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General Discussion => Talk Zone => Topic started by: JackAstro on October 12, 2007, 10:10:05 am
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A friend of mine went to the Great American Beer Festival last night in Denver, and informs me that I must immediately seek out and consume Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale (http://www.kentuckyale.com/kentuckyale/Brewing.html#bbale), among some others. Has anyone had it? I'll try Spec's in south Austin, but it doesn't seem like it's distributed outside of Kentucky.
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A friend of mine went to the Great American Beer Festival last night in Denver, and informs me that I must immediately seek out and consume Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale (http://www.kentuckyale.com/kentuckyale/Brewing.html#bbale), among some others. Has anyone had it? I'll try Spec's in south Austin, but it doesn't seem like it's distributed outside of Kentucky.
Beer infused with bourbon. The sophisticates' depth charge.
However, this weekend, I shall be mostly drinking Guinness...and screaming "HEAVE!!!" and the TV.
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Shouldn't you be drinking Coors in celebration of the Rockies' unstoppable hot streak? I mean, they have cans that turn blue! Yes, that is why you should drink their beer. A can which changes color. Maybe the beer spies can send hidden messages with it.
Beer infused with bourbon. The sophisticates' depth charge.
However, this weekend, I shall be mostly drinking Guinness...and screaming "HEAVE!!!" and the TV.
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Beer infused with bourbon. The sophisticates' depth charge.
However, this weekend, I shall be mostly drinking Guinness...and screaming "HEAVE!!!" and the TV.
It's a truly marvelous idea. If they could somehow mix in fritos with bean dip, queso and a soft pretzel, it would be like having my entire Saturday afternoon in a bottle.
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Shouldn't you be drinking Coors in celebration of the Rockies' unstoppable hot streak? I mean, they have cans that turn blue! Yes, that is why you should drink their beer. A can which changes color. Maybe the beer spies can send hidden messages with it.
Good point. Beer with gimmicks is simply better. Coors it is.
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Beer infused with bourbon. The sophisticates' depth charge.
However, this weekend, I shall be mostly drinking Guinness...and screaming "HEAVE!!!" and the TV.
I shall also be three deep by kickoff, although my screaming will be more along the lines of "Allez, damnit!!"
If the English win, I shall be drinking the sophisticates' depth charge.
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Good point. Beer with gimmicks is simply better. Coors it is.
And will only get better with their partnership with Miller.
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And will only get better with their partnership with Miller.
If Bud, Miller and Coors all merged, they wouldn't have to bother with all these lite, ice and other variants of the same stuff. They could simply put out one beer, call it "Piss", and we'd all be stuck with it because that's all the beer vendors at MMPUS would have.
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I shall also be three deep by kickoff, although my screaming will be more along the lines of "Allez, damnit!!"
If the English win, I shall be drinking the sophisticates' depth charge.
I can't fathom how Al Gore won the Nobel prize, when the French RFU have unearthed and reanimated the missing link (http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42535000/jpg/_42535335_chabal_416.jpg).
Good luck tomorrow. Should be a cracking game!
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A friend of mine went to the Great American Beer Festival last night in Denver, and informs me that I must immediately seek out and consume Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale (http://www.kentuckyale.com/kentuckyale/Brewing.html#bbale), among some others. Has anyone had it? I'll try Spec's in south Austin, but it doesn't seem like it's distributed outside of Kentucky.
When I was home for summer break during college, I used to go to the Gingerman Pub and drink yards of beer with bourbon poured in. Just thinking about it now makes my brain hurt.
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When I was home for summer break during college, I used to go to the Gingerman Pub and drink yards of beer with bourbon poured in. Just thinking about it now makes my brain hurt.
These days, it's all about Das Boot.
Slainte.
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When I was home for summer break during college, I used to go to the Gingerman Pub and drink yards of beer with bourbon poured in. Just thinking about it now makes my brain hurt.
The Ginger man quit letting dogs inside, thought I think it still allows college students. It's only half the place it used to be.
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The Ginger man quit letting dogs inside, thought I think it still allows college students. It's only half the place it used to be.
Right. Especially as dogs are trained not to pee inside.
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These days, it's all about Das Boot.
While my boot is indeed profound, it is far from my most engaging feature.
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I can't fathom how Al Gore won the Nobel prize...
You had to go and mention that in here, didn't you.
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You had to go and mention that in here, didn't you.
Just en route to a dig at a Frenchman. Thought that one would balance the other...
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I can't fathom how Al Gore won the Nobel prize
Cropped IFY.
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I can't fathom how Al Gore won the Nobel prize, when the French RFU have unearthed and reanimated the missing link (http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42535000/jpg/_42535335_chabal_416.jpg).
Good luck tomorrow. Should be a cracking game!
I'd always thought that honor went to the RFU (http://www.england-rugby.com/EnglandRugby/images/News/P_Graham_Rowntree1004.jpg).
Can't wait for tomorrow. Was in France last week for the last round of pool games and the quarters. Absolutely incredible.
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Just en route to a dig at a Frenchman.
Je ne suis pas Francais.
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If one were to take in this particular match of rugby, where would one need to look?
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If one were to take in this particular match of rugby, where would one need to look?
A bar with setanta.
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The Ginger man quit letting dogs inside. . .
I've noticed this recently with several formerly dog-friendly bars. Was there a change in city law/enforcement?
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A bar with setanta.
the Versus network will be replaying it on Sunday at 5pm (CT). they put commercial breaks in the middle of the game though, which is unforgiveably annoying.
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If one were to take in this particular match of rugby, where would one need to look?
Make sure it's a bar with Setanta Premium, though, if you're keen to see it live (unfortunately, this means you'll pay a $20 cover as well). Otherwise, Versus and the regular Setanta are replaying the game later this weekend.
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If one were to take in this particular match of rugby, where would one need to look?
Well, you'd need to look no further than ITV1, channel 103 on Sky....oh, wait....
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Make sure it's a bar with Setanta Premium, though, if you're keen to see it live (unfortunately, this means you'll pay a $20 cover as well). Otherwise, Versus and the regular Setanta are replaying the game later this weekend.
It's being shown at one of the Irish pubs here at 3 tomorrow. I'll be at the UCF/USF game so it looks like I'll have to catch it on Vs.
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I've noticed this recently with several formerly dog-friendly bars. Was there a change in city law/enforcement?
I thought GingerMan was a change in ownership.
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I thought GingerMan was a change in ownership.
Griffs put a big sign saying no dogs, and there's no change in ownership there. The sign blamed it on Health Laws. There's usually a dog or two in there, so I just figured they got warned by some regulatory narc, but I've heard of a few other places suddenly not allowing dogs as well.
Also, Griffs always has the rugby playing on the back porch.
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Griffs put a big sign saying no dogs, and there's no change in ownership there. The sign blamed it on Health Laws. There's usually a dog or two in there, so I just figured they got warned by some regulatory narc, but I've heard of a few other places suddenly not allowing dogs as well.
Also, Griffs always has the rugby playing on the back porch.
Mind you, Griff's does not have Setanta Premium, so they only show the Setanta base channel replays. In Houston, I think Big John's, Richmond Arms, and Bull and Bear all will be showing it live, and yes for $20 a head (if I'm not mistaken).
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Mind you, Griff's does not have Setanta Premium, so they only show the Setanta base channel replays. In Houston, I think Big John's, Richmond Arms, and Bull and Bear all will be showing it live, and yes for $20 a head (if I'm not mistaken).
Very true. Nobody pays $20 to get in to Griff's.
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Je ne suis pas Francais.
Moi aussi.
Mais! Le chat est sur la chaise; le sourir est sous la table; et le singe est...ou est le signe?
Comment ca va, Jeff Daniels?
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Moi aussi.
Mais! Le chat est sur la chaise; le sourir est sous la table; et le singe est...ou est le signe?
Comment ca va, Jeff Daniels?
Ca va bien, Monsieur Donnybrook. Merci.
Mais, faire attention. L'espirit au clocher est en effet demain.
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Ca va bien, Monsieur Donnybrook. Merci.
Mais, faire attention. L'espirit au clocher est en effet demain.
I was with you up until you said "L'espirit au clocher est en effet demain", which is something to do with a gay person driving a stick-shift Lotus...no?
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Good point. Beer with gimmicks is simply better. Coors it is.
Beer without gimmicks is simply better. And Coors it by all means is NOT.
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I was with you up until you said "L'espirit au clocher est en effet demain", which is something to do with a gay person driving a stick-shift Lotus...no?
No, just beware the French eye gouge. Vickery's propensity for tripping won't go unpunished.
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No, just beware the French eye gouge. Vickery's propensity for tripping won't go unpunished.
One name: Sheridan. He is the Destructor.
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And will only get better with their partnership with Miller.
Miller Beer hates Jesus. http://news.yahoo.com/s/uc/20071012/cm_uc_crbbox/op_234073
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A bar with setanta.
A bar with crying Frenchmen.
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A bar with crying Frenchmen.
No matter how much I might enjoy bashing the odd Frenchman I cross paths with, it is always better when a limey does it. Every time.
So, thanks for this.
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No matter how much I might enjoy bashing the odd Frenchman I cross paths with, it is always better when a limey does it. Every time.
So, thanks for this.
It was scrappy and disjointed, and ugly and wonderful. A bit like this YouTube effort (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0CT2vSJHXw) showing the crucial scores by Josh Lewsey in the first two minutes and Jonny Wilkinson in the last two minutes.
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England did everything they needed to do win and they're a massively different team than the one who absolutely capitualted to the Springboks a month ago. Ought to make for a very interesting final next weekend.
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England did everything they needed to do win and they're a massively different team than the one who absolutely capitualted to the Springboks a month ago. Ought to make for a very interesting final next weekend.
The Springboks are a hard-as-nails bunch with some flying backs. If anyone can counter England's rather dour-but-effective game, it's them. Also, they are not averse to resorting to sheer thuggery when the need dictates, or even when it doesn't (they got very nasty with the Pumas once that game was in hand, for example), so this will be an extreme test of mind and body...as a World Cup Final should be.
However, since the pool stage humiliation by the Boks, England have shown an ability to find a game plan on the fly and make it work. In the past, their tactics have been highly regimented and the team run on a very disciplinarian basis. That was thrown out of the window after the aforementioned drubbing, and now the team - the most experienced (oldest) team in the competition - has been allowed to find its own way. Rugby players are, on the whole, smart fellows, so this approach has worked.
It's easy to design a plan on a white board in the dressing room, but executing it under an assault by 220lb lummoxes is a very different thing. England used the power of their pack to steamroller the Aussies whereas they used a fierce 15-man defense and crafty kicking to beat the French. Against the Boks, I think they will need to gird their loins, channel the spirits of the Defenders of Rorke's Drift (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rorke's_Drift), and hope that the Boks don't "get to" our Jonny.
If I have a prediction for the final, it is this: pain.
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they got very nasty with the Pumas once that game was in hand, for example
They sure did. Worst game the Pumas played in the tourney, pity.
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They sure did. Worst game the Pumas played in the tourney, pity.
Yeah, they'd pretty much lost it after 20 minutes. The fact that the Savvies needed to inflict grievous (and illegal) damage on them at the end smacked of douchebaggery.
This is a different crop of Boks, but I saw them here at Robertson Stadium a few years ago. They'd just been through Europe and lost to everyone, including a game against England which saw them beaten by 50 points and they took it in the most cowardly fashion possible. They turned that game into a death match. Anyway, the game against the US Eagles was a "friendly", and the game started in that spirit. Except that the Eagles had a bit of a good spell to open the game, even though it never really looked like they might score. The Boks took umbrage, and started all of their cynical and illegal shit, and giving the Eagles a vicious going over. Way to win hearts and minds, boys!
And just to make sure that there was no hint of anyone having a good remembrance of the game, when the Eagles finally crawled over the line for a meaningless score, the Boks kept the game going after the clock had run out until they could score a retaliatory try of their own. Horrible, horrible bastards (http://video.google.de/videoplay?docid=8497894436206010660&q=Never+met+a+nice+south+african&total=35&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0) they were.
The current crop are more talented, but have that same nasty streak in them. One way to beat them will be to frustrate and use the ensuing penalties to gain field position and points. That doesn't come without a physical toll, however.
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I was at that match as well, and what I remember most was Juan Grobler of the U.S. going for a try and being tackled several meters short of the line when he had a clear overlap outside of him and the game turning significantly once the Conrad Nantjes and Joost Van der Westhuizen came on as replacements in the second half (in my opinion, just to show us poor Americans how the game is supposed to be played, since we had dared to stay within striking range of the Boks). Interestingly, Victor Matfield earned one of his first caps that day.
As for Saturday's final, I honestly have no idea how it will play out, although I'm in total agreement that pain will be the outstanding feature. Those two forward packs will beat each other mercilessly, and if there aren't several yellow cards dealt, I'll be extremely surprised. Fortunately for Jonny Wilkinson (and English hopes), there will be no Corne Krige to come in with a late shoulder barge.
That said, I don't think England can match up with the Springboks' backline, nor do I think the Boks will be lured into a kicking game like the French were. The key, in my mind, is Francois Steyn. His drop kicking is the equal of Wilkinson (arguably) and he has been an excellent distributor of ball to Jaques Fourie and Bryan Habanaout out wide. Something tells me it could very well be a long day for Mike Catt.
Of course, I also thought the Aussies and the French were going to beat England. Shows you how much I know.
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Of course, I also thought the Aussies and the French were going to beat England. Shows you how much I know.
Never thought we'd beat the Aussies. Had doubts about the Tonga game before that. Thought we'd beat the French, though, based purely on the fact that we'd beaten the Aussies.
You remember more detail than me about the US-SA game, but that's not unusual. I seem to recall at least one dropped pass where the man was open for a US score. That's what fucked off the Savvies: they weren't going to lose to the US as well as England, France, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
Looking on line, Krige's Killers were even bigger arseholes (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/2525929.stm) than I suggested. The chip the current mob carry on their shoulder isn't as big, but it's there.
ETA: A few of the England team from 2002 are still there, including Phil Vickery (http://www.rfu.com/images/News/p_phil_vickery.jpg). Krige's career ended in 2004. Rather appropriately, Krige was serving a suspension for head-butting someone when his last season ended.
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Vickery. I lost so much respect for him after he blatantly tripped Paul Emerick during the pool match against the U.S., very likely preventing a try. It was one of the most cynical fouls I've ever seen, and the fact that he was only banned for two games was disgraceful.
As for the 2002 game, I turned to one of my best friends (who's South African) after Krige's late shoulder barge froced Wilkinson on off the pitch and said something to the effect of, "That's your captain?" To my friend's credit, he didn't even try to defend Krige.
Sadly, though, I'm seeing more and more of that type of dangerous play from Schalk Burger. What he gets away with is mind boggling and part of me wouldn't be too upset at seeing the English forwards sorting him out.
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Sadly, though, I'm seeing more and more of that type of dangerous play from Schalk Burger. What he gets away with is mind boggling and part of me wouldn't be too upset at seeing the English forwards sorting him out.
Didn't realise that Vickery had done that. Shitty play. Did they award a penalty try? Regardless, 2 matches is ok, I think.
As for sorting out Burger and his ilk, I hope that England don't get involved in that. Just play hard rugby and let the refs sort that stuff out.
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Didn't realise that Vickery had done that. Shitty play. Did they award a penalty try? Regardless, 2 matches is ok, I think.
Unfortunately, no. Nor was a penalty given to the U.S. Emerick was actually pinged for not releasing after he went to ground following Vickery's trip (http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/09_02/vickeryG0909_468x538.jpg).
Regardless of any potential argey-bargey this weekend, I'm really looking forward to the final. This has been an incredible RWC thus far, and I truly hope that the IRB doesn't reduce the number of teams from 20 to 16 for the next one in 2011.
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Unfortunately, no. Nor was a penalty given to the U.S. Emerick was actually pinged for not releasing after he went to ground following Vickery's trip (http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/09_02/vickeryG0909_468x538.jpg).
That sucks. I've been miffed at the Refs for missing some of the technical stuff (like giving the Aussies penalties when they collapse the scrum), but blatant cheating like that should be spotted and punished by someone on the officiating team!
Regardless of any potential argey-bargey this weekend, I'm really looking forward to the final. This has been an incredible RWC thus far, and I truly hope that the IRB doesn't reduce the number of teams from 20 to 16 for the next one in 2011.
I think the problem is that there is still a huge gulf between the top teams and one or two of the bottom teams. So when Japan (IIRC) get slaughtered by 90 points, it looks silly. But to keep the pools and brackets in order they have to kick out teams who aren't going to get killed like that and whose local RFU's are going to benefit greatly from the event. Plus, it's not like there's a bunch of 90 pointers.
I agree. Keep it like it is.
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Hey speaking of beer...The Fredericksburg Brewery won Gold for Pioneer Porter, and Bronze for Enchanted Rock Red Ale at the Great American Beer Festival last weekend. St. Arnold also won Gold for Fancy Lawnmower Ale. Great Texas beers getting well-deserved recognition. We were speaking of beer weren't we?
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Hey speaking of beer...The Fredericksburg Brewery won Gold for Pioneer Porter, and Bronze for Enchanted Rock Red Ale at the Great American Beer Festival last weekend. St. Arnold also won Gold for Fancy Lawnmower Ale. Great Texas beers getting well-deserved recognition. We were speaking of beer weren't we?
The Enchanted Rock Red Ale is one of my favorites at the F-burg Brewery. Everytime I go visit the folks I swing by to make sure they have either that, Jailhouse Bock or Admiral's Amber in stock. Good for them for the recognition.
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That sucks. I've been miffed at the Refs for missing some of the technical stuff (like giving the Aussies penalties when they collapse the scrum),
I had a collapsed scrum once. It was not pretty.
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I've only been to Fredericksburg once but I loved it; not sure why a return trip hasn't been planned. Stopped in somewhere in town (name escapes me at the moment) but I remember the food and beer were both excellent. Will check with the travel coordinator--I need to go back.
Kostritzer (Shiner 97 fans should love this) and Aventinus here tonight. Life is good.
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Hey speaking of beer...The Fredericksburg Brewery won Gold for Pioneer Porter, and Bronze for Enchanted Rock Red Ale at the Great American Beer Festival last weekend. St. Arnold also won Gold for Fancy Lawnmower Ale. Great Texas beers getting well-deserved recognition. We were speaking of beer weren't we?
Run, don't walk, from the Fredericksburg Winery.
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Run, don't walk, from the Fredericksburg Winery.
That place does a disservice to all the fine wineries around. For the most part, one's hill country wine tour should begin and end at Becker Vineyards.
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That place does a disservice to all the fine wineries around. For the most part, one's hill country wine tour should begin and end at Becker Vineyards.
Becker's great. Sister Creek's better, IMHO. Also partial to Texas Hills, Grape Creek and Driftwood.
Fredericksburg "Winery" doesn't even date their wine. They say "try this", and then sell you a bottle of something else with the same label. Oh, and they're really expensive.
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I've had more St. Arnold's in the past weeks than I've ever had in my life, as they sponsor our tailgate league at UH. The Lawnmower isn't bad, but I've come to fancy the Texas Wheat. The root beer is rich... my kids ask for it now.
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I've had more St. Arnold's in the past weeks than I've ever had in my life, as they sponsor our tailgate league at UH. The Lawnmower isn't bad, but I've come to fancy the Texas Wheat. The root beer is rich... my kids ask for it now.
Lawnmower, Summer Pils and Amber for me. Nothing of theirs that I really don't like, other than Elissa.
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Lawnmower, Summer Pils and Amber for me. Nothing of theirs that I really don't like, other than Elissa.
I haven't had the Elissa yet. We've had Lawnmower, Texas Wheat, and Amber at our tailgates. They bring bottles and two kegs, usually Lawnmower and something else. I think we've had the Summer Pils once, and maybe the Brown.
Amy's Ice Cream recently made a batch of Summer Pils. It was interesting. Not bad, just not a great aftertaste. I like their Shiner ice cream better.
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Hey seaking of beer did you hear Munson is a brewer? ....
What a cool job that would be! Sittin around all day, preforming "quality control" inspections of your product and watchin espn classic...how good would that be?
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Hey seaking of beer did you hear Munson is a brewer? ....
What a cool job that would be! Sittin around all day, preforming "quality control" inspections of your product and watchin espn classic...how good would that be?
What it tarnations are you tryin to say boy?
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I'm just sayin, that sittin' around all day and drinkin' beer and watchin' Roger Metzger and Tommy Helms turn double plays is sorta what heaven is all about :)
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Hey seaking of beer did you hear Munson is a brewer? ....
What a cool job that would be! Sittin around all day, preforming "quality control" inspections of your product and watchin espn classic...how good would that be?
"You know that brewery makes 10,000 bottles of beer a day. I drink 45 of them, and I'm the asshole!"
-- Phil Krundle
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"You know that brewery makes 10,000 bottles of beer a day. I drink 45 of them, and I'm the asshole!"
-- Phil Krundle
Genius.
"I wish it were winter so we could freeze it into ice blocks and skate on it and melt it in the spring time and drink it!"
--Barry Badrinath
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Genius.
"I wish it were winter so we could freeze it into ice blocks and skate on it and melt it in the spring time and drink it!"
--Barry Badrinath
"Real funny, Deutsch bag!"
-- Jan Wolfhausen
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Tremendous, tremendous final last Saturday. I was almost hoping that Cueto would've been given the try, just for the hope of continuing the game into extra time.
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Tremendous, tremendous final last Saturday. I was almost hoping that Cueto would've been given the try, just for the hope of continuing the game into extra time.
Not a wildly entertaining spectacle, but a gripping battle nonetheless. South Africa were the better side on the day, but they were gifted points by sloppy England defense early and then got the good end of a number of refereeing decisions, including Cueto's effort, that ended England's chances of a fightback. Very proud of the lads, just a shame it didn't pan out (see also England soccer team in Russia, Lewis Hamilton in Brazil - t'was a tough week).
I still don't know what to think about the try not given. Allain Rolland asked the video referee if there was any reason not to give the try. After looking at the various angles for 4 loooong minutes, the video judge came back and said Cuaeto was in touch. Looking at those angles, I find it hard to believe that anyone can be 100% certain (as the video ref said he was). Tough, tough decision to go against les blancs.
Then I think of the obstruction given against England, that simply wasn't there, which S.A. turned into 3 easy points. And the two blatant obstructions in easy range of the Saavies' posts which weren't given.
I'm not mad about it. Just can't stop thinking what might've happened if just one of those calls had gone England's way and the match had stayed within range of Jonny's boot...
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I drank a scrum full of Stella Artois Saturday night. Nice stuff.
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I drank a scrum full of Stella Artois Saturday night. Nice stuff.
I have enjoyed it for many, many years. I don't dare to think about what that's done to my IQ.
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I don't dare to think about what that's done to my IQ.
Or your scrum, even.
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I drank a scrum full of Stella Artois Saturday night. Nice stuff.
It's good stuff. It's my back up for when I'm in a pub that doesn't have real beer (or decent real beer).
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It's good stuff. It's my back up for when I'm in a pub that doesn't have real beer (or decent real beer).
Stella Artois is the best selling beer in France.
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Stella Artois is the best selling beer in France.
Ouch.
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Ouch.
I dunno. The French know how to eat. And drink.
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I dunno. The French know how to eat. And drink.
I just didn't think they knew much about beer (and I'll pass on all the obvious France jokes).
Still, I love Stella, too.
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I just didn't think they knew much about beer (and I'll pass on all the obvious France jokes).
Still, I love Stella, too.
The brasseries serve beer, mostly, and Hemingway's description of the meal at a brasserie in A Moveable Feast included beer, not wine. They don't particularly brew beer, and the most popular beers are Belgian. Why brew beer when your neighbors are better at it than you'll ever be?
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I just didn't think they knew much about beer (and I'll pass on all the obvious France jokes).
Still, I love Stella, too.
Stella is from Belgium, so any francophobes are safe ;) I can't really think of any French beers...Kronenbourg is from Alsace, which is France, but might as well be Germany (and apparently uses 'bottom fermentation'...NTTAWWT)...Leffe is Belgian...who would drink beer in France anyway when there's all that wine!?!
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Stella Artois is the best selling beer in France.
It's also the best selling beer in Europe, moreso than Heineken. Of course, it's also commonly referred to as, "the Wife Beater." So, there's that.
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I just didn't think they knew much about beer (and I'll pass on all the obvious France jokes).
Still, I love Stella, too.
I love Kronenbourg 1664. Sounds vagely Scandinavian, but it's French.
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Stella is from Belgium, so any francophobes are safe ;) I can't really think of any French beers...Kronenbourg is from Alsace, which is France, but might as well be Germany (and apparently uses 'bottom fermentation'...NTTAWWT)...Leffe is Belgian...who would drink beer in France anyway when there's all that wine!?!
FWIW, Alsace and Lorraine are two provinces that have changed hands numerous times between the Germans and the French. Alsace is French in the same way the El Paso is in the United States.
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It's also the best selling beer in Europe, moreso than Heineken. Of course, it's also commonly referred to as, "the Wife Beater." So, there's that.
And "Brain Damage".
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And "Brain Damage".
I think that's a pre-condition to drink Stella. It may be brewed in Belgium, but it is clearly a french style and an affront to real Belgian breweries everywhere. Kronenbourg is very nice, though, and as noted below, it counts geopolitically as French.
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Not a wildly entertaining spectacle, but a gripping battle nonetheless. South Africa were the better side on the day, but they were gifted points by sloppy England defense early and then got the good end of a number of refereeing decisions, including Cueto's effort, that ended England's chances of a fightback. Very proud of the lads, just a shame it didn't pan out (see also England soccer team in Russia, Lewis Hamilton in Brazil - t'was a tough week).
I still don't know what to think about the try not given. Allain Rolland asked the video referee if there was any reason not to give the try. After looking at the various angles for 4 loooong minutes, the video judge came back and said Cuaeto was in touch. Looking at those angles, I find it hard to believe that anyone can be 100% certain (as the video ref said he was). Tough, tough decision to go against les blancs.
Then I think of the obstruction given against England, that simply wasn't there, which S.A. turned into 3 easy points. And the two blatant obstructions in easy range of the Saavies' posts which weren't given.
I'm not mad about it. Just can't stop thinking what might've happened if just one of those calls had gone England's way and the match had stayed within range of Jonny's boot...
True, the final often resembled the 1991 clash between Australia and England with all that damn kicking, but it was such an intense match that I was more than willing to overlook the (sometimes) plodding pace. In the end, England simply didn't have the backline to break the SA defense late in the game when they needed tries, not penalties or drop goals. It didn't help that the Boks dominated the lineouts, depriving the English forwards of so much possession.
As for the refereeing, there have been a number of poor or controversial decisions this tournament, far more than I can recall in previous years, although this wouldn't be the first time that happened (think 1995 when Abdul Benazzi wasn't awarded the try that would've sent France into the final). That said, I think Stuart Dickinson got it absolutely right with respect to Cueto being in touch when he grounded the ball in the try zone and I think it's a pity that so many people are villifying him for it.
The biggest challenge, in my mind, for England going forward is the fundamental changes they need to make regarding their structure, just as Australia has had to since the 2003 final. As Mick Cleary said, there's a lot of promise and hope, but it's not going to be easy.
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True, the final often resembled the 1991 clash between Australia and England with all that damn kicking, but it was such an intense match that I was more than willing to overlook the (sometimes) plodding pace. In the end, England simply didn't have the backline to break the SA defense late in the game when they needed tries, not penalties or drop goals. It didn't help that the Boks dominated the lineouts, depriving the English forwards of so much possession.
As for the refereeing, there have been a number of poor or controversial decisions this tournament, far more than I can recall in previous years, although this wouldn't be the first time that happened (think 1995 when Abdul Benazzi wasn't awarded the try that would've sent France into the final). That said, I think Stuart Dickinson got it absolutely right with respect to Cueto being in touch when he grounded the ball in the try zone and I think it's a pity that so many people are villifying him for it.
The biggest challenge, in my mind, for England going forward is the fundamental changes they need to make regarding their structure, just as Australia has had to since the 2003 final. As Mick Cleary said, there's a lot of promise and hope, but it's not going to be easy.
Agreed on all points. The try was very close as to whether his foot was on the ground or in the air (http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/7356/cuetonontryproofxu5.jpg) as it crossed the touchline. However, irrespective of that, the phantom call against and the two non-calls for was a 9 point swing. And other than one short goal line stand by England, SA never really looked like scoring a try either. I think Habana only got passed the ball once or twice in the whole game. SA got ahead by kicking England's stupid penalties, and stayed there by shutting the game down with their forward possession. Exactly the sort of play that got England to the final in the first place!!!
As for the future, I think England have some exciting young backs. Currently, forwards dominate the game, but these things ebb and flow over time (often with rule changes, which have been mooted). I think we can look to next year's 6-Nations as a rebuilding exercise, and hopefully we can come up with an exciting, winning formula. After all, it's not like the French, Welsh or Irish are sitting pretty...
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England does have some truly remarkable players coming up through the ranks (Cipriani, Abendanon, Tait, Barkley, Hipkiss - although the latter are already a prominent feature of the current setup). But, I go back to the Paul Ackford's comments (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=A1YourView&xml=/sport/2007/09/23/srackf123.xml) following the pool match against SA, regarding the players inability and discomfort in playing a more dynamic game:
The conclusions from that gathering go a long way to understanding why they stuttered so badly in the opening matches of this competition and why radical change is essential if England are to challenge the world's top sides once more.
The essence of their complaint was that they were uncomfortable thinking for themselves.
In that observation lies the explanation of all England's present difficulties. It is an indictment of the way the game is played in the Premiership and a revealing insight into the inferior skill sets of the country's elite players.
With over a million registered players, England have the largest playing base of any rugby nation by far and away. If they can ever sort out the mess between the clubs and the RFU, as well as change their playing culture (i.e. towards a more instinctual game), the RWC would be England's to lose every time.
ETA: At least until the sleeping giant that is USA Rugby wakes up. If it ever does...
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Good beer - great schtik.
http://www.shmaltz.com/genesis_messiah.html