In the US, Jim Beam is typically associated with good old boys starting fights with inanimate objects right before they puke all over their brah's Abercrombie t-shirt, but in Australia, Beam has taken another approach: hot, scantily clad women. And, it's getting them in trouble. Check out their most recent ad.
Believe it or not, there are FIVE iPhone applications all custom designed to calculate your blood alcohol levels. Let's say you're sober enough to properly input all of the data necessary to accurately calculate your BAC. Let's assume you remember everything you drank tonight. Let's even assume you know exactly what you weigh. Do you think any policeman on the planet is going to use your iPhone calculations to pardon you from that DWI ticket? Probably not. Having said that, these apps (which all run for under $5) can provide some entertainment at parties. Hell, who doesn't want to know the estimated BAC of a 110 lb. girl after drinking three Bud Lights?
When you're craving the perfect glass of scotch, whiskey, or any other brown liquor, there's no better spot to hit than the Brandy Library, and over this last week, they offered even more incentive to swing by their perfectly appointed booze museum: Peat Week.
Each night, the Brandy Library featured free tastings of various delicious peaty libations, and we stopped by for a look tonight.
Click above for more photos from the Brandy Library
You can still catch the tail end of Peat Week at the Library tomorrow night when they offerfree tastings of Caol Ila Single Malts from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Still available will be the week long flight offerings:
Smoked Out Peat Flight $35 Bunnahabhain 18 years, Bruichladdich Infinity, Tobermory 10 years, Bowmore 15 years, Ardbeg 10 years, Mystery smoky Single Malt; includes a bottle of room temperature Evian. 1/2 ounce each pour Cheese and Scotch $34 Epoisse and Bruichladdich 12 year, Constant Bliss and Bowmore 15 Darkest, Valdeon and Laphroaig 15 year; includes a bottle of room temperature Evian. One ounce of Scotch per each pour.
While it was Peat Week at Brandy Library, the whole nation celebrated "Fruit Beer Month," and to celebrate Magic Hat purchased Pyramid Brewery. Imbibe Unfiltered directs us to the newly launched ProhibitionRepeal.com, sponsored by DISCUS to educate you on our countries darkest (read: booze free) days.
Now, we don't often hype the same bands as Z100, but we'll gladly make an exception for Chris Brown, who just happens to be playing a free show today at 3 p.m.
The show is sponsored by Wrigley's who want to double your pleasure by not telling you the location (mint scented blindfolds, anyone?). So, if you want to catch the show, head over to Rockefeller Center, Union Square West, or Macy's where you'll have to hop on a gum branded bus at 2 p.m. Good luck braving the gum chewing teeny boppers. Chris Brown's sweet moves are worth it.
The American Natural History Museum sure knows how to throw a ... lecture, and to prove it, they hosted "The History of the Mint Julep" last night. With a welcome drink at the door and two leading cocktail historians mixing the next round on stage, Lush Life felt right at home in the museum's Linder Theater.
(click the photo above to see the whole set)
Unable to resist the icy libation, I dug right in-nose first, as is customary with the julep. And, as expected, the mint hinted at the sensational cocktail to follow, but this version seemed to have more than the usual bourbon, sugar, and mint flavor I've come to expect in one of my favorite drinks. There was a richness and spice that I don't typically associate with this usually refreshing cocktail.
Dave Wondrich, our first speaker of the evening, mixed us a round of his signature recipe, which called for brandy (as a bourbon substitute) and a rum floater. The complexity and balance of this version of the Mint Julep was impressive and harkened back to colonial times, when brandy was the more commonly used spirit in what WAS America's favorite cocktail.
As one of this country's leading cocktail writers- running the show over at Esquire and publishing the now James Beard Awarded book, Imbibe!- Wondrich served as the perfect tour guide through his version of the Mint Julep's history. With his engaging, entertaining, but ultimately authoritative style of storytelling, Mr. Wondrich has this way of making you feel like a college freshman all over again. He makes you want to go home and research the reason he chose to float rum on top of the best cocktail you've ever had out of a plastic cup.
I'll be honest. Before tonight, I knew how to mix (not shake) a traditional (or so I thought) Mint Julep. I knew about the special strainer and the silver cups. I knew that, historically, Americans would drink a Julep with breakfast to get their juices flowing. But, I had no idea that the story of the Mint Julep was merely a metaphor for the way America drinks.
Throughout our history, the recipe of the Julep has adapted and evolved- reflecting the resources and demands of a people thirsty for cocktails, regardless of the limitations caused by civil war or changing moral attitudes. And, I wouldn't have known any of that without the righteous guidance and poetic incantations of Chris McMillian, the second lecturer.
McMillian brought to life the ritual of the Julep as he crushed ice with his wooden mallet, carefully released mint oil (without releasing the bitter essence), pouring the spirits and syrup, and garnishing with a single slapped mint sprig- all to the tune of J. Soule Smith's ode to the Julep documenting each step in the sacred process. He brought a reverence to the process that I'd never experienced watching a man mix a drink. Sure, the mixologists in this city take their jobs seriously. They carefully measure, mix, and shake to create that one divine sip, but somehow they lack this intimate connection to the history that comes so fluidly to Mr. McMillian. No, really. See for yourself.
The evening ended with a question and answer session that revealed just how much alcohol actually went into the two passed drinks- as audience members giggled out questions, sometimes repeating the previous inquirer. Of course, our lecturers were gracious and answered most of the questions to the best of their ability- dodging only questions about brand preferences (maybe because Maker's Mark and Pernod Ricard were kind enough to sponsor this event?).
After tonight, I just want to curl up with my ragged copy of Imbibe! and plan a trip to Chris McMillian's bar in New Orleans. Anyone want to join me?
McCarren Park spoiled me. The pool parties are always easy to navigate- with plenty of room to spread out and enjoy a top notch show on a summer day. This all hit me as I waited in line for nearly an hour to make my way into the Santogold show at Central Park Summerstage on Sunday.
The line stretched nearly four blocks on the (literally) steaming pavement leading up to the Rumsey Playfield stage- barely moving until well after 3 p.m. While watching the swarms of sweating neon-clad hipsters provided marginal entertainment, the heat coupled with the annoyance of waiting made me wish I had chosen the McCarren Park show instead.
Convinced there was no chance at actually getting into the venue, Leo, our photographer/show-going partner in crime, began documenting the monumental line- so we would have something to show for our journey from Brooklyn to Manhattan. But, as soon as he started snapping photos, the line began to move. So, after an hour of waiting (on the hottest day of the year), we finally began moving towards the gate five yards at a time.
By 3:30, we were safely inside- ushered by dozens of yelling, sweating security guards noisily herding the crowds onto the astroturf. Just as we walked in, Mz Streamz took the stage- shaking her ass, whether or not her mic was turned on. By the second song, the DJs had the music, mics, and dancers going at full tilt. Feeding off of her (and her dancers' enegry), the crowd perked up and began what would be an all day dance extravaganza.
And, the dancing continued through the seemingly never-ending DJ sets. I'm not going to bore you with reviews of each DJ, because, well, to me, they didn't seem much different.
To be entirely honest, I thought Diplo and A-Trak were joking when they announced they'd each play for an hour. About an hour in, the crowd's buzz and energy started to fade. When I made my way over to the concession stand for yet another drink, I noticed that the crowd had switched from beer to water- having completely dehydrated themselves through the hours of dancing. I also noticed a loud screeching sound coming from the corner behind the stand, which is when I got my first look at Santogold. Yup, that's right. She didn't show until 5:45.
She popped out of her black SUV-entourage in tow- and made her way to the backstage area an hour before the stage was set to close. I swear the teenage girls who began the screeching thought she was John Lennon. They screamed. They cried. They frantically took pictures.
About twenty minutes later, Santogold took the stage, and she was incredible. In all fairness, the heat, the anticipation, the crowds might have all been worth her abbreviated set. Her voice is stronger than her albums indicate, and she just might be the coolest woman on the planet. If she was opening for anyone other than Coldplay, I'd suggest catching her whenever you possibly can on her summer tour, but I'm not sure if Chris Martin is worth it. Aw, hell. Buy the ticket, and when she's done, head to your nearest club. Santogold, if nothing else, will get your ass shaking.
Click the image for more Stantogold photos
And, if you haven't heard the new Santogold and M.I.A remix, head over to Stereogum for a listen.
Seventeen-year-old boys have all the fun at shows. They push to the front dancing and screaming along to every song.
And, as Ted Leo and The Pharmacists played at Castle Clinton on Wednesday, there was no shortage of boys shimmying and shaking in the front row requesting songs and pumping their fists wildly into the air. Ted obliged the crowd playing old favorites among four new ones (which, for the record, all kicked some major ass). And, while the crowd seemed most into the selections from the most recent release, Living With The Living, the most compelling moments of the set landed at the end as Ted played the most genuine and stunning encores we've ever heard.
Unfortunately, I wasn't up front with the 17-year-olds — for THIS Ted Leo concert anyway. But since we showed up just before the set began at seven, I was just grateful to have a place to see the show. I did feel a little guilty passing a crowd wrapped around the block as I walked in, but the guilt was easily allayed when Ranger Dan hit the stage. As any seasoned River to River Festival goer knows, Castle Clinton shows always begin with a short history lesson with Ranger Dan, the official tour guide of this gorgeous and historic location. His speech was so rousing, the crowd pushed down the barricades separating them from the seated section when he fnished. OK, it might not have been Ranger Dan's speech, but I'd like to think he had a little something to do with it.
As soon as the band played the first chord, the crowd was in a frenzy, which was somehow completely undeterred by the heat and its straight-from-work concert attire. With an hour and a half to play, the guys covered as much of their catalog as possible giving the crowd a sampling of just about every kind of song they have recorded.
The high point of the set came just as the sun set behind the lower Manhattan skyline. With their shirts completely soaked and the crowd edging as closely to the stage as security would allow, Ted Leo and The Pharmacists cranked out an encore that was equal parts desperation and authenticity. Between the excitement from band for their new (and driving, heavily punk influenced) songs and the crowd's surge at the sound of anything from Shake the Sheets, the show delivered on every level.
A few covers late in the set made this one of the more memorable shows for the summer as Ted Leo dedicated "Hybrid Moments" — The Misfits — to all of the Jersey residents in the crowd and ended with "Fisherman's Blues" from The Waterboys. To be honest, I don't know that I've ever seen a musician deliver such an authentic performance. I'm not sure I can give Ted's performance of "Fisherman's Blues" the kind of write-up it deserves. So, I'm not going to try. Trust me, it was genius.
By the end of the show, I was so exhausted from jumping along to the new songs, singing to the old ones, and being brought to the verge of tears by the last one, that I could barely amble back to the train to make my way home.
