The Thinking Drinkers Podcast

"I asked for ice, but this is ridiculous."

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 19:57:20 +0000

Hotel, Motel, Is That Your Foreskin? This week's pod recalls Tom's unfortunate and minor (very minor) costume malfunction on stage at the Alnwick Playhouse before raising a Rob Roy in memory of the Waldorf Astoria and exploring the ale-loving entrepreneur who invented Cat's Eyes.

Get your Worthington White Shield here: £3.59 from Beers of Europe

Rob Roy

50 ml Scotch Whisky,
20 ml Sweet Red Vermouth,
dash Angostura Bitters.
How To make a Rob Roy. Stir ingredients over ice in a mixing glass

Discerning Drinks Deals Of The Week

Waitrose, Kyro Gin, £25, £4.95 off,

Sainsburys, Cardhu Gold Reserve Single Malt Scotch £26 down from £40
1000 Stories Bourbon-Aged Zinfandel £12 down from £15

Master of Malt: Silent Pool Gift Pack for Mother's Day. £55 down from £65.

Other Stuff

Buy yourself or someone else annual membership (and a signed copy of our award-winning Thinking Drinkers Almanac Book) for just £120 here.

3 x 60ml pouches containing 3 x world class spirits delivered direct through your door every month.
Exclusive access to the TD online magazine
A signed copy of Thinking Drinkers Almanac (named Drinks Book of the Year 2021 by The Sunday Times)
Monthly Online Tastings with The Thinking Drinkers & Guests

Check out dates and tickets for our "Thinking Drinkers Pub Quiz" show, featuring lots of laughs and FIVE free drinks for every audience member, here:

Oldham
AUSTRIAN ALPS: ALTITUDE COMEDY FESTIVAL
Brighton
Bedford
Reading
Didcot
Stroud
Leicester
Corby

Public Enemas & Jiggers With Altitude

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 16:02:20 +0000

This week, we hark back to the halcyon days when strangers blew smoke up the bottoms of wet people and, in the whining words of Liam Gallagher, things get supersonic with a gin and tonic as we celebrate the birth of Concorde.

Oaxaca Old Fashioned (created by Phil Ward in New York)

40ml Fortaleza Reposado Tequila

12.5ml Lost Explorer Mezcal

1 barspoon agave nectar

2 dashes Angostura bitters

Garnish: orange twist

Method: Set the orange peel to one side before bringing all the ingredients in a glass (Old Fashioned) containing a large ice cube. Stir until chilled. Flame an orange twist over the surface of the drink.

Discerning Drinks Deals Of The Week

Majestic
Chanoine Frères 'Réserve Privée' Brut Champagne - £20 OFF
Beronia Rioja Gran Reserva 2013/15 - 8 quid off.
Definition English Sparkling Brut, Hampshire - 11 quid off.
Lanson Le Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne - £20 off

Whiskey Exchange
Fortaleza Blanco Tequila with a case of London Essence Pomelo and Pink Pepper Tonic - £62.75

ASDA GIN OF THE WEEK

Asda, Plymouth Gin, £20, save a fiver,

Waitrose Wine: Terre di Vita Organic Pinot Grigio Terre Siciliane £6.49 - down from £8.99,

Mimo Moutinho Dão Red Wine, Aldi, £5.79

Become a reviewer for the Aldi Wine Club - click here

Are you a wine enthusiast? Do you have a nose for aromas and impeccable tastebuds? Or simply want the opportunity to try some FREE wines?

We are looking for thirty vino-loving superstars to make up our latest Aldi Wine Club panel – an exclusive group of Aldi shoppers with a passion for wine.

As an Aldi Wine Club member, you will have the opportunity to trial delicious and award-winning wines, including new launches from Aldi’s Spring Summer range, without spending a penny.

All you’ll be tasked with is reviewing each wine via a 140-character tweet or Instagram post using the dedicated #AldiWineClub hashtag– it’s as simple as that!

Applications now open until 13th March!

To apply to the Aldi wine tasting opportunity, shoppers simply need to send an email to Aldiwineclub@clarioncomms.co.uk with the below details:

• Full name

• Proof of age

• The name of your social media handles and the number of followers for each account

• 150 words explaining why you think you should be selected as an Aldi Wine Club member

• What your favourite wine is and why

Other Stuff

Buy yourself or someone else annual membership (and a signed copy of our award-winning Thinking Drinkers Almanac Book) for just £120 here.

3 x 60ml pouches containing 3 x world class spirits delivered direct through your door every month.
Exclusive access to the TD online magazine
A signed copy of Thinking Drinkers Almanac (named Drinks Book of the Year 2021 by The Sunday Times)
Monthly Online Tastings with The Thinking Drinkers & Guests

Check out dates and tickets for our "Thinking Drinkers Pub Quiz" show, featuring lots of laughs and FIVE free drinks for every audience member, here:

Northallerton
Alnwick
Oldham
Brighton
Bedford
Reading
Didcot
Stroud
Leicester
Corby

Bananas & Pigs

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 14:41:23 +0000

After a week off, the hardest working beefcakes in the drinks business slide back into the Pod saddle, digging their heels into some hard-nosed aural journalism and whipping up some searing investigative insight - namely the return of bananas to the UK in 1945 and. of course, National Pig Day (only America).

Like beer? Like bananas? Well you'll flipping love Mongozo Banana Beer - available here or via Amazon here

And how about A Pigs In Blanket Old Fashioned?

Pigs in Blanket Old Fashioned

Ingredients

12 pigs in blanket

70cl of Pork fat-washed whisky

5ml Maple syrup

2 dashes of Angostura Bitters

To make the fat-wash whisky

· Grill the pigs in blanket over a baking tray and collect 30ml of the fat.

· Strain it into a container filled with 70cl of blended Scotch whisky. Leave it to steep in the whisky for 6-8 hours or overnight at room temperature before placing the bottle in the freezer.

· Once the fat has congealed in the bottle, strain the bourbon into a new bottle.

Method:

· Take 40 ml pigs-in-blanket fat-infused whisky and stir in a mixing glass with the maple syrup and ice.

· Add bitters and stir.

· Strain into a child ‘Old Fashioned’ glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange slice.. Or a pig-in-blanket

While you're waiting for the pig fat to steep in the whisky, here's a video about pigs that play video games.

Drinks Deals Of The Week
Mirabeau La Folie Sparkling Rose - down £3 to £11 at Sainsburys
Johnnie Walker Black Label - Sainsbury, £22, save £10,

Martini Rosso, only £2.50 off, but down to £8 at Waitrose,
Jameson Orange, £15, save £9.50, great in an alternative to the Irish Espresso Martini Waitrose

For gin fans, Hayman’s London Dry Gin, fiver off, £21 Waitrose

Keep your eye out for the new Luxardo Espresso Liqueur

_____________________________

Buy yourself or someone else annual membership (and a signed copy of our award-winning Thinking Drinkers Almanac Book) for just £120 here.

3 x 60ml pouches containing 3 x world class spirits delivered direct through your door every month.
Exclusive access to the TD online magazine
A signed copy of Thinking Drinkers Almanac (named Drinks Book of the Year 2021 by The Sunday Times)
Monthly Online Tastings with The Thinking Drinkers & Guests

Check out dates and tickets for our "Thinking Drinkers Pub Quiz" show, featuring lots of laughs and FIVE free drinks for evewry audience member, here:

Harpenden
Northallerton
Alnwick
Oldham
Brighton
Bedford
Reading
Didcot
Stroud
Leicester
Corby

It's Not Gonna Shuck Itself Is It?

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 08:00:00 +0000

If drink-soaked discussion of aphrodisiacal accompaniments to oysters, 'titanic plums', guinea pigs with dodgy fivers, hangover cures and some seriously decent discounted drinks are your thing then listen to this Valentine's Special featuring a boffin.

VALENTINE DRINKS
The Properly Dangerous Liason
Ingredients
45ml Brockmans Gin
75ml Taittinger Champagne or Sparkling Wine
15ml Fresh Lemon Juice
10ml Creme de Cassis
5ml Sugar Syrup
Method

– Combine all ingredients apart from the sparkling wine and creme de cassis in a shaker over ice
– Shake to combine, double strain into a champagne flute and
– Top with Champagne, then drizzle over the creme de cassis.
– Garnish with a lemon twist.

Chilean Red Wine: Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon – £12.99, Waitrose

Chargrilled asparagus with Westmalle Tripel – £4.20 from Beer Merchants

Oysters with Titanic Plum Porter – £1.80, Sainsbury’s

Discerning Drinks Deals
Aperol, Morrisons, reduced from £20 to £15.99,

Morrisons, Courvoisier VSOP, £29.99, down from £37,

Gin deal of the week, Sainsbury, 1l of Tanqueray, £20,

Asda Beer Deals

You can get two packs for a tenner on certain beers.

So 4xJaipur and 6x Pilsner Urquell for £10.

That’s a tenner for 10 quality beers, so that makes them £1 each. Some maths for you.

_____________________________

Buy yourself or someone else annual membership (and a signed copy of our award-winning Thinking Drinkers Almanac Book) for just £120 here.

3 x 60ml pouches containing 3 x world class spirits delivered direct through your door every month.
Exclusive access to the TD online magazine
A signed copy of Thinking Drinkers Almanac (named Drinks Book of the Year 2021 by The Sunday Times)
Monthly Online Tastings with The Thinking Drinkers & Guests

Check out dates and tickets for our "Thinking Drinkers Pub Quiz" show, featuring lots of laughs and FIVE free drinks for evewry audience member, here:

London Leicester Square (THURSDAY 9th Feb)
Harpenden
Northallerton
Alnwick
Pendle
Oldham
Brighton
Bedford
Reading
Didcot
Stroud
Leicester
Corby

Ryan Reynolds & The Vagina Museum

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 08:00:00 +0000

We tell the WWII story behind Whisky Galore before linking a classic gin cocktail to a tale of someone knocking a vase over.

You should listen.

The Ola Dubh range is available from The Whiskey Exchange

Sainsbury has its Villa Maria on at £8.75, down from a tenner,

Jameson is £19 down from £22.50,

Gin deal of the week, Asda and Waitrose are going at it in their bid to bring you the best price on Tanqueray Ten
Waitrose, £27,

Aviation Cocktail

60ml gin

15ml Maraschino Liqueur
10ml Créme De Violette

25ml Lemon Juice

Lemon zest, to garnish

Shake gin, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur and crème de violette over ice, Taste, then add a splash of chilled water to dilute, if you like. Strain into four chilled cocktail glasses and garnish with blueberries and lemon zest.

Buy yourself or someone else annual membership (and a signed copy of our award-winning Thinking Drinkers Almanac Book) for just £120 here.

3 x 60ml pouches containing 3 x world class spirits delivered direct through your door every month.
Exclusive access to the TD online magazine
A signed copy of Thinking Drinkers Almanac (named Drinks Book of the Year 2021 by The Sunday Times)
Monthly Online Tastings with The Thinking Drinkers & Guests

Check out dates and tickets for our "Thinking Drinkers Pub Quiz" show, featuring lots of laughs and FIVE free drinks for evewry audience member, here:

Nottingham - 241 tickets use the word DRINKER
London Leicester Square
Harpenden
Northallerton
Alnwick
Pendle
Oldham
Brighton
Bedford
Reading
Didcot
Stroud
Leicester
Corby

Got 99 Problems But a Bee's Not One

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 07:39:55 +0000

Hail Henry VIII's death with Tynt Meadow - the only Trappist Beer in Britain.

Read Mark Dredge's great article about the monastery in Good Beer Hunting here:

Watch the documentary "Outside City" - all about the realities of the modern-day Monky business here.

AA Milne & The Bee's Knees Cocktail

Get Hiver Blonde Beer from Waitrose here

Bee's Knees Cocktail

Ingredients

2 teaspoons of honey
50ml Portobello Gin
25ml Lemon Juice
Ice

Method: Loosen up the honey in a jug by stirring it with a little bit of freshly boiled water. When it's smooth, add the mixture to a shaker filled with plenty of ice, the lemon juice and the gin. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with some lemon zest.

This week's "Les Bargains"

Benriach The Original Ten Speyside Single Malt Scotch, £29 Waitrose (save £9)
Sweet and easy-drinking intro into whisky.

Balblair 15 Year Old, Whisky exchange, £64.95 (£13 off)
A bit more punchy, 46%, full-bodied, matured in ex-bourbon casks and finished in first-fill Spanish oak butts.

Vestal Kaszebe 2011 Vintage Vodka, Whisky Exchange at £21.95 (£8 off)
The potatoes used as the based for this vodka are the Vineta varietal and are all grown in the Kaszebe region of central northern Poland.

Absolute, £16, Asda
Great vodka for mixed drinks and recreating the scene in Wolf of Wall Street

Heineken 0,0, 6xcans for £4.50,

Sainsburys doing Bacardi Carta Blanca for £14, £2 off.
Makes a wicked daiquiri, 700ml bottle, 50ml per daiquiri, how many can you make? You do the math.

________________________________

Buy yourself or someone else annual membership (and a signed copy of our award-winning Thinking Drinkers Almanac Book) for just £120 here.

3 x 60ml pouches containing 3 x world class spirits delivered direct through your door every month.
Exclusive access to the TD online magazine
A signed copy of Thinking Drinkers Almanac (named Drinks Book of the Year 2021 by The Sunday Times)
Monthly Online Tastings with The Thinking Drinkers & Guests

Check out dates and tickets for our "Thinking Drinkers Pub Quiz" show, featuring lots of laughs and FIVE free drinks for evewry audience member, here:

Nottingham - 241 tickets use the word DRINKER
London Leicester Square
Harpenden
Northallerton
Alnwick
Pendle
Oldham
Brighton
Bedford
Reading
Didcot
Stroud
Leicester
Corby

Nine Inch Burns & Belgian Crack

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 14:51:20 +0000

This week, following our inaugural appearance on "This Morning", our pod adopts an alternative approach to Burns Night and solves a mystery for those looking to drink something in honour of Hercule Poirot.

Burns Night is coming. Let's face it, if it wasn’t in January, no-one would take any notice. But after 25 moribund days of ‘meh’, celebrating the birthday of an 18th century tax collector with some root vegetables and stomach stuffed with bits of sheep sounds like a brilliant night out.

It’s not. A clichéd caricature of Scottish-ness, it’s tediously quaint, painfully kitsch and all those endless Immortal Memories, those cheesy Addresses to the Lassies; the dreary drone of the bagpipes would have bored the life out of the real Robert Burns.

So we suggest some alcoholic alternatives to breathe life back into Burns Night including:

Harviestoun Ola Dubh - you can get it the three different expressions, here.

Braemble gin Liqueur - Scottish blackberry with English London Dry Gin. £24.89 Master of Malt

The Long Bramble
25ml liqueur
100ml ginger ale or tonic
Pour the bramble over ice, in a highball, top with ginger ale, garnish with a wedge of lime, squeeze it in first

Cross Brew coffee liqueur, £25.74 Master of Malt

Cross Brew Negroni
20ml Cross Brew
30ml Campari
30ml Punt e Mes
Stir over ice and strain into rocks glass with ice

Whisky Deals
Mortlach 15 YO for £87.95 Whisky Exchange – saving £32.05

Aberlour 14-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky, £46 Waitrose - save £10

Cardhu, £26, Sainsburys - was £40

Woven Whisky, Experience N.11, Peachy, £55

POIROT
And then we celebrate a lesser-known milestone - the 103rd anniversary of the first ever Hercule Poirot novel - and honour the "detestable, bombastic, tiresome,egocentric little creep" with a superb Belgian stout.

Get Hercule Stout here

________________________________

Buy yourself or someone else annual membership (and a signed copy of our award-winning Thinking Drinkers Almanac Book) for just £120 here.

3 x 60ml pouches containing 3 x world class spirits delivered direct through your door every month.
Exclusive access to the TD online magazine
A signed copy of Thinking Drinkers Almanac (named Drinks Book of the Year 2021 by The Sunday Times)
Monthly Online Tastings with The Thinking Drinkers & Guests

Check out dates and tickets for our "Thinking Drinkers Pub Quiz" show, featuring lots of laughs and FIVE free drinks for evewry audience member, here:

Nottingham - 241 tickets use the word DRINKER
London Leicester Square
Harpenden
Northallerton
Alnwick
Pendle
Oldham
Brighton
Bedford
Reading
Didcot
Stroud
Leicester
Corby

Prince Harry & Dumbo

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 08:30:00 +0000

Amid all this talk of Harry and Meghan, we explore Edward VII, aka "Dirty Bertie" - the original Playboy Prince with some cracking King's Ginger liqueur.

Then, having once again proven that #winewritingiswelleasy, we make ourselves a Bicicletta for birthday boy and Pirate peddler Marco Pantani.

If you'd like to see Edward VII's 's3x chair' (and why wouldn't you?) then click here.

Amazon is offering a great deal on King's Ginger, complete with swanky gift tin, for just £23 here. You're welcome.

King's Mulled Cider
50ml The King's Ginger
150ml Cider
150ml Apple juice
Serve in a handled glass, hot or over ice.
Garnish with lemon, cinnamon stick and fresh blackberries.

Marco Pantani

Here's the picture of Marco shaking an Italian policeman's hand after some rather ripe parking manouevres and here's a picture of his statue in Northern Italy.

For Campari, the best price is at Morrisons, £15.50 - click here

The Bicicletta

50ml Campari
75ml White wine
Soda Water

Built over ice, use a wine glass or a highball glass

Other Royal Drinks:

King Charles's Royal Lochnagar 12 year old, Whisky Exchange, £40.95

Megan Markle's Tignanello 2018 can be found at Fine Wine Direct for £180

Buy yourself or someone else annual membership (and a signed copy of our award-winning Thinking Drinkers Almanac Book) for just £120 here.

3 x 60ml pouches containing 3 x world class spirits delivered direct through your door every month.
Exclusive access to the TD online magazine
A signed copy of Thinking Drinkers Almanac (named Drinks Book of the Year 2021 by The Sunday Times)
Monthly Online Tastings with The Thinking Drinkers & Guests

Check out dates and tickets for our "Thinking Drinkers Pub Quiz" show, featuring lots of laughs and FIVE free drinks for evewry audience member, here:

Nottingham
London Leicester Square
Harpenden
Northallerton
Alnwick
Pendle
Oldham
Brighton
Bedford
Reading
Didcot
Stroud
Leicester
Corby

"She's No Bananarama..."

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 12:09:57 +0000

Get yourself some Veuve Clicquot here

The Monkey Gland, created by Harry MacElhone

Ingredients
60ml London Dry Gin

45ml orange juice

1 teaspoon absinthe

1 teaspoon grenadine

1 teaspoon sugar syrup (optional)

Shake all ingredient with ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with orange peel or a lychee.
Serve with monkey nuts.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Buy yourself or someone else annual membership (and a signed copy of our award-winning Thinking Drinkers Almanac Book) for just £120 here. It's what Jesus would have wanted.

3 x 60ml pouches containing 3 x world class spirits delivered direct through your door every month.
Exclusive access to the TD online magazine
A signed copy of Thinking Drinkers Almanac (named Drinks Book of the Year 2021 by The Sunday Times)
Monthly Online Tastings with The Thinking Drinkers & Guests

Check out dates and tickets for our "Thinking Drinkers Pub Quiz" show, featuring lots of laughs and FIVE free drinks for evewry audience member, here:

Nottingham
London Leicester Square
Harpenden
Northallerton
Alnwick
Pendle
Oldham
Brighton
Bedford
Reading
Didcot
Stroud
Leicester
Corby

Dynamite 'n' Dysentery

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Bonjour tout le monde,

In this week's podcast, discover how Alfred Nobel inspired peace after accidentally reading his own obituary, marvel at probly the best Danish design in the world and strap yourself in for some fascinating yeast chat.

Ahead of France v England, we commemorate the Battle of Agincourt, and Ben's tortured football analogy, with a Biere de Garde/Saison style beer. Buy here

Watch Dennis Bergkamp, the non-Flying Dutchman, book the Argentinians on the plane home with this 'worldy' from the 1998 World Cup.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Buy yourself or someone else annual membership (and a signed copy of our award-winning Thinking Drinkers Almanac Book) for just £120 here. It's what Jesus would have wanted.

3 x 60ml pouches containing 3 x world class spirits delivered direct through your door every month.
Exclusive access to the TD online magazine
A signed copy of Thinking Drinkers Almanac (named Drinks Book of the Year 2021 by The Sunday Times)
Monthly Online Tastings with The Thinking Drinkers & Guests

Check out dates and tickets for our "Thinking Drinkers Pub Quiz" show, featuring lots of laughs and FIVE free drinks for evewry audience member, here:

Nottingham
London Leicester Square
Harpenden
Northallerton
Alnwick
Pendle
Oldham
Brighton
Bedford
Reading
Didcot
Stroud
Leicester
Corby

Adrian Chiles Interview - The Good Drinker

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 08:00:00 +0000

In this week’s podcast, we chat to radio and TV presenter Adrian Chiles about his new book "The Good Drinker - How I Learned to Love Drinking Less" which is very much in tune with the Thinking Drinkers' mantra "Drink Less Drink Better" .

Amusing, insightful and compelling yet never preachy, Adrian's book explores both the benefits and difficulties of drinking in moderation after years of seriously committed consumption.

Adrian didn’t think he had a drinking problem, until he realised he was regularly putting away 100 units of alcohol a week.

When specialists told him something had to change, he had a choice to make - stop drinking completely or cut right down.

He chose the latter and embarked on a fascinating quest to find the good drinker within...

Adrian Chiles is a writer, television and radio presenter and world-weary West Bromwich Albion fan.

He has been a presenter on BBC Radio 5 Live since the day it started in 1994 and his TV presenter work includes Working Lunch, Match of the Day 2 and The Apprentice: You're Fired.

He recently released a documentary called "Drinkers Like Me", in which he explored his relationship with alcohol and decided to cut down.

You can buy the book here:

Buy yourself or someone else annual membership (and a signed copy of our award-winning Thinking Drinkers Almanac Book) for just £120 here. It's what Jesus would have wanted.

3 x 60ml pouches containing 3 x world class spirits delivered direct through your door every month.
Exclusive access to the TD online magazine
A signed copy of Thinking Drinkers Almanac (named Drinks Book of the Year 2021 by The Sunday Times)
Monthly Online Tastings with The Thinking Drinkers & Guests

Check out dates and tickets for our "Thinking Drinkers Pub Quiz" show, featuring lots of laughs and FIVE free drinks for evewry audience member, here:

Nottingham
London Leicester Square
Harpenden
Northallerton
Alnwick
Pendle
Oldham
Brighton
Bedford
Reading
Didcot
Stroud
Leicester
Corby

Chill Winston - you're just Two Tents.

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 14:37:45 +0000

Manhattan
60ml (2 fl oz) Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Bourbon
25ml (¾ fl oz) sweet vermouth | 3 dashes of Angostura bitters
Ice | Cherry, to garnish
• Pour the bourbon, vermouth and bitters into a mixing glass. Add
ice, stir gently for 10–15 seconds, then strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with a cherry.

Get yourself a can of Carlsberg Special Brew here

Buy yourself or someone else annual membership (and a signed copy of our award-winning Thinking Drinkers Almanac Book) for just £120 here

3 x 60ml pouches containing 3 x world class spirits delivered direct through your door every month.
Exclusive access to the TD online magazine
A signed copy of Thinking Drinkers Almanac (named Drinks Book of the Year 2021 by The Sunday Times)
Monthly Online Tastings with The Thinking Drinkers & Guests

Check out dates and tickets for the shows below here:

Nottingham
London Leicester Square
Harpenden
Northallerton
Alnwick
Pendle
Oldham
Brighton
Bedford
Reading
Didcot
Stroud
Leicester
Corby

Cock Rock & Swashbuckling Psychos

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 14:59:01 +0000

This week's podcast features phallic-shaped outcrops and death-defying, rum guzzling, swashbuckling salty seamen.

Marvel as we expertly tip-toe around some sensitive issues of the past whilst simultaneously decanting drinks knowledge into you generous ears.

As promised, here's the picture of Cock Rock (now known as Rooster Rock) and here's where you can buy some Jagermeister - a much misunderstood digestif made with 56 different herbs, roots, fruits and spices.

Given Blackbeard became a pirate at the tender age of 12, we're going for some El Dorado 12 year-old in a Rum Old Fashioned.

Rum Old Fashioned - 12YO

60ml El Dorado 12YO - buy it here

3x Dashes Aromatic Bitters

Barspoon of Demerara Sugar

Orange Twist

Method: Put the sugar, bitters and water in a tumbler/old fashioned glass.
Stir until the sugar dissolves.
Add a couple of ice cubes and stir in the rum. Add a couple more and stir some more.
Garnish with the orange twist

Pils, Gin and a Badly Drawn Baby

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Get some Pilsner Urquell here
Drink some neat Gin whilst gawping at Gin Lane & Beer Street here

Subscribe to the Thinking Drinkers Spirits Subscription Club here and check out dates and tickets for the shows below here:

Wycombe
Farnham
Worcester
Bristol
Wolverhampton
London Leicester Square
Harpenden
Northallerton
Alnwick
Pendle
Oldham
Brighton
Bedford
Reading
Didcot
Stroud
Leicester
Corby

Dutch Ovens & Spirit Trumpets

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 03 Nov 2022 13:21:42 +0000

This week, the Thinking Drinkers hail Harry Houdini's almost fatal attempt to escape from an urn full of fermenting Tetley's Beer, light a firework under several myths surrounding Guy Fawkes and big-up the famous Northampton massif with Three Hills brewery.

And as promised, here's our super duper mulled cider recipe. How do you like them apples?

Mulled cider

Ingredients

1½ litres of dry cider

100ml Calvados

400ml apple juice

80g dark brown sugar

2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half

4 whole cloves

zest 1 orange, pared into strips

1 tbsp allspice berries

Add cider, Calvados, apple juice and sugar to a saucepan, gently heat, then add the orange zest and spices, simmer on a low heat for 20 mins.

Subscribe to the Thinking Drinkers Spirits Subscription Club here and check out dates and tickets for the shows below here:

Wycombe
Farnham
Worcester
Bristol
Isle of Wight
Wolverhampton
London Leicester Square
Harpenden
Northallerton
Alnwick
Pendle
Oldham
Brighton
Bedford
Reading
Didcot
Stroud
Leicester
Corby

Knockouts & Knockers

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 18:35:53 +0100

Date: October 30th
Event: 1974 Rumble In The Jungle - George Foreman v Muhammed Ali
Drink: The Uppercut
50ml Triple Sec
25ml Cachaça
15ml Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
15ml Pink Grapefruit Juice (freshly squeezed)
Dash of Angostura Aromatic Bitters

Method: Shake all the ingredients with ice and strain into a coupe glass

Or, given Ali was born in Louisville, reach of some quality Kentucky Straight Bourbon in the shape of Elijah Craig Small Batch.

Enjoy while watching....
Highlights of the Rumble In The Jungle fight in 1974 here
Trailer for When We Were Kings here and the trailer for Soul Power here

Date: 2nd November
Event: Marie Antoinette's Birthday
Drink: Bollinger Champagne

And here's a picture of a Greek nipple bowl. You're welcome.

Subscribe to the Thinking Drinkers Spirits Subscription Club here and check out dates and tickets for the shows below here:

Wycombe
Farnham
Worcester
Bristol
Isle of Wight
Wolverhampton
London Leicester Square
Harpenden
Northallerton
Alnwick
Pendle
Oldham
Brighton
Bedford
Reading
Didcot
Stroud
Leicester
Corby

Sucking The Monkey

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 08:00:00 +0100

This week, we shall ostly be drinking rum and red wine mixed with coca-cola. Here's why.

Event: Death of Lord Admiral Nelson
Agggghhh landlubbers. On October 21st, 1805, Lord Nelson was shot by a Frenchman during the Battle of Trafalgar during a battle which the Brits won 22-0 (in terms of ships).

Drink: Nelson's Blood
To commemorate the one-eyed, partially-deaf, philandering, publicity-seeking, sea-sick seaman, we're drinking Nelson's Blood II using Pusser's Navy Rum.

Nelson’s Blood No.2
45ml Pusser's Navy Rum
45ml Cranberry Juice
22.5ml Lime Juice
22.5 ml Orange juice
12.5 ml Sugar syrup
Two dashes of Angostura Bitters
Strain into ice-filled glass after shaking all the ingredients in a shaker packed with ice. Garnish with a lime wedge to prevent scurvy.

Event: Thomas Edison invents a commercially practical incandescent light at his industrial research lab in New Jersey.

Drink: A “Calimocho”, a blend of equal parts cola and cheap red wine.

America’s finest inventor gave us the gramophone, the movie camera and the first commercially practical long-lasting light bulb.

He drank something called Vin Mariani, a ‘medicinal’ mix of cheap red wine and coca leaves, believed be the pre-cursor to Coca-Cola.

We're mixing the two in equal parts.

But you can buy a version of Vin Mariani (without the nose candy) here.

To find out more about our Spirits Subscription Club and tour dates - click here

Knievel, Kung Fu, Kitsch Cocktails & Kentucky Bourbon

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 09:01:45 +0100

Evel Knievel & Wild Turkey

Enjoy a Wild Turkey 101 whilst watching Evel Knievel (mostly) fail to land death-defying jumps.

Wembley 1975: And the report from The Guardian here

CNN Obituary footage here

Matthew McConaughey's Eulogy at Knievel's funeral here

And here's the.....

Kung Fu and the Grasshopper

How to make: SHAKE all ingredients with ice and fine strain into chilled glass.

25ml Crème de menthe

25ml Crème de Cacao

25 ml Single cream

Pour ingredients into shaker full of ice, shake and strain into a coupe

Also, here's a link for Mortlach 25 year-old and RinQuinQuin

Bruce, Bulls & Bond

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 09:20:00 +0100

The first episode of our new podcast series recommends drinks to enjoy from October 7th to October 13th.

Listen to Lenny Bruce At Carnegie Hall

Here's Ursula Andres and her shells in Dr.No

C*cks**king Cowboy
15ml Butterscotch Schnapps
30ml Baileys Irish Cream
Layer the two ingredients in a shot glass by pouring Baileys off the back of a bar spoon so it floats on top of the schnapps

Vodka Martini
60ml Vodka
3tsp Dry Vermouth
Ice cubes.
Olive or lemon zest

Method: Stir the ingredients in a glass with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with an olive or a lemon twist.

For more on The Thinking Drinkers and dates for their "Pub Quiz" shows - click here

For the C**kSuck*ng Cowboy you can buy Baileys Irish Cream here and Bols Butterscotch here

For the Vodka Martini - go for Belvedere Smogory Forest Single Estate Rye here and Cocchi Extra Dry vermouth here

Thinking Drinkers Guide to Rum: Part III - Rum & Chocolate

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 23:21:09 +0000

he full range of Diplomatico rums can be bought from The Whisky Exchange here:

Luxury chocolate supporting a great cause can be found at Harry Specters here

Waitrose chocs can be purchased here:

And you can the lovely wine packs from Bibwine here

And you can watch the pod here

Thinking Drinkers Guide to Rum: Part II

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 02:00:00 +0100

Not content with covering a whole load of rum history, this oar-inspiring episode features pirate puns and another duck joke, we discover some interesting dental facts about diminutive dictators, tackle Tiki Culture, make an Old Fashioned and, best of all, drink some delicious Diplomatico Rum. We love those guys and you should too. It's a great listen whether you're a seasoned rum aficionado or someone who, quite frankly, doesn't know their molasses from their elbow.

You can see all the amusing and informative images alongside Ben's handsome chops and Tom's 'funny little face' here in the video version here...

Check out the Diplomatico Rum Old Fashioned here

Recipe for the Mai Tai is here

All the Rums we mention are here

And here's a link for Napoleon's sordid little book

Thinking Drinkers' Guide to Rum

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 15:18:50 +0100

Rum is for winners. This is the first in our three-pod series on the spirit and we're dipping into it with the help of Diplomático rums. The first episode looks at rum's early history, how it's made and some classic cocktails. We also manage to squeeze in some painful puns and fascinating insights into what we eat for breakfast.
Check out London Cocktail Week here:
Check out and buy all the Diplomatico Rums here:
Here are the details for Happiness Forgets
Read about Black History Month here and we highly recommend "Black and British by David Olusoga" - check it here
And here's a recipe for the Daiquiri

"Le Pour De France": Suspects & Drugs & Anusol

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 02:00:00 +0100

As the Peloton headed for Paris, we were drinking the following:
Dolin de Chambery Dry Vermouth - available from the Whisky Exchange
Dolin Chamberyzette Strawberry Aperitif - available from Whisky Exchange
La Blanche de Mont Blanc from the Mont Banc Brasserie - available from Beerwulf.com
St.Germain Elderflower Liqueur - available from Whisky Exchange
Coeur de Genepi Le Farmacia Blanc - available from Whisky Exchange
La Bagaude IPA - to find out more about Mappiness Brewery in Paris - click here

And for all your snow holiday needs, look no further than the wonderful guys from Sunweb - the only specialist travel agent that we'd accept press trips from.

"Le Pour De France": Tyred & Emotional

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 16:45:00 +0100

If you like the sound of what we've been tasting, check below.
Cotes du Jura Chardonnay from Sainsbury's
Beaujolais Villags Domaine Andre Cologne 2018 from the Whisky Exchange
Verveine Velay 55 from Distillers Direct
Discover more about Aveze Gentian Liqueur here

Pour de France: Ring Ring Ring (Piles and Piles)

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 16:00:00 +0100

This week, we have mostly been tasting the following:

Hennessy XO from Whisky Exchange
Hine VSOP Cognac from Whisky Exchange
Domaine de Canton from Whisky Exchange
Ciroc Vodka from Whisky Exchange
Camus Il de Re Island Fine Cognac from Whisky Exchange
Chateau des Beaulon Pine au des Charantes from Whisky Exchange
Tom's article about Last Drop's Cognac hidden from the Nazis
Picture of Rene Discartes/Fat Jay Rayner
And evidence of our P.Diddy joke winning an award at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Pour de France: Prunes, Pinot and a Premature Finish

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 02:00:00 +0100

As the serious players come out to play, we talk sadistic Slovenians, rustic French brandy, bracing bubbles from Languedoc and, as ever, some feeble wordplay and superfluous scatological schoolboy smut.

Buy Cremant de Limoux from Berry Bros here

Buy Darrozes Armaganac from Whisky Exchange

Buy Baron de Signonac from Whisky Exchange

Improve your French with l'Equipe

Let's hope Primoz Roglic is better at cycling than ski-jumping.

"Le Pour de France": When in Rhone

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 16:45:00 +0100

In the second instalment of our “Pour de France” pods, the Pelaton pedals through the Ardeche and Le Massif Central as we talk chestnuts and cheating, North African sausage and nougat, there’s phallic fungi and, as ever, our award-winning wine expertise comes to the fore with three juicy reds.

Sainsbury's Côtes Du Ventoux, Taste the Difference https://bit.ly/331xaFU

Sainsbury’s Chateauneuf-du-Pape https://bit.ly/2F4tk6G

Sainsbury’s Cru Des Cotes du Rhone https://bit.ly/2QSgGu3

Wine Society’s Côtes-du-Rhône Bout d'Zan, Mas du Libian 2017 https://bit.ly/3lPV7IX

Combel, Bière Bourganel Aux Marrons https://bit.ly/2GnPEZC

"Le Pour De France": Squashed Flies on Your Helmet

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 16:00:00 +0100

Bonjour. To coincide with “Le Tour de France”, we 're recording several podcasts entitled, rather cleverly, “Le Pour de France”. #wordplay.

Over the next few weeks, as the peloton pedal around France, we shall be selflessly sipping the best Gallic giggle-juice from each of the regional stages - wine, spirits, beer and leftfield liqueurs.

There’ll be some searing cycling insight, drinking did-you-knows and, as ever, some French-related funnies.

Even if Le Tour is cancelled due to pesky Covid, we’re going to pretend otherwise and keep on drinking until we get to Le Champs d’Elysees. Heroes.

To celebrate this historic occasion, we’re giving lucky pod listeners the opportunity to win a brand new Watney’s Beer Retro Cycling Jersey originally worn by Franz “The Flying Milkman” Verbeek in the 1970s.

With Watneys Beer making an epic comeback, it’s the jersey that all the cool cycling cats are craving. Check it here: https://bit.ly/2YJsLpR

For a chance to win this amazing prize, simply promote the podcast with a link (https://podfollow.com/1506478589/links) on your social media and tag in the Thinking Drinkers. Winners will be announced at the end of the Tour.

In the first episode, we taste the following delicacies from Nice and its environs:

Chateau la Mascaronne from Berry Bros & Rodd. https://www.bbr.com/products-20198004240-2019-berry-bros-and-rudd-provence-rose-by-chateau-la-mascaronne

Picon Amer Black Label https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/16577/picon-amer-black-label

Comte de Grasse Gin https://www.masterofmalt.com/gin/comte-de-grasse/comte-de-grasse-44-n-gin/

Nice Biscuits: https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/biscuit-barrel/sainsburys-nice-biscuit-250g

Garibaldi Biscuits: https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/Product/sainsburys-garibaldi-biscuits-200g

Isadora Duncan Syndrome http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,903596,00.html

European Championship of Drink: The Final! France v England

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 02:00:00 +0100

It's France versus England. The Final everyone (in France and England) has been hoping for. Will it be an entente cordiale? Or will it be an entente pas cordiale? You'll have to listen and find out.
France: Champagne Taittinger https://groceries.asda.com/product/champagne/taittinger-brut-reserve-champagne/1000040467918
England: Plymouth Gin https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/18973/plymouth-gin

European Championship of Drink: Semi Finals!

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 27 Aug 2020 02:00:00 +0100

England: Chapel Down NV Vintage Reserve Waitrose & Partners https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/chapel-down-nv-vintage-reserve--english--sparkling-wine/068005-34519-34520
France: Hennessy XO Cognac The Whisky Exchange

https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/search?q=Hennessy+XO+Cognac
Netherlands: Texels bier Skuumkoppe Beerwulf.com https://www.beerwulf.com/en-gb/p/beers/texels-skuumkoppe.3
Italy: Italicus - Rosolio di Bergamotto https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/34609/italicus-rosolio-bergamot-liqueur from the The Whisky Exchange

European Championship of Drink: Quarter Finals - Holland v Denmark & Scotland v France

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 02:00:00 +0100

Denmark channel some Churchillian spirit with some Special Brew while the Dutch dubbel down on some monky business with a Trappist tipple. Meanwhile, it's Gamay on as the French bring out some Beaujolais to battle against a big Blue from Johnnie Walker.

Denmark: https://www.amazon.co.uk/CARLSBERG-Special-Premium-Danish-Lager/dp/B004EAFDGS
Holland: La Trappe Trappist Dubbel from Beers of Europe https://www.beersofeurope.co.uk/beer/country/netherlands/la-trappe-dubbel
France: Maison Louis Jadot Beaujolais 2018 from Tesco https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/252285938
Scotland: Johnnie Walker Black Label - https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/552/johnnie-walker-blue-label

European Championship of Drink: Italy v Belgium & England v Sweden

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 17:00:00 +0100

England are back in action with one of the oldest drinks in the world, the Belgians turn up with a new wave classic, the Swedes rock some wicked whisky and Italy, taking precious time out from mucking abaht on mopeds, unleash a Negroni. It's drinks-driven football at its best.

European Championship of Drink: Sweden v Austria & France v Russia

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 02:00:00 +0100

In the final batch of last 16 matches, Les Bleus take on The Reds and the home of flatpack furniture play a nation renowned for.....pastries?
Austria: Gruner Veltliner
Sweden: Herno Gin
France: Lillet Blanc
Russia: Baltika Porter

European Championship of Drink: England v Germany & Scotland v Ireland

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 02:00:00 +0100

You OK Hun? Yes, it's the clash everyone, and we mean EVERYONE, has been waiting for. And we've thrown in Scotland versus Ireland too...you're welcome.
Germany: Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin 47%. 70cl, £39.75
England: Lost and Grounded Brewers Keller Pils 440ml, 4.8%, £2.50
Scotland: Talisker Single Malt Scotch Whisky 18 Year-old, £79.95, 70cl, 45.8% The Whisky Exchange
Ireland: Redbreast Whiskey Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, 70cl, 40%, £47.95, The Whisky Exchange

European Championship of Drink: Belgium v Czech Republic & Holland v Spain

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 02:00:00 +0100

Belgium: Liefmans Kriek Brut (6%, 330ml, £2.54) TheDrinkShop.com
Czech Republic: Budweiser Budvar (5%, 500ml, £1.80) tesco.com
Holland: Ketel One Botanicals (30%, £23.95, 70cl) Ketel One The Whisky Exchange
Spain: La Cune Rioja-Crianza (£8.49, 14%, 70cl) Majestic Wine

European Championship of Drink: Italy v Iceland & Wales v Denmark

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 02:00:00 +0100

Italy take on Iceland and Wales meet the Danish in these two last 16 encounters, with the Thinking Drinkers replacing the football with some outstanding drink suggestions.

All details on where to buy the drinks they taste below.

Iceland: Einstock White Ale from Waitrose
Italy: Chianti Poggio Galiga 2019, Grati from Majestic
Wales: Penderyn Madeira Finish from Whisky Exchange
Denmark: Empirical Spirits from Whisky Exchange

European Championships of Drink: Group F

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 02:00:00 +0100

Expect Muskateers, sausage, spinning doner kebabs, the plight of Portuguese passing and more.
Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7yX_5vHu0I&t=853s

Northern Ireland: Boatyard Gin, (46%, 70cl, £33.95, The Whisky Exchange) The Boatyard Distillery

Fabulous, family-owned ‘farm-to-bottle’ gin whose organic ingredients include “Sweet Gale”, foraged from the family bog in Fermanagh.

Portugal: Graham’s Blend No.5 (19%, 70cl, £21.25 The Whisky Exchange)
White Port and Tonic is the Summer’s coolest drink.
Grahams Port

France: Armagnac XO Domaine Tariquet, (40%, 70cl, £28, www.waitrose.com) Waitrose & Partners Armagnac Darroze 12 "Les Grands Assemblages" Armagnac Armagnac UK
Listen very carefully, because we will say this only once: Armagnac is amazing stuff. Great with ponky blue cheese.

Germany Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier. £2.61 from Beers of Europe
Weihenstephan A mixture of the modern and the monastic, it’s both the most advanced and oldest brewery in the world dating back to 1040.
https://www.beersofeurope.co.uk/search...

European Championships of Drink: Group E

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 01:00:00 +0100

Donkeys plummeting from clock-towers, Logan Roy's favourite vodka, a Bison staring forlornly out of the window and a superb Aeneus all feature in the latest instalment of our "European Championship of Drink".
Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGQoNL6pM7U&t=5s

Poland: Zubrowka Vodka (40%, 70cl, £20 https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/b/335/zubrowka-vodka)
A blade of bison grass is inserted into each bottle of this gorgeous rye grain vodka. Serve over ice with apple juice.

Spain: Gin Mare (40%, 50cl, £38.25 https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/.../mare-mediterranean...)
A beautiful Barcelona-born gin bursting with botanicals including olives, thyme, rosemary and basil

Republic or Ireland: Jameson’s Irish Whiskey (40%, 70cl, £22.50 www.thewhiskyexchange.com) Jameson Irish Whiskey
A triple-distilled classic from Cork that goes great with some ginger ale and a slice of lime.

European Championships of Drink: Group D

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 01:00:00 +0100

We discuss the big jobs, plums around the gums, mullets and cow-rhoids.

England: St.Austell Big Job IPA (7.2%, 500ml, £3.79 www.beerwulf.com) @staustellbrewery @beerwulfunitedkingdom See the Marris Otter video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0FjkJtqj0w

Scotland: Eight Lands Gin, £31.95, The Whisky Exchange, https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/.../eight-lands-organic...

Croatia: Croatia: Garden Sour (3.5%. 33cl, £2.31 www.beersofeuope.co.uk Beersofeurope and Beercrusader

Czech Republic: Pilsner Urquell, (4.4%, 50cl. £2, www.asda.com) Pilsner Urquell

European Championships of Drink: Group C

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 13:00:00 +0100

You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/efWot9teT5U

Netherlands: Kompaan Bier “Hand Langer Double IPA (8.2%, 33cl, £3.39, www.beerwulf.com)
Hailing from the Hague, this Dutch Double IPA from the very cool Kompaan brewery was voted the greatest in its style at the 2019 World Beer Awards. Beerwulf.com

Iceland: Reyka Vodka (40%, 70cl, £22 Tesco.com)
The top geysers turn up with this tasty volcanic vodka distilled using pure water that filters through 4,000-year-old lava rocks. And at 22 quid, the price is not be Björked at.

Ukraine: Dima's Vodka (40%, 70cl, £35 Dimasvodka.com)
A hat-trick of organic grains (Rye, wheat and barley) is used to make this velvet smooth vodka from Zhytomyr. Drink with a gherkin. Budmo!
https://dimas-vodka.myshopify.com/

Austria: Stiegl Grapefruit Radler (2%, 50cl, £1.83, www.beersofeurope.co.uk)
A quality ‘quencher’ from Austria, a naturally cloudy ‘shandy’ made with real grapefruit juice and Stiegl Goldbrau lager with an ABV of just 2%. ＥＵＲＯＢＯＯＺＥＲ Stiegl Beers of Europe

European Championships of Drink: Group B

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 01:00:00 +0100

Belgium: Duvel Belgian Golden Ale ((8.5%, 33cl, £2.00, tesco.com))

Denmark: Mikkeler Evergreen Session IPA (3.5%, 33cl, £2.50 from @MarksandSpencer @marksandspencerfoodpr )

Finland: Tom of Finland Vodka (40%, 75cl, £29.95 www.masterofmalt.com)

Russia: Moscow Mule made using Russian Standard Vodka (38%, 75cl, £16.95) whiskyexchange and Fever Tree Ginger Ale (20cl, £0.83 whiskyexchange.com).

Watch it here: https://youtu.be/VrHsn8CSAf4

European Championships of Drink: Group A

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 01:00:00 +0100

Italy: Giulio Cocchi Dopo Teatro Cocchi Vermouth can be found on The Whisky Exchange for £26.45 https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/25562/cocchi-dopo-teatro-vermouth-amaro

Wales: Clwb Tropica is available Waitrose & Partners for £2.00 https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/tiny-rebel-clwb-tropica-wales/481490-692393-692394

Switzerland: 1936 Biere is available from Beers of Europe for £2.03 https://www.beersofeurope.co.uk/beer/country/switzerland/1936-biere

Turkey: Efes is available Beers of Europe https://www.beersofeurope.co.uk/beer/country/turkey/efes-330ml

Watch it on youtube here: https://youtu.be/E8BCKHeYg6w

European Championships of Drink: Opening Ceremony

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 01:00:00 +0100

The European Football Championship 2020 has been postponed till next year.

But don't worry, we've decided to host the tournament ourselves - using drink instead of balls and tactics n'that.

Over the next few weeks, we'll be pitching the best drinks from each participating country.

There'll be loads of quality continental drinks to learn about, there'll be lazy national stereotypes, some knob gags and maybe some feeble wordplay if you're lucky.

Please join us in our selfless, unwavering quest to discover Europe's greatest drinking nation.

But before the first games on Friday, here's an "Opening Ceremony" in the shape of a poem we actually wrote.

You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/o2SxRLmBkls

Vodka Voyage

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 02:00:00 +0100

The chaps embark on an alcohol-soaked odyssey around the world of vodka - visiting Mafia bosses, Josef Stalin, irresponsible home economic teachers, kayaking grannies and little people jumping out of pies. And some monkeys. It's very 'crispitty'.

No Heroes Brewing https://noheroesbrewing.com/

Reyka, £29.75, The Whisky Exchange, https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/5140/reyka-vodka

Absolut Elyx £35.75, The Whisky Exchange, https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/24929/absolut-elyx

Beluga Noble Night, £36.95, The Whisky Exchange https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/49142/beluga-noble-night-vodka

Belvedere, £32.95, The Whisky Exchange, https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/search?q=belvedere

Zubrowka Bison Grass, £19.95, The Whisky Exchange, https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/5222/zubrowka-bisongrass-vodka-polmos

Luksosowa, £19.75, The Whisky Exchange, https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/47724/luksusowa-red-label-vodka

Ketel One, £25.75, The Whisky Exchange, https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/5113/ketel-one-vodka

Ciroc, £31.95, The Whisky Exchange, https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/5113/ketel-one-vodka

Chase, £31.95, The Whisky Exchange, https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/26972/chase-original-potato-vodka

Black Cow, £28.25, The Whisky Exchange, https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/21537/black-cow-vodka

Czech'dis

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 02:00:00 +0100

The reason that Czechs drink more beer per person than any other country in the world is because the country's beers are some of the best in the world - especially if you like lager. Proper lager. In fact, it's a Pivo paradise with a whole host of historic breweries and a thriving craft beer scene. While the beers are easy to drink, some of the names are very difficult to pronounce - as Ben and Tom demonstrate.
Beers that feature include:
Budweiser Budvar, £1.85 from Tesco
Pilsner Urquell, £2 from Asda
Bernard and Matuska brews can be bought here
The Czech & Slovak Bar can be found here
Kout Sumave website is here
Uneticky Pivovar is here
Next week, we'll be talking and tasting vodka including, amongst others, Reyka from Iceland, Absolut Elyx from Sweden and Zubrowka from Poland. All available from The Whisky Exchange

The Mark Watson episode

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 02:00:00 +0100

Lost & Grounded Kellar Pils (440ml), £2.50, Waitrose

Brazin Old Vine Zinfandel, Waitrose, £14.99

Journey’s End Sir Lowry Cabernet Sauvignon, Waitrose, £14.99

Altos Las Hormigas Malbec, Waitrose £14.99

Tapatio Tequilas, all available at The Whisky Exchange

For more about Mark head to https://www.markwatsonthecomedian.com/

Please leave a nice review, shout all about the podcast on social media, tell all your friends about it and, once you’ve done all that, watch our European Championship of Drink on our YouTube channel.

The Scotch Tapes

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 02:00:00 +0100

This week the chaps chat about single malt whisky, using the terrifically tasty Talisker range as their muse. Join them as they sip and reminisce over helicopter convoy adventures, blind-folded jeep driving, the movie Highlander and athletes who specialise in mind tricks.

Talisker 10-year-old, 18-year-old, Storm and Skye are all available at The Whiskey Exchange.

Next week they’ll be discussing, wine, beer and tequila with the hugely talented and award-winning comedian, author and all-round lovely chap, Mark Watson.

Please leave a nice review, shout all about the podcast on social media, tell all your friends about it and, once you’ve done all that, watch our European Championship of Drink on our YouTube channel.

Monky Business

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 02:00:00 +0100

You can buy Tynt Meadow for £3.75 from https://www.beerwulf.com or if they don’t have any then you can also get it at www.beersofeurope.co.uk.

As all profits go to good deeds, the more beers you buy – the better the world becomes.

Next week, the drinking duo set off for the Isle of Skye and the legendary Talisker Distillery. Get yourself the iconic 10 Year-old from www.whiskyexchange.com for £39.45. Feeling flush? Then also treat yourself to the Talisker 18 year-old, the Talisker Storm and Talisker Skye too – because the boys’ll be talking about them too.

Gin, Gin

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 02:00:00 +0100

To celebrate World Gin Day, the boys host a special on the spirit, covering gin’s epic history along with a collection of recommendations to try. Learn about the ori-gins (nice wordplay) of the phrase ‘Dutch courage’; the nasty stuff 17th century gin makers added to their spirit; juniper aphrodisiacs; and why plague doctors wore gimp masks.
There's also a bit of amateur art appreciation of Hogarth's Gin Lane

Despite their motto ‘drink less, drink better’, in this week’s show they tasted:

East London Liquor Company Gin

Fords

Eightlands Organic Gin

Herno

Monkey 47

Plymouth Navy Strength

Boatyard double Gin

Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz

Gin 209

Aviation

And for more on World Gin Day, follow #WorldGinDay or visit https://worldginday.com/

Next week, they’ll be back on the beer and getting down to some Monky business with Tynt Meadow, the only Trappist Beer in Britain – made by friars at the Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Leicestershire. Buy it from Beerwulf here for just £3.95 – all profits go to good deeds. So the more you drink, the better the world becomes.

Du Vin Intervention with Marcel Lucont

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 02:00:00 +0100

Bonjour la classe! This week, the discerning drinking duo sip sparkling wines and Gallic giggle juice with the effervescent and legendary Marcel Lucont, a French comedian, poet, philosopher, raconteur, flaneur, inexhaustible lover and renowned wine expert.

Amid erudite talk of women, Wetherspoons and where the British are going wrong, we host “The Battle of The Bubbles”, pitching the classic Taittinger Brut Reserve Champagne from La France against a “Blanc de Blancs” from Jenkyn Place in Hampshire.

Will the English lion triumph over the strutting French cock? Well, you’ll just to have an ‘ecoute’ and find out.

Jenkyn Place Blanc de Blancs, £38, is available from the Jenkyn Place shop direct while you can get Taittinger Brut Reserve NV for just £28.50 at Waitrose.

You can check out all Marcel Lucont’s tour dates, lockdown shows, bawdy chanson CDs, books, bookmarks and even his very own bespoke perfume “Insouciance” at marcellucont.com.

Next week, the boys will be back on the beers and spirits. Ben will be getting down to some Monky business with Tynt Meadow, the only Trappist Beer in Britain – made by friars at the Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Leicestershire. Buy it from Beerwulf here for just £3.95 – all profits go to good deeds. So the more you drink, the better the world becomes.

Tom, meanwhile, will be setting off to Skye to taste Talisker Storm, a non-age statement single malt whisky from one of Scotland’s finest distilleries, dating back to 1830. It’s currently on offer at Whisky Exchange for just £32.95.

Gino, oh Gino Negroni

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 02:00:00 +0100

Originally in the calendar for June, the official Negroni Week got shifted to September due to this flippin’ virus. But since none of us can get to a bar, Ben & Tom decided to give it a dose of love regardless. In this week’s extra pod then, learn more about the quality cocktail, its Italian provenance, dubious origins, and how to mix one. Then drink them all week. And again in September. Drink less, drink better though.

For a Negroni you’ll need...

Gin: Ben and Tom mention a strong punchy gin like Plymouth Navy Strength as mentioned in the Devon Pod, £39.75 at The Whisky Exchange

Or try Millers Westbourne Strength. Available for £34.95 at the The Whisky Exchange

Cocchi Vermouth di Torino is £19.95 at The Whisky Exchange

And the essential Campari, £17.25 at The Whisky Exchange

Arriba ándale Chico

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 28 May 2020 02:00:00 +0100

The chaps discuss Mexican wrestling and pollinating bats out of clocktowers while sipping the delicious Ocho tequila; and head to Californian college party town Chico to honour Ken Grossman, the brewer who changed the face of craft beer with Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is available for £1.80 in supermarkets including Waitrose.

Ocho Blanco Tequila is available from Whisky Exchange in 50cl bottles for £22.45.

Next week: Ben & Tom are joined by special guest, the Frenchman Marcel Lucont, a flâneur, raconteur and bon-viveur, expert in charming women and insulting the stupid, and wine connoisseur. Together they will be comparing English with French wines in the form of:

Jenkyn Place Blanc de Blancs, £38, from the Jenkyn Place shop direct.

And Taittinger Brut Reserve NV, £28.50 at Waitrose.

Big Apples and Danish pastries

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 21 May 2020 02:00:00 +0100

Ben & Tom enjoy some socially distant Hygge-ing while sipping on Danish craft beer To Øl Gose To Hollywood, and cock-tales cover some ‘Manhattan’s in Manhattan’ as they clumsily mix this classic whiskey aperitif using Woodford Reserve and Chazalettes Rosso vermouth.

To learn more about Chazalettes and the Clairin rum Tom mentions, subscribe to the Telegraph online for the spirits column.

“Gose To Hollywood” from the To Øl brewery in Denmark; £3.50 from Marks & Spencers (in store). Or £3.12 from www.eebria.com

Manhattan cocktail ingredients and tools all available at The Whisky Exchange

Woodford Kentucky Straight Bourbon, £32.95

Chazalettes Rosso della Regina Vermouth, £22.75

Angostura bitters £11.25

Maraschino cherries £8.95

Tools –cocktail glass, or coupe; mixing glass; a bar spoon; strainer; jigger; plenty of ice.

In next week’s show the tastings will include:

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale available at Tesco for £1.80 (or 4 for £6)

And Ocho Blanco Tequila, £22.45 (50cl bottle), at The Whisky Exchange

Liquid Low Down on the Low Countries

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 14 May 2020 02:00:00 +0100

Less messy than sacrificing a goat and easier to listen to than Heavy Metal played backwards, episode five of the pod brings you satanic worship from Belgium courtesy of Duvel, some Dutch herbal remedies with the low-calorie Ketel One Botanical Spirit from Schiedam and some unintentional yet repeated references to the war.

Ben’s ill-received article on the Pint Glass from the Guardian is here.

The Ketel One Botanical range, 30%abv and 70cl, is available from The Whiskey Exchange for £23.95.

Classic Duvel, 8.5%abv and 33cl, is available from all major supermarkets, including Sainsbury's, for around £2.

Duvel Triple Hop Citra, 9.5%abv and 33cl, is available from Tesco at £2.50.

Duvel Tulip Glass is available from Beer Ritz.

In next week’s pod, we will be tasting “Gose To Hollywood” from the To Øl brewery in Denmark, which is available at £3.50 from Marks & Spencers (in store) or £3.12 from Eebria.

And mixing a Manhattan cocktail, all ingredients and tools are available at The Whiskey Exchange...

Woodford Kentucky Straight Bourbon, £32.95

Chazalettes Rosso della Regina Vermouth, £22.75

Angostura bitters £11.25

Maraschino cherries £8.95

Tools –cocktail glass, or coupe; mixing glass; a bar spoon; strainer; jigger; plenty of ice.

Going Caracas in California

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 07 May 2020 02:00:00 +0100

Miss World, Mace attacks, Morphine and Microbreweries all feature in Episode 3 of “Around The World in 80 Drinks” as Tom and Ben hit the Lagunitas Brewery in Northern California before visiting Venezuela for turtle tales, fearless reporting from the Favelas and some delicious Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Rum.

You can buy Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Rum from The Whiskey Exchange

You can buy Lagunitas Brewing Company’s “Daytime Session IPA” and iconic “IPA” from ASDA

Next episode, we will be hitting Holland to taste all three of the Ketel One Botanicals before drinking the devilishly drinkable Duvel from Belgium – which is also available from ASDA, Waitrose, Sainsbury's and various online beer retailers.

Please do send any questions, pictures or generous offers of sponsorship to ben@thinkingdrinkers.com or tom@thinkingdrinkers.com – and follow us on Twitter @thinkingdrinks; Instagram @thinkingdrinkers and Facebook @thinkingdrinkers.

For those who asked who created our theme tune, it’s written and performed by Barnaby Green – available on Twitter and Instagram @barneymusician

“So You Want to Start A Brewery” by Tony Magee is available here

Please tell all your friend about the pod and please do leave a nice review if you can. It really helps.

Devon is a Place on Earth

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 02:00:00 +0100

In a bid to transport you from the confines of your isolation across the world, this week Ben and Tom visit, er, Devon. This beautiful county is home to some excellent beverages, so listen along as the chaps invite you to enjoy an unconventional tasting approach to the classic and proper Plymouth gin, a spirit dating back to 1793 no less. Before tucking into some lovely lager as they ignore a potential dystopia by drinking cutting-edge craft beer from the excellent Utopian Brewing.

Tom bought his Plymouth Gin from The Whisky Exchange, while Ben’s beers were ordered direct from the brewery at utopianbrewing.com.

Next week the Thinking Drinkers will be venturing further afield as Tom recommends the Venezuelan Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva rum and Ben heads to Northern California for some Lagunitas Daytime Session IPA.

Order both these drinks online:
Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva available here

Lagunitas Daytime Session IPA available here

Coronavirus Special - Mexico and China

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 02:00:00 +0100

In this first episode, Ben and Tom selflessly try some tenuously topical Covid-19 linked drinks, so you don’t have to. We consume one of our 5 a day by stuffing a lime into Mexico’s best-selling lagers, mix in a bit of Mexican brewing history and visit China – the birthplace of booze and home to Baijiu, an acutely artisan spirit sometimes drunk out of skulls.

Tom bought his Baijiu from the The Whisky Exchange while Corona and (the far superior) Negra Modelo are available online at Beers of Europe.

Next week, we’re going to take listeners to Devon and back by tasting Plymouth Gin (a proper legendary gin from the UK’s oldest continuously working distillery) and a small-batch British Unfiltered Lager from the excellent Utopian Brewery.

You can order both of these drinks online:
Plymouth Gin
British Unfiltered Lager

Trailer

Ben McFarland, Tom Sandham — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 06:00:00 +0100