tia maria coffee liqueur

Oh, Aunt Maria. (See, I do remember some Spanish.)

TASTE
Yum. Tastes like a vanilla coffee with a hint of rum in it.

STRENGTH
26.5% (another one of those pesky 5 and % combinations) alcohol by volume. An ounce in the space of 15 minutes does not appear to have done anything but knock me on my ass marveling at the great taste. After about 30 minutes, I feel a tad bit sleepy.

(Just out of curiousity, does anyone else feel slightly fancy-shmancy saying liqueur? "Lick-ooo-er".) I suppose this isn't really suppose to be a beverage you drink straight - usually found as an addition in cocktails, coffees, or desserts instead. However, I have a feeling it might also taste good in some eggnog/whole milk over ice. It did make my Diet Coke taste like Diet Vanilla Coffee Coke, though. No complaints, Aunt Maria, no complaints.

SUMMARY
TASTE: *****
STRENGTH: *
TOTAL: ***

It is what it is. I think you'd probably have to drink near a whole bottle to really feel anything resembling having a couple shots, but, again, that's not quite what it's meant for, now is it.

about

As the title of this blog suggests, I follow a gluten-free lifestyle. And I like to drink.

My freshman year of high school, I was diagnosed with Celiac disease - an intolerance to the protein gluten (found in wheat flour, barley, rye, and oats). After graduating from high school and entering college, I quickly became immersed in the alcoholic beverage culture that is college. However, being Celiac for four years at that point, I knew that the typical boozes of choice (Keystone, Bud Light, etc.) were loaded with the bastard protein, gluten. I tried drinking it, against my better judgment. What happened? Well, instead of waking up with a hangover, I woke up with a stomach ache and all the good stuff that goes along with a digestive allergy. Ew, indeed.

At that point, I knew that if I wanted to partake in the joyous traditions of college, I needed to stick to hard liquor (and even some of those aren't safe) and research beers and other drinks that were gluten free.

I started this blog mostly in good humor, and in hopes that it might help out one or two other Celiacs trying to find alternative beers and other gluten-free alcohols that taste good but won't give them "the runs".

I will not be strictly sticking to beer, but will also be reviewing hard liquor, liqueurs, and perhaps the occasional wine. Also, for scientific purposes, please keep in mind that my definitions of "good taste" and "very strong" probably differ from yours. For reference, I like beers with a bold, bitter taste. I don't typically do shots, but will if the spirit is flavored or not clear. I like mixed drinks that are sweet, but where the liquor can still be detected. My alcohol tolerance is moderate, in that it takes approximately two beers or shots in the space of half an hour for me to "feel" a drink.

Bottoms up.

ramapo valley brewery, passover honey beer

First up, Ramapo Valley Brewery's Passover Honey Beer. Quite a mouthful, eh? Let's get right down to it.

TASTE
This is a kind of watery tasting one. Thin, not much flavor. Very slightly tastes of honey, but I wouldn't have guessed that's what it was if I had not been told that by the bottle. Definitely tastes better cold than room temperature. Also should note that it gets flat pretty easily. Not quite as bitter/god-awful as Bud-Light/Keystone/other swill, but pretty gosh darn close.

STRENGTH
The bottle won't tell me what the percent alcohol by volume is for this particular brew, and I'm too lazy to research it, but I would guess it's probably the same as any other draft beverage, and say about 5%. (It's hard to negotiate the keyboard to say 5% when you're drunk and the % and 5 are on the same key, by the way.) Took two to feel anything resembling a "buzz". Wears off pretty quickly - not much staying power. (Kind of like your mom. OHHH!)

As a side note, I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why this is called a "passover beer" when the bottle exclaims "NOT FOR PASSOVER" on the seal. ?!?!?!?

All in all, Ramapo Valley Brewery, (based in Suffern, NY - insert Sex in the City reference here) I give you 1 STAR. Mostly just because it tastes a little like honey, and Suffern, NY reminded me of Sex in the City. Definitely not the best gluten-free beer I've ever had (and there are some decent ones, trust me).

SUMMARY
TASTE: *
STRENGTH: **
TOTAL: *