Earlier this week, a conspicuous package arrived in the mail. It turned out to be a Tap-a-Cap Bottle Opener, courtesy of Pickled Parrot owner Gerry Balog. Great googley-moogley!

I first found out about these things a few months ago. But never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd have one of my own. You're a miracle worker, Gerry.*

Eager to test this amazing device, I dashed home. Editor Swift tried to follow me, yelling something about a deadline, but I outran him.

The genius of the Tap-a-Cap is that it not only removes the bottle cap, but it has a little magnet on the side which captures the cap. I don't know about you, but I've lost whole minutes of my life searching for rogue bottle caps.

Once home, I set the Tap-a-Cap atop a bottle of suds and gently but firmly pressed down ...

Continue reading "Review: The Tap-a-Cap Bottle opener" »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 10:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Drink-ology
        

Do you have a big yard you're tired of mowing? Would you rather open an Irish pub there, but don't want to waste time buying materials/building it?

Portable Pubs to the rescue! ...

Continue reading "The inflatable Irish pub, or, 'I want that'" »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 12:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)
Categories: Bars & Clubs, Drink-ology, Random stuff
        

And now, another installment of Weird Drinking Tips Sam Just Learned:

Last night, I met my good friend Miguel (who happens to have his own stellar nightlife blog) in Washington for drinks. Our server set our beers down on the coasters in front of us, and we lifted our glasses for a toast.

For a moment, Miguel's coaster stuck to his beer glass, and he gingerly plucked it off. It's annoying, but I've begun to accept sticky coasters and napkins as part of going out. 

That's when Miguel showed me the secret to ending sticky beer coasters forever: Pour a little salt on them ...

Continue reading "Coaster sticking to your pint glass? Pour salt on it." »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 7:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Drink-ology
        

Last week, Amie and I ordered a bottle of wine at a restaurant.

The server came over, bottle in hand, and chiseled away at the aluminum bottle cover. He cut a ring around it, but not deep enough, because the cap wouldn't come off. Then he jabbed at the top of it and peeled away a few flecks of foil.

Meanwhile, we were sitting there silently, waiting and watching.

At last, he got enough of the cover off to remove the cork, poured us some and left.

I sat there wondering why he'd gone to all the time and effort when there's a much easier way to get the cover off ...

Continue reading "My trick for removing wine bottle covers" »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Drink-ology
        

This could just be the marketing coup of the century:

According to Gawker, Pabst Blue Ribbon has reinvented itself as Blue Ribbon 1844, a high-end beer that is being sold in China for as much as $44 a bottle.

Why 1844? It's the year the original brewery was founded. Is it a new recipe? Or is Pabst Blue Ribbon just re-bottling it's same old crappy self, in the hopes the Chinese are suckers for a decent advertising campaign? The latter, I hope.

I'll bet it's the same rotgut swill that blue collar factory workers in Pittsburgh (and, for some reason, mustachioed hipsters) toss back by the case on a Friday night.

Perhaps "rotgut swill" is a little mean-spirited (liquor pun!). But it sure ain't Clipper City, I'll tell ya that. Or even Natty Boh, for that matter.

Pabst Blue Ribbon has inspired many great pop culture moments, like this one (NSFW). I really hope it's a hit in China. I mean, who wouldn't pay $44 for it? It's got "Blue Ribbon" in the name. It has to be good, right? Right?

(Image courtesy of this site)

Posted by Sam Sessa at 12:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)
Categories: Drink-ology
        

You've never had Blenheim Ginger Ale?, my friend Will asked me.

Nope, I said. Never.

You've got to try some. I've got a whole case! 

Of ginger ale? 

Yeah. It's that good.

That's how we ended up at Idle Hour the other night, with a cardboard box full of bottles of Blenheim Old No. 3 Hot Ginger Ale.

Will popped the top on one, and I took a swig and rolled it around in my mouth for a second. I've never had a more full-bodied ginger ale.

Then I swallowed it. That's when the fire started in my throat.

The "Hot" part of Old No. 3 Hot Ginger Ale sets in as the ginger ale hits the back of your throat. For a second, I thought I'd developed acid reflux. Then I realized it was the ginger ale. It flamed up like a lit matchstick ...

Continue reading "Why I love/hate Blenheim Ginger Ale" »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 2:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Drink-ology
        

This post might just put a permanent dent in my manliness. But that's OK.

Last week, Amie saw an ad for Michaelob Ultra Pomegranate Raspberry beer (think they could have made the name any longer?).

When she asked me to pick her up a six-pack at the local liquor store, I cringed to myself.

I figured she would try one, not like it, and I'd be stuck drinking the other five bottles of fruit-tastic beer.

Oh boy!

Turns out, it's not actually that bad ...

Continue reading "Sipping Michelob Ultra Pomegranate Raspberry beer" »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 11:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)
Categories: Bars & Clubs, Drink-ology, Random stuff
        

Drink, Drank, drunk.

Dude. I just, like, pounded a 16-ounce can of the "extreme relaxation beverage" Drank.

My roll has officially been slowed.

According to the can, I consumed 20 mg of Valerian root extract, 20 mg of rose hips extract, 2 mg of melatonin and, like, 220 calories(!).

I pounded it, too, in 15 minutes. 

How was it? Sweet.

Literally -- sweet. I think my teeth just disintegrated. Maybe it's just the melatonin. I don't know ...

Continue reading "So I tried Drank ..." »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 3:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Drink-ology, Random stuff
        

I do! I do!

I'm not talking about drinking just anything, either. I'm talking about drinking Drank.

Have you heard of Drank? It's the new anti-energy drink. It's a relaxation drink. Or so I hear.

I haven't tried Drank myself -- yet. But the name is pretty awesome. And I'll bet all the kids are gettin' their Drank on. Those kids and their Drank. Gee, what will they think of next?

Here's what Drank's publicist had to say:

Comprised of melatonin, rose hips, and valerian root, drank is intended to chill you out, or “slow your roll” as it says on the can.  drank is currently slowing rolls throughout the country (including Delaware, D.C., and Virginia), and is now turning to Baltimore.

And here I've been wondering why traffic on 495 has been so sluggish lately. I'll bet it's because everybody's roll has been slowed by Drank!

I remember melatonin having something to do with sleep and relaxation. But rose hips? Valerian root? What? ...

Continue reading "Who wants to get their Drank on?" »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 11:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (14)
Categories: Drink-ology, Random stuff
        

Midnight Sun and bacon vodka go back. Way back.

And it was only a matter of time before a mainstream (legal) bacon vodka hit the market.

If there ever was a time for bacon vodka, that time was now.

So, without further delay, ladies and gents, I give you: Bakon Vodka.

oooooooooooooooooh SNAP!

As you see, it's not just Bacon Vodka. Oh no. It's Bacon with a "K"! 

Edgy stuff, man. Hee hee.

I seriously am game to try it. Has anybody else tried this particular brand of it? ...

Continue reading "Bacon vodka lives!" »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 7:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)
Categories: Bars & Clubs, Drink-ology, Random stuff
        

I had to read this guest post from Owl Meat Gravy twice, I was so shocked this even exists:

Kidsbeer! Kidsbeer! Kidsbeer!
 
The Tomomasu company of Japan once made a non-alcoholic drink for kids chock full of the guarana (twice the caffeine of coffee), with enough kick to have the little ones running up the walls.

It didn't sell very well, so they put it in a brown bottle and changed the name to Kidsbeer.

Whoosh ... turning your kid into a kinder-meth-head is much more attractive when it seems like you're getting them drunk. All the chore-doing benefits of kiddie Red Bull combined with the gateway drug priming for later alcoholism.

Kidsbeer! And I thought Shirley Temples were weird. Why not rename this an Amy Winehouse?
 
Note: The photo above is from the company's actual ads ...

Continue reading "Japanese beer for kids" »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (22)
Categories: Bars & Clubs, Drink-ology, Owl Meat's Tipsy Tuesdays
        

And just like that, I'm off on my honeymoon. Whoosh! Don't worry, though -- I've left you some great guest posts from some delightful guest commenters. Remember Owl Meat Gravy? Here he is:

I was sitting at my desk squirting Purell directly into my mouth on Monday morning when I caught my reflection in the computer monitor.  "What am I doing?" I said to myself. 

Like a message from God, a voice inside me said, "This would be better if it tasted like tequila instead of potpourri." If only there was a way to sanitize my hands and get my gel swerve crankin' too.  Reason number 637 of why America is great: PocketShots.  
 
PocketShots are 50 ml (1.7 oz.) squeeze packets of alcohol gel preferred by discerning ladies in ill-fitting tube tops everywhere. The container looks like the worst (best) tiny IV bag ever. They contain 80 proof alcohol as gin, vodka, rum, tequila or "Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged Four Years."...

Continue reading "Pocketshots: My new squeeze" »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 7:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (21)
Categories: Bars & Clubs, Drink-ology, Owl Meat's Tipsy Tuesdays, Random stuff
        

Is there really a special New Year's Eve drink (besides champagne, of course?)

The folks over at idrink.com emailed me some intruiging drink ideas, and I thought I'd pass 'em along. If you've got a NYE specialty drink, feel free to share it, too. Here's three ...

Continue reading "Some New Year's Eve drink ideas" »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 9:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Bars & Clubs, Drink-ology
        

I like silly stuff like these plastic beer-marking bands.

They're like Lance Armstrong's Livestrong bracelets, but not for charity.

And they say "Mine." Like those sea gulls from Finding Nemo. I like that, too.

As a rule of thumb, when someone gives me a gift like this, I use it once and then slowly lose all of the thingys.

But hey, these only cost like $10 or something. Although $10 goes a long way in a recession.

I didn't find these beer markers myself. Liz over at Consuming Interests did.

Heck, there's a whole photo gallery with cheap stuff like this on our site. Here's a link.

You're welcome. 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Bars & Clubs, Drink-ology
        

MS reader Lisa tipped me off about this site, where you can purchase all kinds of random drinking game doo-dads, such as the Beer Pong Game Rack With Freezable Center (pictured).

With this one-of-a-kind device, you can not only guarantee a perfect rack -- ALL THE TIME -- but you fill it in water and put it in the freezer before playing so it keeps your beer icy cold!

All this for a mere $21.95, plus shipping and handling.

That's right folks, the double awesome, one-of-a-kind Beer Pong Game Rack could be yours for the price of one 30-pack of Bud Ice.

Personally, I'd rather drink the Bud Ice. But hey -- that's just one man's opinion. I'm sure there are plenty of college kids with money to burn on useless beer pong memorabilia much like this here. Otherwise, this site wouldn't be in existence.

I did, however, find one beer pong accessory I liked ...

Continue reading "So (un)necessary" »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 11:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)
Categories: Drink-ology
        

Brace yourselves. I have a post prepared that is sure to shock and appall you. In the interests of public discretion, I will give you a chance to stop reading now, if you wish. You can click away and never come back to this post.

Or, you can read on, as I tell you about one of the dirtiest, most devious devices man has ever known ... 

Continue reading "The Sneaky Leaker" »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)
Categories: Drink-ology
        

There exists a robot which is part mini-fridge and part beer opener. This is not a legend. This is real.

All you do is put a glass mug in its hand and push a button. The robot does the rest. The downside? It takes freaking forever, and I'm sure it costs a fortune. But it does rank pretty high on the Awesome-O-Meter. It even speaks Japanese! At least I think it's Japanese.

Watch and enjoy ... 

Continue reading "Another awesome yet pointless invention" »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 10:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Drink-ology
        

Why? Because we can.

And this is America, fool.

That's why.

Here is a link to the official Beer on a Stick site, where you can purchase this incredibly innovative yet strikingly simple accessory. It comes in different colors, too!

I also enjoy Beer on a Stick's motto:

"It's how you hold that keeps it cold."

Truer words are seldom spoken.

Also, if you look to the sidebar on the right side of this site, you'll see a new category called Drink-ology. I'm putting all the posts about weird drinking gizmos there.

Enjoy!

Also, if one of you ends up buying Beer on a Stick (Evan, I'm thinking about you), I want you to take a photo of Beer on a Stick in action and send it to me. 

(Photo from Beer on a Stick's site)  

Posted by Sam Sessa at 7:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Drink-ology
        

Just stumbled across this video of what is perhaps one of the most American inventions ever ... uh ... invented.

This machine costs $1,500 but is worth every penny. I mean, would you, dear reader, want to get off your couch to fetch another beer if you didn't have to? The answer is no.

Watch and learn ...

Continue reading "I want that" »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Drink-ology
        

... such as, the option to sip or chug (hassle free!) from either end of the same mug.

And the illustration of how not to walk downstairs is key.

This product gets Midnight Sun's official stamp of approval. 

For the record, I first saw the photo of this mug here. And I'm not sure where it originally comes from. But it doesn't look like you can order it from this site.

I'm sure you can find it elsewhere, if you're really interested. 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 11:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Drink-ology