Daylight Savings, Starlight Shavings?

While it's nice to have a scapegoat, I admit that daylight saving time is a TERRIBLE idea. I mean, what the heck were George Vernon Hudson, William Willett, Robert Pearce, and the various governments of the world thinking? It's moronic. I mean, here's a simple solution that has existed since the dawn of sleep itself: Wake up earlier. Is it such an alien concept that they cannot wrap their minds around it?

Well, okay, in all honesty, there are some benefits to the apparently illogical warping of the time-space continuum as we know it. Sure, we might save a little bit of power on lighting. It'll be easier to be outdoors in the evening, given the daylight. But all in all, the effect is rather illusory. We don't actually get anymore daytime out of it than we normally would have. I believe a better compromise would be for those that it benefits to shift their timetables backwards an hour, rather than shifting the clock for the entire country forward an hour.

Given that the benefits do not outweigh the disadvantages, and in fact, the very opposite is ever so slightly true, it makes no sense to force an entire country to have to deal with something that is potential harmful to the economy. Unfortunately, being just a lowly citizen, I do not feel I am in such a position to make a difference in even something as insignificant as DST. The best I can hope for is to put my opinion out there and hope it gets heard (Or read, as the case might be.).

For posterity, I figured I'd list a few pros and cons of DST.

Pros:	Cons:
• More daylight for retailers and other businesses.	• Less available worktime for farmers and other sun-dependent jobs.
• Better daylight availability reduces traffic collisions and fatalities.	• Causes disruption of sleep patterns and thus health and safety concerns.
• DST is a good time for maintenance of fire alarms, among other things.	• Maintenance of clocks is troublesome and can cause other issues.

At any rate, I'll let you folks decide for yourselves while I mourn the loss of my precious night hours. Daylight might be saved, but moonlight and starlight become lost! (And no, that's not because I made this post in the middle of the night. I'm just a regular night owl.)

Just A Dash Of Liquid Courage: #14

I'm a big fan of country wines, probably due to getting... How to put this... BORED with grape wines... So here's one made with kiwifruit! Oh, and I should probably mention that this wine, unlike Redwood Cellars' other variety, is still, not sparkling.



Redwood Cellars Kiwifruit Wine
750mL bottle at 12.0% ABV
Appearance: 6/10 (C-)
With all the color of an ice wine but the thickness of a sauvignon blanc, I really don't know what to make of this wine's appearance. I guess maybe I expected it to be... Greener.
Aroma/Nose: 6.5/10 (C)
Incredibly sharp and piquant, this wine has an unusually bizarre aroma, not unlike strong white vinegar, though not painful, if you get my meaning.
Mouthfeel: 8.5/10 (B+)
Incredibly smooth and with a tingly sensation on the tongue, this is very unlike any other drink I've ever had. I do not, however, recommend gargling. That hurts. And was completely unintentional.
Flavor: 9/10 (A-)
With a medium sweetness and a ticklish taste of young, green kiwifruit, this wine is very light on the palate, and finishes clean and dry, with yet another flavor I cannot describe.
Overview: 7.5/10 (B-)
A light, crisp wine that would go well with almost any meal, but is more suited to light but flavorsome foods, such as chicken parmigiana. Redwood Cellars delivers once again.

Just A Dash Of Liquid Courage: #13

Figured I'd go for another imported beer, from the same brand that makes my favorite. Not quite what I expected, considering Aventinus, but interesting nonetheless.



Schneider Weisse Original Weissbier
500mL bottle at 5.4% ABV
Appearance: 5/10 (D)
A very cloudy beer with an unusually dark color, especially for a wheat beer. A nice, fine head with even lacing, though it doesn't last.
Aroma/Nose: 7/10 (C+)
A lovely roasted smell, with just a hint of hops and a subtle yeastiness to it. It has overtones of allspice and a vague smokiness to it.
Mouthfeel: 7.5/10 (B-)
A incredibly smooth beer, though perhaps a little on the fizzy side. A very refreshing drink on a hot summer day.
Flavor: 6/10 (C-)
Soft and subtle, this beer is definitely a true weissbier, though with a subtle take on the malt flavor. A developed hoppy flavor with an aftertaste of bitter citrus.
Overview: 6.5/10 (C)
Roundabout a typical beer, this one is lighter and probably a good substitute if you can't get your hands on a summer beer. Otherwise, it doesn't stand out that much.

Just A Dash Of Liquid Courage: #12

I've been curious about foreign wines, and so decided to pick up something cheap the other day. It happened to be a chianti. I wasn't really sure what to do with it, so I served it as I would any other red wine. In my taste-testing, I paired it with Dutch goat's milk Gouda, which was perhaps not the best idea. It brought out the acidity and tannins in the wine, while masking the other flavors.



Fontella 2009 Chianti
750mL bottle at 13.0% ABV
Appearance: 7/10 (C+)
An extremely dark wine, so much so that at first I thought it wasn't clear - but it is; crystal. Lacing indicates a medium sugar content, which is consistent, and so I'm happy to give this wine a reasonable score.
Aroma/Nose: 6.5/10 (C)
A predominantly acidic wine, this chianti has the scent of cherry and oak, with an underlying tone of what appears to be a tannery. Not unusual for a chianti, but perhaps not acceptable for most drinkers.
Mouthfeel: 6/10 (C-)
Smooth and plain, this wine isn't particularly impressive, though it does have a nice tingliness in the mouth, with just a bit too much dryness. There is a very faint, albeit very long lasting tail, too.
Flavor: 5.5/10 (D+)
Though mildly sweet, this wine has a strong tannin flavor to it and is only for those that enjoy dry wines. The blend of flavors is decent, matching with the aroma, but including the undertones.
Overview: 6.5/10 (C)
An above average wine, and its profile means it can be matched best with red meats. For general drinking, however, it may be a bit too coarse. Given that it was also very cheap, I would recommend it as a good cooking wine.

Just A Dash Of Liquid Courage: #11

Last fortnight we took a look at a local brew. So this time, I'm bringing in something imported; a popular Austrian brew known as Gösser. It's so dark, that I was actually surprised to find out that it's actually a lager.



Gösser Dark Beer
500mL bottle at 4.5% ABV
Appearance: 9/10 (A-)
An unusually deep ruby color, or perhaps garnet, so dark that you almost can't tell that it's also crystal clear. With an even, light tan head, it's almost a perfect score.
Aroma/Nose: 7.5/10 (B-)
A little yeasty, but with an excellent malty coffee finish that is rather enticing, and distinct in and of itself.
Mouthfeel: 6/10 (C-)
A little thinner than I honestly expected, but still somewhat smooth. It does, however, have a harsh prickle on the tongue, which is just a little overbearing.
Flavor: 8.5/10 (B+)
With a good balance between sweet and bitter, this beer is exquisite, and under the soft tones of coffee, it finishes with a mild, lingering tang.
Overview: 8/10 (B)
One of Austria's best, this export-quality beer is sure to be a hit amongst the crowd, and is surprisingly light for a dark beer, making it a good choice for extended drinking sessions.

Just A Dash Of Liquid Courage: #10

Usually a brewery sticks to one particular group of drinks and that's that. However, recently there's been a trend where the local beer breweries decide to make ciders as well. So, here's one.



Monteith's Crushed Apple Cider
330mL bottle at 4.5% ABV
Appearance: 6.5/10 (C)
A pale and light cider, with an exceptional clarity to it, common to most commercial beers.
Aroma/Nose: 4/10 (E+)
Although it has a nice scent of apples to it, it is particularly vinegary for a cider and not the least bit yeasty. Not so appealing.
Mouthfeel: 7/10 (C+)
A surprisingly bubbly finish, though despite this it isn't a painful experience, and follows down smoothly.
Flavor: 5.5/10 (D+)
Though mildly sweet, this cider comes off as dry compared to most, with a tartness to it, that while pleasing, is not terribly refreshing, and seems rather weak at that.
Overview: 6/10 (C-)
Though not bad for something that's mass-produced, it's not as good as I would have expected from Monteith's. Their rival's cider is better.

Just A Dash Of Liquid Courage: #9

Well, I figured it's about time I posted up a review on my drink of choice, so here it is! Produced in Bavaria by G. Schneider & Sohn, otherwise known as Schneider Weisse, and bottle fermented until perfect. This particular brew has a different flavor depending upon how long it's been sitting in the bottle - For optimum taste, I prefer to let it sit around for about three to four months from the bottling date before I drink it. The younger beer has a sharper palette, while the aged beer is more mellow and smooth. Letting it sit for more than six months past the bottling date is not ideal, though. If not kept under optimal conditions, it tends to develop odd flavors by that time. Anyway, here's the review, which was done with a four-month-old beer.



Schneider Weisse Aventinus Wheat Doppelbock
500mL bottle at 8.2% ABV
Appearance: 7.5/10 (B-)
A nice, cloudy ale with a dark toffee color and a surprisingly white head, this beer stands out as a traditional style German brew, forming that delightfully lopsided foam that all great ales have.
Aroma/Nose: 9/10 (A-)
A strong, yeasty aroma not unlike fresh cooked bread, with a definite hint of malt and fruity tones of banana. May be a little on the sour side for some people, though.
Mouthfeel: 8.5/10 (B+)
A brilliantly thick beer, very deserving of the name liquid bread, with a soft prickle to it and a gentle numbness that follows it down the throat.
Flavor: 8.5/10 (B+)
With a good balance, this beer is sweet and sharp at the same time, with a wholeness to it that's rather unique. A particularly malty brew, with a aftertaste of cloves.
Overview: 8.5/10 (B+)
Hands down one of the best ales I've had, this traditional twist on the doppelbock is and always will be a favorite of mine. A real treat for those that like their brews wholesome and heavy.

Just A Dash Of Liquid Courage: #8

Seeing as I haven't put up any reviews on spirits, I reckoned I'd put up one on the very first bottle I ever bought. Irish whiskey is the way to go here!



Bushmills Original Irish Whiskey
750mL bottle at 40% ABV
Appearance: 4/10 (E+)
While it is certainly clear, this whiskey is a rather pale tone and doesn't cling to the sides of the glass well.
Aroma/Nose: 6/10 (C-)
While whiskey isn't normally something you're supposed to smell, this one is actually not too bad. Though it's a tad harsh to the nose as suspected, it's got an unusual tanginess to its scent.
Mouthfeel: 8/10 (B+)
Smoother and harsher than most, this whiskey has an unusual texture. Though strong, it can still be held in the mouth with relative ease, and doesn't shoot through the nose like some spirits. Particularly nice is the warm tail, which extends all the way down the throat, and lasts.
Flavor: 4.5/10 (D-)
While mildly sweet, and with a faint hint of that whiskey flavor, this whiskey doesn't really do anything to stand out.
Overview: 5.5/10 (D+)
It's hard to really judge a whiskey from all standards, since it's really mostly about the mouthfeel, but Bushmills Original is a modest liquor at any rate. Good enough to simply sit and sip.

Just A Dash Of Liquid Courage: #7

I'm a big fan of Belgian beers, and La Trappe is one of the more interesting brands I've seen. In fact, rather than just coming in your typical glass bottle, La Trappe packages their brews in fancy little ceramic crocks. Sadly, though, I no longer have mine.



La Trappe Trappistenbier Dubbel
500mL bottle at 7.0% ABV
Appearance: 9/10 (A-)
A frothy beer, with an excellent mahogany color and a light tan head. Unfortunately, the head barely lasts at all, quickly reducing to a thin layer. Excellent lacing.
Aroma/Nose: 6/10 (C-)
Definitely a very strong beer, with a smell that matches. It is, however, very pleasant to the nose, with fruity aromas of citrus coming through.
Mouthfeel: 7.5/10 (B-)
A very creamy beer, to say the least, with a very smooth texture and a warm feeling. It is, however, just a hint too fizzy.
Flavor: 8/10 (B)
Though the beer has problems covering up the flavor of the alcohol, it is nonetheless outstanding and strong, with a malty, citrusy flavor and a slight sweetness to finish it off.
Overview: 7.5 (B-)
A typical Belgian beer, standing out amongst most as a fine brew. Worth the ten dollars simply for the neat little crock it comes in. I'd like to try the blonde version of this beer.

Just A Dash Of Liquid Courage: #6

I always like a good mulled wine, especially if it's made with something other than grapes. This particular brew, made with boysenberry and apple, is no exception. For those of you unfamiliar with the concept, mulled wine is a method of serving wine by heating it with spices and sometimes sweetening it. It was traditionally done as a way to extend the usable life of wine, and tended to be done with wine that was on it's way to becoming vinegar.



Redwood Cellars Mountain Thunder Apple-Berry Glühwein
1250mL bottle at 12.0% ABV
Appearance: 6.5/10 (C)
Dark and opaque, but not cloudy, this wine is definitely a strong one, and is unusually clear for a mulled wine. Of course, it's also bottled, so that's to be expected.
Aroma/Nose: 8/10 (B)
With hefty tones of crisp apple and sweet boysenberries, contrasted by soft tones of cinnamon and cloves, this wine also packs a punch. It's not something you want to sniff too much though, since it's hot.
Mouthfeel: 7/10 (C+)
With a certain spice and a definite warmth to it, this wine flows down smoothly and heats you from the inside out. It can go up your nose a little, though.
Flavor: 5.5/10 (D+)
Definitively sharp apple flavors and tones of boysenberry dominate this wine, complemented by a spiciness throughout, and a tail of what is perhaps nutmeg. Though medium to sweet, it's also rather tart, and may not be to everyone's tastes.
Overview: 7/10 (C+)
Definitely worth the bang for the buck, since it comes in a big bottle, and it's definitely a winter warmer to enjoy 'round the fireplace or out on the field watching winter sports.