Helen, the best scones I ever put in my mouth were warm from the oven in Blarney, Ireland! If we ever get back to that part of the country I'm gonna go get some more!
Helen, the best scones I ever put in my mouth were warm from the oven in Blarney, Ireland! If we ever get back to that part of the country I'm gonna go get some more!
I want to go on a trip to all the different countries to try their native foods like the scones and such. You are making me hungry and I just ate.
We have more an more imported chocolate (like Cadbury's) in the States these days. It is milkier and creamier than American Hershey's.
On the othr hand, the hamburger was definitely "different". Neither good or bad, just different.
JLT, did you know that McDonald's in the states got into trouble for frying their French fries in a fat that contained beef fat? It gave the fries a better flavor but got many religious groups and vegetarian organizations mad.
No, I am not aware of a fat controversy!
But, since the topic of McDonalds is up, the McDonalds in London serve exellent coffee latte. You will also find that they are a nice price refuge from the insanity of our food costs there. I can't say the burgers were better or worse, seemed the same the last time I went, but going back 20 years ago you could not find an American burger in London, now they are all over.
The meats are a little different. A guide told me it is because the cattle and hogs are more free range than in the US with less chemicals in them. I don't know if I buy that or not. I just thought it was mad cow disease
So what is the difference in the beer? I gather it is served warm. Is the alcohol content higher? Is it a darker ale? What else is different with it?
A subject I can discuss at length.
20 years ago, all the beer in UK was served at room temp. They have become quite Americanized, the beer has gotten colder, but not "down" to the US temp. If you order a lager, it will be cold, and it will be stronger than the typical US lager (ie Coors, Miller, Bud). Stella Artois is quite good. But it is not the wimpy lager we drink here.
Serious drinkers will have a Guinness "pulled" for them. Just pouring it takes time and is an art form. However, unless you are a hard core drinker, one or two a night will likely be sufficient.
When at the Pub, you order at the counter and they give the beer to you then, and bring any food you order to your table. Some use a system where they give you a number to put on your table so they can find you.
You should leave a tip on the table for your server.
Note however, that in some places tips are added to the tab (like on the RCCL ships!) so don't over tip by accident.
Cider is another thing for sale at the pub. I didn't care for it. It is essentially an alcoholic cider, I'm guessing made from apples.
I live off the pub food when in London. It can be quite good. Usually the menus are very limited however. Make sure you have some fish and chips if nothing else. It is still an island with fishermen and the fish tends to be much fresher than what ever fish and chips you have in the US from Long John Silvers or Dead Lobster (oops, sorry, Red Lobster)
Pubs are great places to meet people. Englanders love to talk, and in honesty I have found they love Americans (but are not fond of the current administration). Watch your politics VERY CAREFULLY. Subjects like the IRA, Ireland, religion will bring out strong beliefs. I doubt you are there to get into an argument. I have found that the average Brit knows a lot more about Americans than we do about them. They are also amoung the world's best educated and literate people so you may find yourself in an argument against some well informed!
But this was about beer? If you order a Budweiser, you might get a Czech beer with that original name, but American Bud is also coming on strong there (and that my friends is a shame).
Most of the pubs are either owned by major brewers or are affiliated (I forget which, I'm sorry, but I think the brewers are being forced to sell them?). So, the choices of beers is often dictated by who's pub you are in, it's not like in the US where everyone sells most of everything. But most have my Guinness.
Beer is sold generally in half pints and pints. Guys can handle pints readily; perhaps the ladies should go with half pints. Do the half if you are uncertain if you like what you are ordering.
Be ready for some adventures in pubs, especially in the rest rooms. Officially called "toilets" (yes, very direct). Often called "loos" (yeah, I don't know why). The brits will laugh if you call them bath rooms (you are not really going to take a bath in there). Some of the pubs are a million years old and the toilets reflect that. You may have to climb narrow dark stairs up or down to a basement. The men's rooms often have a urinal wall thing that I haven't seen in the US since the 60's. Just chalk it up to being part of the adventure. I took my son to London for his 16th birthday and he is still laughing 4 years later about some of the bath rooms.
Drinking ages: your kids can drink with you at a pub if they are 16. Otherwise it is 18.
Further,
yes, in general the beers are stronger
yes, in general they are darker (even the lagers)
it is richer, fuller....in comparison to traditional big name lagers (coors, etc); they beers are similar to the microbrews we have now and some of the more exotic stuff like Yuenglings
I agree about the toilets. They were placed in the most obscure corners, usually up or down a flight of stairs of two. No wonder that there are so many public pay toilets in London!
And when you go in, there is an attendent waiting for a tip for handing you a towel when you wash your hands. Some dole out the toilet paper! I thougnt that was rather odd.
TIP: Learn the words for Men and Women in the various languages... the doors don't always have the little pictures, and mistakes CAN be made.
(Trust me on this one.)
And sometimes the little pictures on the door can be misleading! My brother in law walked into the ladies room when we were in Croatia. They just had silhouettes of heads.
Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers
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Centrum Deck
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Cruise Places
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United Kingdom
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Things the average American takes for granted- but you can't in England
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