Book 3: Chapter 66: Coins
Rumbob was the first to fall.
Mostly because I’d casually mentioned to everyone that he was the champion drinker of Minnova.
Rumbob had given me a dirty look, and kept passing drinks my way, but I was better at the game than him, and it was 4v1. Even with all his drinking Abilities and high Vitality, he wasn’t able to keep up. With a groan he toppled like a tree. The crowd roared their approval as Kirk appeared like a ghost and dragged the rotund dwarf away.
When the size of the bet had spread through the crowd, the majority of the other pong players had come to circle our table. They shouted encouragement and jeers, and imprecations about skipping out on work. That last had been from Aqua, and I’d ignored it.
The drink of choice was, of course, our doppelbock.
Though with a twist. I wanted something special for this party, so we were using a barrel of my secret reserve: an Eisbock.
Eisbocks were the ultimate in high ABV beers, at an estimated 30% alcohol. They were made by cooling a bock until the water in it froze out in a chunk at the top. The alcohol, with its lower freezing point, remained. Remove the ice, and voila! Ice - bock! I’d eschewed the soporific hops and smoke for this batch, no need to knock everyone out in the first round!
Drum was surprisingly capable, and had managed three full mugs already. He was swaying and swearing like a sailor each time he missed the center cup, but he was still upright!
Bando sank his coin and smugly passed me the mug as the crowd cheered.