Art Eddy III

Usually on your birthday people get you a gift. For J.J. Watt he is flipping the script. He is the one giving you a gift. For the past 27 years, J.J. Watt has been in a constant state of pursuit, redefining greatness every year and earning every accolade he has achieved not the easy way, but with hard work and dedication.

Yesterday Reebok celebrated J.J.’s 28th birthday for all that he has worked for throughout his career with the with the release of the JJ I “Icing on the Cake,”  that launched on his birthday, yesterday.

Designed by the world’s most explosive athlete, the birthday cake inspired iteration of the JJ I featured the introduction of an ice bottom with the iconic JJ logo and midsole adorned in baby blue.

Limited pairs of the JJ I “Icing on the Cake” were released nationwide at Academy Sports & Outdoors and Reebok.com for $99.99. Fans can also register for updates and information at Reebok.com/JJWatt.

Michelob Ultra is now teaming up with Alexa from Amazon to help up keep on track with your fitness goals. They have worked with some of the best fitness experts in the business to bring you quick workouts that you can do on your schedule from the convenience of your home. It’s your very own personal trainer in your living room, ready to go whenever you are!

All you have to do is say, “Alexa, open ULTRA 95.” Then Alexa will guide you through your workout choices. Depending on your fitness level and your goals, you can choose from a series of 12 short workouts ranging from Strength and Conditioning exercises, to Yoga and other Mobility exercises.

Use Michelob ULTRA 95 to:
• Choose a Strength, Conditioning or Mobility workout
• Get instructions on how to do different exercises
• Burn 95 calories with each of these short and effective workouts

With Ultra 95, you won’t have to let your schedule or the weather outside stand in the way of your fitness goals. It’s just one more way in which Michelob ULTRA is helping you go the extra mile every day! Since its inception in 2002, Michelob ULTRA has been proud to not only deliver a 95 calorie, 2.6 carbs superior light beer; but also celebrate the active and balanced lifestyles of its drinkers—from everyday fitness and training, to sports competitions.

You must be over the age of 21 to use this skill. Before launching ULTRA 95, use your Alexa companion app to simply add your name, email and date of birth.

Tomorrow you will be able to pick up a shoe that rapper Future says, “The Zoku Runner is about evolution, moving forwards…that’s what I look to do creatively.”

Reebok Classic will launch the latest evolution of the Zoku Runner through the launch of the Reebok Classic Zoku Runner x Freebandz, representing the first collaboration for this new sneaker style. Reebok Classic’s new contemporary silhouette, the Zoku Runner first debuted on March 2nd in London with a performance from Future at the famed Village Underground. The sneaker features the brand new ultraknit technology from Reebok, a method of knitting fused yarn to create a flexible and breathable sock-like upper that retains its shape while reducing material waste. The Zoku Runner also features DMX Foam technology, a cushioning compound that dramatically reduces weight where it matters.

The Reebok Classic Zoku Runner x Freebandz sneaker was designed with help from Future and the team on his Freebandz label. The sneaker features a two-tone black & white ultraknit upper with matching laces, reflective heel cage overlays embossed with ‘Reebok’ on the left shoe and ‘Freebandz’ on the right one, and a black & white marbled outsole with a glossy white midsole. Completing the design are Freebandz branding details on the sockliner, heel webbing, and collar.

The Reebok Classic Zoku Runner x Freebandz sneaker retails for $115 USD is available at reebok.com/us/zoku_runner and select retailers worldwide tomorrow.

For those of you like me who enjoy Bulleit Bourborn you know the great whiskey that comes that company. Back in 1987, the Bulleit Distilling Co. was founded by a young entrepreneur who quit his job as a lawyer to pursue his true passion – creating quality bourbon. Now after millions of cases of whiskey later, the Bulleit brand is proud to celebrate its 30th anniversary with the official ribbon cutting event for the opening of its new distillery in Shelbyville, Ky. Governor Matt Bevin and a number of other elected officials and dignitaries joined Bulleit Distilling Co. Founder Tom Bulleit for the festivities and tours of the new distillery.

“We’re so proud to open the Bulleit Distilling Co. here in Shelbyville,” said Tom Bulleit. “Seeing this distillery come to life has been a truly surreal experience that couldn’t have been achieved without the tireless work of so many men and women. We can’t wait to share the delicious whiskey that will be produced here for centuries to come.”

Under the supervision of Vice President of Distilling, Pauline Rooney, the distillery employs approximately 30 people for the whiskey distillation and maturation processes. While the distillery is opening at the previously announced capacity of 1.8 million proof gallons annually it was built as a modular distillery and expansion opportunities are being explored.

“Today marks a huge achievement for Tom Bulleit and everyone at Diageo, as we open an amazing facility that will further establish the legacy of Bulleit here in Kentucky,” said Deirdre Mahlan, President of Diageo North America. “We look forward to continuing to watch the brand grow as we become part of the Shelbyville community.”

The distillery, which has already begun producing Bulleit Bourbon represents the latest technology in warehousing and distillation, including enhancements that help conserve and reuse resources, resulting in improved efficiency and less impact on the environment. The 300-acre campus includes four barrel houses (each capable of holding 55,000 barrels), a 52-foot still that was crafted by Vendome Copper and Brass Works in Louisville and the first industrial solar array in Shelby County, which will collect enough energy to run all on-site mobile equipment.

Diageo’s initial investment in building the distillery is $115 million for the Shelbyville site. Combined with the $18 million investment that was made to open the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience at Stitzel-Weller, Bulleit has contributed more than $130 million to Kentucky’s economy since 2014.

As they celebrate the opening of the Bulleit Distilling Co., they hope fans of the brand will join them in raising a glass responsibly, of course.

This is second attempt with Bulleit Bourbon to find a beer that will make the perfect Boilermaker. This time I needed to find something that would pair well with the Bulleit Rye. Before I tell you which beer I chose let me educate you on how the Boilermaker came to be.

Most of you know that a Boilermaker is created when you combine a cold beer with a shot of whiskey. There are few theories on when the Boilermaker was created. Some say that Boilermaker came to be in the 1800s when blue collar workers headed to the bar after a long shift and it is believed that the drink was named after the workers who built and maintained steam locomotives during that same time period.

Another idea is that the first Boilermaker was created when Richard Trevitchick and his friends celebrated after his steam powered vehicle made its first successful climb up his village’s steepest hill on Christmas Eve in 1801.

No matter how the Boilermaker came to be the popularity of the Boilermaker is making a comeback. So with that notion Bulleit is asking for my help and yours as long as you are 21 years old or older to find the beer that when paired with any variety of Bulleit Bourbon will create the best Boilermaker.

Since we are a few days away from St. Patrick’s Day I thought that it would be very appropriate if I use the a beer from the Guinness line. Recently Guinness came out with a Milk Stout. The stout has a roasted malt taste that is offset by a cream-like sweetness flavor to it. The aroma has hints of chocolate and coffee. I was curious to see how it would pair with the Bulleit Rye. It did not disappoint.

Just like the last month I enjoyed this version of the Boilermaker with the Bulleit Rye. The mixture was a good blend of beer and bourbon. I could see myself making this a St. Patrick’s Day tradition. I would say that this one had a score of 8.0 out of ten. So far between the two I gave this combination a slightly higher score that my first attempt.

What beer would you choose to go with a Bulleit variety? Below is the recipe you can use. Let me know which beer you used with Bulleit. I’m always looking for some good suggestions.

Boilermaker

1 oz. Bulleit (Bourbon, Rye or 10-Year-Old)

6 oz. Beer