a great party. New Years, too.

I for one enjoy calimocho. If you have ever been to San Fermin, it is what everyone drinks (and ends up wearing too!)...my white t-shirt and shorts (fashion requirement for San Fermin along with a red bandana) were permanently stained and had to be tossed after the trip.

Another drink is a clara or clarita which is a draft beer mixed with gaseosa (similar to tonic water or a light sprite)

¡Arriba! ¡Abajo! ¡Al centro! ¡Al dentro!