The Best Cigars

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Ulysses S. Grant is known as a president who had an exceptional combination of "character and policy."

General (and later president) Ulysses S. Grant fought and held command in numerous wars and battles over his career in the military. The zenith of his time in the forces was defeating the Confederate military and effectively ending the Civil war. We can only hope that after all of that, he got to enjoy one of those "best cigars" seemed to appreciate so much.

 
“There is one good thing about being the Commanding General, beyond the pageantry, the ridiculous vanity, something few of them would ever understand. You can get the best cigars.”
— General Ulysses S. Grant

One of the Greatest and Cheapest Enjoyments in Life

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Sigmund Freud pictured with one of the ever-present cigars he enjoyed regularly.

Freud, the famous psychoanalyst, postulator of the existence of libido; libido applies to A LOT of things: it's the energy with which mental process and structures are invested, so not just, you know, what you were thinking of).  He also developed the free association therapeutic technique (I'll say a word. You say whatever comes into your head.) and discovering transference (Stop reacting to me like I’m your mother! I’m not her!!!) and loads of other influential psychiatry as we know it today. Our point, Sigmund knew how to stay sane, take it easy and enjoy life.

 
“My boy! Smoking is one of the greatest and cheapest enjoyments in life, and if you decide in advance not to smoke, I can only feel sorry for you.”
— Sigmund Freud (to Harry his nephew after he'd declined a cigar from Uncle Freud)

Mark Twain

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Mark Twain was an avid smoker and master riverboat pilot among many other things.

Of course we all know the American author and humorist Mark Twain (that was his pen name btw...Samuel Langhorne Clemens was he legal name) for his novel "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and its sequel, "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". Twain himself was often called "the Great American Novel" but did you know he was also a successful public speaker, reporter and a master riverboat pilot? A true Renaissance man in every respect for his eclectic endeavors and life pursuits. Twain's clever witticisms and satire earned him the praise of critics and peers alike. What's more, he enjoyed friendships with presidents, artists, industrialists, and even European royalty. Being successful, popular and an avid smoker (Twain preferred a pipe) he was was bound to have a few quotable quotes for us and indeed he does. Here are few of our favorites.

 
“If smoking is not allowed in heaven, I shall not go.”
— Mark Twain
 
 
“It has always been my rule never to smoke when asleep, and never to refrain when awake.”
— Mark Twain
 
“Eating and sleeping are the only activities that should be allowed to interrupt a man’s enjoyment of his cigar.”
— Mark Twain
 
 
“I have made it a rule never to smoke more that one cigar at a time.”
— Mark Twain
 

Do your preferences in beverages change with the seasons?

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​A bit of a debate ensued when one of our esteemed wine peddlers wondered aloud if red wine drinkers gravitated more to whites when the weather warmed.  One opinion was that red wine drinkers are red wine drinkers, period.  Another thought that yes, warm weather spurred on the sauvignon blanc and pinot grigio drinkers....or was it just that these white wine lovers simply increased their consumption of white wines during warmer weather.  Hmmm....All we really know is that we think its just about time for some sunshine, blue skies, and climbing mercury.  

Did he really say that?

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"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."  Ben Franklin

While this quote is popular among beer lovers, we wondered if the quote is correctly attributed to the great Ben Franklin.  After a bit of research, we provide the actual quote.  


Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards, there it enters the roots of the vines, to be changed into wine, a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy.

While we don't doubt that Ben loved his beer, we think he might have enjoyed a glass of grape too.​​

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Beer, beer, and more beer.

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Not only are we anticipating the KBS release coming up next week but are also anticipating the following limited releases to arrive on Thursday.  

Lagunitas - Undercover Investigation Shut-down Ale.  Beeradvocate gives this show stopper a whopping 90 pts.  Very limited supply. 

Oddsides - Citra Pale Ale.  New to the D Schuler's line up is an outstanding ale from Oddsides in Grand Haven, MI.  This jewel finds itself somewhere between a pale ale and and IPA.  Light and crisp...just the way we like 'em.​  Very limited supply.

Heavy Seas - Barrel Aged Double IPA "Big Dipa".  We think the name says it all.  Get yours soon.  Extremely limited supply.​

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Beer Theory Thursday: Cliff Clavin

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"A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo, and when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members! In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, as we know, kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine! That's why you always feel smarter after a few beers."

 - Cliff Clavin

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