Shoplifter of the Year

Really?!?!?!?

When will people learn that if you want the best, stick with the original and go to the source.

While I appriciate the Japanese for producing something in their local market, I don’t understand the mass consumption.

Read my review of Suntory Yamazaki to see what I mean.

 

Whisky, Japan’s Next Big Export?

From cup noodles to Pokemon, there’s a range of Japanese products that have surprised people here by becoming much more popular overseas than most in the country of origin ever thought possible.

Is Japanese whisky the next in line?

Certainly, connoisseurs have been praising Japan-distilled whisky — based on the Scotch variety — for some time, but the pace of growth in its popularity has caught even some of those who make it unawares. Ahead of the close of this year, Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., one of Japan’s biggest drinks makers, was pleasantly surprised to discover exports from its Nikka Whisky Distilling Co. unit shot up 60% this year, to 25,500 cases.

The home of award-winning drams like Taketsuru Pure Malt, Asahi and Nikka have been putting no little effort into developing the product overseas, but that volume was still 16% above targeted shipments. It’s worth noting that just five years ago, Nikka whisky exports stood at just 1,800 cases.

Happy Birthday Shane McGowan

If anyone belongs in the S&B Hall of Fame, it’s Shane.

My favorite piece of trivia (other than he’s born on Christmas) is that he was also born the same year as Michael Jackson. 

I wonder what the odds were that he would outlive MJ?

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Shane.  You are the greatest.

George Washington’s Eggnog

Where was Tom on the Night in Question?

I think that is what we all want to know.  Personally, I would NEVER do anything stupid after only “five or six” beers……….right?

Handicap Scooter Bumper Car Competition At Walmart Ends In 2:30 AM Arrest Of Drunken Louisiana Guy

An early morning game of drunken bumper cars--using Walmart handicap scooters--was broken up Saturday morning by Louisiana cops who arrested a 22-year-old man who copped to driving to the store while intoxicated.

Officers with the West Monroe Police Department arrived at the Walmart around 2:30 AM in response to a call about a disturbance. Store management told cops that a group of intoxicated suspects were “playing ‘bumper cars’ with the handicap scooters in the store,” according to a probable cause affidavit.

A police sergeant contacted Christopher Butler, who appeared “very intoxicated.” Butler, pictured at right, admitted driving his 2004 Ford truck to the retailer after consuming “five to six beers.” A subsequent Breathalyzer recorded Butler’s blood alcohol content as .133 (the legal limit is .08).

Butler’s fellow bumper car enthusiasts apparently escaped arrest.

WWSD–What Would Santa Do?

I know I haven’t posted much lately – I’ve been on a business trip to England (although it wasn’t an investigative trip like THIS ONE for Asiansnakewine.com) and I getting back into the swing.

What better way than to ask yourself What Would Santa Do while reviewing vintage advertisements?

First it seems Santa is an indiscriminant smoker…..from Lucky Strikes, to Pall Mall, to Camel……he smokes the hardcore stuff.  No Menthol here.

As for beer….nothing is better than the timeless Guinness ads.  Next year this is going to be my Christmas card.  I also liked the Ginger Ale ad with the bottle of whiskey in it.  If I were Santa, I would be all over the W.

Finally, a special Merry Christmas from me and Father Christmas with a picture taken in Hyde Park.  Yes, I was drinking wine…what can I say, it was FREE!!!

DWI enforcement effort is under way

Be Safe this weekend

Monday, December 5, 2011

An enforcement effort to identify impaired drivers will be conducted throughout the week in conjunction with a national campaign.

The Boone County Sheriff’s Department will participate with additional DWI saturation patrols today through next Monday, according to a sheriff’s department news release. The campaign’s focus is to reduce deaths and serious injuries caused by impaired drivers.

Impaired driving contributes to nearly 30 percent of all Missouri traffic fatalities annually, the news release said. Columbia police also are participating in the national campaign.

The sheriff’s department Saturday completed a sobriety checkpoint in the 3600 block of Vawter School Road, according to a news release. Nearly 150 vehicles were checked, resulting in six misdemeanor arrests for driving while intoxicated and a single arrest for drug-impaired driving.

Deputies also arrested two people for driving with a suspended or revoked license and two more for liquor law violations. An arrest for a drug violation also was recorded.

http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/dec/05/dwi-enforcement-effort-is-under-way/

2nd Most Shoplifted Item

Mike sent me THIS the other day, and I never got around to posting it (Sorry Mike).

So, as we enter the holiday season…..what do you think the most shoplifted this time of year is?

If you said Filet Mignon ……well, then you already read the article.

Of course, since this is Smokes and Booze, I would just like to call your attention to the Number 2 Item- Jameson Whiskey.

Not t just any Whiskey, but Jameson.  I originally found this hard to believe, until I thought about it a little bit.  Every gas station, C-Store, Walmart or bodega sells Jameson.  In 99% of those cases, this is probably the highest end whiskey most of those stores sell.  So, if you are stealing, go big or go home.

Personally, I think it is all a plot by Delta House for another Toga Party.  MEAT, Whiskey, Electric Tools, Let’s Rock Elmo – Sounds like a hum dinger coming up.

Cheers -

Will Ferrell does an Endorsement

Will Ferrell is one of those actors you either love or hate.  His type of humor grates some people, and to others….it causes a belly laugh.

I happen to be one of those people who love him.  From Ricky Bobby, to Buddy the Elf to Prestige Worldwide……almost everything he does is classic.

Meanwhile, we sorta celebrity endorsements at S&B. 

The good would be Bill Murray (for Suntory), Willem Dafoe (for Jim Beam) or Sean Connery (in the classic Playboy Ads)

The bad would be my continual rant against P-Diddy.

When you combine the two, you have Ferrell doing something really special.

The ads are not the funniest thing, nor is the beer he is pitching great (Old Milwaukee), but the fact that he is doing 100% Free because he loves the brand and wants to promote it is something that the entitled in Hollywood (funny how the 99%ers never talk about them) should really take a look at.  Instead of worrying what is in his goody bag at the Oscars, flying first class to get somewhere or (heaven forbid) sharing a makeup trailer with someone else…..Will just believes in a product and says Give it a Try.

This truly is something we respect, as it is our mentality as well.  We don’t have sponsors here for a reason.  We want to be able to give honest opinions, and sometimes you feel compelled to overlook a product/service’s shortcomings if you are getting it for free.  The only time we ever ask for money, if for Charity.  That’s the way it should be if you love a product.

Maybe I’ll try some Old Milwaukee when I get back from London.  At least Will got my attention.

Well Done Mr. Ferrell – Cheers!

Don’t Drink and tweet

at least not if you are a government aide AND especially if you are tweeting from Work.

Needless to say……all have been fired

http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowldc/nw-pub-reports-larsen-aides-booze-it-up-at-work_b58351

Two of the Freakiest Ads of 2011

Adweek has run a piece on the “Freakiest Ads of 2011”.

You should jump over their site to check them out, but I have linked to the two Smokes & Booze worthy ones here -

Number 6 – Coors Light with Jean Claude Van Damme

What is up with the Muscles from Brussels?  His pants froze? WTF does that have to do with beer?

http://www.adweek.com/video/freakiest-ads-2011-coors-light-van-damme-136830

Number 5 – Suntory “Rickey”

Suntory is no stranger to us here at S&B, from the Yamzaki Single Malt review (with the Bill Murray commercial) to the Suntory Gin Ad (scroll down) – They love their commercials.

This one on the other hand will give me nightmares.  Mix booze with the Stepford Wives and you have this.

 

http://www.adweek.com/video/freakiest-ads-2011-suntory-rickey-136815

Harry Morgan 1915-2011

Harry Morgan was a great actor, literally someone I grew up with.

From Dragnet to his role in The Shootist to the eternal Sherman TEE Potter in MASH….he was always on our TV.

I still quote him or sing like him to this day. 

RIP Harry….you will be missed.

World’s Greatest Dog

Christmas Gifts–Part 1

 

Here we go – As we go into the Holiday Seasons, here are a few items that might be of interest to the S&B audience – From $130 to $.01.

Stay tuned for a more items as we get closer to “The Mad Rush”.

  

  

How much is the beer at an NHL Game?

From the folks over at Saveonbrew.com (and friends of Beer Bouquet…..remember them?), we have the 2011 NHL Beer Price Analysis Chart.

Man, I love these kinds of break downs, as they show just how much the Arenas/Stadiums/Venues rake you over the coals.

With its exclusive NHL Contract (at $375 Mill) at least Molson Coors is passing some savings to those in Colorado (To bad InBev doesn’t do that for Rams Football Games), but still prices are out of control.  Its no wonder people are slowly starting to stay home more instead of attend a sporting event.  Its their way of showing the Stadium Owners the $10 Foam Finger.

Well done SaveOnBrew.Com and stay tuned to see if they answer some interview questions.

Cheers -

Monday Quick Hits

 

Boy, it’s been an interesting weekend of stories.

First, we have what I am sure is going to be a MADD statistical field day, where a Driver rams into 'Booze it & Lose it' unit.  Knowing MADD, they will probably factor in all the police and cars present as part of the accident to inflate statistics.  But at least we got a funny pic. 

Meanwhile, Former Miss USA arrested for drunk driving after 'attempting to be the designated driver'.

I don’t know which is more interesting – the fact that she is Muslim and shouldn’t drinking or her tweets to try and make it all go away -

Saturday: "Let's clear things up now. ... I'm NOT in Michigan and I'm NOT in jail! Wrong Fakih."

But ... it sort of looks like that was the right Fakih.

The post has since been removed, and on Sunday her attorney Doraid Elder confirmed the arrest, noting that her record "has not a single blemish," other than this and that Rima is "very saddened and very apologetic for the situation that she's in."

Oh well…..when is she giving back the crown?

Over at Aleheads they have a compilation of the MOST OFFENSIVE BEER LABELS.  Some of them are pretty good….here’s a taste.

Meet Steve Long.  Steve is a Douche.  I don’t mean that because he is gay….personally I could care less.  Steve is a douche, because he picks fights in bars, slaps girls on the ass (in front of their boyfriend) and then wonders why he gets his ass kicked in (several) barfights.  Dude, I don’t know you….but I know your type, and it is the reason I have really disliked going to bars lately – it’s become amateur hour.  Everyone that was sober that night, from the Police to the bar owner, disputes your hate crime claims

so why look even more like a douche and continue them.  Instead, man up and say you got drunk.  Pay your fine and for the damages. It happens and people will respect you more for it.

Finally, on a lighter side…..Mike sent in this AWSOME AT-AT liquor cabinet someone made….>DEAR SANTA -

Helping St. Jude's

With today being the first day of December, I was originally going to have a post today about Smokes and Booze related Christmas Gifts.

That all changed this morning when James gave me his entry form for the St. Jude's Math-a-thon.

Math-A-Thon is a volunteer-based fundraising program for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The program includes a fun, free curriculum supplement featuring comic book characters for grades K-8.

Yes, you read that right – James is volunteering to do extra work in school to help raise money to help kids.

As you may know, James lost his brother Joey in 2008 to Cancer.  Several times in the past, he offered his own money or volunteered to help Cancer Research, and this has become his pet project.

Last year, James raised over $750 for this same cause, and now he has set a higher goal of $1000.  If you know me, when my son sets a goal, I will do whatever it takes to help him attain it.

Personally, I understand this is the holiday season and times are tough.  All you need to do is pick up a newspaper and see how people all over the US/World are struggling.  But as I sit here and think about it….this is the perfect time to think of this, as we can all agree…Christmas is a time of giving, and you can never go wrong when giving to kids.

If you would like to help us try to make a difference, you can visit James’ St Jude’s Page HERE  and make a donation.  If you can’t afford to help….please share the link or Facebook, Tweet it or just use “old fashioned” Email.  Get the word out.  It’s all we ask.

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to read this.  We appreciate it.

Cheers -

Ed, Debi and James.

https://waystohelp.stjude.org/sjVPortal/public/displayUserPage.do?userId=727631&programId=551&eventId=181446