This past weekend was nuts in ATL!

Dames and Dregs was dope, Jekyll turned 5, and I saw one of the best MCs in the world live, Elzhi! 

(And this was all Saturday!)

Click on the links in the captions for the full stories.

Saw Elzhi at Aisle 5, a dope venue with a SICK craft beer selection. What a night! El is one of the most articulate, flawless MC I have ever seen live and that is saying a lot! He murdered it. 

I also had a great time celebrating Jekyll's birthday. This year makes it #5!

Look for more of my journey soon and thanks for having my back!

Cheers!

Ale

Check out my latest article!

This one features the Fresh Fest in Pittsburgh, PA! 

Whaddup?! 
I am going to be bummed out missing this monumental event on August 11th, but I definitely will be there in spirit. Read the story in Thrillist here. It's a great story how this beer fest came together. To get more info on the festival, click on its logo on the right or, hell, right here! 
I have more articles on the way. I appreciate your support and following. 

Cheers!
Ale

Here are some head-turning car designs that set the bar in 2018

Here is a page form my latest auto column,
and below includes some more dope automobiles that caught my eye.

Let's Cruise!

As many of you know, I love sharing the cool side of cars and design is a big component of my coverage! In one of my upcoming articles for my Driver's Notebook column for various magazines like the one above plus Instagram, here is what impressed me when I got the chance to check these models out in person. Note that there are more that will be added to this post as the year progresses, so stay tuned!

Driver's Notebook

The automotive industry continues to be extremely competitive, so there have to be inventive ways to stand out from the rest. One of the most effective methods to stand out from the rest is to attract the eye of owners and prospective buyers. Be it makeovers of an existing models or in one case, an all-new trim making its debut this year, here are some of the most stunning exteriors presented in 2018.

2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4x4

The Jeep brand is as American as apple pie and continues to produce dream automobiles for the adventurous, off-roaders—and recently—the fashionably hip. To cover all the bases, the current stylizing of the 2018 Rubicon will please both traditionalists and its burgeoning fan base of Millennials. We were wowed by the Granite Crystal Metallic paint adorned by some must-have, yet affordable packages, including LED lighting ($895); “Street Bumper Group” (1,295); and Black Freedom Top 3-piece Hard Top ($1,095). The 17-inch x 7-inch black wheels take on any terrains with a 3.6-liter V6 engine controlled by a six-speed manual transmission. Ultimately, this model successfully preserves Jeep’s decorated history.

Price: $36,995; $47,665 as reviewed

For more information, visit Jeep.com

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2018 KIA Stinger GT

The KIA brand has made extraordinary progress from their independent launch into the US market in the early 90s. Revered for their improvement in virtually every specification, they have taken their design and power output to new heights with their head-turning Stinger GT. Peaking at 365 horsepower thanks to its 3.3-liter twin turbo engine under the hood enhanced with “Launch Control,” KIA’s talented design team successfully crafted the Stinger looks to match its brawn. Popularly showcased in an intimidating “Hichroma Red,” the LED lighting package, and Brembo brakes adorning the 19-inch wheels collectively confirm a bright, boundary-pushing future for this Korean powerhouse.

Price reviewed: $38,350 with all options

For more information, visit Kia.com

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2018 Buick Regal GS

For years, Buick has been regarded as an automaker geared primarily for older generations due to its storied history built around comfort and elegance, but the all-new Regal Buick Regal GS strongly suggests otherwise. This sedan’s sleek body flaunts a “GS Sport” grille accented with a black finish, front air scoops, red Brembo brakes, 19-inch wheels, rear spoiler, and my review model’s “Sport Red” exterior; these features collectively exclaim “Performance!” Thankfully, its V-6 engine is powered by 31o horses controlled with three Interactive Drive settings, and a nine-speed automatic transmission to effectively back up its racing-inspired design. Considering the attractive performance seats enhanced by temperature settings and massage capabilities; sport pedals; the “sportback” for expanded cargo options; and numerous hi-tech components, and you have one of the most exciting cars Buick has ever produced.  

Price: $39,070

For more information, visit buick.com.

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2018 Lexus RC350 2-Door Coupe

Lexus is world-renowned for its attention to detail inside and out, but when it comes to a reasonably priced coupe with a plethora of amenities, they have outdone themselves with the RC350. Sleek and curvaceous in all the right places, we highly recommended the F-Sport Package ($4,105) including the customary “spindle” grille, 16-spoke wheels, aluminum pedals, and numerous other racing-inspired amenities in the cabin. Complete the head turning with orange caliber brakes; premium triple-beam LED headlights and floodlights, and the glistening “Atomic Silver” paint before igniting the road with 311 horses under the hood.

Price: $43,570; $55,660 as reviewed

For more information, visit Lexus.com

It’s the return of the Creature Comforts Automatic Pale Ale!

Photos straight from the source.

This is one of my favorite poundable brews 

under 6% ABV!

Yo, yo!

One of my favorite pale ales is about to hit the shelves again throughout August. Yep, Creature Comforts’ seasonal Automatic will be on draft at whatever bars and restaurants considered gangster on the beer selection, as well in 6-packs of 12-ounce cans in both Athens and the ATL solely. 

Automatic is just hella juicy and easy drinking at 5.5% ABV. I always say it reminds me of those fruit cocktail cups we got back in elementary school for getting a gold star or some shit, but anyway, here is their official take direct from the brewery:

Automatic is a modern pale ale with an ABV of 5.5-percent that features a prominent hop flavor and aroma. A mix of Mosaic and Crystal hops are used to create a delicate balance and give the beer an aroma that features a complex array of berry, citrus, herbal, and pine notes. The flavor mirrors the aroma with a bit more earthiness and stone fruit, leading to a nicely balanced and moderately bitter finish.

My homie and brewmaster Adam Beauchamp add, “Automatic is meant to be light, refreshing and quite drinkable without falling into the common pitfall of ending up too thin, watery or insipid. No color malts were used, however, the relatively full mouthfeel is enough to support this heavily hopped beer.”

Shout out to Michelle Fontaine on the dope can art too!

Get you some.

For more information about Creature Comforts visit www.creaturecomfortsbeer.com.

Hop City Craft Beer & Wine Has A Mobile App For Customers Now!

One of my favorite beer retail spots gets all techy on us and I dig it!

Whadddup?!

One of the most enterprising hustlers in the libation biz, Hop City Beer & Wine founder Kraig Torres out of Atlanta, continues to wow me with the moves he makes. Since I helped stock the shelves of his first Hop City location in West Midtown back in 2009 and provide consultation whenever, we have kicked it at different fests, hosted beer events together including a Girl Scout Cookie Pairing that sold out every night, and continue to talk shop about what's new on the shelves. Overall, I happily watched him burgeon as a successful entrepreneur throughout the years. 

The homie Kraig doing
the #alesharptonpose.

Known for his stores' gangster craft beer selections, extensive wine catalogs, and most importantly, knowledgeable staffs, Kraig now has three Hop City locations including one in Birmingham,AL, and a new two-story concept called the Barleygarden Kitchen and Craft Bar in Alpharetta, GA at Avalon. Crazy, right? 

Well to keep things fresh, they have an official Hop City Craft Beer & Wine app that just launched. Yep, Kraig, his wife and team are beasts.
According to Hop City’s official press release, they say, “Through the mobile app, customers can peruse Hop City’s assortment of beverage options and reserve their choices for pick-up in store. After the initial release, customers will have the option to pay through the app as well. The mobile app will be available for iPhone and Android and can be downloaded on the respective app stores.”

I went to my favorite Hop City of them all—the one at Krog Street Market—and hollered at Kraig immediately after receiving this news. Excitedly, he said it was “Tiiiiight” and then gave me a little more of a detailed breakdown.

The West Midtown joint.

“Beer is evolving so the way we get beer into our guests' hands needs to change too,” Kraig says. “People are always asking to see our inventory and with all our rare and limited beers it wasn't really possible to do this in real time...until now. Beer and wine nerds can get their shopping done as they experience the beer—whether at our bar or anywhere else! I picture a Saturday night on the town, discovering a new favorite, then buying it on the spot through the app. While mobile-shopping is no substitute for the in-store experience, it's the next best thing."

I’m not mad at that. The more ways to make obtaining craft beer easier, the better!

For more information, hit up Kraig’s website at Hopcitybeer.com.

Cheers!

Ale