Kopstoot
Jenever is a Dutch liquor that's similar to gin. Its popularity in the Low Countries - where brewing is also prevalent - ensures its association with beery culture. There will be those of you who scoff at such a simplistic description, but let me tell you this: since I started selling it at the pub, not a single person I've forced it upon had heard of it before. Few of them will consent to trying it again. When a shot is taken with beer, it's called a kopstoot - a headbutt.
Ron Pattinson is our specialist jenever consultant. He brings the stuff over when he visits the pub. That's right, I've got a friend who regulary visits me from the drugs capital of Europe, and all I get is a bottle of spirits.
9 comments:
Does it have more of a kick than domaci slivovice? If so then it must be tried, unfortunately I won't be in the UK again before flying off to the States.
I've heard of it - I came across it when in Amsterdam. The barman filled the glass to the brim and said you were meant to bend over and slurp it first. Seeing our British reserve he re-assured us in his jolly Dutch accent: "Don't worry, you won't look like an arse". How could we refuse after that?
I'd imagine it's a real treat when Ron calls in and drops his Bols on the counter for your inspection.
Oude Jenever served straight from the freezer is a firm favourite, as is Jenever coffee. I'm not a fan of the young stuff though - its a bit too rough.
Along with a bottle or three of Kasteel Bruin, some Jenever is always on the menu when I visit Belgium.
Now when did you start selling jenever?
Whenever I'm in Amsterdam I usually kill a couple of hours at the amusingly named Wynand Fockink. Mind you because they fill the glass up to a bulging meniscus and make you bend over and slurp the first bit out of the glass before you pick it up, I've not proven to be their most popular customer. I think it's to do with having a large and ungainly arse.
"Jenever is a Dutch liquor that's similar to gin"
Sorry to get too Zyth on your ass but it *is* gin. The original. London distillers copied it.
And rough auld gear it is too. I'm looking at a bottle now trying to remember the last time it was opened - must be 4 years or more.
Urgg. A waste of units.
"Few of them will consent to trying it again."
Really? Close-minded bastards. If I were 20 years younger, I'd open a jenever and advocaat bar: Shots and booze pudding!
For what it's worth, the bottle pictured can also be bought in the Vintage House in Old Compton Street.
Oh well cheers for that, I consider my chips pissed upon, soggy with urine.
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