Driven to Drink

Greetings regular readers and listeners. Today, we have quite a treat for you. Did you like NPR’s “Serial?” Do you enjoy conversational podcasts? Do you adore your ‘happy drunk’ friends as they travel through the evening? If you answered unequivocally “No” to even one of these, I’m not entirely sure what you’re doing here in the first place. However, if any of these questions sparked even a modicum of interest or intrigue…come with me, and you’ll see, a world of pure inebriation.

One Friday night, several months back, Greg and Jen made their way through 7 alcoholic beverages and recorded mini-podcasts per drink.

As always, we appreciate your eyes, your ears, and your willingness to comment, to share us with your friends, and to keep coming back.

So, without further ado:

Episode 1, in which Greg is incredibly excited to have “invented” a new drink, the Belfast…only to later realize that he’d made a Rob Roy. It was smokey and delicious, and Greg stands by his minor modifications on the classic cocktail in creating a new, albeit not ultimately creative, drink. We present to you, “The Belfast.”

On today’s episode of the D2D podcast, Jen and Greg travel on 79 South toward Pittsburgh after a wonderful day and evening in Erie. They discuss how to make shitty, burned, convenience store coffee (kind-of, sort-of, maybe, not really…) palatable, and also how to make delicious coffee in a style that has come to be known as “bulletproof.” (For Greg’s recipe, 10-12 ounces of delicious coffee, likely from Commonplace Coffee, made on a pour-over bar. 1 tablespoon of grass fed, unsalted butter. 1 tablespoon of unrefined coconut oil. Organic ginger and cinnamon. A few dashes of organic Stevia. Craft bitters can be quite fun here too! All go into a blender and are spun on high for 10 seconds or so. When the blender is shut down, the new concoction forms a wonderful, frothy head. PLEASE NOTE: For those of you who drink tea, this absolutely can be done with your beverage as well. I suggest using black tea, steeped for at least 5 minutes but perhaps even 6, then do everything else as described above. PLEASE ALSO NOTE: frothy heads on animals are to be avoided.)

D2D also exalts the folks at Lavery Brewing, who have created a warm, welcoming, non-television-having environment with consistently stellar craft beers. Even my Mother-in-Law fell in love…with a breakfast stout! Ulster Breakfast Stout, to be specific. (This breakfast stout was amazing. None of the tangy, metallic, bitterness that can often be found from either poorly managed coffee and/or poorly managed barley and hops. It was smooth and thick and creamy.)

Speaking of “creamy,” Greg describes a “creamy mouth feel” one too many times and causes Jen to beg cessation. (Unlike many, Greg quite enjoys the word “creamy.” And “moist” for that matter. In the world of food and libation, these things matter!)

Discussion then turns to Colao’s Ristorante and the amazing food, drinks, and desert therein. Greg’s pappardelle (…thick, hand made, linguini-like noodles…) all’Arrabbiata (…which means “angry” in Italian…) with Pancetta (…I like saying, “Pahn-CHET-ahhhh”…) was exceptional, as was the White Chocolate Bread Pudding. All participants in this gluttonous extravaganza then waddled out onto the icy streets of Erie, more ready for an immediate nap than the Olympic pairs skating routines required to get to the car.

Have fun with this one, we sure did!

Jim won't put Aunt Jemima in his drink.

Why?

Well, it's certainly not becuase the product is entirely fake and processed.  No, it's because there's a black woman on the label.

In this mini, the song "Freebird" reminds me of both the event and my recent post related to it.  (Check it out here.)

Please forgive the various odd noises that occur.  It's as if an alien is attempting to communicate with me.  Which reminds me, I really do need to get more consistent recording equipment.

Love yinz!

On this episode of the D2D podcast, you'll find ample joy, laughter, anecdote...and beer.  Pay close attention for all of the mentions of delicious food and drink (links provided below), and please support all of the amazing people and places mentioned in this podcast.  Really, it's all incredibly good stuff.

In preparation for judging the "Battle of the Brewz" at The Commons at Franklin, Greg purchased several bottles of disparate brew types, nuzzled in next to Jen and the recorder with clean beer goblets and several printed tutorials on beer tasting (...check out ratebeer.com, craftbeer.com, and beeradvocate.com...), and let the  not-entirely-perfect pours commence. (Note: The competing breweries were North Country and Timber Creek.  The other judges were from Lavery Brewing.  (These fine establishments and people will be featured in next week's D2D pod!)

First up was Southern Tier 2XPRESSO (...yinz guys gawt expresso?  How baht a mawkeeawdoh? It was ruhl good!...).  Actually, I'll let the folks at Southern Tier do the talking, "Our 2XSTOUT is considered by many to be a perfect milk stout. We started with that in mind, and added espresso beans and lemon peels for a true Italian style pick-me-up. The result is a stout so black, so rich, so creamy, it’d be at home in a café along a cobblestone street in some neighborhood in Rome. Yet, it’s beer."  

Greg's assessment: I love this. It's ruhl good!  Jen's assessment: [contemplative pause] I don't dislike it. (Note: This is high praise from Jen for a stout.)

Next was Belgian Coast IPA by Green Flash (California, USA) and St. Frau Blucher...uh, Feuillie (Le Roeulx, Belgium), which was an entirely different beast than the dark, bitter, minimally bubbly beer with which we began.  Bottle conditioned, amber, with a stiff head that did not dissipate (...that's what she said...), and incredibly lively in the glass.  As with most Belgian style IPAs we've tried, this one leaned heavily Belgian rather than finding the balance for which we're consistently searching in this sort of fermented mash-up.  Jen loves big hops with big fragrances (e.g. grapefruit, flowers) and big alcohol.  Greg loves...well shit, Greg would drink anything...but Greg does love a good Belgian, and ultimately that is what this looked, smelled, and tasted like.  

So again, Greg's assessment: I love this.  It's ruhl good!  Jen's assessment: I like it. [contemplative pause] It's definitely sweeter than the previous beer.  (Note: Jen plucked out the distinct sour cherry flavor which was entirely welcome by both of us.  She also shares, in the podcast, that our tour and tasting at Brewery Ommegang, last year, opened her mind and palate to the complexity, variety, and joy of Belgians.  Plus, she has an Einsteinian palate.  It makes Greg extremely jealous.)

We then dove into the topic of barbeque, and the fact that the chefs at Union Pig and Chicken are making smoked meats that would convert a vegan Buddhist and cause PETAs entire executive board to literally dive into a vat of his barbeque. (Additionally, you'll find exceptional fried chicken, southern-style sides with a Sousa-the-sorcerer twist, craft beer, cocktails, and an extensive whiskey selection...as if one couldn't love this man any more.)

Greg's Assessment: I mean, holy shit.  Really.  And not just the brisket and pork, but also the chicken.  I've never experienced a piece of chicken quite like the breast I encountered there, and I'm not sure that I'll ever feel so amazed and satisfied.  Just go there.  Like fucking now.  Go. Jen's Assessment: Yeah, ditto that.

And for a little levity, we discuss a young Italian boy's disdain of uncomfortable mittens and a well-meaning Grandmother's ability to condition children with Autism to utterly fear the words, "I love you."  Oh, and Kate plays the role of Foley artist, providing a background of shaking spray paint cans (...listen for it, it makes me smile every time I hear it...), intrusive squeaks, and jingle bells.

How can you resist?

We present to you, "mmm...Beer Tasting."

In this episode of the Driven 2 Drink podcast, Greg remembers that George Thorogood needs 4 minutes to get to the chorus of, "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer."  (...but only after listening to the song for 4 minutes.)  Please feel free to also listen...or fast forward to the 4 minute mark!  

We also find out that Jen, while not a booze snob, has a super refined and accurate palate; while Greg's palate, unlike his highbrow, smarty-pants demeanor, has the fidelity of a late 19th century phonograph (...or this damn podcast.  Thanks for listening.  I'll purchase microphones soon.  Promise. K? K. Try the fish.)  We also discuss vascular dudes at the gym (...think He-Man figurine on top with Waldo on bottom...) and a tattoo so egregious it became the title of this post.  We love having you with us, and hope you love having us with you.

Without further ado, we present to you, "Bible Buttocks."

Heyoooooh!

On this episode of the D2D podcast, recorded on Black Friday, 2014, your humble and appreciative hosts discuss the wonder that is Troegs Brewing Company and their five-star, knock-your-socks-off snack bar; the pitfalls and travails of the Pittsburgh Turkey Trot, both human and canine; and all manner of douche-baggery.  Additionally, Jen finally unleashes her frustrations and taps into her "inner-Greg," which then opens the door for yet another comical Greg-rant.  We love and appreciate you, and we present to you, "Black (Sabbath) Friday."

As promised, here is the companion podcast to the D2D Post, "Enjoy the Silence."  If you are a regular reader but not listener, this episode is a really nice place to start.  If you are a regular listener but not a reader, well...same goes for the post.  (I've linked it just above.)  If you regularly read and listen, well then you should be happy as a clam at high tide.

Further explanation is unnecessary, so we present to you, "Enjoy the Silence."

We saw Maron Friday night (4/17).  Before the show we drank at Voodoo Homestead, our new favorite beer and brewery, and we had food from the Berlin Street Food cart.  The sandwiches were sublime.  

The venue was within walking distance from the brewery and the evening was warm and sunny.  The smell of food in the air, the sounds of children playing basketball, the volunteer firefighters cleaning their trucks and laughing at private jokes...a perfect community vibe.  

Maron walked on-stage at about 8:20, and he was outstanding.  All the things I expected, and more...hilarious, honest, relaxed, in-control.  He moved through stories, jokes, call-backs, spot-on improvisational choices, impersonations, and he did it all with perfect...Maronness.  He's on my Mt. Rushmore of comics and podcasters (...that's two separate monuments, for those keeping track...), and I was on cloud 9 for like 75 minutes.  Really, he went for that long...and he was on fire the entire time.

On the walk back to the car, Jen and I both claimed, nearly simultaneously, "I'm hungry."  I thought about IHOP, but that place is a nightmare always.  It's typically packed with people, and even when it isn't the service is several ticks below a McDonald's drive-through at 2 a.m. on a Friday night in a college town, near the bars.

"We have food at home," Jen said.  So we drove home.  She went to bed.  I shoveled processed, packaged, sugar and corn-syrup laden "food" into my face.  I dragged my ass to bed, a sense of forboding slowing me with each step.  I woke in the morning feeling just as sad and gastro-intestinally unsettled as I'd predicted.

Here's my Facebook post from the morning:

Open the garbage can to toss out a tissue. The detritus of last night's food ravaging staring me in the face, imploring me to remember each bite. Shame cascading over me like so many salty chips, peanut butter eggs, Oreos, and nondescript shitty Easter chocolate. "Can I get an Amen from the choir?! Bite Jesus' head off for your salvation." (Or perhaps damnation.) Only one word suffices. Fuck. Post it on Facebook, get on with my day. Today, not yesterday, is my cheat day. Still is. Don't judge. Maron was funny, though. Ended his 75 minute set with a shame eating bit. So I honored him. Though, the comedy is not here for me. Yet. Reeses eggs are not meant to be eaten by the handful. I'll pay. Today I'll pay. Both emotionally and gastointestinally.

I had to give tours that morning, at the Wigle Whiskey strip-district distillery.  I recorded myself as I made the commute into the city.  Today, only I, Gregory, present to you our first mini-episode, "Shame Eating Aftermath."

Oy, wait, you're listen...(ha-ha-ha)...Okay? Alright. K? Alright. (Throat clear) You are listening to Driven 2 Drink (Driven 2 Drink)...SHORTS! From WGCD (D? Yes.), and Jen P.R.

Hi.  This is Gregory Del Duca. (And this is Jennifer Del Duca.)

On today's episode of Driven 2 Drink, we discuss our amazement and appreciation that you are spending time with us weekly, Greg finds out some things about himself, we shower love unconditionally upon Mike and Aunt Penny as we drink Margaritas infused with a marvelous Grand Marnier (Signature Collection #2, Raspberry Peach) provided by Ilyssa and Marc, and we close with a classic rock ballad ("Motorin'!!!").

We present to you, "Appreciation, Self-Depreciation, and Night Ranger."

[If you didn't catch it, we love Radiolab, and if you don't know about it you should really acquaint yourself with THAT podcast.  It is breathtaking and captivating and enlightening and flawlessly produced.  In other words, NOTHING like this. Also, you'll understand that first paragraph (above) and perhaps even be amused.]

Unquestionably the most fun we've had with a podcast thus far.  Perhaps not coincidentally, it's also the drunkest Greg has been.  Unfortunately, both the fun and Greg's boisterous inebriation highlight the fact that we need to purchase decent microphones and processing/editing software.  2015 is just around the corner and with it the prospects of a few spare shekels and a couple of sexy mics!*

(*Update: We're super close on the sexy mic front.  Also thinking about a sound board and other goodies.  Very, very close.)

The highballs (...our version for this podcast included: 1 part Gentleman Jack Tennessee Whiskey, 2 parts Fever Tree ginger beer, fresh-squeezed lemon, liberal ice...) were flowing perpetually, like the coffee flowed the morning after, and Greg's laugh traveled the entire spectrum from giggle through guffaw and eventually hyperventilating cackles. (Again, we apologize for the audio...particularly Greg and his maniacal laughter.  Jen has it down pat.)  

On this episode of the d2d podcast, we discuss a story from the News of the Weird titled, "Dying to Get a Date," which prompted Greg to scan the internet further and find, "20 Ridiculously Specific Dating Sites that Actually Exist." From clowns to mullet enthusiasts, adult baby fetishists to the Amish...there is no reason why anyone can't find someone to love.

We present to you, "Highballs and the Low-lights of Internet Dating."