Beer being 'sommerlied' in champagne flutes. If this isn't classy, we don't know what is. Credit to http://www.campaignasia.com

Now we don’t know about you, but all these years that we’ve fastidiously dedicated to the art and science of chugging beer paired with late suppers is finally coming into fruition. Rain or shine, we were out there, mugs in hand (notice we didn’t say ‘jugs in hand’ ), spicy buffalo wing in other hand, with our foam mustache as our only badge to identify our fierce commitment to the brew. Sometimes we even take home a scratch or two from the calculated stumbling that accompanies too many pints coupled with street lamps, drains, kerbs [insert your own street obstacle here] that weren’t supposed to be there in the first place [hic!].

But we digress – your question would be – “What is a beer sommer-what?!?!”. Anticipating that query, we’ve wiki-ed this to present you a crowd-sourced definition…. and turned up with zip, zilch, nada, zero. Now that’s not to say there isn’t such a term or profession because there are some self-proclaimed beer sommeliers as well as some award-winning (let’s see some proof, buster!) and attractive people writing books and making moolah from recommending beer and food professionally, not unlike wine pairing. Read one definition of what a beer sommelier is here.

We're not being sexist. Hallie Beaune & Christina Perozzi call themselves The Beer Chicks. Seriously. Credit www.thebeerchicks.com

So now how do we become bona fide beer sommeliers? Maybe a few more badges of honour and scratches are in order.But for now, our free consultancy for YOU our dear reader is:  ‘Try pairing a deep amber Belgium Lambic beer such as Lindemans Tea with a herb roasted lamb dish. The sweetness and slight tartness of this monastic brew will cut thru the richness of the lamb to expose the earthiness of the herbs in the meat.‘ Ahem. Now how’s that for a sommelier-sounding recommendation? Any restaurants out there wanna hire the 175Proofers?

Thanks to Geraldine Kan for pointing this articles to us!

‘Untappd is a new way to socially share the brew you’re currently enjoying, as well as where you’re enjoying it, with your friends! Curious what your friends are drinking or where they’re hanging out? Just check out their Untappd profile and comment on their share and find out! It’s a great way to spread your favorite brews and hang outs with your friends.

As you explore more brews and locations, you will uncover a variety of badges. Compete with your friends to see who can earn more!’Brilliant, you say! So do we. But why, we ask? They say: ‘You check-in to Foursquare, you update your status on Facebook, and you tweet about your Ham sandwich at lunch. Pretty much everything we do today, we share with the web through some sort of social network. At Untappd – we think its about time that we make drinking social.

By using Untappd – you will be opening your eyes to the world of beer and give yourself the chance try new brews at different locations. After all – the best suggestions are from your friends!’

Some noteworthy features include:

1. Twitter, foursquare and FB integration – so you’re not a social recluse when you drink a new beer.
2. Beer/Venue Discovery – Drink and share. You never know when you may need a following Untappd buddy to haul you home once he sees your ‘Rrrhelp! I’m drunk-blind n lift a need rrrhome!’ update.
3. Badges – collect cool badges ala foursquare style. Makes drinking even more purposeful. As if we needed one in the first place.
4. Make friends – more friends, more beer, more fun.

Try downloading this app at http://untappd.com give it a go. Look for 175proof and add us a fren!

Update 25 Nov: The good folks at Untappd corrected me that the app does not need downloading since its a mobile app. That makes it even easier to get on and share your drinking adventures! What are you waiting for?

Game Day will be available in two varieties – Light and Ice – and two package sizes – 24-ounce singles and a 12-pack of 12-ounce cans.

I wonder if these would make it to the Singapore 7-11s or anywhere else in Asia. Let us know if you come across these babies.

Glad to see one of our fave watering holes featured in a ‘Best’ ranking! Well done, Brewerkz! Love your Oktoberfest brew, BTW. Had 2 pints of it over the recent F1 Singapore weekend when we showed our Japanese bartender friend Yusuke Sato where to find the best microbrews in hot ol’ Singapore. Sato-san pulls pints at Shimbashi Dry-Dock, which serves craft beer. I think Sato-san likes Tiger Beer and Singapore.

Best beer places

inSing.com – Zaki – 1 day 15 hrs 40 mins ago

iStockphoto.com

The search for the best spots for beers in Singapore can be as unpredictable and daunting as the Singaporean weather — not every bar can deliver a perfectly pulled pint of lager or serve it ice cold for that matter. Too much or too little head (foam) can be a deal-breaker for most beer aficionados. From bars with the most beers on tap, brews with Asian twists to titillating tipples for the ladies, we’ve rounded up the best beer haunts for you.

Durty Nelly’s
The buzz: A popular joint for the financial types working around the Marina Bay area, this Irish pub, from the same people who brought us Muddy Murphy’s Irish Pub, boasts a spacious interior and a wide selection of Irish beers and single malt whiskeys. Resident band Nana & Friends plays a mean repertoire of rock and pop classics every Friday from 9pm.

Pints of pride: Durty Nelly’s has eight whopping choices of brews for you to choose from. Take your pick from Tiger Beer, Heineken, Old Speckled Hen, Guinness, Strongbow, Kilkenny and Erdinger

Brewerkz
The buzz: Since 1997, Singapore’s award-winning microbrewery restaurant Brewerkz has been doling out perfect pints of its delectable golden custom creations. Of all the pubs and restaurants here, Brewerkz comes closest to emulating the American dining experience — hearty servings of food, copious pints of fresh beer and a friendly atmosphere.

Pints of pride: This place has won accolades for its outstanding thirst-quenchers, all whipped up with love by brew master Scott Robertson, a former Canadian physicist. Its Indian Pale Ale, with its crisp flavours, may even convert non-beer drinkers. With 13 brews fresh on tap in addition to its offerings of bottled Belgian beers, there’s definitely one for every mood and moment. There’s also a beer just for charity. With every purchase of the Hope Beer — a nutty, bittersweet ale — $1 will be donated to cancer research.

Ice Cold Beer
The buzz: Situated in a conservation shophouse, this two-storey watering hole has custom made ice tanks just to serve you all sorts of reasonably-priced beers at just the right temperature — ice cold, just like its name. Other than its extensive selection of beers, its range of pub grub — like its crispy wings — are definitely must-haves when you’re downing a cold pint of Stella Artois. Ice Cold Beer’s bartenders have won numerous awards for pulling a perfect pint of the Belgian brew.

Pints of pride: Ice Cold Beer boasts a staggering list of 50 beers from all over the world: pilsners, ales, lagers, stouts, wheat beers — you name it, they’ve got it. Try Belgian stalwarts like Leffe Blonde and Chimay Blanche or French favourites Kronenburg 1664. Beer lovers should try to earn its Master of Beer Addiction (MBA) where if you consume all of its beers within a month, you’ll get a certificate and a case of your favourite beer.

Archipelago Craft Beer Hub
The buzz: The flagship outlet of Singapore’s very own craft beer makers, Archipelago Brewery Company (ABC Stout anyone?) has been brewing the golden stuff here since 1931. It was only in 2006 that they revived Archipelago’s tradition of handcrafted bespoke beers like the ones we’re drinking today. The beer hub is reminiscent of an English pub with a modern twist. Its location, in a Boat Quay shophouse, helps create a romantic aura of quaffing pints in a bygone era.

Pints of pride: Expect craft beers with an Asian twist — all dreamt up by brewmaster Fal Allen. Concoctions like traveler’s wheat, trader’s brown ale and straits pale are infused with spices such as assam and palm sugar. We recommend the refreshing and invigoratingly sweet and zesty Samui, infused with calamansi limes and pandan leaves.

Paulaner Brauhaus
The buzz: Soak up authentic German bier hall vibes at Singapore’s only German microbrewery and restaurant, Paulaner Brauhaus — the place for authentic German beers. With its unique three-storey glass enclosure showcasing microbrewery hardware coupled with the raucous atmosphere, it’s the perfect spot to clink steins of German beers with your pals after hours.

Pints of pride: With an in-house microbrewery, this place ensures your beer is always served fresh. Everything is done here, from milling, to brewing and fermenting, and Paulaner Brauhaus takes pride that the beers here are made according to the Purity Law that dates back to the 16th century. Noteworthy suds are the delectable bright golden brew with a light hops flavour that is the Munich lager, and Munich dark with its natural malt flavour. Every October (during Oktoberfest of course), its brewmaster will whip up its own Oktoberfestbier — a delectable heady brew of pale ale.

You know how anyone who’s into yoga tells you how much health benefits they’ve experienced blah blah blah and that you should really try it too? Well, now you can give it back to these stationary-stretching-exercise touts and boast to them YOU  too enjoy all the benefits of yoga PLUS the feeling of inebriation and taking a nap while at it. Why, you may even do it on the bus or train home from the pub. or AT the pub. Now how many yoga enthusiasts can boast THAT?

Good post by Ian On the Dot trackback

Beer Drinking Gives The Same Benefits As Yoga

Credit: http://ian.onthereddot.com/

Speaks for itself… wonder if Bud used this as a early 20th century advert.

Singha does a bar rating guide, partnering a travel guide. Interesting but not sure how sticky or useful this site is. Whats the objective? What do you think?

Seems like Lonely Planet is really trying hard to milk their brand…

Thanks to Allanjit Singh who shared this.