Get me a cold beer, I've been working hard!

Those who know me personally, know there is a certain vodka brand that I will not drink because the ad campaign is blatantly sexist; clearly marketing to “gentlemen” and excludes female vodka drinkers altogether. In fact, the ads tend to place women in positions of submission and paints them in the “damsel in distress” light. Or features one woman as a stiletto'd tag-along in a group of 5 or 6 men, or the bartender. (Lady bartenders, take note, I know ya'll are badass.) So, I protest with my wallet. Be it as thin as it may be. It’s my principle I’m sticking to. If they featured women, in hi-power suits, flashing sexy smiles as they sachet through the bar, with the tag line about "Ladies...you're sexy & powerful, drink this" I might not be as offended. I will let you figure out the brand (I gave you a hint). I’m not here to start arguments or sway you in one way or another. I’m also not in the ad business nor the smear business.

So, today I read that there’s a beer out there in the world that’s about to focus on what they’re calling a “dual gender” ad campaign and I have to say it’s refreshing to hear. I won’t name the beer because as I mentioned above, that’s not what I’m about. The campaign that is launching is called “Climb On” and I like it because it suggests that everyone works hard, plays hard, and deserves a cold beer made with delicious Rocky Mountain water after a hard day. (Hint) And, the ad will show the classic athletic scenes that we’ve all seen in many beer ads, but there will be more women performing athletically. I look forward to seeing it. 

Hi 5 Mr. Beer Man. 

Now, pass me a beer while I unlace my running shoes!

If you want to read the article I read, click HERE

If you really can't figure out the vodka I'm referring to, you'll have to google it. 

Why I go back

There’s nothing quite as comfortable to me as walking into a bar and being remembered. I’m going to say it’s because I’m always friendly to the staff and that it’s not because I’m loud, obnoxious, or over the top enough to make that kind of impression. Also, as a woman walking into a bar alone, being known by the staff takes some of the awkward edge off.

I went to Treasure Trove on Ft Lauderdale Beach last week after my Thursday night run. I hadn’t been there in a month or more, but the bartender remembered what I drank and made a joke referencing my previous visit. “What??? You put lime in your Red Stripe!!??”

Now, if you’ve ever been to this little, local pub, you know it’s exactly that – a local’s pub. It’s not fancy. Some folks might even call it a dive bar. And I just love the place.  And, they keep that Red Stripe teeth-cracking cold! And no, I do not put lime in it!

But my point is that the experience makes the place. And the staff are the front line of making that experience. I’ll go back to place where the food is just ok if the service impresses me. I will also never return to place if the service is really bad. I will usually give a place a couple of tries before making that decision.

My experience last Thursday was one of those that will take me back to the place – with or without friends. 

Re-Load

Reloading and restarting this blog! Stay tuned for something interesting at the least, hopefully informative & fun at best.

The pic below is from the Key West First Legal rum Distillery. Highly recommend this if you're in Key West!

Brandy?

Mmmmm...brandy. Living in the luxurious and sultry Florida heat, it’s pretty easy to overlook brandy and cognac. I had a sip of some Gran Duque d’Alba today and I was immediately transported back to the times when I lived in more wintery climes; recalling the warming sensation that travels slowly down the throat and spreads luxuriously over the body the same way the Florida sunshine soaks in. So now, I'm thinking brandy might be the perfect rainy day beverage and official hurricane drink. Margaritas used to be my personal Hurricane Cocktail, but they’re not so good when the power goes out and there’s no ice. Brandy, on the other hand, is best without ice. And, there’s just something comforting about it; like a gentle hug. And, really, who doesn’t need a hug these days?

Now...where's my snifter?


Tastes pretty good to me.

Sucessful Pours

Taking some spirit from the words of Philippe de Rothschild; “Excellent wine generates enthusiasm. And whatever you do with enthusiasm in generally successful,” I raise an enthusiastic toast to the successful and spill-free pouring of your selected beverage.

Never rest the bottle on the edge of the glass. Why not? Well, for one; glass is fragile and clanking bottle to glass may cause the rim to chip or worse. Also, for some engineering or physics reason that I do not understand, when the bottle neck is rested on the rim of the glass while pouring, the liquid wants to sneak down the side of the bottle to the edge of the glass and can make a big drizzly mess.

Red or white wine should be poured with gusto right into the middle of the glass. This lets it aerate a little and adds a little drama to the gesture.

Sparkling wines, lagers, and other bubbly liquids should be poured against the side of the glass. If you’ve ever had the spill-over of foam and felt a twinge at the waste, then you understand that bubbles like to slide down the side of the glass and settle. Plus, with sparkling wines it helps keep the bubbles in the drink instead of letting them ooze out into the foam.

Finally, once the glass is holding the amount desired, twist the bottle you’re pouring from just slightly to stop any drips.



Cheers!