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How do you start drinking booze?

(39 posts) (21 voices)

Started 1 year ago by shitsu_tonka
Latest reply from Scroat

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shitsu_tonka

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Due to being ill I've been on meds since December 2006 and since then have not had a single drop of alcohol, not even some rum and raisin fudge.

I got better - hooray - and on Saturday won't be on meds any more and thus can get pissed for the first time in a very long time. But I can't remember what booze tastes like, and back in the day still drank like student and was all jack 'n'coke, Fosters Ice and the best wine was the cheapest for that very reason.

So, those of you who are boozy Biscuits, if you had to start over with alcohol where would you begin?

Posted 1 year ago #
thisisall1word

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Hooray! Congrats for joining the drink sodden masses once more - as a student I would drink anything... and while that's still true (up to a point) I would start with something *clean* like Gin and Tonic or Vodka and Tonic. That way you can mix drink yourself for strength/taste.

Maybe you should get a bit of practise in before heading to the Cheshire Cheese at some point too!

Posted 1 year ago #
Vertically Challenged Giant

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Start out with Special Brew and Tennents Super, then move on to drain cleaner as the night progresses.

Posted 1 year ago #
beau-jolly

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I feel a tad over-qualified to answer this.
I was going to quip "remove the cork" but then realised the seriousness of the question.
Despite wanting to say, "drink good quality wine" I have to agree with all1word here. Start with good gin (rather than gin flavoured spirit) and lots of tonic. Your tolerance will be so low that you will be a cheap date for a few months yet.

Oh and congrats on getting better.

Posted 1 year ago #
andhrimnir

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Gin is a really bad idea. If you don't believe me I'll show you my selection of disected brains from (dead) alcoholics categorised by favourite tipple. Gin will hurt your head.

If you must start with spirits then good (not cheap) vodka (yuk in my opinion) or single malts (start with the lowlands and work up the flavour complexity scale).

Real ale from an establishment with high turnover is good.

So to be on the safe side, a good quality wine. If you can't get down to BJ's then get down the supermarket and buy what ever is on offer at half price and still the best part of a tenner a bottle.

Ease yourself in gently. Intersperse with water. Take a pint of water to bed. You'll be on the wagon in no time.
Congrats!

Posted 1 year ago #
beau-jolly

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As someone who has recently stopped smoking and regrets having ever started 40 years ago, and also as someone who drinks far too much for their own good, why not be an interesting teetotaller?
Hang on, what am I saying! No, drink is good! ...in moderation. Its the in moderation bit I stuggle with. Really regret the 2nd bottle last night.
I think the concensus is quality over quantity. Savour a glass or two of something really good rather than damage yourself with some cheap shite.

Posted 1 year ago #
Scroat

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Good news Shits - glad you're better. I'd avoid spirits and start with a glass of white wine or a beer. That's just the one, as they say, not a bender. Either with a meal or with lots of water. As you're not used to it, red wine will be a bit heavy and spirits could creep up on you.

Of course it could be argued that as you've been dry for six years your liver is fairly healthy and it will take anything you throw at it. But it's not worth risking.

And do you remember how bad your first hangover was? Well you risk having this again if you overdo it. So take it gently. And a lot depends on who you go out drinking with. If they're seasoned drinkers (alcoholics) don't try to keep up with them!!!

Posted 1 year ago #
bonjonelson

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I'd start with the rum and raisin ice cream and see how that affects you. You can always dilute it with vanilla if it's too strong.

Posted 1 year ago #
Sinnick

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1) Glad you're better; I presume it's a diabetes thing (don't reply to that)

2) You don't have to start an expensive habit

3) If you do want to resume drinking, keep it social rather than a habit (being hypocritical here)

4) Shandy & weak beer/cider for starters. Get used to them before even contemplating a wee dram. And watch the driving - just a very small amount will affect your concentration at first

Posted 1 year ago #
cinquecento

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I had three years completely off alcohol from combination of living in a 'dry' country then getting a liver infection. I'd go along with Sinnick's advice. Shandy then beer is a gentle way back in (you'll really feel the effect of a pint) - but really there's no point trying to regain student-days levels of tolerance to abusing your body, it's better getting into good wine or whisky where you can savour each drop rather than hit the volume..

Posted 1 year ago #
Tomfinger

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Re Sinnick's no. 4. I'd advise practising getting pissed on a bus before getting behind the wheel and make sure your bottle's in a brown paper bag if you feel the need for a quick swig while stopped at lights.
Hope this helps.

Posted 1 year ago #
Golgo13

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You should start smoking as well while you're at it.

There's nothing like a pint and a tab!

Posted 1 year ago #
Midfield Diamond

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I'm glad andhrimnir clarified the fact that he/she only has the dissected brains of dead alcoholics - dissecting the brain of a living alcoholic would surely be a little risky.

In answer to the question where would I start if I were in shitsu's position, I'd have several relaxed pints of a good session real ale (ie no stronger than about 3.8%) in a pub with mates, and insist on drinking at my own pace.

Posted 1 year ago #
cinquecento

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as you will doubtless be lookinfg suspiciously svelte, also consider using one of these http://www.bellymake.com/ in order to relieve the peer pressure...

Posted 1 year ago #
Scroat

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Let us know how you get on.

Why not post something here when you get back on Saturday....

Posted 1 year ago #
fernandomando

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Go to Lidl and buy a cheap bottle of Sambuca. Down it.

Alternatively, Jagerbombs are number one in the US, and are widely available in most Wetherspoons.

Finally, I have noticed a disturbing lack of drunks in the new Kings Cross station. Perhaps go there, drink a bottle of whisky and growl at everyone?

Hope this helps.

Posted 1 year ago #
kimllfixit

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Cinquecento - that site is fantastic! Seems to be a place to buy giant silicone breast implants to wear on your belly. An extra 5% off when you buy two would make it cheaper for scrawny men to finally have moobs.

Posted 1 year ago #
cinquecento

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let them know I referred you, they'll knock 10% off

Posted 1 year ago #
thisisall1word

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After having skim read through The Wisdom of Crowds I think the best thing is not to pick one of the above but all of them at once. That way you get the best of all worlds.

@cinquecento - not sure what you did to annoy them but I just got charged an extra 10% on my implant. Still, it's seats on the tube from here on in. Huzzah!

Posted 1 year ago #
Quaz

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How to start drinking? Come visit me. To be serious, just dabble, but in quality. Don't mix wine on beer or whiskey. No more than 2 or 3 single malt with a splash. Instead there are now several low strength real ales with a good flavour, 2 or 3 pints will do a session, esp in halfs. A sure way to regret waking up alive is strong ale, merlot & cheap scotch . in combo.

Posted 1 year ago #
Quaz

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Oh, expensive brandy in a propper big, warm glass at a marble bar in Pragues best hotel.

Posted 1 year ago #
Gerontius

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Cider
Honestly, cider.
The real stuff...not the fizzy shite you get in bottles.
And not the rough stuff either....make sure it is filtered.
It has genuine health giving properites.
OK...so the downside is you lose all sense of time and motion...but it doesn't matter.
http://www.lymebaywinery.co.uk/
Beau-jolly probably sells it in his shop, it's not too far from his place (as the crow flies).

Posted 1 year ago #
writinginbsl

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start on small bottles, then work your way up to big bottles

Posted 1 year ago #
beau-jolly

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Gero: I do Bridge Farm Cider
Nigel is a lovely chap. Looks like a mad proffesor and makes pure cider with no nasties. I have to admit that for every bottle of his 5YO cider brandy I sell, I drink one myself.

Posted 1 year ago #
Gerontius

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I know it, just outside Crewkerne, excellent cider - and I'm pretty sure I've met Nigel (is Nigel the one who keeps his teeth in his pocket or is that his wife)
Crewkerne used to be one of my port's of call in my shop-keeping days. So I often called in for supplies.
I've not tried the cider brandy though.
It's good to see such dedication to one's profession. Unless you are familiar with the product, how can you pass on your expertise to the customer. If the rest of the UK workforce were that diligent we wouldn't be in the mess we are in.
It's about time I called on Nigel again.

Posted 1 year ago #
beau-jolly

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Not known him take his teath out. Nigel looks like a young Einstein (his wife is dour and Irish)

Posted 1 year ago #
Midfield Diamond

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Don't know Bridge Farm Cider, will have to investigate. But my local pub sells bottles of Orchard Pig (from West Bradley) which is very drinkable indeed. The 8% stuff tastes very similar to the 5% stuff though so care is needed if you don't want to temporarily lose the use of your legs.

Posted 1 year ago #
dvo4fun

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I appreciate the standpoint of many Biscuits (including m' goodself who has just downed his 3rd Large One of the evening - oh come on, it's past 5pm) but drinking alcohol is not actually compulsory.

Alcohol was my specialist subject, professionally, for some years and the main thing to remember is - however you dress it up - it's just a [behaviour-disinhibiting & depressant] drug, diluted in various guises to appeal to a variety of 'tastes'.

Me, I go for the spirits, purely on the basis that, at 40% a.b.v., I spend less time getting it into the system and less time expelling the medium in which it has been delivered.

Why not as has been hinted at go for the interesting abstainer motif?

Posted 1 year ago #
Gerontius

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Yes, beware. Keep away from the really strong stuff - there's no need for it and it's dangerous.
BTW Midfield....are you one of the Birmingham Diamond's by any chance?
I once had a tempestuous affair with a Double Diamond from the B'ham area.
Interesting abstainer...???
Like who???
Frank Skinner, Marcus Brigstock...I rest my case (Merlot)

Posted 1 year ago #
JohnA

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I enjoy alcohol but I drink rarely and in moderation. But I enjoy tea, Diet Coke and orange juice (not at the same time).

Answer is: drink a little, enjoy a lot. Drink a lot, enjoy little and die.

Posted 1 year ago #

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