Monday, February 22, 2016

Reader Review: 2013 Volkswagen Jetta GLI

(Please give a warm welcome to Ian, who has 40,000 miles on his Jetta GLI! JB) About three years ago, I was the owner of a 2004 Ford Focus SVT two door and simultaneously the dad of a one-year-old child. Our family car was a 2008 Saturn Vue. One day I got a call from []


The post Reader Review: 2013 Volkswagen Jetta GLI appeared first on The Truth About Cars.

Travel Webcam of the Week: Washington, DC

Webcam iconLike this feature? Check out pastTravel Webcam of the WeekpostsandTravel Instagrammer of the Weekposts!


Washington, DC(earthcam.com/usa/dc/nationalmall/?cam=nationalmall)

I just returned yesterday from the nations capital! The weather was unseasonably warm and the cherry blossoms are getting ready to bloom in a few weeks. For whenthey do, make sure you bookmarkEarthCams National Mall Cam, located on theSmithsonian Castles North Flag Tower. The camera offers sweeping views of Washington, DC, from the Washington Monument to the US Capitol Building.



The post Travel Webcam of the Week: Washington, DC appeared first on Johnny Jet.

Unlimited Rat Motor Racing

In contrast to todays safety and environmentally conscious road-racing series, in the 1960s the Canadian-American Challenge Cup was wide open without any performance-limiting restrictions.

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Mike Dunn, The IHRA's New President, Reveals the Future of Drag Racing

Take 5 With Mike Dunn

VIDEO: Dykes Reviews the New 2016 Chevrolet Volt, and You Should Watch It

This weekend, Alex dropped a bonus video review of the all-new 2016 Chevrolet Volt for us to enjoy. Unfortunately, he's also been too busy building sheds to do a full review, so this is all we've got. (It's okay, though. The best work happens in a shed.) Want to check it out? Hit up the [...]


The post VIDEO: Dykes Reviews the New 2016 Chevrolet Volt, and You Should Watch It appeared first on The Truth About Cars.

Friday, February 19, 2016

2000 C5-R Street Super Vette

While the C5-R development Corvettes were not purpose-built concept, engineering, or show car Corvettes (like the Stingray III and Tiger Shark), they made it out the door and beyond the racetrack as Corvette show cars.

Goose Island's Clybourn brewpub sold to Anheuser-Busch

Goose Island Clybourn

Goose Island has sold their original location to Anheuser-Busch. The location was not part of the Anheuser-Busch purchase over 5 years ago.


When the deal was made in 2011, Illinois law prevented Anheuser-Busch InBev to purchase the brewpub. That didn't prevent the world's largest brewery from proceeding with the offer.


According to a Goose Island employee that didn't want to be identified, the original deal targeted the production facility and recipes, in order to bring them into the Anheuser portfolio. There was no initial interest in the brewpub.


Since the original purchase, Anheuser-Busch has been purchasing craft breweries that also own satellite brewpub locations. (ex. Golden Road, Breckenridge, Four Peaks.)


The apparent success of those purchases has prompted Anheuser-Busch to return to complete the sale of the brewpub as well. Neither Goose Island or Anheuser-Busch would reveal the financial terms of the deal.


Beer Street Journal called he Anheuser-Busch media line this afternoon, only to find this "doesn't warrant a press statement. "


The post Goose Island's Clybourn brewpub sold to Anheuser-Busch appeared first on Beer Street Journal.

The New, All-Inclusive Hyatt Ziva Cancun: A Welcome Addition to Cancun's Hotel Zone

An aerial view of the Hyatt Ziva Cancun shows its spectacular location on a peninsula surrounded on three sides by the Caribbean Sea (Credit: Hyatt Ziva Cancun)

An aerial view of the Hyatt Ziva Cancun shows its spectacular location on a peninsula surrounded on three sides by the Caribbean Sea (Credit: Hyatt Ziva Cancun)


Several weeks before the official grand opening of the Hyatt Ziva Cancun, I traveled south of the border for a sneak peak of the newest all-inclusive resort to open in Cancun. Its January 12, 2016, opening followed an $85 million expansion and renovation of the former Dreams Cancun by owner-operator Playa Resorts.


This was my first time staying in Cancun's Hotel Zone, a concentrated area of 87 resorts, about 60 of them all-inclusive. The Zone begins soon after leaving Cancun's International Airport (CUN) and ends about 25-minutes later at the Hyatt Ziva Cancun, a 547-suite resort situated at the very end of a 17-mile stretch of beach in the area known as Punta Cancun--literally, on the point.


Hyatt Ziva Cancun nighttime view

Hyatt Ziva Cancun nighttime view


My Club Level room

My flight arrived just as the sun was setting, so by the time I arrived and was escorted to my room on the seventh floor of the Club Tower, I opened the drapes to reveal a magical nighttime view. Lights illuminated the pools below and extended beyond to the hotels on Isla Mujeres. I couldn't wait to wake up and see everything in the light of day.


The daytime view, with a bird's eye view of both the resort and one of its two beaches, was just as stunning

The daytime view, with a bird's eye view of both the resort and one of its two beaches, was just as stunning


Besides having a primo view, my oceanfront (463-square-foot) king room had all the amenities guests can expect throughout the resort, no matter what type of room is booked. These include a complimentary mini bar, Wi-Fi access, a satellite flat-screen HD TV, a private balcony, an iron and ironing board, a laptop-size in-room safe, a charging station for electronic devices, a robe and slippers, and more.


Sunsets had that

Sunsets had that "wow" factor, too


I loved the KenetMD bathroom amenities, which have replaced the White Ginger products Hyatt resorts formerly provided, including some out-of-the-ordinary items like lip balm (my new favorite), sunscreen and foot cream, all in addition to shampoo, conditioner and body wash.


Choose Club Level and you're bound to feel more pampered. A long list of service upgrades with a Club Level stay at the Hyatt Ziva Cancun includes private check-in and check-out, personal concierge services, beach butler services at a pool exclusively for Club Level guests, complimentary domestic and international calls, and others too numerous to list.


Tasty bites in the Club Level lounge

Tasty bites in the Club Level lounge


I'm not a morning person, so having the Club Level lounge at my disposal on the ground level of the Club Tower was just what I needed for my first meal of the day. Instead of going to the El Mercado international buffet restaurant for made-to-order omelets and more extensive offerings (open for breakfast, lunch and dinner), on most days I took the elevator to the ground floor's private lounge and chose from cold and hot breakfast items like yogurt, fruit and granola, along with juices, coffee and tea, which I could enjoy in relative privacy while waking up from my usual morning stupor.


Tasty bites, both cold and hot, are available in the Club Level lounge 24 hours a day. After dinner, it was nice to be able to grab a pastry and cup of tea to take back to the room.


Other accommodation choices

In addition to the 18-story, 85-suite Club Tower where I was happily ensconced (formerly the Triangle Tower when it was part of the Dreams brand), there are two other towers. The five-story Pyramid Tower has 302 rooms and includes 17 swim-up rooms and 24 rooms that will overlook the soon-to-open Dolphin Encounter.


Swim-up pool suites

Swim-up pool suites


The newly constructed, 17-story, adults-only Premium Tower--along with the Tradewinds steakhouse--was still in final stages when I was there, but has since opened. I toured one of its eight swim-up rooms, which share an infinity pool with seven other rooms and feature private hot tubs.



Fish tacos at Habaneros

Fish tacos at Habaneros


Dining choices


1. Las Bastille -- French cuisine is one of my favorites, so I chose to dine at La Bastille on my first evening. My travel companions hadn't yet arrived, so I had no distraction from savoring every course, from the salmon appetizer and asparagus cream soup to the macadamia nut-crusted sea bass. La Bastille is an adults-only restaurant open only for the evening meal.


2. Habaneros -- The next day for lunch, I took a short stroll past the pools to reach Habaneros, an open-air, sand-between-your-toes eatery open for lunch and dinner that focuses on fresh fish tacos and ceviches made with fish, shrimp and octopus. It's far enough away from the main part of the resort that any hint of hub-bub vanishes. A pathway beyond Habaneros leads to a still-operational candy cane-striped lighthouse, a focal point of the resort both from land and sea.


Habaneros

Habaneros


3 & 4. The Moongate & Lorenzo's -- During the rest of my stay, following the arrival of my traveling companions, I sampled Asian cuisine at The Moongate (open for dinner only) and Italian fare at Lorenzo's (open for lunch and dinner), and I was happy to have another dining experience at La Bastille on our last evening.


5. Chevy's -- Chevy's, which features classic American diner food with a '57 turquoise Chevy as the focal point of its decor, was the place to chow down on burgers and sweet potato fries.


6. Pasteles -- Sweet tooth cravings are not forgotten at dessert parlor Pasteles, featuring chocolate fountains, ice cream and other sweet treats.

If the dining options at Hyatt Ziva aren't enough to satisfy (or you'd like to get a closer look at the adults-only Hyatt Zilara Cancun, opened in late 2013), ask the concierge to make a dinner reservation for you at Hyatt's companion property, a short cab ride or a long beach walk from the resort.



Juana Margarita bar

Juana Margarita bar


On-site microbrewery, wine and 140 tequilas

Artisan beer lovers will want to check out Tres CerveZas, the resort's on-site microbrewery. The Hyatt Ziva is billed as the first all-inclusive to have its own brewery. I'm not typically a beer drinker, but I joined friends in a tasting of the two homemade brews that were currently on tap in the brewpub and are also served in all the resort's restaurants. A new batch takes 3-4 weeks to be ready to drink. For weddings and large groups, they'll even produce a custom brew (for an extra fee, of course!).


Chat up brewmaster Juan Jose Garcia if you're interested in learning about the brewing process.


Brewmaster Juan Jose Garcia

Brewmaster Juan Jose Garcia


Tequila fans should stop by the Juana Margarita bar for a tasting of Mexico's traditional spirit made from the blue agave plant. Tequila Sommelier Eduardo Perez says the hotel has 140 tequilas for guests to try (of the more than 1,500 types of tequila available in Mexico).


If you're (like me) into the fruit of the vine, ask the concierge about days, times and locations of wine-tastings scheduled during your stay. Linius wines from Spain are served as house wines throughout the resort.



Mariachi and me

Mariachi and me


Entertainment and cultural performances

In the evening, there was always some kind of musical entertainment or cultural performance going on poolside, while costumed performers and mariachi singers strolled through the hallways outside the restaurants. I was coaxed into joining in the mariachi fun after dinner one evening.


Catering to kids

The Hyatt Ziva Cancun is family-friendly and caters to children with its own KidZ Club, offering scheduled activities and a water play area for ages 4-12.



Morning yoga

Morning yoga


Spa and fitness center

Besides 13 treatment rooms and six palapas on the beach for massages, The Spa has incorporated massage waterfalls and a hydrotherapy circuit facing the sea. Morning yoga sessions can be scheduled through the fitness center.


Dolphin habitat

Five dolphins born in captivity at another facility are expected to arrive in February. During my visit, pools for the dolphins were still under construction. Completion of the habitat, involving pool depth, saltwater mixture and water temperature, followed to ensure conditions are right for their arrival. Encounters with these amazing mammals will be available at an additional cost (fee yet to be determined).



Fire coral and fish

Fire coral and fish


Watersports

Scuba diving and snorkeling trips can be arranged through the on-site Solo Buceo Scuba Diving and Watersports Center. After I had to miss a morning dive trip, I managed to hop aboard a boat going out for the final snorkel excursion of the day to a reef just minutes away. It was a joy to be able to "get wet" on my last full day in Cancun and capture photos of the underwater world--of schooling fish and colorful sea fans and coral.


Volleyball in the pool

Volleyball in the pool


Pool volleyball, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), paddle yoga, water aerobics, and snorkeling are just some of the included non-motorized water sport activities available to guests.



Lighthouse in the back

Lighthouse in the back


The wrap-up

Although I visited the resort in the early stages of its opening, I was impressed at how smoothly everything was running, and at the knowledge and helpfulness of the staff. I hadn't previously experienced Hyatt Resorts' signature Service from the Heart(TM), which is displayed by staff members with a hand placed over the heart and a slight nod of acknowledgement, usually along with a "buenos dias" greeting.


Marcos and Jonathan

Marcos and Jonathan


Anytime I had a question or request, it was answered with a smile and a show of interest in providing heartfelt service. Marcos and Jonathan were two of the many delightful staffers I encountered.


Special rates

The resort is having a 50% off sale with a fifth night free for bookings made by February 29, 2016, for travel through December 20, 2016. Check it out at hyattzivacancun.com.



Yellow fish and fire coral
Swim-up pool suites
Sunsets had that
Volleyball in the pool
Hyatt Ziva Cancun nighttime view
Morning yoga
Mariachi and me
Inside La Bastille
Brewmaster Juan Jose Garcia
Juana Margarita bar
Habaneros
Hyatt Ziva from the water
Marcos and Jonathan
Fish tacos at Habaneros
Fire coral and fish
The daytime view, with a bird's eye view of both the resort and one of its two beaches, was just as stunning
Tasty bites in the Club Level lounge
Lighthouse in the back
Shrimp at Habaneros
An aerial view of the Hyatt Ziva Cancun shows its spectacular location on a peninsula surrounded on three sides by the Caribbean Sea (Credit: Hyatt Ziva Cancun)

The post The New, All-Inclusive Hyatt Ziva Cancun: A Welcome Addition to Cancun's Hotel Zone appeared first on Johnny Jet.

Ford Uses Continuously Controlled Damping to Take The Shock (and Damage) Out of Potholes

America's infrastructure is decaying. Add that to the fact that we seem to prefer to fix roads rather than build them to last in the first place, and the result is that U.S. drivers are likely going to come across a pothole or two in their typical travels. The new Ford Fusion will feature a pothole mitigation system [...]


The post Ford Uses Continuously Controlled Damping to Take The Shock (and Damage) Out of Potholes appeared first on The Truth About Cars.

Thursday, February 18, 2016

No Fixed Abode: High-Low, High-Low, It's Off To Work You Go

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of editing Daniel Ho's theories on crossovers as reflections of the zeitgeist. In his thoughtfully-written piece, Daniel argues that crossovers are chimeras, reflecting a social trend towards generalized products that combine social signaling attributes from multiple socio-economic categories. The crossover, therefore, is the "blazer and jeans" look, offering [...]


The post No Fixed Abode: High-Low, High-Low, It's Off To Work You Go appeared first on The Truth About Cars.

The Racing Classics by Dick Wallen

As hot rodders, many of us have spent many an hour hunched over a workbench or sitting on an old car seat haphazardly cast to the back of the garage reading one car magazine after another.

Reader Review: 1988 Daihatsu Charade

(Everybody welcome Ryan, who has been #blessed enough to own one of the most recherche Japanese cars of the last thirty years! -- JB) I'm not a monogamous guy, at least not when it comes to cars. Since my college years, I've consistently owned two vehicles at all times. The idea was to have a [...]


The post Reader Review: 1988 Daihatsu Charade appeared first on The Truth About Cars.

Ask Bark: Too Much Junk in the Trunk (and Everywhere Else)

Ben writes: Hey Bark, I have a brother with a mechanically-healthy 2001 Toyota Camry LE four-cylinder automatic. I'm estimating it has about 180,000 miles now. He uses that car everyday -- extensively on the job, and for visits to family members out of state. Mileage is piling up fast. He does have the car regularly maintained [...]


The post Ask Bark: Too Much Junk in the Trunk (and Everywhere Else) appeared first on The Truth About Cars.

Piston Slap: Condensing Honda's Hot Air? (Part II)

TTAC Regular David Holzman writes: Sajeev, My here-to-fore bombproof 2008 Honda Civic (stick) with 84,000 miles just suffered an air conditioning failure. I'd planned to drive it until spring before getting the AC repaired -- I drove my '99 Accord for almost four years after the AC quit -- but a clattering noise led me to [...]


The post Piston Slap: Condensing Honda's Hot Air? (Part II) appeared first on The Truth About Cars.

Belly Tanks, the Ultimate Hot Rods

If the belly tank isn't the mascot for land speed racing already it probably should be.

Starr Hill Daily Grind kicks off Heavy Rotation Series

Starr Hill Daily Grind

Starr Hill Daily Grind will kick off the brewery's new Heavy Rotation Series in March.


This new series will allow the brewers to focus some brewing efforts away from the India pale ales they are known for, and come up with some interesting new mixes. Interestingly, each beer will have a "mixtape" list on Spotify, created by the brewers.


Starr Hill Daily Grind is a farmhouse style ale, brewed with peppercorns.


Enhancing traditional aromas of spice and citrus, crushed peppercorns bring earthy, bright flavors to the rustic saison farmhouse ale.


Starr Hill Daily Grind will be available in 12 ounce bottles and draft from March through May, 2016.


Style: Farmhouse Ale (w/ Peppercorns)

Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft. March-May.


Debut: March, 2016


6.2% ABV



The post Starr Hill Daily Grind kicks off Heavy Rotation Series appeared first on Beer Street Journal.

Travel Tip of the Day: Don't Wear Risque Clothing or Profanity-Filled T-Shirts

Milan clothes rackDon't Wear Risque Clothing or Profanity-Filled T-Shirts

One of my pet peeves is seeing people walking around with T-shirts that are totally inappropriate, with profanity or sexual positions, for example. Some are funny, yes, but only if the people wearing them are going to a private party with adults only. There's no place for this type of clothing on a plane, and in fact if you're wearing something inappropriate you can be denied boarding unless you cover up or change clothes. The same is true if you're exposing too much skin. Here are some examples.


H/T to Fox News.



____________________________________________________________


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If you already subscribe to the newsletter, fill in your email and check the Daily Travel Tip box in the same top-right corner of the homepage and you'll receive an email with a link to update your JohnnyJet.com preferences. On that page, just click the Daily Travel Tip box and Update Profile and you'll have Johnny's best tips, straight to your inbox each day. And don't worry--it's easier than it sounds!


The post Travel Tip of the Day: Don't Wear Risque Clothing or Profanity-Filled T-Shirts appeared first on Johnny Jet.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Pit Safety and Safety in General

You can take steps to prevent injury (or worse) in the pit area

Stone Brewing will can at the Berlin brewery. For Europe

Stone Cans words

Stone Brewing may not can in the United States (despite urging from the fans), but they certainly will in Germany, and throughout Europe.


The new Stone Brewing Berlin location will be canning a few familiar year-round beers abroad. For Germany only of course. Four cans are scheduled for year-round cans in 2016, including Stone IPA, Stone Ruination Double IPA, Arrogant Bastard Ale, and Stone Cali-Belgique.


The reasons are all great ones you've heard by a brewery by now (all great, of course) - better for the beer, cans are infinitely recyclable, reduced carbon footprint, etc.



"Experts today feel that cans are better for beer. Period," says Greg Koch, Stone Brewing CEO & co-founder. "At the heart of our business is a dedication to fresh, high-quality beer and cans are the ideal packaging for preserving the unique, bold flavors we work so hard to achieve. Additionally, research shows clearly that cans offer incredible benefits in terms of sustainability and we are confident they will be the smartest decision in reducing our carbon and environmental footprint."


All four beers will be available in cans by the end of the year, for Europe distribution only.


The post Stone Brewing will can at the Berlin brewery. For Europe appeared first on Beer Street Journal.

Kia Misses Opportunity for More Cowbell

Capitalizing on the buzz surrounding its Super Bowl ad, "Walken Closet" with Christopher Walken, Kia showed hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the Optima to assembled members of the media. Some automakers hire live musicians to perform during auto show press conferences, including some pretty big names. To burnish its credentials as a youth-oriented brand, Kia had a decent rock band [...]


The post Kia Misses Opportunity for More Cowbell appeared first on The Truth About Cars.

Travel Style: Steve Kaufmann

Want to know how to travel in style, just like the pros? We check in with frequent fliers to find out how often they fly, their favorite destinations and what they never leave home without.


Steve Kaufmann

Steve Kaufmann


Name: Steve Kaufmann


Occupation: Chairman KP Wood Ltd. Co-Founder LingQ.com


Hometown: Montreal, Canada


Residence: West Vancouver, Canada


College: L'Institut d'Etudes Politiques, Paris, France


College major: International Relations


Website: lingq.com & thelinguist.com


Twitter: @lingosteve


Facebook: LingQ


Google+: LingQ


Instagram: lingq_central


YouTube: Steve Kaufmann - lingosteve


Short bio: Steve Kaufmann is a graduate of L'Institut d'Etudes Politiques in Paris, France (1966) and a former Canadian Diplomat and forest industry executive. He is co-founder (with his son Mark) of LingQ.com, an online language learning system and community. Steve speaks 15 languages, has written a book called "The Way of the Linguist, A Language Learning Odyssey" and has a YouTube channel under the name of lingosteve.


How often do you fly? 5-6 times a year.


How many countries have you been to? 20


How many continents have you been to? 5


Earliest travel memory: Passenger vessel from Norway to Canada.


Favorite American city: Boston.


Favorite international city: Paris.


Least favorite country: Finland.


I have no desire to go to: Nigeria.


Friendliest people in the world: Southern Italy.


Country with the meanest immigration officers: US.


Favorite World Heritage Site: Pompeii.


Favorite airline: Koreana.


Favorite aircraft type: Indifferent.


Aisle or window: Aisle.


Favorite airport lounge: Hong Kong.


Favorite U.S. airport: Palm Springs.


Favorite international airport: Vancouver.


Favorite hotel: Chatrium Hotel, Yangon.


Favorite cruise line: Never been.


Favorite travel credit card: Visa.


Favorite island: Barbados.


Favorite beach: Cannes, France.


Favorite fancy restaurant: Paul Bocuse, Sud Lyon, France.


Favorite hole-in-the-wall: Kingyo Izakaya, Vancouver.


Favorite bar: Cuistot Restaurant Palm Springs for happy hour.


Favorite fruit: Mango.


Favorite food: Fish on a grill with herbs and vegetables.


Least favorite food: Persian.


Drink of choice (in the air and on the ground): Red wine.


Favorite travel movie(s): Indiana Jones.


Favorite travel show(s): Anthony Bourdain.


Favorite travel book(s): "Black Lamb and Grey Falcon" by Rebecca West.


Right now I am reading: "Lingo: Around Europe In Sixty Languages" by Gaston Dorren.


Top 3 favorite travel newsletters/magazines/blogs: Don't follow.


Favorite travel website(s): Besides JohnnyJet.com, of course! Booking.com and Fodor's.


5 things you bring on a plane: Kindle, iPad, iPhone, chewing gum (for ears), iPod nano to listen to language I am learning.


What do you always seem to forget? No pattern.


What do you like least about travel? Airline security procedures.


What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport Duty Free store? Glenlivet.


Favorite travel app(s): Booking.com.


Most embarrassing travel moment: When I arrived at airport with others to go to Japan on business and passport had expired.


I'm embarrassed but I haven't been to: Angkor Wat.


Worst travel moment: Freezing while spending night outside in the Alpes-Maritimes while waiting for a ride, hitchhiking from Grenoble to Nice (50 years ago).


What's your dream destination? Lago di Como.


Favorite travel charity: None.


Best travel tip: Learn the language before you go.


The post Travel Style: Steve Kaufmann appeared first on Johnny Jet.

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

2016 Toyota RAV4 Review - The Soft Soft-roader

Compact crossovers are big business and the Toyota RAV4 is one of the segment's corporate all-stars. In 2015, the RAV4 almost outsold Mazda. I'm not talking about the RAV4 outselling the Mazda CX-5, which it did handily by over 200,000 units. No, I'm talking about the RAV4 outselling Mazda in its entirely. Everything Mazda sells. All model sales put together. The RAV4 [...]


The post 2016 Toyota RAV4 Review - The Soft Soft-roader appeared first on The Truth About Cars.

Travel Product of the Week: Ventev Global Charginghub 300

VentevAre you planning on traveling to multiple countries or continents? Instead of carrying around a bunch of plug adaptors, get a universal one. The Ventev Global Charginghub 300 is a USB hub capable of charging devices across 150 countries! It also has two USB ports so you can charge two devices at the same time and not lose your three-prong outlet. It features four AC prong configurations. Keep in mind that it's an adapter and not a converter. It's currently retailing on Amazon for $32.66.


The Johnny Jet team writes about stuff we think you'll like. JohnnyJet.com has affiliate partnerships so we may get a share of the revenue from your purchase. Thanks for your support!


The post Travel Product of the Week: Ventev Global Charginghub 300 appeared first on Johnny Jet.

Victory Brewing & Southern Tier unite under new company

Victory & Southern Tier

Victory Brewing (Downingtown, PA) and Southern Tier Brewing (Lakewood, NY) have united under a new holding company - Artisanal Brewing Ventures (ABV). This new partnership marks the first major brewery financial transaction of 2016.


As Artisanal Brewing Ventures, both Victory Brewing and Southern Tier will independently operate their breweries, which in whole, constitutes 800,000 barrels in potential annual production. The alliance would rank in the top 15 craft brewing companies in the United States (in production volume).


The leadership teams, and employees will remain in tact across both companies.


"Having gotten to know Phin, John and the whole management team, I am more excited than ever about the innovations that lie in our collective futures. One walk through their brewery and I knew that Southern Tier had the same belief in quality and excellence that has driven our culture for 20 years," explains Ron Barchet, COO of Victory Brewing Company"


Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet of Victory will be significant shareholders in ABV, and join the Board of Directors. CEO John Coleman and CFO Bill Wild will lead ABV's management team. The transaction is expected to close in the next 60 days; the final amount of it was not disclosed.


Beer Street Journal spoke with both Victory co-founder Bill Covaleski, and Southern Tier's Phin DeMink this afternoon. By now, the readers of this site have seen many brewery purchases over the past few years. The influx of money into the small brewery system has changed the competitive climate in Covaleski's eyes. As the industry evolves, his greatest fear is that some of the United State's best small brewers may end up competitive enemies, rather than collaborative friends.


Forming a partnership with Southern Tier allows two small/craft breweries to share ideas, collaborate on common goals, and to stay competitive against the new entities with new money and a new edge.


Covaleski spoke very highly of his employees. His commitment to making Victory successful in the future for the staff and fans alike is a main concern. Southern Tier's DeMink possesses that same commitment. As DeMink puts it, Victory and Southern Tier share the same backyard. This new venture secures the backyard a bit more. ABV and the board will be in charge of the 10,000 foot pieces of the business, including capital expansions, distributor relations, market growth.


Both breweries will operate independently day-to-day -all the way down to the paychecks,


The post Victory Brewing & Southern Tier unite under new company appeared first on Beer Street Journal.

Lincoln's Beard Brewing buyout offer to AB-InBev

Lincoln's Beard Brewing Logo

Lately, Anheuser-Busch InBev has been doing some brewery buying. In December, the Belgium headquartered brewery conglomerate purchased Arizona's Four Peaks Brewing, Colorado's Breckenridge Brewery, and Camden Town in London, England.


The soon-to-be open Miami, Florida Lincoln's Beard Brewing turned the tables on AB-InBev my extending an offer for the world's largest brewery. For the tidy sum of $26,000 dollars. We are pretty sure the the Anheuser-Busch executives won't be accepting this offer anytime soon.


In the letter posted the the future brewery's website, the founders layout their purchase intentions.





You see, we aren't billionaires from a faceless, Belgium-headquartered behemoth...we are just regular ol' Americans. We scrutinize every penny we spend and obsess over every decision we make. We live where we brew. We serve what we brew...with our own hands. We see the consequences of our actions, good or bad. We don't just serve the community, we are the community. But don't let us burden you with that.





Ultimately, the offer is a stab at Anheuser and some off the company's business tactics, but hey- we all saw that Super Bowl commercial right? The full letter appears below.



Lincolns Beard AB Letter


The post Lincoln's Beard Brewing buyout offer to AB-InBev appeared first on Beer Street Journal.

Green Flash Dia De Los Serranos coming year-round in February

Green Flash Dia De Los Serranos

Green Flash Dia De Los Serranos joins the brewery's lineup in February, 2016.


The San Diego based brewery is taking their Double Stout, and nuancing it with Serrano chilies. The result is a chocolatey, rich, spicy Green Flash Dia De Los Serranos.


Turn up the heat with our Dia de los Serranos Double Stout. With rich layers of flavor reminiscent of your abuela's celebrated mole recipe, this Double Stout reveals notes of roasted malt, coffee, and sweet bakers chocolate with a caliente kick of fresh Serrano Chiles. Paired with spicy foods or BBQ, it's delicioso. ?Dios mio! I'm going to need una mas...


Green Flash Dia De Los Serranos joins the brewery's lineup year-round in February, 2016.


Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Serrano Peppers)

Availability: 22oz Bottles, Draft. Year-round

Release: February, 2016


8.8% ABV, 45 IBUs


The post Green Flash Dia De Los Serranos coming year-round in February appeared first on Beer Street Journal.

Digestible Collectible: 2001 Chrysler Prowler

I've a little confession to make: I'm not really a big fan of hot rods. Some of that may be my age, as I grew up in the '80s and '90s, when imported sports cars were generally a preferred means of automotive expression. Alternatively, the overall "People of Walmart" vibe I get when attending any sort [...]


The post Digestible Collectible: 2001 Chrysler Prowler appeared first on The Truth About Cars.

Bronx Uptown Milk Stout joins B-Sides Series

Bronx Uptown Milk Stout

Bronx Uptown Milk Stout joins the brewery's B-Sides lineup this month. Interestingly, this is the first time the brewery has released a stout.


The Bronx, New York based brewery makes their living on Bronx Pale Ale, an English pale ale meets American hops hybrid. Since it is finally cold this winter, it's time for the brewery to go dark.


Bronx Uptown Milk Stout features small-batch roasted Ethiopian coffee from the brewery's next door neighbor, Uptown Coffee Roasters. In additional to the lactose milk sugar for creaminess, the brewery adds caramel and chocolate malt. Bronx tells Beer Street Journal the finish is "a rich, full bodied stout that delivers a dark roasted and chocolate taste that would make any coffee drinker smile."


Bronx Uptown Milk Stout is available on draft only, where Bronx is sold.


Style: Milk Stout (w/ Lactose, Coffee)

Hops: Willamette

Malts: Briess 2-row malt , Briess 2-row chocolate malt, Briess BlackPrinz malt, Briess Roasted Barley, Briess 80L Caramel


Availability: Draft only

Release: Mid-January, 2016


6.8% ABV, 36 IBUs


Image provided to Beer Street Journal by Bronx Brewery


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Victory Anniversary 20 Experimental IPA, with Idaho hops

Victory Anniversary 20 Experimental IPA

Victory Anniversary 20 Experimental IPA joins the brewery's lineup this month, as the brewery hits the 20 year mark. The brewery boasts that the "big party" will be in 2017, when Victory is finally "legal" to drink.


Victory Anniversary 20 Experimental IPA is "experimental" in the sense it features a fairly obscure hop (at least for now) - Idaho 7. From the potato state, which is incidentally the third largest hop grower in the U.S. The Idaho 7 hop hails from a part of the state dubbed 'the shelf', a remote location with perfect climate and soil for hop growth.



Anniversary 20 Experimental IPA, boasts complex fruity aromas of orange and apricot with hints of mildly astringent black tea-like characters as well as a pleasantly fresh, slightly pine herbal bouquet.


Victory Anniversary 20 Experimental IPA is now available in 12 ounce bottles and draft throughout the brewery's entire 37 state footprint.


Style: IPA

Hops: Idaho 7

Malts: Carapils,Pilsner


Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft One-off release

Launch: Mid-January, 2016


5.5% ABV


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