the En Vogue: A dessert drink.

by Al Butler

En Vogue with Whipped cream and shaved chocolate.

It has been horribly cold this past week, not only in the hinterlands of our Northeastern hideaways but all over the nation. The biting freezing air seeps into your bones, and saps all ambition. The only thing you want to do is find a warm spot by a fire or neathe blankets, and thaw out. It is pleasurable indeed to feel your frozen body consume the warmth and comfort of heat. So it is with the frigid and brutal weather in mind I present a soothing, sweet and relaxing dessert drink I call the En Vogue to help ease you through these troubled times.

Ingredients:
2.0 oz. Chambord Raspberry Liqueur
.5 oz. Bailey’s Irish crème
6-8 oz. of double dark Hot Chocolate (I use Ghirardelli)

Method:
First make your hot Chocolate on the stove. Take 8.0 oz. of milk and 4-5 tablespoons of Ghirardelli double dark mix (more chocolate added the thicker your beverage) and heat slowly stirring constantly. When it’s ready remove from heat and put aside. Now take an Irish coffee glass and add your Chambord, and Baileys, Top off with the Hot Chocolate and stir. Serve as is or add a dollop of whipped cream on top if you like.

Yeah it's a mix, but some of us have jobs, you know?

 Now, I can hear a few purists out there grumbling about using a mix for the Hot Chocolate portion of this drink. I use it as it makes the drink easier to concoct than actually melting bars of cocoa etc. If you feel the need to go that route, by all means do so. However, for the majority of us mere peasants a double dark mix will work just fine.

 I think if you give this sweet calming drink a try you will experience the quiet yet distinct flavors of Raspberry, from the Chambord, coming to the fore after your first sip. The Bailey’s adds that little something which tells you that you’re not drinking Grandma’s hot cocoa, and you have graduated to big boy/girl pants. These types of drinks are usually offered up as a dessert menu item in bars and restaraunts, and they work well in that situation. However I feel that the En Vogue is a perfect  libation, which will bring you a moment of comfort and ease any time. After a long day of skiing, or simply shoveling the drive for the hundredth time, one of these little drinks will be sure to make you sigh in relief.

"Free your mind, the rest will follow". Yeah I'd follow these ladies anywhere.

Lastly I named this dessert drink the En Vogue after the Diva singing group of the 1990’s, because both are dark, sexy, intelligent and stylish.

Cheers
AL

Star Wars: X-Wing game

by Al Butler

As a Child of the Seventies, I know I should be more enthusiastic as concerns the entire Star Wars franchise. The original films, which I did see in theaters, had a definite and lasting impact upon my generation. Yet, somehow, I was unable to immerse myself in that fantasy sci-fi world when it came to board games, pulp novels, and definitely not the “dolls” mass produced as “Action figures”. (Dolls are for little girls’ period!) The Franchise needs no further elaboration in that the Billions of dollars it has produced since 1977 should be evidence enough of its power and popularity. Until recently, outside of the movies themselves, anything with a Star Wars theme received an “Eh, so what?” from me and I moved on.

 However, that was before our friend Mike introduced us to a neat little miniatures game called Star Wars: X-Wing.

The components of the minis are top notch, and the flight/movement templates (including hard banks, and reverse maneuvers) really make the game play easy. In this game you command various ships from the Star Wars films such as Tie-Fighters, X-wings, and even the Millennium Falcon, in a tactical combat situation. All of the minis are pre-painted out of the box (big plus for me) and have a great amount of detail on them. The various cards are easy to read and interpret, thus eliminating a need to constantly cross reference charts and lists in a rule book. The other components like the defense and hit die (eight sided) are also well made.

This is not over Frodo!

Game Play is simple and the rule set is light so you don’t have to have a bunch of thick rule books and con people into playing, they will often join in of their own free will. Using a point system each side is allotted so many points from which to build their fleet. As each ship needs a pilot, the player must purchase one from the different types available, and then deduct the cost from his/her total point allotment. Some pilots cost more than others but the more expensive ones tend to have special bonuses associated with them that enhance the ship in some way. You can also use points to purchase upgrades and equipment for your ship like an Ion Cannon or mines etc. Once a player has used all of his/her points their fleet, or even single ship, is built and they are ready to start.

Each player then picks one of their ships and using a small cardboard dial, which comes with each craft, secretly chooses what maneuver that ship, will perform. Next they “activate” their ships to move by following the initiative order and implement the maneuver they chose on the dial. This is done by taking the appropriate template, fixing it to the front of the ship’s base, then while holding the template down with one hand they pick up the ship and move it to the front of the template.


To fire at your opponent you must first check to see if a target is in range (another measuring template is provided for this). If you are able to shoot then the attacker rolls some red attack die and the defender some green defense die. The attacker simply tries to roll more hits than the defender evades. The order in which movement and attack are determined is simply done by using your individual pilot’s initiative number which is printed on the ship card. Low initiative numbers always move first and attack last while high initiative is the opposite, move last but shoot first.

Take that Hippies!

This game is fast, easy, and very engaging to play, even for guys like me who don’t care for anything in the Star Wars genre. However there is a downside to this entire laser blasting fun, the cost. Base sets, which start you off with, templates, dials, dice, two tie-fighters and one x-wing range anywhere between $30 and $40 US and by all accounts you need two of these to facilitate group play. There are also countless expansion ships which all are purchased separately. Mike has been building his fleets of ships slowly and now has quite a nice little collection going.


Overall, having played twice, I feel that this little Miniatures game is worth the price tag, in that larger games with more players and ships are much more fun than the simple head to head play of a base set alone. This past weekend we set up a game with six players and until the very end everyone was around the table watching, calculating and discussing events as they unfolded. This included even those of us who were knocked out early due to a cowardly and treacherous act by one of their team mates. (Anthony)

Brave Sir Robin in Slave-1 runs away.

So if you are looking for a space themed miniatures game that is easy, fun, colorful, and engaging I recommend parting with your hard earned shekels for Star Wars: X-wing.

Cheers
AL

El Charro Negro (the Black Charro)

by Al Butler

A Black Charro Cocktail

The first time I read the name of this tequila based drink my simple little mind immediately focused on the "Charro" portion. You see, for me, the name Charo has always been associated with the vivacious, fun, and sexy Spanish singer/entertainer of the 1960's and 70's. As a boy I loved watching her flit across the screen speaking very broken English, and wearing the most outlandish and revealing costumes. Her trade mark move of raising her hands over her head, and shaking her hips while shouting "Cuchi, Cuchi" brings a smile to my lips even today. However I found out rather quickly, that the cocktail we are looking at today was not named for her, but for something much more dark and seemingly sinister.

"Cuchi, Cuchi!"

El Charro Negro is a legend, from Mexico which speaks of a dark rider and his nocturnal wanderings.

Dressed all in black this apparition appears on a stallion of the same color to lonely travelers in the dead of the night. Many have seen this spirit, all of whom tell the same story. He glides out of the night riding on a tall dark horse. Silent as a whisper on the wind, he is never heard approaching. The Black Charro merely sits as still as a statue and watches the humans before him. None have ever heard him speak, nor do they know what it is he wants. They simply feel terror as his eyes, masked in the shadows of the night, watch them intently.

Stop staring at me!

One such tale tells of  a peasant being startled by El Charro Negro on a very dark country road. At the peasant's feet appeared a pouch full of coins. The peasant knew not what to do, should he take the money, or was this a trap of some sort set by the black rider before him? Eventually the poor hapless man was overwhelmed with fear and ran away as fast as he could, leaving the money in the dust and the searching gaze of the ghost behind him. To date it seems El Charro Negro has never harmed anyone, he obviously just exists to scare the Christ out of tired poor dirt farmers on their way home from the Cantina.

Thankfully, the cocktail that bears this ghost's name is not nearly as lame as the legend which inspired it.

Ingredients:
1.5-2.0 oz. Tequila
 .5-.75 oz.  Lemon Juice (fresh)
Cola to top off
Lemon wheel for garnish.

Method:
Fill a rocks glass with clean ice, add Tequila and Lemon Juice and top off with the Cola. Stir gently as to not flatten the carbonation from the cola. Add a lemon wheel as a garnish either on the rim of the glass or simply dropped inside the drink itself. *Note: You can also chose to "rim" the glass with salt by running your lemon peel around the rim and placing the glass (top down) onto a plate of salt. You have to mix your drink in a separate glass and pour it into the rimmed glass if you chose to do this* 

I found that the lemon juice really helped to cut back on the sweetness of the tequila and cola, making the whole experience a rather smooth and calming one. You can use any type of tequila you like or have on hand, but I personally prefer Reposado or Anejo as the aging in charred barrels gives the spirit a smooth, smoky, flavor which elevates this simple drink. Some people make the El Charro Negro with lime juice and garnish instead of lemon, and it seems to work fine. I suggest trying both versions, what can it hurt? if you prefer lime over lemon go for it.

This quick and easy to mix drink is simple enough that one doesn't have to think to much when putting it together however, the flavors are unique enough that you'll be making more than just one.

Cuchi, Cuchi!
AL
 

The Boulevardier

By Al Butler


The Boulevardier.

Last spring I was introduced to a neat little before dinner drink called the Negroni and decided to give it a try. The construction of this rather popular cocktail was simple and straightforward in that it used 1 ounce of Gin, 1 ounce of Campari, and 1 ounce of sweet Vermouth stirred with ice in a rocks glass. It seemed perfect for the Booze and Board Games monthly get togethers. (easy, and quick)  Yet in execution this storied libation failed horribly and my guests grimaced as they tried to "choke" them down. This was completely my own fault in that I did not fully understand the complexity of one of the main ingredients; Campari, and I did not know then what I do now about mixing and serving drinks. The bitter citrus of the Campari overpowered the Bombay Sapphire gin thus ruining the subtle, herbal highlights of that spirit. Chagrined I decided to steer clear of any cocktails that contained Campari going forward, as I had no desire to submit my friends and family to such an acquired taste.

Bitter acquired taste, Campari is either loved or hated by most.

However, I came across another old but less famous cocktail called the Boulevardier, and my mind began to race. Though a close cousin of the Negroni , the Boulevardier uses rye or bourbon whiskey as it's base instead if gin, which I feel does a better job of keeping the bullying qualities of the Campari at bay. This drink from around 1927 or so is a smooth yet complex potion; the bitter Campari gives it complexity, but the sweet vermouth keeps things soft, add a good spicy rye, and you have a drink that doesn't overpower but blends gently.

The key to the Boulevardier resides in putting the spirit forward rather than subduing it. To accomplish this you simply increase the amount of Rye or Bourbon you add to the drink. Instead of a 1: 1: 1: ratio you can use a 1.25-2.0: 1: 1: solution. This little aperitif is easily manipulated to taste by adjusting the proportions of spirit. There are lots of different ratio's out there but I feel the recipe I give below really blends well together and will bring a pleasurable smile to you and your guests.

Ingredients:
1.5 oz. of Rye or Bourbon Whiskey. to taste.
1.0 oz. Campari
1.0 oz. Sweet Vermouth (chilled)
Orange peel or twist for garnish

Method:
 Fill a rocks glass with clean cubed ice, next add your Campari. This gives the Campari a little extra time to dilute in the glass. Add your vermouth, then whiskey, I prefer 1.5 oz. of Rye in this 2.0 Bourbon if that is all I have to work from. Stir with your bar spoon for about one full minute to dilute the ice some and to chill the drink. (my big mistake with the Negroni) Next add an orange peel or twist for garnish. Note *Always keep your vermouth refrigerated, it is a wine, thus if left out too long has a tendency to go bad*

To serve these "up" simply mix your ingredients as before in a mixing glass and strain them into a chilled cocktail glass.

Served "up" with an Orange twist, "Fancy".

The Boulevardier, is not a seasonal cocktail by any sense of the imagination and can be enjoyed throughout the year. I feel that it's original offering as a before dinner cocktail fits perfectly but it also works well as an end of evening libation as well. So give this amazingly simple yet complex little drink a try the next time you find yourself waiting for dinner to finish cooking, or you are simply winding down from an evening out, I promise you won't be disappointed.

Cheers
Al
 

Rome at War III : Queen of the Celts

by Al Butler

Queen of the Celts 

Queen of the Celts is the third installment of Avalanche Press' tactical war games set in the Roman Period aptly named Rome at War. This version focuses on the invasion and subjugation of Britain by the empire. What caught my attention with this rather small game was two things; 1st the price I paid for it on Ebay, a paltry $6.00 US, and second the tragic tale of Boudicca  Queen of the Iceni tribe, which has long been of interest to me.

Revolutions and conflicts which are inspired by a desire for freedom from tyranny, spiced up with a bit of revenge hold a special place in my heart thus, I knew I had to pick this game up.
 So last Sunday, amidst the chaos of a wailing snow storm and cruel flu bug I laid this title out and played my first game. Avalanche Press is notorious for two aspects of their play systems. The first one being the use of the "bucket of dice" combat resolution, which entails throwing a number of dice equal to the combat strength of the units involved then applying all sixes as hits. Initially I thought that this system would be more fun than the old CRT (combat results tables) of Avalon Hill war game legend. However after a few rounds of tossing handfuls of die the novelty faded along with the dim winter daylight out my window.

The second and really painful aspect of this AP game is the rule book. Having perused this sixteen page mess of cross references and special conditions every night for a week prior to actually laying out the pieces, I was still forced to reference the book almost continuously during play. It is not written well and is is no way linear in presentation. I had hoped that by getting the game set up some of the odd rules would make a bit more sense to me. No such luck in that department. I walked away from the table after 3.5 hours feeling like I had not done anything right, the best way to sum up the rules and book is to call it "counter intuitive". For a game that is supposed to be 1.5 stars (easy) on the difficulty rating one would think the literature would be easier to read.

Another small bother I found, outside of the obtuse rule set up, was that the maps are not mounted but plain glossy paper. I have always been a stickler for having playing surfaces mounted. Paper maps easily tear and have creases along the folds which need to be flattened out or the playing pieces tend to rise with the fold when laid out or stacks of counters fall over unbalanced. I could, lay a piece of plexi-glass over the map itself to solve the issue, but I don't have one readily available nor am I so inclined to go and purchase any. Paper maps of course are of small consequence if the game itself is dynamic and enthralling..... yeah there is a bit of a no on that part too.

Right Flank of Celts at start up.

As most battles of the time were fought on open flat terrain, the maps have very little in the way of variation. For example: the battle of Medway scenario used a map that had a river running across the northern portion, and a few swamps in the southern corners. the river, was barely an obstacle for the Roman legions, in that to attack them while crossing offered no bonus to the Celts. Thus negating the advantages of river defenses. The swamps were never entered by either army so no use of terrain to advantage, which for me is anathema. The "Ground" and the choice of ground is extremely important in armed conflict. The Generals of the time understood this as well, and I find it difficult to believe that they were unable to thwart a river crossing where the enemy had no bridges or engineers to build them. 

Celtic Counters

On the plus side the counters are really very pretty to look at and help one absorb the "theme" of the game. There are a few different types of units Leaders being the most important, followed by what are called "Long" units representing large formations of infantry i.e. Legions, and smaller "auxiliary" units that consist of archers, light infantry, chariots, and oddly enough, artillery. The mix of different forces made me smile as I thought the use of combined attacks using all the different types would be exciting and fun. Sadly the game didn't play out that way.

A fundamental concept of this game is what is described as "Command". Leaders command various units within their sphere (movement allotment) and only units "in Command" can be moved or attack. Of course units can be Out of command by being outside their leaders control or the leader failing a morale check which essentially means he has lost control of his troops. This system is supposed to represent a sort of "fog of war" situation and though it is hard to wrap ones head around at first actually makes sense. Essentially a player could find him/her self with half their army out of command and immobile, thus creating a tense situation indeed.

Romans crush the right.

In the scenario I played, not once were any troops out of command which made decision making much easier, however, the constant rolling of dice to determine command got a bit old. Also at the end of my game the Celtic right flank was rolled up and pushed back into center group. This created a situation where it became difficult to determine which troops were commanded by which leader, and who could activate and when. Ultimately I made a House rule in which the local commander became subservient to Army commander and gave control to Army Leader. If the counters had easier to read divisional numbers rather than tribe names on them such a situation would have been negated. As it was, once the Celtic Right fell in with Center, I found myself trying to look up the starting troops from the scenario set up booklet to match the names with the leaders. Frustrating to say the least, thus my making the House rule and moving forward.

Half the troops intermingle after being pushed back, command difficult to determine.

I am not going to go over every aspect of this rather difficult experience, as I am sure that most of you can tell by now I do not give this game very high marks. I will say though as I doggedly moved my Celts to the fore to try and thwart the Roman advance a wee thrill of excitement ran through me. I could see the chariots racing off to my left tearing up the light infantry of the enemy while my larger tribes locked horns with the legions on the right. I almost felt the desperation of the Celts as they began to succumb to the disciplined heavy troops of Rome. However, one wee moment in an entire afternoon, makes not for good game play and I felt rather worn out in the end. Perhaps I'll try this title again someday after I make a reference sheet for the various stages and rules so I can easily memorize them.

As it stands today Rome at War III will remain in my game closet till that time or someone asks to play it. I've far too many titles to pick from that make me happy to spend too much time on those that don't.


Cheers
AL