To beer or not to beer? That is the question, as the days become cooler and the sun loses its edge. M and I like our beer cold and the day hot. We're not fussy about the beer itself. It doesn't have to be a Corona with a slice of lime squeezed into the bottle. Or an import with a Germanic sounding name. No, cheap and Canadian will do for us, so long as it is cold and the day is hot.Once the sun sets on a hot summer day we switch to ciders or hard lemonade. Beer is heat quenching; cider is refreshing. Too light to beat the heat, cider comes into its own with orange-pink sunsets or warm starry nights.
Our summer camping drink is gin and tonic, courtesy of Ron and Jean. After our harrowing Merritt exit experience (see Missing Merritt, September 2009), we sat down to dust on our feet, sun on our heads and a gin and tonic in our hands. A simple pleasure of life, actually make it two. With camping, there's always time for another one.
Sangria is how we like our wine when the heat is on. Jean's speciality is a white peach sangria - best sipped slowly in her beautiful in-full-bloom backyard. Red sangria is a good accompaniment to summer salads and pizza.
As Fall quietly turns leaves yellow-gold and red, we bid farewell to beer and sangria. Cider may linger as an autumn drink but wine starts to come more into its own - a chilled white or a good red (good is qualified by price - anything under $10!). A glass of good red, sipped while I cook dinner, was one of my destressors after a busy day. But I have forgone that treat since New Year as part of my commitment to downsizing (see Bootylicious, September 2009).
When winter's in full swing, I enjoy my good red in a ceramic goblet. It's particularly enjoyable with the rain against the window and the fire warming the room. Before bed, M and I often enjoy a nightcap of a South African Ruby port or an Amarula cream (M's all-time favourite).
We have good memories of white wine with M's parents and Castle Lager beer shandies with mine on their stoeps in South Africa. Memories of Heineken along the Seine, pression in Provence and kir in Burgundy with M's aunt and uncle from Holland. We enjoy champagne and orange juice Christmas brunches, a glass of wine with Sunday dinner at Morrie and Em's, Em's Christmas treat of ice wine and, of course, champagne to ring in the New Year.
A lush, I am not. I have seen and experienced first-hand the ravages of alcohol on individuals and families. I treat alcohol the same way I swim in the ocean - with respect and caution, knowing its potential pitfalls. Yet, it can be enjoyed as much as a swim in the Indian Ocean.
Alcohol is not my friend, companion or confidante, for that I have real-life relationships. It is an accompaniment to my life.
