Dark and Stormies with ACL

(photos by Michael Williams - Nikon D300s)

Michael Williams from the cash inhaling blog (I mean that in a good way), A Continuous Lean, joined the Foxtrot and I for dinner and a viewing of, Jazz On A Summer's Day. Cocktail hour screamed for Dark and Stormies, which I assume - one - is the caloric equivalent of a Whopper with cheese. Which explains why I look like Jabba the Hut (or is it Pizza the Hut?). He authored a very flattering post about the evening's menu and our friendship here.

Gosling's Ginger Beer - Not Even Close

Goslings Ginger Beer versus Barritts Ginger Beer

Another kind of Storm

The Ex (Echo Xray?) told me years ago, "Just because you think it's right doesn't mean it is." Amen to that.

Taste is so subjective. So are Batik shirts and tri colored boat shoes. I found the new Goslings Ginger Beer in Newport last night and tried a 6 pack. And I thought Barritts was expensive. Goslings is $8 for 6. Barritts, when you can find it, is $6for 6. Goslings is made with high fructose corn syrup - - which is pretty cheap. Barritts is made with corn syrup. Which is cheap as well. Regatta is made with cane sugar which isn't cheap but I don't like Regatta in a Dark & Stormy.

Goslings GB has a distinct "dusty" taste on the front end as opposed to Barritts more round and sweet initial hit. And while the Gosling's GB has a wonderful spice about it - - that "dust" is always there. Is Goslings making this stuff in 40 year old foot lockers? I dunno. Maybe I got a bad batch. But the Gosling's GB (made by Polar Bev in Mass) did not make it in my book. That's not to say it will not make it in yours. OK, back to the pool.

Goodbye Dark & Stormy

A TRAD Dark & Stormy in a big gulp tumbler. Goslings Black Seal and Barritt's Ginger Beer are required. Do not attempt this libation with any other brand or you're just going to the bathroom up a rope.

Here's another Dark & Stormy at Le Colonial in NYC. This one is nowhere close to my hand made version. Le Colonial gets $14 for theirs. A bottle of Goslings is around $17 and the Barritts will set you back $6 for a six pack. Four limes for $1 plus labor...I figure my version, all in, runs about $2.

But the season for this taste of Bermuda is coming to a close. It really is a Summer drink. All the more reason to savor those last few as Fall approaches and with it my least favorite color combination --black and orange. Anyway, I'll remember you Dark and Stormy until next we meet in May. Until then, I can be proud of my contribution to the increased revenues of Bruce Barritt, the Gosling family and lime growers everywhere.

Trad Memorial Day

Two great views. One outside and one inside.

The outside view: What's that old saying? Oh, yeah. "What do you call two boats on the water? A race." So, we had a race over the weekend. Lots of tacking and scrambling around on the deck. A beer. Sit on the bow. A beer. The captain thought beer kept his crew from getting nervous. Hence, the offer for a beer was stated as, "You nervous?" I answer, "Uh, yeah." And suddenly there's a cold beer in your hand. Lots to be nervous about in a boat race.

The inside view: That's the club house. They call it a Yacht Club but who's kidding who. We amble to the bar. And just as I'm ready to order another "nervous" I see a six pack of Barritts Ginger Beer. "Holy Crud!" I lean over to the bartender. "You have any Goslings Black Seal Rum?" He holds his arms out like he's Jesus and says, "Of course. Although some people like the Barritts with Mt Gay Rum." I reply, "They're philistines." We had a number of Dark & Stormies (Barrits and Goslings with lime). We won our class. And I calmed down.