EveryJoe » Products

Discount Gift Cards from Gift Card Granny

Miranda Marquit — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:41:08 +0000

It’s time to start your holiday shopping — if you haven’t already. While you might not be able to get a gift card for your significant other (unless it’s to a romantic restaurant or for a massage), you can get gift cards for the other people on your list. And if you are looking for a great deal on your gift card, a new site, Gift Card Granny, can help you find discount gift cards.

Discount gift cards usually have balances that aren’t being used available for less than the value of the card. Sometimes stores offer gift cards for less than their available balances. In either case, it is possible to use Gift Card Granny to peruse a number of different options, including $50 restaurant gift cards for $45 — among other deals that can save you 5% to more than 50%.

And you don’t have to get these deals only as gifts. If you like golf, you can get a $50 Callaway gift card for $22.50. Shopping for discount gift cards is a good way for you to find great deals on merchandise that you are interested in buying for yourself.

Image source: robinsonsmay via Flickr

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Discount Gift Cards from Gift Card Granny

Beer + TV = Perfect

Darcie Vany — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:27:48 +0000

Gadgetlovers, beer lovers, tv lovers can unite over this new invention. I guess the beer tap market doesn’t really change a whole lot year-to-year, so they had to come up with other ways of staying on top of the competition. They put an LCD screen into their tap in what they have named the V-Pod. It has a TV and 6 beer taps. I say whoever gets this in time for Superbowl has the biggest party.

The screen is pretty tiny, 10″, but when you say to the party host “Hey Frank, can you grab me a beer?” he can no longer answer with “No, I don’t want to miss the game.”

Are there any two things you can think of that could be combined into a super-product like this?

Post from: EveryJoe

Beer + TV = Perfect

St. Pauli Girl 2008

Kelly Phillips Erb — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 17:30:50 +0000

No, that’s not a dirndl she’s wearing…

But, yes, it’s true. The newest face of St. Pauli beer used to be a Playboy Playmate (Miss January 2001). Irina Voronina was named 2008 St. Pauli girl in a worldwide competition last year.

In addition to her “modeling” experience with Playboy, here are some other facts about Irina Voronina, courtesy of St. Pauli:

But of course. Because everyone knows that when you sell remarkable beer, the only way to sell it is with a former Playmate… Unless the beer really isn’t quite so remarkable…

Post from: EveryJoe

St. Pauli Girl 2008

Trashy “Celebs” Apparently Beer Drinking Draw

Kelly Phillips Erb — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 18:13:36 +0000

Apparently what the beer drinking industry has really been holding out for are… trashy “celebs.” First comes the news that Jessica Simpson is the new face – and part owner – of Stampede Beer. Now, Brew Ha-Ha has learned that Drinks Americas Holdings Ltd. is collaborating with rock star Kid Rock to develop and market a domestic beer.

J. Patrick Kenny, CEO for Drinks Americas, said about the partnership:

Kid Rock is a reflection of great American rock and roll music and the American spirit, and we think we can create a beer in that same image. Having Kid Rock as a Drinks Americas partner is an exciting and big addition to our portfolio of icon brands. There is no question in our mind that people will try a beer that Kid Rock will stand by and when they like it, a great and incredibly valuable trademark will be created with his support.

And um, that’s about it. Really. There’s no product yet. No brewery has been selected. Just a big marketing announcement. Are you as excited as I am? (please read with proper amount of sarcasm)

For those of you who haven’t been subjected to Kid Rock and his antics, here’s the quick skinny: Kid’s real name is Robert James Ritchie and he’s a few years shy of 40. He became popular about 10 years ago when he released the oh-so-cleverly titled Devil Without a Cause; it was his most successful album. Kid is mostly known for his off stage behavior including his strange relationship with former Playmate Pamela Anderson. He’s been arrested and cited for various criminal behaviors, usually assault related, including a fight at the MTV awards over Pamela Anderson with her ex, Tommy Lee.

In short, clearly a beer culture icon, no?

Post from: EveryJoe

Trashy “Celebs” Apparently Beer Drinking Draw

When the Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Growing

Kelly Phillips Erb — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 21:05:29 +0000

The economy is hitting everyone hard – including small brewers who are worried about rising prices on hops. The solution? Grow your own.

As the costs of hops rise – and the supplies drop – small brewers are the ones that suffer. They don’t have the leveraging power of the larger brewers and are often forced to take “leftovers” – which doesn’t necessarily result in quality brew.

Some brewers are looking into producing their own hops instead of relying on hope suppliers. And why not? As we previously reported, hops are not terribly difficult to grow – and growing them is becoming more popular.

Stay tuned to see how it changes the industry!

Post from: EveryJoe

When the Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Growing

New Beer “Energy Drink” Plans On Ice

Kelly Phillips Erb — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:37:32 +0000

MillerCoors has announced that it will not yet release a new version of its caffeinated, energy drink. The product, named Sparks Red, would have weighed in with a whopping 8% alcohol content. A launch was planned for October 1. However, the brewery has been asked by 25 State Attorney Generals to not release the drink because of the combination of high alcohol content and caffeine. Consumer advocates worry that the combination would be particularly appealing to young people. Post from: EveryJoe New Beer “Energy Drink” Plans On Ice

Post from: EveryJoe

New Beer “Energy Drink” Plans On Ice

Anheuser-Busch Tries Hard To Be American

Kelly Phillips Erb — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:43:27 +0000

Anheuser-Busch desperately wants to be American, despite the fact that it’s now Belgian owned (gosh, that’s weird to say).

I’m sure that you know what I’m talking about – the overtly American-themed commercials, the red, white and blue branding and the use of the word “American” in everything. Now, A-B has introduced Budweiser American Ale, which went on draught this week. It will debut in retail stores on September 29.

According to A-B, the American Ale is a craft brew (don’t get me started on the overuse of that term) and is all-malt, top-fermented ale. It’s dry hopped with Cascade hops from the Pacific Northwest.

A-B plans to promote the new brew like crazy in television, print, outdoors and on the internet.

Post from: EveryJoe

Anheuser-Busch Tries Hard To Be American

Waiter, There’s a Pizza In My Beer

Kelly Phillips Erb — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:02:28 +0000

It’s as American as apple pie: pizza and beer. But pizza in beer? I kid you not, it’s happening.

Mamma Mia Pizza Beer (either a tribute to ABBA or mom, depending on which way you look at it) is the brain child of Tom and Athena Seefurth of Campton Township, IL. The homebrewers had a few extra tomatoes in the summer of 2006 – and an idea – and Mamma Mia Pizza Beer was born.

The web site claims that the beer has no animal products, is 100% vegetarian (appealing to our vegetarian friends) and has no added oils. The recipe is described as follows:

The Margarita pizza is put into the mash & steeped like a tea bag. A whole wheat crust made with water, flour & yeast is topped with tomato, oregano, basil & garlic. The essence of the pizza spices is washed off with hot water and filtered into a brewpot, where it is boiled for a long, long time. During the process, we add hops & spices in a cheesecloth type bag & filter the cooled liquid into a fermentation vessel. (big glass 6 gallon water jug). After a week or two, the beer is good to go. Keg it or bottle it.

If you’re interested in giving it a try and you live in Illinois, Wisconsin or Indiana, you may be in luck. You can check out the web site to find out where to purchase the pizza beer. You can also order online.

What do you think? Worth a try or just a gimmick?

(Hat Tip: Joe Sixpack)

Post from: EveryJoe

Waiter, There’s a Pizza In My Beer

When Is a Name Just a Name? “Drug Smuggler Saint” Beer Causing a Stir

Kelly Phillips Erb — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 12:53:06 +0000

When is a name just a name? A Mexican brewery has recently introduced a new beer named after the “patron saint” of drug traffickers in that country. The brewery claims that it’s simply piggy-backing on a trend but critics have blasted the move as glamorizing and promoting gang lifestyles.

The beer, Malverde Beer, is named after Jesus Malverde. Malverde is a bit of legend, as details of his life have not been confirmed. What is generally agreed upon is that he was a bandito who stole from the rich and gave the money to the poor in Mexico. He has since been revered by drug dealers and gangs – as well as the general populace – all over Mexico. His name, literally translated, is “evil green” which is evocative of marijuana.

Over the years, Malverde’s legend has grown. Shrines have been erected in his honor, including a public shrine in Mexico City. One source claims that in Bakersfield, California, 80% of Mexican nationals involved in the drug trade possess at least one likeness of Jesus Malverde on a prayer card, candle or statue.

The brewery, Minerva Brewery, in Guadalajara, defends the beer as part of the Mexican culture. The brewery’s manager, Jesus Briseno, says, “We’re just trying to honor a Mexican legend, that’s all.” Briseno was inspired to make the beer after visiting a shrine to Malverde; they intend to donate 1% of the profits to a Malverde chapel. The beer features the slogan:

A hero, a legend, a beer.

Critics say it is not honor or legend. They claim it is part of the so-called “narcoculture” which celebrates drug-related murders and the drug smuggling industry. Songs about drug smugglers, known as narcocorridos, are a staple of Mexican banda music, and pocket-size comic books feature smugglers and hit men.

As for the actual beer, it is described as “a malty, European-style pilsner” made with barley is imported from Wisconsin. It retails for 77 pesos, about twice the price of a normal six pack of beer in Mexico.

Many local businesses have opposed the marketing of the beer. Wal-Mart of Mexico has refused to sell the beer in its stores due to the tie in between Malverde and drug smugglers.

Nonetheless, Minerva has marketed the beer quite successfully. The commercial description of the beer in Spanish plays up the pilsner style and the Malverde connection:

Cerveza Malverde es cuidadosamente elaborada al estilo Pilsner Continental con los mejores ingredientes como lúpulo Hallertau agua de pozo profundo, maltas exportadas en tributo a Jesús Malverde…un héroe,una leyenda, una cerveza.

Minerva is no stranger to conflict. In 2006, brewery produced 24,000 bottles of Duff Beer. If the name sounds familiar, it’s the fictitious beer that Homer Simpson drinks on Fox’ popular show, The Simpsons. Fox was not interested in working with the brewery and the idea fizzled.

It will be interesting to see how this new venture plays out. Public reaction to the beer in Mexico has been mixed; nonetheless, Minerva plans to roll out the beer in the United States.

I can’t imagine how it will sell in the US. You can never underestimate the lure of marketing (Jessica Simpson, anyone?) though the limited reviews of the beer itself have not been kind.

So, at the end of the day, the question is whether a name matters? Is a criminal association for purposes of marketing a bad thing? For example, would a Bonnie and Clyde beer in the US be met with apathy or enthusiasm? It really should just be about the beer – but controversy is what sells. What do you think?

Technorati Tags:
beer, Minerva Brewery, Jesus Malverde, Malverde beer, drug smuggling

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When Is a Name Just a Name? “Drug Smuggler Saint” Beer Causing a Stir

Jessica Simpson Beer Ad Debuts

Kelly Phillips Erb — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:00:04 +0000

Just days after news broke that Jessica Simpson would be the new face of Stampede beer (no, I didn’t realize that they had an “old face” either), the ads have hit the trades. You can catch a glimpse at E.

And lest you think it’s all a big publicity fan, Simpson has a response for the haters:

Yes, I work out and take care of myself, but I also like a cold beer once in a while.

So there.

Technorati Tags:
beer, Jessica Simpson, Stampede Brewing

Post from: EveryJoe

Jessica Simpson Beer Ad Debuts