Bill Poster

Fermented beers, British Ales, Pilsners..its what makes you happy..I like them all, but on a scorching days like we've had in London this week, it can't get better than a good cold Pilsner can it? The Czech Pilsners are, for me the more interesting(fuller flavoured), though they can vary in quality from batch to batch. Polish Pilsners are also now popular in the UK

Hey Sheena, If you have'nt tried these Eastern European Pilsners.. My favorite Pilsner of all(and cheap to buy) is Radegast from czech. I prefer it to Urquel and Budvar. To me its a cross between budvar and Leffe. Delicious Or try Golden Pheasant(i think thats what it was called) from Slovakia. Make sure you get a fresh bottle tho. Billy

Tried making a pomegranite martini using 2 shotsstraight vodka 1 shot triple sec 2 fresh pom. juice half a lime shaken with crushed ice garnished with rose petals tasted ok.. but seems to be missing something.. needs to be really chilled

Went to Brugge;girlfriend thought i was being romantic- in the end i had sampled 15 different brews and i cannot remember all. My top five Leffe Westmalle tripel Zot Hendrik Brugge Tripel the last 3 fantastic local brews Orval, Palm, Duvel worth a mention of course

Starka has herbs(?)added but is'nt aged-Cracovia do an aged Vodka. To Vodka producers, aging Vodka may not seem so stoopid

I tried a cracker surrounded nut snack witha wasabi coating. The most addictive bar snacks. and makes you drink more beer

If British Ales are included, then Badger first gold and Burton Bridge tickle brain(trappist style) should be on the list..

These choices are for beers available in the US?

Where to get best prices on premium rums in London? I popped in to the Whiskey Exchange at Vinopolis( London Bridge) and their excellent range of rums are very reasonably priced. I think Santa Teresa was 26 quid!

Hendrick's gin is my favorite gin; but it can be accused of eing a gin for people who don't like gin.. Blackwood's Gin is also bloody good.

Anyone tried Bambu? Its a premium vodka-like white rum produced in Antigua; I would guess by Antigua distillery?

Have a look at Peter's rum pages

Babushka group in the UK do a huge amount of flavoured vodkas, all made on the premises. Some crazy flavours

A Bar I've been hearing much about and want to check out is Trailer Happiness in London's Notting Hill. This looks like a modern take on Tiki judging by the pictures. Run by Angus Winchester(well known mixologist), the selection of Rums is top draw, plus the bar runs a members Rum club where you are expected to try all the rums in order to become an honorary Tiki God(!) www.therumclub.com

Can you give us any names? Are they a mixture of styles and premium?

Mike, There is a vodka coming out soon (L. edition)which will reputedly cost 5 (five)grand a bottle. No I am not kidding. If you're lucky you might get to try it

Thank you very much. As you say, don't overdo the saffron. Easy to do! I will try gently heating a little vodka to infuse the Saffron more quickly before adding to a small bottle. I've got some Coupe saffron from spain... Only the best for your recipe!

Mmm.. Katie, you're just too ahead of the game. *Steals recipe for party next week*

No doubt we will have a saffron infused vodka next..

Omar, a bartender at Zigfrids in Hoxton London, gave me the basic recipe for an Apple Pie Martini. Has to be Bison grass vodka. It went something like this but you could experiment with sweet and sour mix 1.5 shots Zubowka Vodka 0.75 shots Goldschlager 2 shots freshly squeezed apple juice dash of cranberry juice Shaken with ice into chilled martini glass

No, I have'nt tried this either. Its the 'hip' vodka at the moment in London, i know. Distilled 5 times. You're going to tell me its really good! Hevelius is another must try vodka I have'nt tried. Its distilled 6 (SIX) times. I've been told its the real deal tho. Its only a matter of time before we see a vodka distilled 10 times!!

Following the Aged Gin thread I got interested in 'aged' vodka producers.. This stuff is distilled 10 times and aged in oak(dunno how long). Judging by various websites, people are saying this is THE premium vodka in the states. As i am from the UK I can't comment on that. I have tried Kauffman vintage vodka(very good but contrived brand) and obviously Grey Goose. How does Crater Lake compare with the top ultras?

More and more interested in this'aged' vodka thing. Vodkas were not popular in the States until a certain company called Smirnoff introduced Smirnoff Gold, i think in the 30s. This was a vodka aged ten years in oak barrels.

Googled aged vodka; Cracovia do one, as do a few other distilleries. It adds smoothness..apparently

I get the impression premium white rums, along with'premium' cachasas are the growth product at present. White spirits are the big seller(vodkas and Bacardi), so i guess its only natural this should happen. Rum brands are making more effort on the packaging too. I remember trying Don Q many years ago and thinking it was vodka. Would like to try some of the above mentioned white rums, along with Orinocco and yes, 10 cane just out of curiosity. Does anyone know of any more white rums due to be launched? I predict Cruzan may target Bacardi, now they are owned by Absolut.