Martes, Oktubre 2, 2012
PLAYBOY'S GREATEST COVERS
We're not sure how you'd do the job of picking them — although we'd certainly like to try — but here we are, gawking at Playboy's Greatest Covers ($24). This 320-page tome — written by Playboy contributor Damon Brown and curated by Hef himself — offers up the most gentlemanly covers from 1953 to today, covering many of history's most intriguing women, and all preceded by a foreword from former bunny Pamela Anderson. You could do a lot worse on your man cave coffee table.
GRILLHOUSE: GASTROPUB AT HOME
Not all bar food is fried — gastropubs have long been serving up more sophisticated yet equally hearty fare. Now you can try recreating some of those meals in your own kitchen with Grillhouse: Gastropub at Home ($20). Filled with delicious recipes that offer complex flavors and deceptively simple cooking instructions, it's gorgeously illustrated, and will have you looking for the perfect beers to complement your newly-found favorites.
100 YEARS OF MENSWEAR
Give your personal style a shot in the arm by adopting some classic looks from 100 Years of Menswear ($14). This 320-page tome is filled with classic photos and illustrations chronicling the development of men's fashion over the last century, accompanied by text from fashion historian Cally Blackman. In order to understand the present, one must understand the past, and all that.
B. STIFF & SONS OLD FASHIONED ROOT BEER
We'll drink pretty much anything put out by Oskar Blues, and when it's for a good cause — and we can actually drink it during working hours — well, that's even better. B. Stiff & Sons Old Fashioned Root Beer ($43/case) is the same home-brewed root beer that's been served at the company's restaurants for years, packaged into a 16oz resealable can, and made available for purchase nationwide. It's named for Brian Stiff, a Lyons, CO resident who recently died unexpectedly at 41 -- a portion of the proceeds are going to his widow and two young boys -- so you can feel good about downing multiple cans of the sugary goodness.
ISFJORD VODKA + GIN
It's one thing to drink wine that's been aged for decades, and quite another to drink a spirit born from water that dates back millennia. Isfjord Vodka + Gin are hand-distilled five times with the world's purest natural water — sourced from the fjord of Ilulissat in Greenland — and mixed with juniper berries, bergamot, orange, angelica root, and cardemom in the case of the gin, and fine blonde wheat in the case of the vodka. Enjoy every drink like it's your last, since there's only so many icecaps left to melt.
GRAN PATRÓN BURDEOS TEQUILA
If you're ready to take your celebratory boozing to the next level, Gran Patrón Burdeos Tequila ($740) is just the stuff. Distilled from the finest blue agave, this ultra-premium dark tequila is matured in a blend of American and French oak barrels and aged for a minimum of 12 months. It's then distilled again in vintage Bordeaux barrels from France. Each unleaded crystal bottle comes in a black walnut box with a special corkscrew and a crystal bee stopper. Be sure to sign up for the Uncrate-approved Patrón Social Club.
STOLI HOT VODKA
Don't confuse hot vodka for warm vodka — that's just gross. Instead, Stoli Hot Vodka is designed to trump normal pepper vodka by bringing some actual mouth-heat, thanks to the spicy jalapeño flavor that arrives on the tails of a hint of smoke. Now when you order your bloody mary "spicy as hell", the barkeep will actually have something worthwhile to mix with the tall glass of Sriracha he's making for you.
CHARLESTON BLOODY MARY MIX
Feeling a little less than chipper after last night's drinking escapades? Start your recovery off right with some Charleston Bloody Mary Mix ($10). Available in Original and Bold & Spicy varieties, these tasty mixes include a number of premium Lowcountry ingredients, including Worcestershire, sea salt, ground peppercorn, tarragon, thyme, rice vinegar, habanero mash, and celery seed. Just add vodka. |
CHURCHKEY BEER
Believe it or not, beer used to come in cans that required you to put in a bit of work before you could enjoy their hoppy essence. Churchkey Beer is looking to bring that experience back with a flavorful, golden Pilsner that comes in a flat-top can — leaving you only one way to get the sudsy goodness out. Extra points for friends that have a churchkey on hand without you warning them first. [Scouted by JT]
HOUSE SPIRITS WHITE DOG WHISKEY
Given the no-nonsense label and clear color, House Spirits White Dog Whiskey ($34) looks more like something from a doctor's office than a liquor store. This unusually clear whiskey is made from 100% malted barley, and aged in a barrel for only three hours to round out any harsh notes without taking on any unwanted brownish color. Beyond the obvious flavor of malt, you'll find some nice spicy notes, a dry body, and a long finish. If you're thinking about picking up a bottle, you'd best hurry — it's an extremely limited release.
BOWTRUSS COFFEE
Expand your coffee horizons beyond the standard Starbucks brew and try out a cup ofBowtruss Coffee ($11-$28). Their lineup of coffees includes everything from a standard Colombian to the chocolatey Ethiopia yirgacheffe — our personal favorite — with a little bit of everything in between. Should your current coffee pot not be up to the task of rendering these fine flavors, Bowtruss also offers a line of Japan-sourced Hario brewing solutions that will maximize the potential in pretty much any coffee you choose.
Cars: MASERATI GRANCABRIO MC
Four seats, two doors, no roof — that's the formula for making a Maserati GranCabrio MC . Okay, so maybe there's a bit more that goes into this high-powered convertible. Inspired by the GranTurismo MC Stradale, it features a sporty, aggressive body that's longer than the standard GranCabrio, a front end taken almost directly from the MC Stradale, and a rear that's dominated by the large spoiler, which gives greater negative lift at high speeds and houses the third brake light.
PORSCHE PANAMERA SPORT TURISMO CONCEPTWe've seen a Porsche SUV, a Porsche Sedan, but a Porsche wagon? Yup, that's exactly what the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Concept ($TBA) brings to the table. The surprisingly sleek Sport Turismo seems to borrow inspiration from the Cayenne, 911, and Boxster, with an agressive front end with LED headlights, a more distinctly sloped rear with LED tail lights, and an adaptive carbon rear spoiler. Power is supplied by a new plug-in e-hybrid system that combines a 95hp electric motor with a 333hp supercharged V6, all of which means a 0-62 mph time of under six seconds. Of course, this is a concept, so it also features a new crazy blue paint job, an unrealistically futuristic interior, and no guarantee that it will ever come to market.
We've seen a Porsche SUV, a Porsche Sedan, but a Porsche wagon? Yup, that's exactly what the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Concept brings to the table. The surprisingly sleek Sport Turismo seems to borrow inspiration from the Cayenne, 911, and Boxster, with an agressive front end with LED headlights, a more distinctly sloped rear with LED tail lights, and an adaptive carbon rear spoiler. Power is supplied by a new plug-in e-hybrid system that combines a 95hp electric motor with a 333hp supercharged V6, all of which means a 0-62 mph time of under six seconds. Of course, this is a concept, so it also features a new crazy blue paint job, an unrealistically futuristic interior, and no guarantee that it will ever come to market.
Lunes, Oktubre 1, 2012
CAMPFIRE COLOGNE
No, it's not a joke — although we wouldn't blame you for thinking as much. Campfire Cologne ($13/box) is a package of cedar, oak, or birch wood chips and a pack of matches. Light up a piece — or several — and waft in the authentic smell of a campfire. Of course, you could just go sit around a real fire, but that's not the easiest thing to do in an urban area, or when it's raining.
The Impossible Collection of Cars
Odds are you don't have the cash to buy all -- or even a few -- of the dream rides contained within, but at least the pages of The Impossible Collection of Cars ($650) let you ogle them as if they were your very own. This limited edition, 144-page volume features spectacular photography and brief writings on a whole swatch of iconic vehicles, from a 1909 Blitzen Benz to a '97 Porsche 993 Turbo S, presented on cotton paper with a black rubber presentation box and cutout metal plate, making for a package that's nearly as luxurious as the cars themselves. |
PANASONIC LUMIX GH3 CAMERA
Micro Four Thirds cameras take another step towards the big boys with the Panasonic Lumix GH3 Camera ($1,300). Panny's new flagship packs a host of high-end features into its relatively compact splash- and dust-proof body, including a new, 16 megapixel sensor with a standard ISO up to 12,800, a new contrast AF system, built-in Wi-Fi, a tiltable 3-inch touchscreen, an electronic OLED viewfinder, and 6 fps burst shooting. Most exciting for videographers will be the new ability to record 1080p video at a bit rate of up to 72Mbps, providing an astonishing level of detail.
CULTS, CONSPIRACIES, AND SECRET SOCIETIES
Go inside the world of history's most notorious, powerful, and secret organizations withCults, Conspiracies, and Secret Societies ($11). From well-known groups like the Skulls, Illuminati, and Freemasons to little-known clubs like Oulipo, a group of literary intellectuals who devised unique formulas for creating written masterpieces, this 384-page investigation looks at everything through an entertaining, inquisitive eye, making a read through as fun as it is informative.
Books: THE MAN CAVE BOOK
Need some help getting your testosterone haven off the ground, literally or figuratively? Seek the wisdom you need in The Man Cave Book . Written by two ex-military man-authors, this handy paperback offers up hundreds of photos, tips for both the budget-conscious and the budget-be-damned, warning signs of man cave overload, forbidden activities — even interviews with award-winning man cave owners. You'll be glad for the help when your significant other decides you'll be spending the next week there.
Books: THE HUNGOVER COOKBOOK
Nevermind how you got in this state — if you're truly hungover, all you want to do is make it go away, and The Hungover Cookbook ($8) can help. Inside its cleverly dyslexic cover are classifications of six different types of hangovers with recipes for each, mind games, quizzes to see if you're actually hungover or just still drunk — yes, it happens — and jokes to help ease your shredded mind.
Books:CADILLAC: THE STANDARD OF THE WORLD
Politics aside, we're damn happy to still have a thriving American auto industry — and nothing represents its strengths better than GM's luxury label. Cadillac: The Standard of the World ($75) celebrates 110 years of this iconic brand with 150 photos and illustrations that take you through the company's history, highlighting revered models and concept cars alike in full-bleed glory. Prime coffee table fodder for the automotive obsessed.
Books:THE WORLD ATLAS OF BEER
Maybe it should be considered more of an encyclopedia than atlas. The World Atlas of Beer: The Essential Guide to the Beers of the World ($20) is filled to the brim with brewski knowledge — the history of beer, brewing methods, and info on countries that brew the best. This hardcover also gives you a thorough overview of a little more than 500 of the top beers from around the world.
Books: THE VAMPIRE COMBAT MANUAL
And you thought zombies were the only undead you'd have to fight. Fresh off hisessential guide to fighting zombies, Roger Ma is back with The Vampire Combat Manual($11). This 320-page guide will walk you through crafting deadly weapons, solo and team-based combat techniques, utilizing UV rays to your advantage, and will even debunk some common myths that could cost you your blood — and your life.
Movies: SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT
High cinema it's not, but if you're looking for a perfect Friday night beer-drinking flick, it's hard to top Smokey and the Bandit ($13). This seminal comedy features all-time great Jackie Gleason as a crazed sheriff attempting to chase down Burt Reynolds' Bandit, the runaway bride riding shotgun — an at-the-time-hot Sally Field, and the Bandit's 18-wheeling buddy who's attempting to deliver a full load of beer across the country in 24 hours. The car's not so bad, either.
Movies: THE CABIN IN THE WOODS
Halloween is quickly approaching, which means candy, costumes, pumpkin brews, and scary movies. At the top of our list for this year is The Cabin In The Woods ($20). More sci-fi than serial killer, it's filled with twists, scares, and more than a few tongue-in-cheek moments. Oh, and did we mention it's co-written by Joss Whedon? Yeah. A must-see.
Movies:TARANTINO XX
If you have — somehow — managed not to buy any of Quentin Taratino's films on Blu-ray, someone's gone and done the hard work for you. Tarantino XX ($80) brings together eight of QT's flicks — Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill (Vols. 1 & 2),Death Proof, Inglourious Basterds, and True Romance — together in one stylish set, along with the requisite bonus material — over five hours of it, in fact, spread across two discs. Enjoy, motherf*ckers.
Games: NCAA FOOTBALL 13
Prepare for the upcoming college football season by starting one of your own in NCAA Football 13 ($45). This latest version offers a new passing system, a new read and react defensive AI system, improved presentation with mid-game updates from studio analysts, enhanced commentary from Kirk Herbstreit and Brad Nessler, and new team run-outs, mascots, and pre-game traditions, a new Heisman Challenge that lets you add a former winner to your squad in an effort to win the trophy again, and an improved dynasty mode. Best get to it — the season kicks off in just 29 days. |
GAMES: DEADLIGHT
DEADLIGHT
Side-scrolling mixed with zombies mixed with fantastic visuals equals a damn good time. Deadlight ($20) is set in mid-'80s Seattle, and has you playing as a man named Randall who has been separated from his family right as a virus has spread throughout the world, turning most folks into "shadows", which is really just another word for the undead. Using nothing more than an axe, revolver, pistol, shotgun, and your bare fists, it's a quest worthy of classic consoles — but with much better graphics.
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GAMES:MADDEN NFL 13
MADDEN NFL 13
Never mind the horrible Amazon reviews — if you're that concerned about Franchise Mode, perhaps it's time you go outside anyway. As for the rest of us, Madden NFL 13($60) is ready to fill the gaps between Monday and Thursday nights with the best football gaming yet, thanks to improvements like the all-new Infinity Engine for more realistic impacts and momentum transfers, a new pass-ready system, an all-new defensive AI system, and a new, refined presentation that mimics CBS NFL broadcasts. Of course, if you just have to have your classic Franchise goodness, Madden NFL 12 is only $20 bucks these days.
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