Lifestyle
The Ventilator “Night Vision” Pack From Reebok Classic
Born during the golden era of Reebok design and technology innovation, the Ventilator was a game-changing runner when it was first introduced in 1990.
The first Reebok lightweight runner with a focus on breathability, the Ventilator was a bold, expressive silhouette that was years ahead of its time.
Today the Reebok Ventilator remains an extremely versatile, one-of-a-kind sneaker, with the chameleon-like ability to take both clean and bold executions.
Over twenty years later, Reebok Classic spins new, bold colorways and reflective materials onto this iconic silhouette with the Ventilator “Night Vision” pack.
Very limited pairs of the Ventilator “Night Vision” pack are available now at Shoe City, Urban Outfitters, Sneaker Politics, and Reebok.com for $85.
Sep 9th
Guinness Goes Blonde
Guinness® Blonde™ American Lager, from the makers of iconic Guinness Stout, is made in the famed American brewing city of Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Guinness® Blonde™ American Lager uses American hops and Guinness’ world famous 125-year-old Guinness yeast.
“From sports bars in Texas to truck stops in Iowa to backyard barbeques in Montana to trendy Manhattan bars, Guinness® Blonde™ American Lager brings the taste, color and character of great American beers and fuses them with the heritage and artistry of the Guinness tradition begun in 1759 by Arthur Guinness,” said Doug Campbell, Guinness Brand Director.
As lagers continue to gain favor among beer drinkers in the U.S., Guinness Master Brewers in Dublin have collaborated with brewing experts in the U.S. to create a one-of-a-kind taste in American Lagers. Guinness® Blonde™ American Lager is a complex, flavorful lager with a floral, hoppy aroma that is a combination of Mosaic™, Willamette and Mount Hood hops. Combining these American ingredients with the world famous 125-year-old Guinness yeast intertwines two brewing traditions – Guinness and American.
“It was great to be a part of the legendary Guinness brewing team for the creation of a unique tasting American Lager and be able to add some of my American influences throughout the brewing process,” saidJoe Gruss, an American brewmaster who is a member of the Guinness Blonde brewing team. “In the end, we were able to combine Guinness artistry and American brewing techniques for a crisp and refreshing-tasting beer.”
Guinness® Blonde™ American Lager is the first release in the Guinness Discovery Series™, an innovative concept showcasing a range of new ‘fusion brew’ beer options, all to be released under the Guinness trademark.
“Beer drinkers’ tastes are evolving and people are looking to try different flavors and styles, and we’re excited to show what Guinness is capable of beyond the traditional dark stout with Guinness® Blonde™ American Lager,” said Doug Campbell, Guinness Brand Director. “The beauty of this beer is that we’re able to produce a characteristically American-style lager, while fusing the standards of quality and taste expected of Guinness with a taste profile and color characteristics long loved by traditional American beer drinkers.”
The Guinness Discovery Series™ will feature an array of beers that combine the Guinness brand’s European brewing expertise with different brewing styles and techniques. The series will release these fusion brews bi-annually, beginning with Guinness® Blonde™ American Lager, providing new ways for fans of the brand and beer drinkers to experience Guinness, responsibly.
Available in a 12 oz. bottle (5% ABV), 6-pack, with a suggested retail price of $8.99, Guinness® Blonde™ American Lager is best enjoyed cold and straight from the bottle or served in a 16 oz. Guinness branded glass. Guinness® Blonde™ American Lager will be on shelves nationwide beginning in mid-September 2014.
Whether enjoying a new Guinness® Blonde™ American Lager, or any Guinness beer, please drink responsibly.
Sep 4th
NEW Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Rubber Collection
Converse Inc. debuts the Fall 2014 Chuck Taylor All Star Rubber collection, providing a stylish way to protect your feet from rainy days. Featuring a sleek monochromatic look, the collection will launch in Canada on September 2 and in the United States on September 15.
The Fall 2014 Chuck Taylor All Star Rubber collection features soft fleece lining, with a rubber upper in rich monochromatic colors. Designed with a gusseted tongue and brass eyelets, the water resistant Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Rubber is built to help protect your feet during rainy day weather and music festival mud pits. Available in unisex adult and kids sizes, the new Chuck Taylor All Star Rubber collection comes in seven rich colors with a special monochromatic white version sold exclusively at Converse stores and converse.com.
The Fall 2014 Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Rubber collection will be available for purchase in Canada on September 2 at specialty retailers and in the United States on September 15 at Converse stores and converse.com for MSRP $45 (kids) and MSRP $65 (adults).
Sep 2nd
Nike Air Command Force Will Be Available This Fall
The Nike Air Command Force is coming back to store shelves after a two decade hiatus. Originally released back in 1991, and rocked by David Robinson, the Nike retro looks to have sneakerheads drooling. There are two colors seen here in both an OG-inspired leather-based White/Black-Wolf Grey-Volt-Vivid Blue and suede-based Black/Wolf Grey-Hyper Jade-Hyper Pink style code, each of these variations are scheduled to arrive at select Nike Sportswear retailers Saturday, September 20th.
Sep 2nd
Jordan Brand Introduces The Jordan CP3.VIII
Chris Paul is incredibly involved in the design process of the shoe, and works closely with Jordan Brand designers to create a shoe that is made specifically for his game. Paul asks designers to incorporate elements that give him an edge over his opponents, similar to a superhero’s kit with concealed ecret weapons.
Beyond the shoe’s performance elements, the CP3 signature line has always featured personalized touches, helping distinguish Paul’s game-day footwear. The Jordan CP3.VIII continues that trend, with a family tree detailed on the inside of the tongue, complementing the traditional chevron design that pays tribute to the patriarchs of the Paul family.
Paul’s game is notoriously fast, and he requires a shoe he can trust when he’s making quick changes in direction, stopping in an instant or initiating a high-speed attack on the rim. The TPU chassis provides this type of supreme stability for the rapid directional moves that Paul is known for. A unique 
5/8-height, coupled with an innersleeve, delivers a sock-like fit in a model that is made for players with an up-tempo game.
The textile upper provides lightweight support, while reaffirming durability through synthetic overlays on the heel and toe, as well as rubber pods strategically placed in high-contact areas. Nike Zoom units under the forefoot create responsive cushioning, and a herringbone pattern on the heel enhances the multi-directional traction that has become a staple in the CP3 line.
The Jordan CP3.VIII will launch in two colorways — black/infrared 23/white and cool grey/white/black — at global retailers and Jordan.com on Nov. 1, for a suggested retail price of $130.
Aug 27th
Air Jordan VI Retro ‘Sport Blue’ Drops This Weekend!
The original ‘Sport Blue’ Air Jordan 6 colorway is back for the first time, with an all-white leather upper and bold Sport Blue accents. The Air Jordan 6 Retro features a visible Air-Sole unit in the heel, a lace toggle to keep your laces cinched tight and distinctive clear rubber outsole elements. Releasing August 30 on Nike.com.
Aug 25th
Footaction And ScHoolboy Q Help You Own The Summer
Footaction linked up with TDE artist ScHoolboy Q this summer to remix his “Man of the Year” video using images and video of fans showing off their hottest summer styles. Here’s how they Own the Summer!
Aug 25th
Travi$ Scott Rocks The Reebok Ventilator
well as new material off his recently released mixtape Days Before Radio. During his performance he jumped into the pit for an epic crowd surf, and returned to the stage to perform “Don’t Play” with Big Sean, as the concert closed with Big Sean’s set.Aug 25th
Elk Mountain Hop Farm: An Attention To Detail
I started to drink beer in college. Back then I didn’t really give too much attention to what I was drinking. After college I started looking to try new varieties here and there. Sure there were some stand-by beers that I would pick up and enjoy, but I did look to sample a few new brews. Some I dug, others not so much. Even then I really didn’t give that much thought in the process of how beer was made. I picked up a six pack at the store and then enjoyed a few beers with my friends.
That all changed last week. I had the great pleasure of visiting the Elk Mountain Hop Farm in beautiful Bonners Ferry, Idaho courtesy of Anheuser-Busch. Sure I understood that beer came from hops, but I didn’t understand the exact science that takes place to produce beer. And yes, there is a science to it.
When I first arrived to Elk Mountain I was just overwhelmed with the scenery, the mountains, and the fresh air. There were a handful of writers and bloggers just like me ready for this beer adventure. The farm is ten miles from the Canadian border and grows hops for Anheuser-Busch. Elk Mountain is one of the world’s largest hop farm at 1,800 acres.
The farm is on the same latitude as the prime hop-growing regions of Europe, and gets 16 hours of sunlight in the summer. That was what Jane Killebrew, the Director of Brewing, Quality, and Innovation at Anheuser-Busch, told me while we were taking a tour of the farm. Jane also informed me about the many different hop variations that are cultivated on the farm. The different hops help to provide the opportunity to make a new beer.
From there I spoke with Peter Wolfe, who is the Brewing Scientist and Hop Chemist at Anheuser-Busch.
In 2012, Peter joined Anheuser-Busch’s Brewing Technical Center in St. Louis, which functions as the research and problem solving scientific arm of the brewing organization. While still actively working on hop aroma projects, his work has expanded to include many facets of brewing science, including beer staling mechanisms, yeast health, packaging materials, and enzyme functions. Did you get all that? No worries if you didn’t. I was talking to the Peter in person and I think I understood most of what he was telling me about the science that goes into beer. The guy loves beer and science. He makes sure those two things fit together perfectly from week to week.
The fascinating stories kept coming throughout the tour. I caught up with Pete Kraemer, the Head Brewmaster & Vice President, Supply at Anheuser-Busch. He and I spoke about how Budweiser tries to make sure that wherever you go, their famous beer will taste the same. Whether you are in Chicago or in China when you grab a Budweiser you will get the same flavor and taste. Anheuser-Busch has a commitment to quality and their attention to detail makes sure of that.
The guys from Goose Island Beer were there as well. During my time at the hop farm I had the pleasure of drinking a beer with Head Brewmaster from Goose Island Beer, Brett Porter. I asked him how he 
found his passion for beer. He told me that he always had a love for making things. Whether it had to deal to beer or not, Brett loved the idea of seeing how something worked, how it was made, and the possibility of making it better.
He also loved beer for the fact that it helped to make memories. People could drink a beer and start having a conversation about anything. He loves to hear and tell stories. He feels that beer looks to make those conversations last longer. Brett relishes his job because of the other great brewers in the industry. He loves to see other Brewmasters succeed. He wants everyone to have a piece of the market and tell a story through beer. Mr. Porter is the kind of guy you could just sit back and listen to as he shares many intriguing stories from his time living in Edinburgh to the present.
“As Brewmaster, my biggest responsibility is making sure there is enough of each of our Goose Island beers to go around,” says Porter. “For now, we operate the brewery 24/7 and are putting in place a plan that will help us focus more intensively on innovation. Along with new tanks to expand brewing capacity overall, Goose Island is looking to greatly increase the capacity of our barrel program.”
Porter’s colleagues Keith Gabbett and Quinn Fuechsl are brewers at Goose Island Beer. They educated me on some of their beers and the way they look to make new brews. When brewing, Quinn believes that, “the constant challenge the process represents and being surrounded by people who are incredibly passionate and about creating, perfecting and learning about great beer.”
Another treat that we all got to experience was the food. Chef Jeremy Hansen and his crew did an amazing job of preparing food that went perfectly with the beer selection. Chef Hansen is the owner and executive chef of Santé Restaurant & Charcuterie. He began his culinary career working in numerous kitchens by the age 15. At 25, he decided to pursue a career in culinary arts and moved to Portland, Oregon.
Our final dinner there w
as set in the actual hop farm and he and his staff treated us to a five course meal. The stews, salmon, and elk were paired brilliantly with a beer for each course. This will be a dinner that I will never forget. Chef Hansen made marshmallows and graham crackers from scratch for our s’mores. Yeah, he is that good!
My time in Idaho was simply amazing. I learned so much from everyone. The staff at Elk Mountain Farm opened up their place to us and went to great lengths to make us feel right at home. They took time out of their busy schedule to show us each and every part of the farm. I will never look at beer the same way. Now when I pick up a six pack I won’t take the process it took from the farm to the store lightly. I also know that everyone that I met on this trip loves what they do. They take pride in their work and that was very apparent with my time at the hop farm.
So the next time you raise a glass and look to enjoy a beer with your friends, make sure you give a quick toast to those who made you that delicious beer. They might not hear it, but at least you are giving them a shout out for all their hard work that went into making that beer that is in your glass. I know I will.
Aug 24th
Go Bananas With Shock Top’s New Brew
In honor of Banana Lover’s Day on Wed., August 27, here are some “Great Moments in Banana History!”
· 1955 – Banana holders begin to appear in the American kitchen
· 1967 – The Andy Warhol banana makes a big impression on the art scene
· 1979 – The ever-classy banana hammock debuts
· 2014 – Shock Top introduces a beer that’s a banana lover’s dream come true – Spiced Banana Wheat
Shock Top brew masters just released their second limited edition beer for 2014, the Shock Top Spiced Banana Wheat, a Belgian-style unfiltered wheat ale with a sweet banana aroma, subtle hopping and a smooth, creamy caramel finish for a full flavor experience.
This limited edition brew will be available on draught at beer festivals, Shock Top special events and for a limited time at select retail locations.
If you are going to celebrate Banana Lover’s Day on the 27th then why not pick up the Shock Top Spiced Banana Wheat. Like I stated earlier it is a limited edition festival beer brewed with wheat, citrus peels, honey, spice and banana with a light golden color and 5.5 percent alcohol by volume (ABV). Shock Top Spiced Banana Wheat is a limited edition beer only available on draught at beer festivals, Shock Top special events and for a limited time at select retail locations.
So make sure you pick up some soon or you will miss out! Cheers!
Aug 22nd
