Belgian visiting Texas and Wisconsin

[JG26Irish_2]

Vertigo, I was just in Houston last week. Be sure to try the Texas smoked beef ribs and brisket while in Tejas. It is worth the trip alone. Rookhawk, I do wish KY was closer as I would love to make the trip up to hang out with Y'all. If you really like bad beer, do get a case of Schiltz. A classic "Bad" beer. Grew up on that stuff, lol. I think customs will allow modest quantities of beer, wine, liquor into the country for personal use. Not sure the amounts. Just declare it at customs. And for the trip home, if you can find a bottle of Elijah Craig toasted barrel bourbon, you will like that one.

 

[rookhawk]

I tried Miller High Life, that was good, as was Coors Banquet and light. Busch was just very different

True fact: Busch and Busch Light are never served in a home. They are typically the beer of choice for ice fishing, or as a spectator beverage in a deer blind, or at the camp fire in the woods while camping.

There are some awful Wisconsin-style beers that are wholly undrinkable if more than 1 degree above freezing, Busch's drinkability is highly temperature sensitive.

Wisconsinites are pretty dialed in on these social nuances of which alcoholic beverage is best served under which circumstance.

Drunkest Counties In America:

Drunkest Counties In Wisconsin:

Fourth Drunkest County in America, also the location of the safari dinner party:

 

[pilar]

Well since bbq will be covered in Wisconsin, Houston is very multi cultural, so you might want to enjoy some Cajun cuisine at raging Cajun , or fresh seafood at good company ( which has a bbq restaurant of same name across the street)
Vietnamese cuisine, Chinese, Molinas Mexican food or locally grown beef steak at papa’s brothers steakhouse ( my favorite steakhouse in Houston)
Best of luck in both states

 

[Red Leg]

I tried Miller High Life, that was good, as was Coors Banquet and light. Busch was just very different

All three of those are not really beer, and you are correct, Busch is the worst - unless it is Pabst Blue Ribbon.

 

[VertigoBE]

I’m tracking. That high alcohol content brew would likely kill the average American.

I’m sure some will (die) trying!

 

[Red Leg]

True fact: Busch and Busch Light are never served in a home. They are typically the beer of choice for ice fishing, or as a spectator beverage in a deer blind, or at the camp fire in the woods while camping.

There are some awful Wisconsin-style beers that are wholly undrinkable if more than 1 degree above freezing, Busch's drinkability is highly temperature sensitive.

Wisconsinites are pretty dialed in on these social nuances of which alcoholic beverage is best served under which circumstance.

Drunkest Counties In America:

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Drunkest Counties In Wisconsin:


View attachment 748974

Fourth Drunkest County in America, also the location of the safari dinner party:
View attachment 748975

This is clearly AI generated nonsense. South Louisiana is the home of actual professional level drinking habits, and no one has to freeze ice fishing.

 

[rookhawk]

This is clearly AI generated nonsense. South Louisiana is the home of actual professional level drinking habits, and no one has to freeze ice fishing.

Hmmm. @Red Leg I think you need to come for a visit beyond the Cheddar curtain so you can recalibrate your compass.

 

[pilar]

All three of those are not really beer, and you are correct, Busch is the worst - unless it is Pabst Blue Ribbon.

Yeah only good for shoving up chickens ass when placed in the smoker on the bbq pit

 

[Red Leg]

I’m sure some will (die) trying!

Should we be talking about the same sort of product, my favorites of the Belgian blonds are Duvel and Goudon Carolus. I have also had Gulden Draak and a couple of other of the dark ales, but I prefer English and Irish dark. Most Americans have no concept of a sipping beer of 10 to 12% AC.

 

[Red Leg]

Hmmm. @Red Leg I think you need to come for a visit beyond the Cheddar curtain so you can recalibrate your compass.

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Pure self-indulgent propaganda.

 

[wesheltonj]

Going to suggest Shiner Bock while in Houston. You could also try Lone Star, it’s not the same for years now as it comes out of the Miller plant in Ft. Worth. Not sure where in Houston you are going to find brisket smoked only using Post Oak.

Not sure about the beer limit for foreigners, but I think you will be good for less than 12. As for candy, not a problem. If your bring Neuhaus, I live just north of San Antonio, you are welcome to drop off as much as you can bring on the plane

 

[deewayne2003]

Someone please introduce Vertigo to the TX beef version of BBQ while he is sweating his hind end off in June Houston weather…

@mdwest makes a good point about Houston in the summer….. Hot & Hummid

@VertigoBE If you are not familiar with the southern American term “Swamp Ass”(it’s as unpleasant as it sounds) you may want to get some Gold Bond upon arrival.

Amazon.com : gold bond powder

 

[Jagerrand]

Friends. When @VertigoBE visits in early June, I'd like to host a dinner party for him. It would be the Saturday evening (I think that's June 6th?). I'm 45 mins east of the Twin Cities. Please RSVP and let me know if there will be a +1.

Local AHers FYI: @franzfmdavis @375er @Kurt Swanson @John the Electrician @Jagerrand

If there are other members that would like to come, please let me know.

Thanks for the invite! That should work for me +1.

 

[mdwest]

@VertigoBE If you are not familiar with the southern American term “Swamp Ass”

Swamp Ass… the medical condition also known as Monkey Butt… or in severe cases, Baboon Butt…

You were warned @VertigoBE !

 

[Jagerrand]

Jagerrand +1 will be attending

 

[sgt_zim]

Esteemed AH friends,

In June of this year this Belgian bumpkin is visiting the lone-star state and the cheese state!

I'll be flying over on Monday 1st of June to Houston, arriving in the early afternoon and will be there till Friday on business, close to Memorial Park. Friday evening I'll take a direct flight into Minneapolis and after a short drive, get to visit with our esteemed @rookhawk, who is raving about his prowess in American BBQ.
Finally, flying back to the EU capital on Monday evening the 8th of June.

I cannot yet say for 100% sure how the evening plans will go during my week in Houston (I suspect the teams there will be organizing some things for my entertainment as well), but if anyone is in the neighborhood and would enjoy sharing some hunting stories over a glass of beer, I would be very thrilled to meet some of my AH friends in real life in Houston. Especially the Monday evening of my arrival there and Thursday the 4th could be good candidates for a meetup.

Next to potentially meeting with each other, if anyone has any suggestions on things I absolutely should visit or do while in Houston, I'd be very interested to hear about your suggestions.

Also, as I plan on packing my bags full of US goodies when I travel back home, if some of you have suggestions on stuff I should purchase while there (or order beforehand in time so I can take it with me), don't hesitate. I've been thinking about reloading equipment (no brass or bullets though), archery equipment and some optics (Trijicon etc.)

Reach out to me in PM or here in the thread, maybe we can organize something fun while I'm there!

Cheers,

V.

everybody knows the only place to get good bbq is in Texas. Especially if you want some smoked brisket. That alone is our greatest gift to the universe.

 

[sgt_zim]

Hmmm. @Red Leg I think you need to come for a visit beyond the Cheddar curtain so you can recalibrate your compass.

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Unless I am much mistaken, the red one in LA on the TX border is 100% due to Ft Polk.

But you're right. The Cajuns drink beer for breakfast.

 

[VertigoBE]

Swamp Ass… the medical condition also known as Monkey Butt… or in severe cases, Baboon Butt…

You were warned @VertigoBE !

View attachment 748981

I'm starting to see the picture... I look forward to some well functioning AC then!

 

[VertigoBE]

Should we be talking about the same sort of product, my favorites of the Belgian blonds are Duvel and Goudon Carolus. I have also had Gulden Draak and a couple of other of the dark ales, but I prefer English and Irish dark. Most Americans have no concept of a sipping beer of 10 to 12% AC.

Duvel I'm not a huge fan of, too commercial and too quick with a head ache.
Gouden Carolus I don't think I ever drank.
You should try a Kwak or a Tripel Karmeliet next time. I'm quite sure you'll find that much better than Duvel.

On the topic of "bad beer". I'm sure @rookhawk, meant good beer, but light. I would also agree with this. Belgians only drink the stronger, specialty beers, for special occasions. The two beers just mentioned, are for Sunday afternoons in the sun, small group, seated, plate of cheese and cold meats, and we will gently consume 2, maybe 3 over a couple hours.

For a party, reception, bbq, etc. with many people, most Belgians will rather drink some kind of Pils or Lager. The best one from Belgium is Jupiler imo (also in volumes of sales in Belgium). It is not exported to my knowledge, as we prefer to drink it ourselves.

What I intend to bring, is on a whole other level though, as it is basically unobtainium:

Westvleteren 12, a trappist brewed in a Roman Catholic Abbey

I just checked ebay... people are only selling empty bottles of this... or the bottle caps alone... or even the crate it comes in...

There are only two places in the world where you can buy this officially. At the Abbey itself, where you need to register for a spot (like trying to get rock concert tickets), to be allowed to buy 2 cases max, linked to your vehicle license plate. Or in the next door restaurant. Everywhere else is grey market, not permitted by the monks.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

Big fan of Belgian beers. Chimay may be my favorite. Horgaarden is quite good too

Hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip OP