Hooniverse Asks – What Beverage Goes Best With Car Talk?

I don’t always drink, but when I do, I prefer an ass-kicking brew.

While we were setting up to record the podcast (coming in two hours!), I noticed the sound of many a carbonated beverage being uncapped coming in over the headset. This prompted a long-ish discussion on what we were going to imbibe during the show, and there was a broad range of responses. That got me thinking – a multi-hour discussion on the sort of stuff near and dear to the heart of any Hoon just begs for a tall, cool glass of something refreshing. I know what my go-to beverages are, so what do you like to drink when shooting the breeze on a Hoon-worthy subject?

My choice of late is a beer, and let me tell ya, it’s no ordinary beer. I discovered Black Boss Porter while on the lookout for a nice 22oz bottle of something different, something interesting. The bold label and ABV caught my eye (it’s 9.5%!), but the price ($2.79 in my neck of the woods) and the Polish point of origin seemed to suggest it was going to be some artificially-colored malt liquor product that would have me going blind in less time it takes a new Maserati to depreciate by half. Let’s be honest; I’m a beer snob. Blame my Seattle comeuppance, but malt-flavored mouthwash wasn’t going to cut the mustard. The Boss proved my skepticism unfounded – it’s a big, tasty beer, hitting all the right notes for me. I was sold immediately (and this was only reinforced later that night when I found out it pairs very nicely with a shot of Jack). Before I knew it, I was spouting off about cramming a Mercury two-stroke V8 from an outboard into an unsuspecting H-mod racer and how I felt that Chevy Citations were too bad even for LeMons. This was some high-octane brain fuel for the manic automotive set.
Which isn’t to say your preferred beverage needs to have enough ethanol in it to pickle a mule. For working on cars, my strong preference is for insanely strong coffee, straight up. No cream, no sugar. Maybe a little brake fluid, but that would be unintentional (and delicious!). It’s been pretty cold around here lately, and when it’s 29 degrees out and you realize the Peugeot 504 diesel’s battery is an ice-cold mass that’s gotta weigh 59 lbs at least, you need something warm that’ll kick your ass into gear.
So I’ll open it up to you folks – whether it’s leaning over the fence admiring your neighbor’s wife tri-5 gasser, or settling in with a nice vat of brefass scotch to read the latest Hooniverse offerings – what’s your beverage of choice?
Lead image source: Flickr

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The maximum upload file size: 64 MB. You can upload: image, audio, video. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop files here

  1. SSurfer321 Avatar
    SSurfer321

    This is like picking a favorite car. Too broad of a question. So what's in my liquor cabinet/fridge:
    Dogfish Head Chicory Stout
    Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale
    Dogfish Head Palo Santo
    Sam Adams Chocolate Stout
    friends home brewed Holiday Ale (bottle aging for 2 more weeks)
    Glenlivet 15yr French Oak Reserve single malt scotch
    Crown Royal whiskey
    Evan Williams single barrel bourbon
    Buffalo Trace bourbon (unopened)
    Jack Daniel's Single Barrel*
    *Mrs. SSurfer321 utilizes for her Hot Totties as my delicate palate I can't stomach JD.

    1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      Some brews to expand on… Anything from Stone, Alesmith, The Bruery, Port Brewing, and a few bottles of anything from Russian River

      1. SSurfer321 Avatar
        SSurfer321

        Stone makes some great stuff. I can't find Russian River in my neck of the woods. I'll look into the others. Also look into Belles out of Grand Rapids, MI. They brew some good stuff.

        1. Mr_Biggles Avatar
          Mr_Biggles

          For simply the best name on a very tasty beer, I enjoyed a bottle of Fatty Boombalatty last July when I was in Milwaukee on a business trip.

        2. engineerd Avatar

          Mmmm…Bell's.
          My New Years resolution last year was to only drink Michigan beers when possible. I succeeded pretty well, and found a bunch of delicious brew along the way. Pretty much anything from Bells, Founders, Shorts, Atwater and many others are going to be a winner. Most of these guys provide a wide variety of beer styles, too.
          Disclaimer: I don't own any of the breweries. I only dream of owning one.

          1. Lex Avatar
            Lex

            You should take a weekend trip to Kalamazoo in the summer. The Bell's brewery is a sweet joint (and i imagine they still serve non-bottled varieties)…even if it isn't where the production brewing gets done these days. A good band in the beer garden is hard to beat.
            And Kraftbrau is right across the street. Much smaller and specializing in German styles.

    2. humblejanitor Avatar
      humblejanitor

      Wow. I see more fellow beer lovers. I frequent BeerAdvocate and often review a ton of beers each year.
      Did ya all know that Jonny Lieberman is an accomplished homebrewer as well?
      Beer and cars seem to mix very well (Not literally!).

      1. alewifecove Avatar
        alewifecove

        Three Cheers For Jonny from another home brewer.
        I will take what ever I have on tap. Lately it's been Old Anthony Brown Ale.
        A good cappuccino always works as well…

  2. muthalovin Avatar

    Right now? Brefass scotch.

  3. tonyola Avatar
    tonyola

    I haven't really touched any alcohol in nearly 20 years other than a few sips of wine, but Guinness Stout would probably be my poison of choice.

    1. Alex Kierstein Avatar
      Alex Kierstein

      You have a softdrink preference? I discovered Bundaberg ginger beer not that long ago, and man is that stuff addictive. I think that is probably my go-to non-alcoholic drink. So good.

      1. tonyola Avatar
        tonyola

        To me, ginger beer is one of those things that tastes great at first, but the further you go, the worse it gets. I've tried several different brands and it's hard to get through a whole can. If I have a single favorite soft drink, it's probably Canada Dry cranberry ginger ale.

      2. dr zero Avatar
        dr zero

        I love Bundaberg ginger beer as well. Down here it's easy to get, being in every supermarket, but I didn't realise that it was available in the US.

        1. Alex Kierstein Avatar
          Alex Kierstein

          You can't get it everywhere, unfortunately, but it's pretty common in San Francisco and it's the basis of a few bar's Dark n' Stormys down there. I assume one of the larger specialty grocers carries it up here in Seattle. Elsewhere, who knows.

      3. theTokenGreek Avatar
        theTokenGreek

        ginger beer is amazing! I'm a Barritt's man myself, but it's incredibly difficult to find now that Gosling's makes and distributes its own version. I assume you ginger beer afficionados are familiar with Dark'n'Stormys?

      4. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
        Peter Tanshanomi

        Agreed! I used to be a Vernor's man, but Bundaberg is to Vernors as Boulevard Dry Stout is to Miller Light.

  4. M44Power Avatar
    M44Power

    Anything from Dogfish Head, Stone, Duck-Rabbit, or a lovely area of Kentucky.

  5. Syrax Avatar
    Syrax

    <img src="http://southamericansupermarket.com/images/guarana_antarctica_1.jpg"/&gt;
    Guaraná of course. You need the endurance to sustain a three hour long screaming Porsche vs. Ferrari/ Camaro vs. Mustang argument.

  6. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
    Peter Tanshanomi

    Being of the non-leaded persuasion, this is what got me through the first Hoonicast.
    <img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Z64R0GM8L.jpg&quot; width="360">

  7. scroggzilla Avatar
    scroggzilla

    Depends on the setting. In general, I prefer beer…delicious, delicious beer. As my reduced circumstances have curbed my ability to seek out tasty microbrews (Doghead, Magic Hat and Abita are some of my favorites), I'm lucky in that I can fall back on a tasty, but inexpensive pint of Yuengling lager.

    1. Alff Avatar
      Alff

      You are fortunate – I had to load the trunk with Yuengling the last time I was in PA.

    2. SSurfer321 Avatar
      SSurfer321

      Is sad Yuengling doesn't distribute west of PA 🙁
      Is hopeful the Yuengling acquisition in Memphis, TN goes through and distribution grows so I may purchase their fine product.

    3. Alex Kierstein Avatar
      Alex Kierstein

      I've always wanted to try a Yuengling – all my Wrong Coast friends tell me it's very good. I'll have to have someone smuggle one back west for me.

      1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
        Jeff Glucker

        It's good… When I visit my buddy in NJ I always grab some…

      2. engineerd Avatar

        It's all over Florida since they have a brewery and bottling plant in Tampa. It's not bad, and for a more "mainstream" beer is pretty darn good.

        1. Alex Kierstein Avatar
          Alex Kierstein

          I feel that way about Boston Lager. I'd always assumed it was basically a Budweiser with a vintage marketing spin. It's actually got a surprisingly robust flavor for such an easy-drinking beer. It's my go-to beer now when I want something basic at a bar because even here in Seattle it's pretty common.

          1. Alff Avatar
            Alff

            You've just described my attitude toward Boulevard Pilsener.

          2. Alex Kierstein Avatar
            Alex Kierstein

            Boulevard is good! Another solid all-around decent beer.

          3. Alff Avatar
            Alff

            I was just sharing the Hoons' collective appreciation of barley pops with my beloved, who is still frustrated that I didn't give her the traditional 12-pack of SnowCap for Christmas. I assume that's a pretty common sight in your neck of the woods this time of year, but must be special ordered through a cooperative proprietor here in K.C.

          4. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
            Peter Tanshanomi

            Back when I did imbibe (thankfully a time long past), my favorite was Cooper's Big Barrel, a great auzzie lager that is long gone now. Despite coming in "quantity over quality" 24-oz cans, it was actually was rather complex.
            <img src="http://i.ebayimg.com/01/%21B0nfwMQCGk%7E$%28KGrHqR,%21hIEw5JsEZO7BMbD7ivd%29w%7E%7E_3.JPG&quot; height="400">

      3. Ryans92L Avatar
        Ryans92L

        I live 10 minutes from the Main factory, lets talk about advertising over-saturation, you cant go 10 feet without seeing something Yuengling.

  8. Mr_Biggles Avatar
    Mr_Biggles

    For listening to the Hoonicast, I wisely use my work time so I default to coffee from the machine in the lunch room. It gets bonus points for making individual cups fresh ground from the giant bean hopper on top. However the taste is a bit of a letdown since one would expect better from fresh ground.
    For swappin' lies elsewhere I would have to go with Creemore Springs, on tap if available, bottle-fed if not.
    Once I actually get to working on the car, Steam Whistle tastes pretty good when it's 30+ (Canadian) degrees out and your forehead is bleeding from impact on the hood edge or exhaust hanger.

  9. Alff Avatar
    Alff

    Brawndo, The Thirst Mutilator – it's got what Hoons crave.

    1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
      Peter Tanshanomi

      Rondo – "lightly carbonated so you can slam it down fast."
      [For those dictatorial types who don't like to care around and have extended discussions.]
      <img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b7/Rondo_Soda.jpg"&gt;

      1. dr zero Avatar
        dr zero

        That looks and sounds remarkably similar to Solo – which is "light on the fizz, so you can slam it down fast".
        <img src="http://www.schweppesaustralia.com.au/getattachment/6fb32db8-32c4-4238-a10a-9fb4a195219f/SOLO-Original.aspx"&gt;

  10. RichardKopf Avatar
    RichardKopf

    Usually iced tea. Also, on an unrelated note, I think I need to enter a Citation in a Le Mons race.

  11. Maymar Avatar
    Maymar

    As far as coffee goes, I've got this in the cupboard right now, and it's a pretty decent motivator.
    <img src="http://www.kickinghorsecoffee.com/story/blends/images/454_bag.png&quot; /img>
    On the beer side of things, there's a matter of where this car talk is happening. If it's at a bar or restaurant, usually the best I can hope for is Rickards White or Sleeman Draught. Around home, it'll be whatever I tried on a whim (right now the one that probably best fits that bill is either Goose Island's Mild Winter, or the Innis & Gunn my parents got me for Christmas).

    1. Mr_Biggles Avatar
      Mr_Biggles

      The Innis & Gunn is pretty tasty stuff. Pricey, but tasty, makes an excellent gift to receive.

    2. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
      Peter Tanshanomi

      Of course, if you're discussing JDM cars…
      <img src="http://bridgetownblog.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/coffee-boss.jpg"&gt;

      1. Maymar Avatar
        Maymar

        That is superbly fantastic.

      2. Alex Kierstein Avatar
        Alex Kierstein

        BOSS! My buddy Kent introduced me to this stuff in San Francisco's Japantown. Amazing stuff. And the artwork on the car. Incredible.

    1. Raze1138 Avatar
      Raze1138

      I would hope it's better than Neustadt 10W30. Had 10W30 once as a joke, never have since. Then again, I'm not one for darker beers.

    2. Lex Avatar
      Lex

      I'll have to seek that one out. I've had their Bitter and Twisted and can only rave about it. (I'll admit to much preferring the work of small, British breweries to their American counterparts.)

    3. mdharrell Avatar

      I brought a few bottles of this to the 2010 Concours d'LeMons Box Wine Country Classic. It's a pretty good ale and worked well enough as a bribe that the MG took home a trophy, so what more could one ask? Appearances aside, however, it is NOT successfully interchangeable with actual old engine oil; I've tasted both.

  12. engineerd Avatar

    Yesterday I was the market taking advantage of the fact I can now buy alcohol before noon on Sundays. Really, that may be the high point of last 8 years. But I digress.
    This market tends to carry a limited but diverse selection of microbrews from Michigan and even a few from outside our heavily fortified borders (isn't that the reason nobody is moving here?). I picked up a sixer of Shorts Cup a Joe Coffee Cream Stout. I have not had one yet, but I expect it to be delicious. And now with the 2nd podcast out, I believe I will sip on one while enjoying the dulcet tones of our fearless editors conversing on all things obscure and bizarre.

    1. Alex Kierstein Avatar
      Alex Kierstein

      That sounds delicious. Give us a full report from the floor of your living room in an alcohol-induced stupor.

    2. muthalovin Avatar

      Man, I hatehatehate the liquor laws in this great state (and county). Every liquor store is closed on Sunday. You cannot buy hard alcohol on Sunday. You cannot buy beers and wines before noon on Sunday. Buy me some beers next Sunday morning, for spite.

      1. engineerd Avatar

        The law just went into effect, and its only at markets that paid the extra $150 for the permit to do so. The cashier said she sold the first wine before noon for that market at 10am. I was just happy Prohibition ended.

      2. Jim Brennan Avatar
        Jim Brennan

        Try living in Connecticut. No Beer, Wine, or Liquor on Sunday, and every Package Store and Supermarket can't sell Wine, Beer, or Liquor after 9:00 PM (or before 8:00 AM)……
        There is a push to eliminate the Blue Laws here as far as alcohol sales. It wasn't that long ago that Package Stores had to colse at 8:00 PM.
        Did you know that almost a decade ago you could not buy a Car from a Dealership on Sundays?

        1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
          Peter Tanshanomi

          Actually, that is still true in Missouri. You can't buy any titled vehicle on Sunday, including dirt bikes and ATVs.

        2. muthalovin Avatar

          The dealerships in most of New Mexico remain closed on Sunday. I went to a dealer in El Paso once, and told them that dealerships in NM were closed, and they looked at me as though I had just told them the sky is green.

        3. Ryans92L Avatar
          Ryans92L

          At least you can buy hard liquor for home consumption from someone other than the state you live in…

    3. Charles_Barrett Avatar
      Charles_Barrett

      Arizona just got rid of the prohibition on buying beer, wine, and spirits before 10am on Sundays, as of August 1st, 2010. Talk about putting a crimp in the weekend family grocery shopping…! Now we can go grocery shopping after breakfast on Sunday without having to kill time beforehand.

    4. Mechanically Inept Avatar
      Mechanically Inept

      As soon as I'm 19, in a little over a month, I plan to take advantage of my US passport and Michigan residence to hop over to Canada and buy alcohol, period. I don't know if you're allowed to even transport it in the US if under 21, though, and a car full of 19 year olds with a trunk full of beer would be an MIP waiting to happen.

  13. Jeff Glucker Avatar
    Jeff Glucker

    One brew that I miss from the East Coast… Newport Storm.

  14. BGW Avatar
    BGW

    I tend towards big American-style IPAs (or Double/Imperial IPAs if I don't have to be conscious much longer). Bell's Two-Hearted and Hopslam, Stone Ruination, Avery DuganA and Maharaja, Harpoon Leviathan….these are a few of my favorite things.
    Also, if any of you Chicagoland types care to raid the Three Floyds brewery and send me about 5489 cases of Dreadnaught, Alpha King and/or Gumballhead, I'll gladly pay you Tuesday.

    1. SSurfer321 Avatar
      SSurfer321

      what's the metric equivalent to 5489 cases?

      1. Alex Kierstein Avatar
        Alex Kierstein

        14,967 Poutine Volume Units.

      2. BGW Avatar
        BGW

        1 Shit-ton. Or Shit-tonne, if you're so inclined.

      3. Alff Avatar
        Alff

        one gigalitre

  15. bzr Avatar

    Despite what some on Twitter will tell you, I do prefer scotch. I'm trying to cut back on beer now. And yes, I do like amaretto sours. Flame away!

    1. engineerd Avatar

      OK, that's really cool. I may need to hunt some down when I'm in England next time.

      1. thomasmac Avatar
        thomasmac

        Ive gotten the Lancaster (the spitfire one was there as well) one here in Ontario, so it may be available in your neck of the woods as well. It was quite tasty indeed, I will be grabbing a few of each next time I see them because of this posting and because of my love of all things powered by the almighty Merlin.

    2. Jim Brennan Avatar
      Jim Brennan

      What else do you expect. You are George Takei.

    3. Alex Kierstein Avatar
      Alex Kierstein

      Best advertising for a British beer ever.

  16. muthalovin Avatar

    Now, if we are talking Car Talk, that little radio show on Saturday mornings after cartoons, well, the drink is coffee. Black and bitter. Like my heart.

    1. engineerd Avatar

      I like my coffee like I like my women: black and strong.

      1. muthalovin Avatar

        I am so glad you don't like your coffee ground up and in the freezer.

        1. Alex Kierstein Avatar
          Alex Kierstein

          I almost choked to death with mirth. Bravo.

        2. RahRahRecords Avatar
          RahRahRecords

          or tied in a sack and thrown over a donkey.

  17. retro Avatar
    retro

    You are all lightweights.
    I drink petrol.

  18. Ryans92L Avatar
    Ryans92L

    Talking cars it depends on where I am at… Hanging with my dad its a Coors Light (the beer of 50 something white men everywhere)
    also its coors light at the racetrack because you need stay focused and not drunk…
    when I am working on a car though it is exclusively Lemon-Lime Gatorade!
    <img src="http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/brandnewday/archives/blog%20gatorade%20bottle.jpg&quot; width=500/>

    1. thomasmac Avatar
      thomasmac

      Thats my favourite beverage the morning after drinking my preferred alcoholic beverage all night. Assuming of course I was smart enough to think ahead and buy it before the alcohol hits the bloodstream

  19. RichardKopf Avatar
    RichardKopf

    When I don't drink iced tea, I drink Radeberger. Forgot about that.

  20. eggwich Avatar
    eggwich

    I enjoy many drinks. I like drinking them, handling them haphazardly, super hot drinks paired with super cold drinks for increased heart strain, and big, giant glass of icy water drinks. More specifically:
    Racer 5 IPA. I assumed I just liked it cuz I like the word Racer, same way I like Marlboros possibly cuz I think I'm all western, but it turns out it's actually a delicious beer.
    Cheap beer. I like cheap beer. I could drink Coors Light all day without pissing.
    Orange juice. It's super delicious.
    Apple juice. Also delicious.
    Lemonade. It's, how do you say, delicious.
    Also, I drink liquor maybe three times a year. Jamesons, Bushmills, or Maker's Mark, in that order of preference.

  21. ptschett Avatar
    ptschett

    I like something from Leinenkugel or New Belgium (especially the darker stuff) if I feel like splurging; otherwise I happily settle for Michelob Amber Bock or even a Miller Lite once in a while.
    If I'm going to be out in the garage working for a while, though, I'll stick with water or Coke Zero. Especially if there's a test drive in the plans. I have bad enough judgement as it is, even without alcohol.