Drinking Ales

New Draft Beer Technology

This is some awesome new beer technology.  Thought I’d share.

If you have some awesome beer technology to share, join us at the Pub for Beer Enthusiasts, Beertaps.com Pub.

What is Your Favorite Beer?

I love going on the forums and reading through discussions of people’s favorite beers.  I hardly every hear Budweiser, Coors, Miller or anything normal, which is what you see people “normally” drink.

I always see some exotic beer that they’ve had maybe once.  I’ve also caught some people up in their discussions when I realized they hadn’t even had a taste of the beer they were discussing.  What in the world is that about?

Let’s be honest.  We go to the bar and we get our favorite beer.  We get the one we always drink.  We love the exotic beers that are hard to find and not commonly sold.  We love new tastes and textures.  Of course, we’re up when it comes to trying something we’ve never even heard of before.

But, we have a favorite.  It’s the one at the local store.  It’s the one at the liquor store on the way home.  Do we try new things every once in awhile?  Yes.  But, don’t we normally go for what we know?  Most of the time.

If you disagree, please feel free to comment.

So, I’d like to know what you guys drink.  What is your favorite beer?  Throw us anything, worldwide.  But, I would hope that you’ve drank your “Favorite” beer more than once and that it’s not just an exotic beer you thought would be fun to include in this survey.

Break In The New Bar With Some Home Bar Events

Let’s say that you have just finished putting the final pieces together and your home bar is ready to entertain. But, you don’t want to just have people over. You want to do it in style. These ideas will work whether you are having a bar warming, or if it has been awhile since you have had friends over and you want to do something special for the occasion.

Beer Tasting

I have thrown some generic beer tastings together where my friends each brought what they thought was the best and everyone there gave each beer an honest try. It’s fun. There’s not too much work involved. But, there is a way better way of throwing a beer tasting.

You can either make your own beer or invite someone who does make beer. Let them put their beer on display and make a big thing of it. Have other beers there. But, the one that gets highlighted is the one that was homemade. That’s something that will really put some excitement into the beer tasting and get your friends over in drogues.

Beer Games

Of course, just being able to drink a nice cold beer with the game on in a bar setting is an awesome time of itself. But, add some beer games and you’ve got some real beer enthusiasm. There are plenty of games you can play. Of course, remember to drink responsibly.

The greatest beer game going today is beer pong. Obviously, you can have a professional beer pong table and really make an official game out of it. But, beer pong is just as fun when your friends are creating impossible shots that only experts on their best day can nail. Make sure you have some great surfaces ready. Tops of bar stools work. But, you’ll want blocks, boards, bowls, pipes, sticks and everything else that can contribute to very imaginative shots.

Kangaroo Court

This is a unique idea that I didn’t come up with, but I did incorporate the idea from my military life to my civilian life when I built my first home bar. Kangaroo Court is a fun court setting with judges, plaintiffs and defendants. A plaintiff will put a defendant on the stand and the rest of the people in the room will act as the judge like how a jury decides a case. What cases will they be solving?

Nothing serious. The plaintiff is allowed to bring up anything. The plaintiff can tell everyone in the room about a very embarrassing moment in the defendant’s life. Of course, the defendant gets a chance to speak. But, it’s almost like a day time talk show at this point. It’s hard to get the crowd on your side once they’ve already been turned. And it’s obvious what happens when the defendant loses or even better, if the defendant actually has the ability to turn the jury around and the plaintiff loses. The loser has to drink.

Your friends will always love your bar. You’ll always have good times there. But once in awhile, you just want to do something different and get everyone out of the habits they start to build. Make it an event.

Getting Your Home Bar Up And Running In No Time

It’s extremely understandable that a beer enthusiast with home bar dreams might get a little out of hand. Of course, it’s a phenomenon that home bars are always quite unique and that should be your ultimate goal. But, you have to start somewhere first and then you have to know when to quit.

Your home bar needs more of you than anything else. But, you need a place to start and then you can start pouring your own personality into it. Let’s begin with the basics, discuss different ideas and then move on to how you can bring a bit of you to your own home bar.

The Bar

Of course, any conversation about a home bar would have to begin with the bar itself. Different types of bars normally begin with a wood décor. But, you can go with stone, marble, or leather as just a few ideas to start.

Of course, your stone or marble bar doesn’t have to be expensive. It can be framed with 2x4s and plywood. Then, cover with stone or marble veneer. Leather can be pasted on and then stylishly fastened with brass snaps. But, the wood look is the best.

Of course, you would still frame with 2x4s and plywood. But then, you want to add the nice looking finish of cedar or pine. Why use the ancient not-so-flattering wood paneling when you can have a great looking bar with the quality natural wood look of grooved paneling? No, I am not a salesperson.

You can panel the top as well. But then, add some style with trim. It’s easy and affordable just adding some trim to touch up the edges of your bar. Once the bar is ready, simply add a kegerator with a beer tap and some beer tap handles. Of course, you know what to do. Go with your favorite beer.

Décor

Starting with shelves to hold a collection of beer glasses is the first place I would go once the bar is in place. You can start collecting sets of beer mugs and glasses that represent different beer choices and different pub locations. People get real excited when they see their beer of choice on your walls or if you have a mug of an exotic bar half way around the world. Those are the types of things that start adding your personality to the bar.

Putting beer signs and mirrors on your walls is the next place for you to go. I once met a friend bartender of mine at his bar because we had plans. I arrived right on time because the beer distributor had just shown up to stock more beer in the bar. That’s the perfect time to get great stuff. I was offered a rare beer mirror that the distributor was told to send around with their drivers on deliveries and offer them as a promotion to different bars they serviced. The driver didn’t care who he was giving mirrors to and I ended up with one.

You may not have that kind of luck. But, everyone can look online for unique beer signs and mirrors that they can purchase to decorate their bar. You can start with a few just to get yourself going and then keep your ears and eyes open for opportunities.

Bar Accessories

Your bar is almost finished. But, it’s not quite ready for company yet. You have to add those types of things no one else has. It’s not as tricky as you might think. But, it does take some “good eye” action and be ready for the moment.

A Jagermeister machine is in just about every bar. But, I have rarely seen one in a home bar. Having a Jagermeister machine steps you up into the professional realm where your friends and family will really be impressed.

But, the hottest trend sweeping the nation right now is beer pong. Having a beer pong table with some great beer pong accessories will make for hours of fun when you have company over to your house. There will always be some people who won’t want to hang out in the bar. They’ll want to sit at the dining room table and talk. Well, let them. Have fun playing beer pong for hours while they talk politics on their stuffy bums.

Home bars aren’t necessarily hard to put together. A little planning and you can have an affordable home bar with very little effort. Then, start adding some of your personality to it so that it’s undeniably yours. Friends who didn’t think of it first will be very envious.

A Unique Wine Rack Idea

When I saw this wine rack design the other day, I thought how easy it would be to build one for myself.

But, I like sharing DIYs with others and had to figure out how they could enjoy this unique wine rack design without spending a ton of money on it.

And my mind went to town.  But, I was in a hurry to share with everyone.  I haven’t had time to build one for myself.  So, I wrote a Wine Rack Idea article about how it will work.  If you can follow the blueprint in the article, you can enjoy a unique wine rack that might look like it cost you a pretty penny.  But for those of you who may need clearer instructions and step by step pictures, I would be willing to write a DIY for everyone who wants it.

Let me know, email me at beertaps@aweber.com to receive notification when I get the DIY together.  You’ll get a confirmation message from me, Stan Schubridge, and then you’ll stay up to date.  And yes, you can unsubscribe at any time so that’s fine to stay on the list until you get the DIY.

Putting The Home Bar Together The Easy Way

When you have your bar and your cabinets built, you’ll want to get to drinking in it…Now.  But, I’ve seen some make shit jobs that aren’t really all that great.  Then, I’ve seen some expensive setups that are way out of the reach of most of us.

So, here’s the home bar the easy way:

The kegerator is the first thing you put in your bar.  It keeps your keg cool and it adds style in an inexpensive way.

This kegerator can actually make the entire bar.  If you choose to use a kegerator like this to hold your kegs, you can make it a part of the bar’s counter top.  Then, you only need counter space on each side.  That’s a setup made easy, as easy as it gets. 

Grab a tap handle of your favorite beer and now you’ve got something to really get you bragging.  There are tap handles of all kinds, from your favorite domestic to your favorite import.  As a promotional tool, every beer you can think of has a beer tap handle for commercial uses as well as the home bar enthusiast.

But, just in case you have a beer of your own or some other “unrecognizable” libation, get the beer tap handle you can write anything on that you want. 

Tell people, “Try Me!”  Give your concoction a name.  Have fun with it and write, “Make Your Own Beer…” or whatever else you might come up with to prank your friends.

You’ve got the bar.  Dress it up in style.  The kegerator and a beer tap handle can turn any room into a bar.  Your bedroom, your dorm room (oops), your garage, your basement, your tree house…

Anywhere!

How To Make Your Home Bar More Bar And Less Home

When you are trying to create a bar in your home, of course you begin with the taps and the handles, mirrors and signs.  You built a bar!  It has to look right.  Right?

But when the bar is in place and you think you have it all, what kind of lame bar serves draft beer in plastic cups?  And I’ll be willing to bet that’s what you have.  Red plastic cups that you bought at the grocery store.  Hmm…all that work and then you tap out at the end.

Well, you can add some specialty glasses so that your friends are drinking in style.  This is where it gets tricky, but you can manage.  You don’t just want to get mugs of any kind.  You need to stock up your cabinets with mugs of all kinds.

Vintage mugs from old fashioned beers add such a touch of class.  Especially when you have friends asking you where you got the mugs.  That’s when you realize saving money on those red plastic cups wasn’t worth it after all.

But, don’t stop there.  You should have Pilsners and Pints, Dimpled Mugs and Retro Pubs.  Get mugs with different logos like Coors, Molson, Blue Moon and Killian.  It’s a blast to make sure that you drink out of the right glass for the right kind of draft.

Logo Beer Glasses

You Wouldn’t Drive Drunk But What About Your Jet Ski?

Jet Skiing is an awesome sport. Bursting through the waters in your roaring machine, slicing through the waves, and turning trick after trick could be an exciting experience. It is very easy to loose yourself in the excitement and fun. Imagine what you can turn into if you are on a jet ski and intoxicated with alcohol.

Many have expressed concern regarding drunk riders and drivers taking a spin on their Jet Skis. Nowadays, it is common to see the youth having drinks on the beach. Jet Ski violations have been linked to such incidents. It has been noted that young people take their rigs after a round of shots and get dangerously close to boats in local bays.

Responsible owners of Jet Skis are quite opinionated with the issue of alcohol and their rigs. They listen to other people’s concerns as a rule. They would never allow anyone who had been drinking to ride much less drive their vehicles.

Most if not all Jet Skiing accidents have been related to non conformity to safety precautions and rules. Quite a number of these accidents are also related to alcohol.

2 citizens were involved in a Jet Skiing accident in Kentucky. As another rig was passing behind him, a drunk driver suddenly made a turn to his left. A major factor was played by alcohol in this mishap dulling the concentration and judgment of the driver.

There are also some who are complaining about the unwarranted noise Jet Skiers make sometimes, claiming that riders may have been drunk or drinking, but at most times, these thrill seekers are just enjoying themselves.

We all must remember at all times that we must be clear-headed when we are out in the water. It is much more imperative to keep in mind that anyone who is under the influence of alcohol has no business operating a watercraft. Not only would you endanger yourself but others too.

I have read in a personal injury lawyer’s site that drinking and water sports should never mix. Furthermore, anybody should never command any mode of transportation after consuming alcohol. Any mishap resulting from it will rest upon his shoulders.

While Jet Skiing is a fun and thrill packed sport, we must always learn by heart that not only are we responsible for our safety, but for the welfare of others as well.

DIY Kegerator – A Beer Keg In Your Refrigerator Or Wherever Else

It’s been a dream for many beer drinkers around the world.  But, putting a keg in an old refrigerator for your apartment, den or garage isn’t that hard to do when you have the right material.

A Kegerator Conversion Kit is all you need and there is something that you may have never thought about, but it’s a surprise and I’ll tell you in a minute.  These conversion kits change any old refrigerator into a kegerator in minutes.  Install the shank and faucet directly in to the door of your refrigerator and hook up the Co2 inside.  You’ll be drinking from your kegerator in no time at all.

But, here’s something that not many people think about.  The Kegerator Conversion Kit can also be used for other home bar designs.  Wall mount it to a closet.  That’s right!  Turn your closet into a kegerator.

All you need to do is install the shank and faucet on the wall the way you would the door of your refrigerator.  Then, grab a large trash can full of ice just like you would for a normal keg party.  Hook up the Co2 inside the closet and you are ready to drink some cold beer with the keg hidden in the closet, fully functional for your party.  Of course, this is really only good for keg parties when you have them.  But, you can try to keep ice in the trash can as you keep swapping out kegs.

As this idea starts to spark the imagination, I want to see Kegerators everywhere!  Garages, Bedrooms, Kitchens, Living Rooms, Bathrooms, through the wall to the Patio outside…etc.

Beertaps has the Kegerator Conversion Kit you need!

Can You Make Money Drinking Beer?

You watch people on television having a great time.  Some of the reality television shows allow their contestants to be viewed while drinking.  Some actors like Norm have made a career out of it.  But, can you get paid to drink beer?

It would be nice to know, wouldn’t it?

I loved watching Tara Reid get drunk on the Wild On… episodes that she hosted and on the Taradise show that had a short run.  You sit back and watch the show thinking, “Man, why can’t I land a gig as sweet as that?”

You get paid to roam around the world, find the best places ever and drink their alcohol to show people at home how fun it is.  That’s the gig of the century.  But, then the thought occurs to you that only blessed people like Tara Reid get gigs like that.

Well, not anymore.  Getting paid to drink is no longer a gig for the beautiful and talented.  It’s a job all of us can have.

It seems that there are plenty of beer companies starting a trend.  They love to pay people to drink their beer and give them feedback.

“Just two nights ago I attended a beer & wine discussion group and for about 1 hour of my time, sampling a few different beers and wines and answering some questions I received $70.” Tim Costello, author of Make Money Drinking Beer.

It does appear that the blessings have been passed on to the rest of us.  So, if you think you can participate in a drinking group where people will be drinking and talking about drinking, the learn more about how to make money drinking beer…