So, I just found out I'm Irish

[BlondieK143]

and one of my ancestors was a higher-up. Very intriguing. I always had a notion I was Irish (my last name is sort of a clue and the freckles sorta give it away), but it's cool learning details. :D

On edit: I realize it's probably crazy to think that I had no clue of this before now, but I've never really asked.

[PittPoliSci]

1. Welcome to the club!

Did you have a pint yet? :toast:

[BlondieK143]

2. LOL!

After work. :D

[PittPoliSci]

4. You don't need to work anymore!

All of your problems can be officially solved with more alcohol now! :-)

[BlondieK143]

5. LMAO!

And that's how I get paid too? Damn, I should've figured this out a LONG time ago!

[SoCalDem]

3. My grandfather was named Joseph Patrick O'Shea

his twin sister was Josephine Patricia O'Shea:)

so I am a bit Irish too :hi:

[BlondieK143]

7. Awesome!

The O' is a definite give away! :)

[lenidog]

9. Self Delete

Answered the wrong post. My bad!

[SoCalDem]

10. Bad (leni)dog..

:P

[lenidog]

11. What can I say its late

:D

[mark414]

6. welcome aboard!

just in time to see my new tattoo...well, when i can find a camera...

[BlondieK143]

8. Actually, that thread inspired me.

I got really curious so I started doing some research. :)

And yeah, hurry up on that camera thing! I also found my Coat of Arms. Reallly cool!

[lenidog]

12. To be a true daughter of Erin

We now have to teach you to drink Guiness. :beer:

[BlondieK143]

13. Oh gosh.

Never had it, but I heard it's a heavier beer. You're talking to someone who drinks Bud Light. :D

[lenidog]

14. Guiness is a meal in itself

and twice they alchohol of Bud Light:P

[BlondieK143]

15. Okay, so the first part concerns me.

But I'm all about alcohol. :D

[lenidog]

16. We could mild it down

There is a drink that I have heard called either a "Black Swan" or and "Irish Mist" where you mix Guiness and champagne. Very yummy and quite good for introducing someone to Guiness gingerly. Me I am traditional, I dirnk it just below room temp.

[BlondieK143]

17. Oh my.

room temp?? Not helping the cause any. :D

Guiness and champagne? Holy shit! I'll take TWO! I'm sure I couldn't make it to the third!

[lenidog]

18. Ice cold Guinness is blasphemy

If you asked for that in Ireland they may beat you with their shillelaghs. ;-) You will find that most European beers are brewed to be drank just below room temperature. Only American and Canadians feel that it needs to be ice cold. When an American beer gets warm it starts to taste like water, when an European beer gets warm it tastes the same.

On the "Black Swan" deal they are great but have a tendency to sneak up on you. :D

If you want to try a really great beer go to a place that stocks a really good selection of imported beer and try a Lambic Framboise. Its expensive but well worth it. (I can get one 21 oz bottle down in MD for $5.99. Up here in PA its $9.99 for a 12 oz) Its a raspberry ale from Belgium and the most delicious beer you will ever try.

[BlondieK143]

19. Beer University.

:D Thanks for all the information, seriously!

And raspberry ale?? That sounds awesome! Think you can ship me some? The local places around here that might have it won't serve me since I'm 19. lol

[lenidog]

23. I learned my beer tutelage in Europe

The land of great beers. I actually had the original Budweiser which is still made in the Czech Republic. The founder of Budweiser stole it from his boss and set up shop here. Its called Bud Weis there.
I didn't know you were that young. ;-) The Lambic Framboise is great. Its also very smooth its like drinking water. If it wasn't so damm expensive I would have had keggers with nothing but that stuff.

[BlondieK143]

25. That's so interesting!

Bud Weid, eh? Sounds like I need to make a trip to Europe and get more education in this important stuff.

I'm only young in age. :D

[lenidog]

30. The Europeans take their beer seriously.

They are also laid back about drinking ages but not public drunkeness. It different mentality over there. You go to the pub or the beer garden to hang out with friends and not get stupid drunk. Belgium has a great tradition of brewing beers. As much as Germany itself and some of the finest beers in the world are brewed there. Many by various orders of monks. They even have one called Guden Caroless, it is brewed specifically to be drank while eating chocolate. The more chocolaty the better.

[BlondieK143]

31. It seems like..

the countries that are more lenient with age restrictions are the same countries that have some of the lowest rates of alcoholism. (I could be completely wrong on that, but that's how it seems). If you think about it, kids here (including myself) are sneaking around and some drinking to the point of blacking out every night. If it's something you're allowed to have, I think a lot of individuals (especially in Europe) are more responsible in how they consume it.

A special brew just to drink while eating chocolate??? HOLY CRAP! I wish I liked chocolate more!

[lenidog]

33. Very much so

All European countries have their official drinking age at 18, some at 16. Even then the ages are rarely enforced. (Unless you get drunk and become an ass)The kids grow up with drinking wine in some countries and beer in others. All in all its no big deal. Though again you rarely see a European teen blind stinking drunk like some frat boys at an American college. I also found while stationed over there most of the teens things like beer bongs are rather stupid. That doesn't mean they wont tie one on. They just go about it differently and lot more quietly than Americans

[BlondieK143]

34. Maybe I need to visit.

Sometimes the whole frat boy/college mentality gets annoying. Although at other times, it's fun. :D How long were you stationed there?

[lenidog]

36. I ended up being over there for six years

During that time I went to Desert Storm and Shield and Bosnia as part of the peacekeeping force. By the time I was finished my enlistments which were two four year ones and got to college that was way too young for me. I found the frat boy mentality just irritating. That is not too say that I couldn't out drink any of them. I just took my drinking seriously. Not a game for amateurs. ;)

[BlondieK143]

37. Wow!

Well, glad you made it back safely and you're here educating me! :)

And my brain's about to explode! lol

[lenidog]

41. Thank you

I leave you with a good beer quote from Ben Franklin.

"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."
;-)

[lenidog]

38. I am actually off to bed

Take care and see you around DU. :D

[BlondieK143]

39. You too!

And thanks for keeping me amused! :D

[lenidog]

35. BTW

One of the reasons that the drinking of beer and wine is so prevalent in Europe is for the simple reason that until the 20th century water supplies weren't always safe. But beer which is purified by using heat and wine which is fermented was a staple of life. It was the one thing you could drink that you know wouldn't give you a disease.

[lenidog]

32. I went on the American plan

Also known as enlisting in the US Army and being stationed in Germany. Depending the the German state you are in the drinking age is either 18 or 16. Even then its usually not strictly enforced. So I spent many weekends and leaves roaming around Europe and having fun.

[Donkeyboy75]

40. Hate to burst your bubble,

but here in Ireland they serve Guinness at about 6 degrees Celsius, or 43 Fahrenheit. About the same temperature as a fridge. Most people here wouldn't drink a warm stout. The only place I've encountered warm beer is in England.

I'd agree with you about European drinking attitudes, except in Ireland and Britain. Teens here, as a rule, are as bad about holding their liquor as American kids. I live near the city center of Cork, and have been greeted in the morning with a vomit-covered car. :grr:

[Tweed]

24. In regards to this Black Swan or Irish Mist....

What champagne do you recommend mixing it with? Should the Champagne be room tempature too? Do you actively mix the two? Like stir it up once you have them together?

Shouldn't you also recommend a black and tan of Harp and Guinness?

I will also say that right now I am enjoying my Guinness slippers which are shaped like pints. They are bad ass. So comfortable!

[lenidog]

27. The way I was taught was that

a dry champagne is the best but I know people who just use their favorite regardless. The Champagne should be chilled, the Guinness will warm it up and you always put the Guinness in first and the champagne last letting gravity do the rest.


>>>Shouldn't you also recommend a black and tan of Harp and Guinness?<<<

Now that is for hardcore Guinness lovers like me.

;)

I have some repros of the original Guinness advertising signs with my favorite animal of the lot the Toucan

[Tweed]

20. WELCOME!

It's damn fun being Irish.

[BlondieK143]

21. Thanks!

:D I'm beginning to see that. I knew I was a drinker for a reason.

[Lannes]

22. Im part Irish too

Among many other ethnic groups.A real mutt. :)

[BlondieK143]

26. Not a mutt

Just unique! :hi:

[Lannes]

28. Thanks Blondie

I cant argue with that :P

[BlondieK143]

29. Of course you can't!

:D I'M the one who said it after all.

And you're very welcome!