Whenever I see or hear the word “Lightweight”, the first thing that comes to mind is the legendary bodybuilder Ronnie Coleman. The 8 time Mr. Olympia, Ronnie Coleman has some very famous quotes like “Lightweight Baby”, “Yeah buddy” and “Ain’t nothing but a peanut”.  Watch his famous quotes here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssA4Pht5Moc

Being a bodybuilder myself, I frequently use these quotes in the gym and whenever I do my high intensity interval training. It kinda motivates me to squat heavier and sprint faster. But how could “Lightweight” be so related to drinking? Many might be left wondering but here’s a story…

I visited Ales & Lagers in November 2013 with great expectations but I was disappointed because apart from the Pannepot and Black Albert, they had nothing but “Lightweight” beers like the Revelation Cat California Moonset, Magic Hat HIPA and Brewdog Dead Pony Club. My definition of “Lightweight” is anything below DIPA or some say Double IPA or Imperial IPA.

"Lightweight" Beer

Not "Lightweight" Beer

During my visit on Sunday, 10^th November 2013, I had 15 bottles of beer just for myself.  That’s how “Lightweight” it was.  I left the shop half sober even after paying my bills of over RM400.  Perhaps, a few sips of –ve ABV beer could’ve made me sober.  But I didn’t stop there.  I didn’t give up.  Being a dedicated drinker, as much as a dedicated deadlifter, myself and some other members of the notorious Whatsapp group, The Drunk Philosophy, continued pestering the founder and owner of Ales & Lagers to bring in more choices of not “Lightweight” beers. Days after days, weeks after weeks and the time came.

On the tenth day of year 2014, I made another visit to Ales & Lagers. I was there early and I wasted some data sending Whatsapp messages for the door to be opened.  I kicked off with a bottle of Brewdog Libertine Black Ale with a few pieces of good ol’ Texas fried chicken.  It was good but “Lightweight”. Moving forward, I had the Nogne Two Captains, Nogne Sunturnbrew, Eviltwin Lil’ B, a few sips of Brewdog Fake Lager, Eviltwin Lowlife, Eviltwin Yin & Yang and Brewdog Christmas Paradox 2012.

"Heavyassweight" Beer

Because Lil’ A Was Missing

Guess what?!  It was “Lightweight” in the beginning but I was drunk by the eighteenth hour of the day. I couldn’t finish the Bah Kut Teh I had at Yeoh’s and when I got back to the bottle shop, I was sipping water while waiting for a friend to continue the race.  I had the baton passed on and it wasn’t really “Lightweight” after all.

For the first time, in the craft beer history of Malaysia, Ales & Lagers have the best selections of not “Lightweight” beers.  I went back two days later and had more of these not “Lightweight” beers.   They have brought joy and satisfaction to my heart and they have pushed my limits and dedication in my drinking career.  With great dedication, one day, all of us can shout “Lightweight!” while we raise our drinking glass.  If I was Ronnie Coleman, I would say, “Everybody wants to be a drinker, but don’t nobody want to drink no heavyassweight beer!”

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Tuak is a locally fermented drink made with glutinous rice, yeast, sugar and water. Is actually quite similar with beer but without the hops. Is a tradition for Dayak to brew this drink and a celebration drink during gawai.

Agustus Sapen give me this bottle to taste. The last time I have one of this was in Sandakan, that was many years back.

Nose:
Can find the fume of light alcohol with rice aroma. Can find sweetness on the note.

Taste:
The tuak give a sweet entry from rice to light fruity flavour with alcohol fume following. No carbonation making easy to drink but sharp in alcohol. Can feel a light heat on the throat. It does end with some sour note. Rice flavour can be found. Is nice to drink it chill, as it hide the alcohol flavour, which can be quite strong as it turn warm.

Verdict:
Is like drinking soju but with more flavour. Pairing with food will not be that hard but not drinking in big amount. The flavour is good to mix with cocktail. The sweet and fruity note can be enhance with different syrups to make a nice cocktails. With hint of mint and herbs, the Tuak can be enhance.

This is a very potential fermented drink if fermented correctly or add on a few more ingredients to enhance the taste and flavour. Need a few more passionated people to explore and experiment to bring it up a few more level.

For more information you can check out www.spiritsoftheharvest.com.

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Throughout history, legends have risen, birthing stories and codes that withstand the test of time; gripping at the hearts and minds of all who encounter them. The legendary cognac Hennessy V.S.O.P. is one that has retained a tangible essence till this day – the exact same spirit blended by James Hennessy for King George the IV in the year 1817, which has taken on various forms and manifestations through the ages. This legend is now manifesting in avant-garde fashion like never before. Meet a legend, feel its power, and create your own codes with Hennessy V.S.O.P. Kyrios – the 3rd addition to the Hennessy V.S.O.P. Privilege Collection.

Kyrios, or Guardian of the Codes in Greek, is key to the codes of the legendary world of Hennessy V.S.O.P. – sentinel to the Very Superior Old Pale that has not only remained unadulterated through the ages, but has become the world’s most loved cognac today. Discover the meaning of these codes which make Hennessy V.S.O.P. the legend it is, and appreciate their stories.

The Codes of Hennessy V.S.O.P.

The Grapes
The grapes are the symbol of the vineyards. They refer to the grandeur of the House of Hennessy and the nobility of the product. They also refer to the ancestral savoir-faire, to the elaborate craftsmanship, and to the extreme care that is conferred to the creation of a high-quality product.

The “Bras Arme”
The emblematic “bras armé” reflects the long history of Hennessy. It has been part of the Hennessy seal for more than 2 centuries. Now engraved in the glass, it emphasizes the constant search of quality. This symbol of ambition adds more “substance” to the charisma by setting the spirit of conquest.

“1817”
1817 is the date when the legend of Hennessy V.S.O.P began. On October 7th, 1817, the future King George IV of England asked the House of Hennessy to supply him with a special cognac. A blending that is described in the records with the words “Very Superior Old Pale”. This pale-coloured cognac, was the kind preferred at the time by the English, who were known for their appreciation of high-quality eaux de vie that age well while keeping a light robe. The prince’s request was precise. This cognac was supposed to be developed with a finely balanced structure. But for James Hennessy, who received the order, nothing was impossible.

The Copper Colour
The new colours of this collector are meant to pay tribute to the heritage of Hennessy V.S.O.P. They add more elegance and style to the carafe. The copper colour is a reminder of the pot stills. This deep tint evokes centuries of distillation. As for the startling carbon-grey colour, it holds two dimensions. A technical one, currently used in the automobile industry, mostly for fast concept cars. It also expresses an artistic dimension: Carbon was the canvas on which Chris Bangle used to express his art.

The New Silhouette
Today’s new silhouette, a reinterpretation of the original iconic V.S.O.P bottle from 1954, has been recently designed by the automobile designer Chris Bangle. First, he slightly accentuated the curves on the sides of the carafe, reinforcing its silhouette’s dynamics, then he lengthened its neck and straightened its shoulders, stretching it vertically. Chris Bangle has also chosen to confirm this upward movement with an enriched base resem- bling a pedestal to distinguish the whole with a certain opulence while maintaining its stability. With a carefully designed optical effect, the front of the carafe evokes a pyramid perspective, discrete but structured, suggesting an upward vanishing point as if a vertical thrust is about to raise it toward the heavens.

KYRIOS

Kyrios is the first stunning variation of the new Hennessy V.S.O.P. carafe, brainchild of automobile designer Chris Bangle, which was launched worldwide in 2012. Kyrios joins the Hennessy V.S.O.P. Privilege Collection this 2013 as an epitomization of a true collector’s bottle, and the drink of choice for the classy and discerning. Taking design cues from the Codes of Hennessy V.S.O.P., Kyrios isn’t merely a bottle that makes a statement. It is also an innovation of a legend, forged with class, exclusivity and desirability in mind.

A matte carbon gray mantle envelopes its new silhouette, giving the Kyrios a quiet, stop-and-stare invoking brilliance – a bonus for those who are unafraid to make a statement on any drinking occasion. Copper grapes decorate the bottle as a reminder of the ancestral savoir-faire and elaborate craftsmanship of the blend, while slick lines flank the Hennessy V.S.O.P. label to accentuate the new silhouette.

The label itself is an innovation – being the very first 3D label to be used on a spirit bottle, proudly emblazoning the “1817” monogram while depicting the depth of time through which Hennessy V.S.O.P. has thrived as the superior cognac. By night, Kyrios comes alive with a breathtaking glow from the flanking silhouette lines that shine in bright copper under black light; a stunning spectacle inside any club.

With Kyrios being an extension of Chris Bangle’s contemporisation of the new Hennessy V.S.O.P. carafe, the Codes continue to guard its heritage as the exact same blend commissioned by King George the IV almost two centuries ago. Today, Hennessy V.S.O.P. has become the world’s most loved V.S.O.P. cognac, and is recognized for its versatility as a drink to be shared over any social occasion, especially as a long drink on a pumping club night.

The Hennessy V.S.O.P. Kyrios will be available in Malaysia from 28 January onwards, exclusively at selected Jusco & Chinese restaurants nationwide, and will debut in all major clubs and entertainment outlets this March. For more details and information, please visit www.fb.com/hennessymalaysia.

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Guinness Anchor Berhad (GAB) launched Malaysia’s first-ever Drink Sensibly (DS) mobile application which was specially developed to to give consumers access to information and resources at their fingertips to help them drink sensibly and party safely.

With downloads available for IPhones and Android phones, the Drink Sensibly app or DS app, empowers consumers to make informed choices if they choose to drink alcohol. Also available is the web-based lite version of the app for Blackberry and feature phones.

The DS app boasts of six (6) features:
1. A Drinks Calculator: Helps one to keep track of standard drinks consumed
2. MyTeksi: Enables one to book a cab through the mobile phone
3. Dial an Angel: Connects one to their “angels”
4. Dial a Cabbie: Provides a list of telephone numbers of cab providers across Malaysia
5. DS Tips: Helps one to drink sensibly
6. DS website: Direct link to DS website which provides a host of Drink Sensibly information

GAB’s Corporate Relations and Legal Director, Ms Renuka Indrarajah said, “As the leading brewer in Malaysia, we take the lead in promoting sensible drinking. We are happy to take our efforts to the next level with the launch of the DS app.

“During this year-end festive season, we will be running a campaign to encourage our consumers to celebrate safely by using the DS app.”

She added, “Over the last three years, we have engaged with more than 30,000 consumers through our DS awareness activities and trained more than 5,000 front-line staff of outlets on sensible drinking and sensible serving.”

Drink Sensibly is a GAB initiated campaign launched in 2011. It is an integral part of GAB’s on-going programme to instill sensible drinking habits among employees, trade partners and consumers.

The Drink Sensibly campaign is premised on understanding and knowing one’s limits and aims to educate the public on the nature and effects of alcohol, importance of avoiding excessive consumption and not drinking under the wrong circumstances which includes not drinking and driving. Three pillars form the crux of the Drink Sensibly campaign: Learn, Take Control and Share.

For more information on the Drink Sensibly campaign, please visit www.drinksensibly.com.my.

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World highest alcohol beer now stand at 65 per cent alcohol. It’s called Armageddon which brewed in Aberdeenshire. A bottle of 330ml cost £80 in the shops but can be bought from brewers at half-price.

Would you try that, I sure curious how it taste like? Would it be better then aged old whisky?

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