(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.
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.
Screenshot from earthcam.com/usa/dc/nationalmall/?cam=nationalmall
The post Travel Webcam of the Week: Washington, DC appeared first on Johnny Jet.
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.
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.
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
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
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 "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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
The post The New, All-Inclusive Hyatt Ziva Cancun: A Welcome Addition to Cancun's Hotel Zone appeared first on Johnny Jet.
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.
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.
(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.
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.
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.
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.
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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The post Travel Tip of the Day: Don't Wear Risque Clothing or Profanity-Filled T-Shirts appeared first on Johnny Jet.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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 (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.
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.
The post Lincoln's Beard Brewing buyout offer to AB-InBev appeared first on Beer Street Journal.
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.
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 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
The post Bronx Uptown Milk Stout joins B-Sides Series appeared first on Beer Street Journal.
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
The post Victory Anniversary 20 Experimental IPA, with Idaho hops appeared first on Beer Street Journal.
American consumers, businesses, and government agencies registered a record-setting 17.5 million new vehicles in 2015. That takes into account more than 2.5 million pickup trucks, half a million minivans, more than 420,000 commercial vans, more than 420,000 subcompact crossovers, and nearly 2.4 million midsize cars. But as SUV/CUV sales increased rapidly, pickup trucks strengthen, and [...]
The post 2015's Most Popular Vehicles in America - Segment by Segment by Segment appeared first on The Truth About Cars.
Most luxury roadsters are related to a practical, rear-wheel-drive sports sedan, but Audi prefers to march to a different drummer. Since its inception in 1998, the Audi TT has been based not on the A4, but on the Volkswagen Golf. The original TT was the product of Audi's best and brightest and it not only [...]
The post 2016 Audi TT Roadster Review - Not Just a Pretty Face appeared first on The Truth About Cars.
The post Travel Contests: Week of January 13, 2016 appeared first on Johnny Jet.
THE TOP 10 IN TRAVEL NEWS THIS WEEK:
More news: L.A. Times | N.Y. Times | USA Today | CNN | Skift | BBC
EVEN MORE NEWS:
The post Top 10 in Travel News: Week of January 13, 2016 appeared first on Johnny Jet.
Porsche's CEO is confident that the fix for their 3-liter diesel Cayennes will be approved by regulators, which is more than Volkswagen can say at the moment. That, Kia's big Detroit show, GM's plan to sell cars online and Volkswagen CEO has a momentarily lapse of logic ... after the break! Porsche's 3-liter fix is in, probably [...]
The post TTAC News Round-up: Kia's Big Show, Porsche's Diesel Fix and Muller Says VW Just Misunderstood The Law, You Guys appeared first on The Truth About Cars.
On Monday, Volkswagen CEO Matthias Muller told NPR that the automaker didn't lie in 2014 when regulators asked the automaker why its cars were polluting way more than advertised: "We didn't lie. We didn't understand the question first. And then we worked since 2014 to solve the problem." Immediately realizing that wasn't the thing to say, [...]
The post Case Study in Public Relations: Volkswagen's Diesel Crisis appeared first on The Truth About Cars.
Bell's Brewery's Hopslam cans take one step closer to your refrigerator today, with the arrivals of cans at the Michigan brewery. Read on for more details surrounding the 2016 return.
When Bell's Hopslam returns in 2016, you'll only find it in 12 ounce cans, 1.32 gallon mini kegs and draft. The brewery won't be bottling it this year.
Laura Bell, president of Bell's Brewery in Comstock, Michigan cites construction as the biggest reason you won't find bottles of the hoppy offering in the upcoming seasonal release. The bottling hall will be too busy, so the canning line has been "tapped" to assist.
Bell's Hopslam is an imperial IPA brewed with Michigan honey. The beer easily ranks among one of ht brewery's most popular offerings.
Bottled aren't banished forever for Bell's Hopslam though. Future packaging plans will be announced sometime next year after the release, and construction are completed.
Style: Imperial IPA (w/ Honey)
Availability: 12oz Cans, 1.32 Gallon Mini Kegs, & Draft.
Return: January, 2016
10% ABV
Article updated to include Mini Kegs returning alongside the can launch. Images via Bell's Brewery.
The post Bell's Hopslam 2016 cans are one step closer to release appeared first on Beer Street Journal.
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.
Roger Wade
Name: Roger Wade
Occupation: Founder and editor of PriceofTravel.com and OverwaterBungalows.net
Hometown: Los Angeles
Residence: Miami, but back on the road in 2016
College: Cal State Fullerton
College major: Economics, Finance
Website: priceoftravel.com & overwaterbungalows.net
Twitter: @PriceOfTravel
Facebook: Price of Travel
Short bio: My mother was born in Germany so I'd done two tours around Europe by the age of eight. I continued to travel as often as possible while working in the entertainment biz and later for the Daily Racing Form. Eventually I wanted to break into travel writing and I ended up getting a job with BootsnAll, and later became the Content Director there. In late 2009 I decided I wanted to create my own web properties so I left to start Price of Travel while traveling around Asia and Europe for over 3.5 years.
How often do you fly? I prefer any kind of ground transport to flying when I have time, but obviously there are times when you need to fly. I've been exploring the Caribbean this last year and I've done about 15 flights, mostly on jetBlue.
How many countries have you been to? About 90 but I don't really count and I only mention it if asked because many people find it vulgar to count and brag.
How many continents have you been to? 6, and I doubt I'll make it to Antarctica.
Earliest travel memory: I have a few vague memories of my first trip around Europe with family at the age of four, but they are hard to trust so some of them could be from the next Europe trip at age eight, which I actually do remember.
Favorite American city: New York City.
Favorite international city: Amsterdam.
Least favorite country: Jamaica was a disappointment, except for Negril.
I have no desire to go to: All-inclusive resorts, now that I've tried one and hated that style.
Friendliest people in the world: I find that most people are friendly once you get outside the big cities. If I had to choose one I'd go with India, which is helped by the fact that so many speak English and yet it's incredibly exotic to us.
Country with the meanest immigration officers: They weren't exactly mean, but I've never experienced the amount of security that I did boarding a plane out of Kathmandu in Nepal. Even in the security-frenzied US you usually only deal with one or two major checkpoints, but in Nepal it was more like five or six, including one at the base of the stairs leading onto the plane.
Favorite World Heritage Site: Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia is probably the most impressive man-made thing I've ever seen.
Favorite airline: I take jetBlue whenever I can, and I'm quite fond of Air Asia for reasons other than pure comfort. Considering how cheap Air Asia flights are, it's amazing how pleasant it usually is.
Favorite aircraft type: The bigger the better because I'm a big guy and the largest aircraft tend to have larger seats and more legroom.
Aisle or window: Always a window. I rarely have to get up during flights, and I actually still love to look out the window.
Favorite U.S. airport: Orange County Airport is unusually nice for a smaller airport.
Favorite international airport: Singapore deserves to win the title every year.
Favorite hotel: Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, but only based on a tour that included some time by the rooftop pool.
Favorite cruise line: I've only done one cruise, on Norwegian, and I liked it far more than I was expecting to.
Favorite travel credit card: Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Favorite island: Bali. Except for the traffic problems I think the place is amazing. I'm heading there again soon for a month.
Favorite beach: I'm not really a beach person, but I really like Little Vagator Beach in Goa.
Favorite fancy restaurant: I'm always budget-conscious so I only go to fancy places when invited. I enjoyed Smith and Wollensky in NYC.
Favorite hole-in-the-wall: I really love this tiny place called Pizza D'Oro in Costa Mesa, California, near where I grew up.
Favorite bar: M Bar in Portland, Oregon. It's only lit by candles and it literally only fits about 12 people inside.
Favorite fruit: Strawberries in season.
Favorite food: Wood-fired pizza.
Least favorite food: I'm not one of those adventurous street-food eaters so I've no interest in eyeballs and other organ meats. If I'm going to eat things like that, put them in sausages.
Drink of choice (in the air and on the ground): I usually drink the cheapest local lager, partly because countless blind taste tests I've run with friends have shown that no one can tell the difference between almost any of them.
Favorite travel movie(s): Lost In America.
Favorite travel show(s): House Hunters International, but only the episodes where the people say they are confident that they made the right decision in the closing scenes.
Favorite travel book(s): "On The Road." (cliche, I know).
Favorite travel website(s)--besides JohnnyJet.com, of course! Wikitravel.org in general and travelfish.org for SE Asia.
5 things you bring on a plane: My phone, good earbuds and as many podcasts as I need for the duration.
What do you always seem to forget? Fortunately I don't seem to forget anything with any regularity.
What do you like least about travel? Just like everyone else, I dislike economy airline seats and also the airport security process.
What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport Duty Free store? Smirnoff's vanilla flavored vodka.
Favorite travel app(s): The free version of TripIt is awesome.
Most embarrassing travel moment: Missing my flight from London to NYC because I thought it was flight 825 leaving at 11:15 am, when it was really flight 1115 leaving at 8:25 am.
I'm embarrassed but I haven't been to: Hawaii, but I have my ticket and I'll be there in about six weeks.
Worst travel moment: Getting pretty severe food poisoning at Tikal and then having to spend the next three days curled up by myself in a hotel room in Antigua, Guatemala, while I regained my strength and wits.
What's your dream destination? I did the Ring Road in Iceland a couple years ago and I still can barely believe the place, so I can't wait to go back again.
Favorite travel charity: I don't know of many, but it's hard not to like Passports with Purpose because they focus on tangible results instead of dreamy idealism.
Best travel tip: Be flexible with travel dates if possible and fly on Wednesdays for the lowest fares and smallest crowds. I always start by checking fares for Wednesdays because they are almost always the lowest, so you know what to compare the other days to. And as a cheapskate with a flexible schedule, I usually fly on Wednesdays on most longer journeys.
The post Travel Style: Roger Wade appeared first on Johnny Jet.
