One of the worst things about adding ice to a whisky is its ability to water-down the flavor. So chill your next drink down with Whisky Stones ($20). Milled in Vermont by some of the oldest soapstone workshops in the US, these stones chill quickly in the freezer, and won't impart any flavor to your favorite blend. [Thanks, Chet]
SaveForget those easily-breakable shot glasses you see in tourist shops around the world — if you're ready to do some real drinking, grab yourself a BigShot ($55). Made from solid 2-inch diameter 303 stainless steel bar stock, these manly glasses hold 3 oz. of hooch and weigh an even-manlier 7.5 oz. With a brushed finish and rifled knurls for better grip, it's the last shot glass you'll ever need. [Thanks, Scott]
SaveKeep your beer colder, longer with the Polar Pitcher ($20). Made from polycarbonate with a steel center ice chamber, you simply fill the bottom-opening chamber up with ice, pour in 60oz. of your beverage, and enjoy.
SaveKeep your drinks chilled the (kinda) natural way with Cowhide Koozies ($15). These collapsable drink holders are made from high-quality neoprene, with rustic, authentic hides stitched to the outside, creating a cooling chamber that will keep a beer at 40 degrees or below for up to 35 minutes, or way longer than should be necessary. [Thanks, Manny]
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Wine is best appreciated when consumed right after it's opened. And just like your last relationship, it can turn sour in as little as 2 hours if left unattended. Now you can put those fears (and memories) behind you once and for all. Just decant an unfinished bottle into the Platypus Platy Preserve Wine Preserver ($12), seal the air-tight cap, and it will last up to several days (or weeks) with no ill effect. The Preserver makes it possible to enjoy just one glass at a time — handy now that you're drinking alone.
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The Johnnie Walker Limited Edition Tasting Kit ($50) has everything you need to partake in a civilized tasting of all the company's scotch blends. The set includes four etched rocks glasses, one etched snifter, one official tasting guide, one laminated tasting mat, and one aroma wheel. Enjoy. [Thanks, Stephen]
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Whether you're a collector or a kegmeister, you'll want to check out Kegworks' collection of Branded Tap Handles ($14-$60). The hard-to-find handles, available in a many different brands, are not sold in stores, and are only provided directly to bars and restaurants. So every handle you see for sale probably lived a long life of serving brews to hapless chaps like yourself, and now want nothing more than to retire to a quiet basement bar. Buy one and add the last touch of authenticity your bar's been been lacking.
Save
Tired of replacing your tap handle every time you switch out kegs? Check out Tap Boards ($22). Made from wood with chalkboard inserts, these boards let you simply erase and re-label when it's time to check out a new brew — saving you from accumulating a bar-worthy stack of used handles.
Save
Ready to take your bartending to the next level? Fee Brothers Bitters ($34) can help. This six-bottle set includes six hard-to-find, hand selected cocktail bitters, including West Indies Orange, Peach, Lemon, Grapefruit, Mint and Old Fashioned — allowing you to expand your mixology horizons beyond the ol' Jack and Coke.
SaveKeep your beer colder, longer with the Polar Pitcher ($20). Made from polycarbonate with a steel center ice chamber, you simply fill the bottom-opening chamber up with ice, pour in 60oz. of your beverage, and enjoy.
Save
The Johnnie Walker Limited Edition Tasting Kit ($50) has everything you need to partake in a civilized tasting of all the company's scotch blends. The set includes four etched rocks glasses, one etched snifter, one official tasting guide, one laminated tasting mat, and one aroma wheel. Enjoy. [Thanks, Stephen]
Save
Wine is best appreciated when consumed right after it's opened. And just like your last relationship, it can turn sour in as little as 2 hours if left unattended. Now you can put those fears (and memories) behind you once and for all. Just decant an unfinished bottle into the Platypus Platy Preserve Wine Preserver ($12), seal the air-tight cap, and it will last up to several days (or weeks) with no ill effect. The Preserver makes it possible to enjoy just one glass at a time — handy now that you're drinking alone.
SaveForget those easily-breakable shot glasses you see in tourist shops around the world — if you're ready to do some real drinking, grab yourself a BigShot ($55). Made from solid 2-inch diameter 303 stainless steel bar stock, these manly glasses hold 3 oz. of hooch and weigh an even-manlier 7.5 oz. With a brushed finish and rifled knurls for better grip, it's the last shot glass you'll ever need. [Thanks, Scott]
Save
Whether you're a collector or a kegmeister, you'll want to check out Kegworks' collection of Branded Tap Handles ($14-$60). The hard-to-find handles, available in a many different brands, are not sold in stores, and are only provided directly to bars and restaurants. So every handle you see for sale probably lived a long life of serving brews to hapless chaps like yourself, and now want nothing more than to retire to a quiet basement bar. Buy one and add the last touch of authenticity your bar's been been lacking.
Save
Ready to take your bartending to the next level? Fee Brothers Bitters ($34) can help. This six-bottle set includes six hard-to-find, hand selected cocktail bitters, including West Indies Orange, Peach, Lemon, Grapefruit, Mint and Old Fashioned — allowing you to expand your mixology horizons beyond the ol' Jack and Coke.
Save
Tired of replacing your tap handle every time you switch out kegs? Check out Tap Boards ($22). Made from wood with chalkboard inserts, these boards let you simply erase and re-label when it's time to check out a new brew — saving you from accumulating a bar-worthy stack of used handles.
SaveKeep your drinks chilled the (kinda) natural way with Cowhide Koozies ($15). These collapsable drink holders are made from high-quality neoprene, with rustic, authentic hides stitched to the outside, creating a cooling chamber that will keep a beer at 40 degrees or below for up to 35 minutes, or way longer than should be necessary. [Thanks, Manny]
SaveStart your recovery morning off right with Demitri's Bloody Mary Seasoning ($33). This three-pack of award-winning mixes includes classic, chilies and peppers, and extra horseradish varieties, to which you only need to add vodka and tomato juice. Great for an afternoon pick-me-up for a relaxing day, or for helping wash down the shame of a hard night.
Bring the sports bar experience home with The Man Wall ($14,900). This all-in-one chunk of awesomeness features room for four TVs — one 52" and two 26" units are included — a 1200-watt Panasonic home theater with integrated speakers and wireless surround units, two 25-cigar humidors with gauges, a 32-bottle wine rack, a microwave, a live 7-foot sports ticker at the top with built-in computer, a full-size kegerator with tap, an iPod docking station, DVD player, and the ability to control it all via a single remote control. Feel free to grunt in approval.
SaveEver wish you could combine your dual-monitor setup into one behemoth display? Get ready, because your wish has come true in the NEC CRV43 Curved Widescreen Display ($8,000). Boasting a unique curved design that's sure to immerse you more than a standard two display setup, this beauty also features a 2880x900 double WXGA resolution, a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, single link DVI-D and HDMI inputs, USB 2.0 ports, an on screen display, and the assurance that you have the most unique monitor in the neighborhood. [via]
SaveYou might not be able to pilot the Enterprise in real life, but at least you can feel like it in the James T. Kirk Captain's Chair ($2,900). This full-scale replica of Kirk's captain's chair from the original Star Trek TV series is constructed from the original design conceived by Matt Jefferies, and is limited to only 1,701 units. Features include a wood and steel platform, leather seat and back with oak arm rests, 360-degree swivel action, and various toggle switches, knobs, and buttons from the series, some of which play classic Trek dialogue or sound effects through the seat's built-in speaker.
SaveOne of the worst things about adding ice to a whisky is its ability to water-down the flavor. So chill your next drink down with Whisky Stones ($20). Milled in Vermont by some of the oldest soapstone workshops in the US, these stones chill quickly in the freezer, and won't impart any flavor to your favorite blend. [Thanks, Chet]
SaveGive your BeerTender new life with the Newcastle DraughtKeg ($23). Like a portable English pub, the pressurized mini-keg serves up 10 pints of draught beer, and will stay fresh for 30 days with on-tap tastiness, just like the Heineken version. The Newcastle DraughtKeg will launch in select markets next month.
SaveGet rid of the paper trail with the NeatDesk ($400). This compact ADF (automatic document feeder) scanner helps you declutter your desk and empty your filing cabinet, leaving more room for important stuff. Like snacks. With one-button scanning, the NeatDesk scans up to 10 receipts, 10 business cards and 10 documents at once (or a single 50 page document), and then organizes the copies and extracts the info for digital use. You can scan in a stack of business cards and populate your address book, or scan in a pile of receipts to auto-track your expenses (export to Quicken, Excel or Quickbooks), or scan in a document and turn it into a searchable PDF. The auto-organization and character recognition technology worked surprisingly well on the Mac unit we've been testing, and is going to make next year's IRS holiday a little easier to deal with. With versions available for Mac OS X and Windows, you'll be able to organize your office no matter if you're a Mac or PC.
SaveForget the traditional sappy greeting card — say what you really want to say with The F*cking Card Collection ($25/10 cards). Featuring such heartwarming messages as Happy F*cking Birthday, Happy F*cking Holidays, Thanks A F*cking Bunch, and Congratuf*ckinglations, the recipient is sure to like them — a whole f*cking lot.
SaveLooking for the closest thing you can get to a street-legal racing bike? Check out the new BMW S 1000 RR ($TBA; 2010). This nasty new superbike features a water-cooled four-cylinder inline power plant good for 193 hp, factory ABS, an advanced traction control system, an HP Gearshift Assistant for full-power clutchless upshifts, all while weighing just 455.3 pounds with a full tank of gas. The result? The most horsepower and highest power-to-weight ratio of any bike in its class.
SaveCut down on your power bills and help out the planet at the same time with Sunforce Solar Charging ($285) & Wind Generator ($480) Kits. The 60 Watt solar kit is designed for RVs, cabins, 12-volt battery charging, and other off-grid types of power demands with its 7 Amp charge controller, 175-watt inverter, and LED charging indicator, while the 400 Watt wind generator can power larger items like appliances and electronics, and features an aluminum and carbon fiber composite build, built-in regulator for shutting the system down when connected batteries are charges, and the ability to mount to any sturdy building, pole, or the specially-designed Sunforce 44455 Wind Generator 30-Foot Tower Kit.
SaveBe prepared no matter what the circumstances with the Lifeline Ultralight Survival Kit ($15). Weighing in at only 7.5 oz. and only taking up as much space as a stack of postcards, this handy all-in one kit includes waterproof matches, an 80" x 50" emergency blanket, 50 ft. of fishing line with four hooks and sinker weights, a surgical blade, five wound closure strips, a map compass, emergency whistle, three feet of duct tape, and more, all in an included waterproof carrying case.
SaveCould this no-name device give you more fun than your iPod and PSP combined? Sure sounds like it. The Pocket Retro Game Emulator ($100) plays NES, SNES, GBA, Sega Genesis, and Neo Geo roms, and when you're done with the classics, the device can play movie files, music files, view photos, read eBooks, and more. About the size of a GameBoy Micro, the device features 4GB of built-in storage, a mini SD slot, a 2.8 inch QVGA (320x240) LCD screen, a built-in FM radio, built-in stereo speakers, and an internal rechargeable li-battery.
SaveIt's that time of year again. The new iPhone 3G S ($200-$300; June 19) is the latest version of Apple's God-gadget. Packed with performance updates (the S stands for speed), the new iPhone is up to twice as fast as the iPhone 3G and features a 3-megapixel autofocus camera, video recording capability, longer battery life, and new hands-free voice control. Running the new iPhone OS 3.0 (available June 17 as a free update for your current busted iPhone), the 3G S also features a built-in digital compass, Copy & Paste, MMS, Spotlight Search, a new Find My iPhone feature, 3D graphics, and Nike + iPod support. It will come in 16GB and 32GB capacities in the familiar black and white.
SavePerfect for backyard bashes, the Go Plate ($48/42-pack) assures you'll never lose your drink again. The reusable and recycled clear plastic food tray fits over bottles, cups or cans for one-handed action. They can be thrown in the dishwasher for multiple parties.
SaveIf you're a laptop user looking for a clean, utilitarian desk (like us), feast your eyes on the BlueLounge StudioDesk ($600). This compact (47" x 27.5") workspace features an innovative storage compartment hidden by a sliding desktop surface, letting you hide all your cable clutter, with only a single cable running from the desk to the wall. Made from a mix of solid mahogany and laminate, it's minimal design is sure to look good in any space. [Thanks, Pablo]
SaveAbout as long as a credit card, this low-profile knife can be discreetly carried just about anywhere. Made of black powder-coated 9CR18 stainless steel, the Ka-Bar Last Ditch Knife ($15) comes with a hard-plastic friction sheath and 30-inches of black 550 cord. Slip it in your bag, keep it in your wallet, hang it from your neck, or lace it into your boots.
SaveKeep your eyes safe on the job without looking like a tool with Milwaukee Gunmetal Safety Glasses ($10). Available in hard-coated clear and mirrored versions, these puppies sport an Oakley-esque design, near 100% UVA and UVB protection, adjustable saddle nose pads for a solid fit, and optically-corrected lenses for optimal performance.
SaveUpdated for 2009 with a new grey, orange, and black colorway, the Gravis Digi Bag ($79) offers legendary protection for your gear. It features a cross-body design, padded laptop compartment, bottom rear zip sleeve for attaching to luggage handles, two padded main compartments with separate zipper access and multiple organization pockets, and more.
SaveForget the traditional sappy greeting card — say what you really want to say with The F*cking Card Collection ($25/10 cards). Featuring such heartwarming messages as Happy F*cking Birthday, Happy F*cking Holidays, Thanks A F*cking Bunch, and Congratuf*ckinglations, the recipient is sure to like them — a whole f*cking lot.
SaveStart your recovery morning off right with Demitri's Bloody Mary Seasoning ($33). This three-pack of award-winning mixes includes classic, chilies and peppers, and extra horseradish varieties, to which you only need to add vodka and tomato juice. Great for an... [More]
One of the worst things about adding ice to a whisky is its ability to water-down the flavor. So chill your next drink down with Whisky Stones ($20). Milled in Vermont by some of the oldest soapstone workshops in the... [More]
Forget those easily-breakable shot glasses you see in tourist shops around the world — if you're ready to do some real drinking, grab yourself a BigShot ($55). Made from solid 2-inch diameter 303 stainless steel bar stock, these manly glasses... [More]
Keep your beer colder, longer with the Polar Pitcher ($20). Made from polycarbonate with a steel center ice chamber, you simply fill the bottom-opening chamber up with ice, pour in 60oz. of your beverage, and enjoy.... [More]
Keep your drinks chilled the (kinda) natural way with Cowhide Koozies ($15). These collapsable drink holders are made from high-quality neoprene, with rustic, authentic hides stitched to the outside, creating a cooling chamber that will keep a beer at 40... [More]
Sponsored ProductWhen we reviewed TuneUp, we said it was "quite possibly the most important piece of software any music lover can buy." And with a beautiful new facelift, TuneUp is still a must-have organizational tool that automagically cleans up your digital music collection. TuneUp plugs into iTunes to fix mislabeled music (like "Track01", "Unknown Artist" and "Jay-Z" spelled 5 different ways), fill in missing cover art, alert you to concerts and more. Get 10% off TuneUp Gold with promo code: UNCRATE2.
Wine is best appreciated when consumed right after it's opened. And just like your last relationship, it can turn sour in as little as 2 hours if left unattended. Now you can put those fears (and memories) behind you once... [More]
The Johnnie Walker Limited Edition Tasting Kit ($50) has everything you need to partake in a civilized tasting of all the company's scotch blends. The set includes four etched rocks glasses, one etched snifter, one official tasting guide, one laminated... [More]
Whether you're a collector or a kegmeister, you'll want to check out Kegworks' collection of Branded Tap Handles ($14-$60). The hard-to-find handles, available in a many different brands, are not sold in stores, and are only provided directly to bars... [More]
Tired of replacing your tap handle every time you switch out kegs? Check out Tap Boards ($22). Made from wood with chalkboard inserts, these boards let you simply erase and re-label when it's time to check out a new brew... [More]
Ready to take your bartending to the next level? Fee Brothers Bitters ($34) can help. This six-bottle set includes six hard-to-find, hand selected cocktail bitters, including West Indies Orange, Peach, Lemon, Grapefruit, Mint and Old Fashioned — allowing you to... [More]
If you've got a whole lot of booze, a whole bunch of bar glassware, a whole slew of people to entertain, or any combination of the above, check out the Pottery Barn Modine Bar ($1,400). This beast of a fold-out... [More]
Whether you're a true mixologist or just playing one at your next party, the Cocktail Chemistry Set ($40) will make you feel like a mad scientist behind the bar. Mix your shots in the slick flask and serve them up... [More]
In rough times like these, who wouldn't want perfectly chilled shots at home. The Jägermeister Tap Machine ($300) helps you ease the pain during the week and party it up on the weekend. The triple bottle unit dispenses ice cold... [More]
Have the most gangsta drinks at your next party, with these ice cubes shaped like AK-47 bullets. Each AK Ice Tray ($13) magazine produces 12 bullet shaped pieces. There's really no way that absolutely everyone present won't find this amazingly... [More]
Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the first keg of Guinness with this one-of-a-kind traditional Irish pub for your house. Designed and built by RiRa Pubs, this Authentic Guinness Home Pub ($250,000) will be built on-site in your home out of... [More]