Adam Green: Cold chill as frosties go down tubes

Adam Green

There is magic in the air this time of year.

The warmer summer evenings, the daylight stretching almost endlessly into the kids bedtimes, the singing of cicadas in the afternoon like a song of summer ringing in the welcome of a new season.

The scent of the neighbours' BBQ a delicate tang of summer perfume in the air. Reminding you they just got that new charcoal grill, and there has been the smell of brisket gently smoking for over six hours now so it would be a good time to text and ask if you could pop over with a few beverages.

But herein lies the BBQ beverage boggler. The crispy cold conundrum. Just how many beverages is the optimal amount to take to a friend's house, and are you allowed to take any home?

"It depends on whose house and how long you've known them," I casually suggested to my drink-leaving wife one evening, as she prepared to head off home with six or more cold ones still remaining in the fridge.

"If you take them, be prepared to leave them" came the immediate reply.

Which is absolutely fair enough. The few times as a host we have been left with a few fridge surprises they are always well appreciated!

But should there be exceptions to the rule? Let's look at some scenarios:

1. You brought a substantial amount, but a child that belongs to you decides that immediately after dinner would be the perfect time for the worlds biggest meltdown. As if they hadn't slept in 17 days and now was the only time they could possibly sleep and it HAD to be in their own bed. Could you then take your unloved beverages home to consume some other BBQ afternoon?

2. You are called away on a mission to save a family of kittens from impending doom or some other urgent and more likely scenario that comes to you via cellphone. What then? You'll require a cold one after saving kittens.

3. It's two days until payday and your tap broke at home so your only form of liquid refreshment is in their fridge waiting for you to take it home?

Just three of the many far-fetched scenarios I have tried on the drink-leaving wife this BBQ season, however I think the BBQ mantra remains: "If you take them, be prepared to leave them there".

Especially if you BBQ at our place!

• Don't miss Adam Green and Sarah van der Kley on The Hits Hawke's Bay from 6am to 9am, Monday to Friday.