Man oh Man

Masculinity "On the Rail"

While my tendency is to hang with "masculine" drinks like a Martini, Bourbon and water or Scotch on the rocks, some of you probably know that my ultimate bar drink is considered a bit "girlie" by some. I've admitted it before but I just can't get enough Mojitos. Always sweet and refreshing. And frowned upon by many of my male friends.

So, I was really interested to see the Wall Street Journal's take on He Drinks, She Drinks in this past weekend's edition. Unfortunately, I can't link to it but wanted to share a few snippets from the article.

Many guys eschew the cocktail list partly because they know what they want before they walk into the bar. But I also think men cling to what they know for a sense of social security - a Jack Daniel's is a safe, embarrassment-free drink, so why order anything else? Thus a vicious circle: With men hesitant to venture onto the cocktail list, menus skew even more heavily toward female tastes.

Women who buck convention and drink gin Martinis or Scotch on the rocks raise no eyebrows - instead they are rightly applauded for the sophistication of their choices. If men think they are being judged by the drinks they order, they're right.

"I made it known to him that I have no regard for him as a man."

Again, a microcosm of the issues men face in broader societal trends. The more insecure we are as men and the more we conform to what others believe we should be, the harder it is for us to break out of traditional male stereotypes.

Listen, I say drink whatever you want. Women get credit for having a refined palate. Men get called whimps. It's time to take back happy hour. Enjoy a Mojito. Savor a fruity drink. Order something different. But, just as a precaution, have them hold the fruit garnish or paper umbrella. That can be embarrassing.

Two Confessions

In reality, I probably have significantly more confessions to make but only two that I plan to share here.

First, I'm a workout a-holic. Part of it is vanity - yes, I want to look good and fit. But part of it is I'm curious to see what I can make my body do - especially as I get older. I'm probably in the best shape of my life but I just feel like it can always get better. Right now, I'm working with the online personal trainer from Men's Health. If you are stuck in a plateau or need a boost in motivation, give the free trial a shot.

Second, I love sweets. Cookies. Cakes. Pies. If I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life I'm sure it would be sweet and probably horrendous for me. Now, it doesn't take a fitness expert to see that these two confessions tend to work against each other. Until now.

Once again I was surfing Daily Candy this morning and found their write up on the Protein Bakery. A place that makes products that allow me to cheat while avoiding at least a little of the self-loathing that inevitably comes after the fact. If you have a sweet tooth, this site might be just the ticket for you.

Umm, Okay.

I guess this makes sense as it would be hard to eat a bowl of Cheerios while riding to Sturgis. But do you trust the Harley Davidson brand enough to eat their beef jerky? Or maybe the better question is, will the Harley Davidson brand make you choose their package of beef jerky over other brands that you are much more likely to be familiar with?

The USA Today has reported that Harley Davidson and ConAgra Foods have reached an agreement to sell beef jerky and tap into the growing meat-snack business.

The product will reportedly sell for $5.99 at convenience stores, groceries, Harley Davidson dealerships and truck stops. Mark your calendars, as product should be arriving January 8 in teriyaki, pepper and original flavor.

I understand that riding a Harley says something about you. I'm not so sure that Harley Davidson beef jerky says the same thing.

singlemalt.tv

Beginning on September 29, single malt drinkers will have the ability to subscribe to their own online TV channel - singlemalt.tv. As you might have guessed, this new channel will be devoted entirely to whiskey. As reported in The Wall Street Journal:

Subscribers who pay $24.95 (through December) will be able to access programs like "The Whiskey Chef," a show about food and whiskey. The founding editor of Whisky Magazine, Charles MacLean, will serve as the network's "anchorman".

It's reported that you can catch programming streaming constantly on the site or choose videos to view on demand.

I'm not a huge whisky drinker but do enjoy one with a splash of water and a cigar on occaision. As curious as I am about the topic, though, I'm not sure I'm willing to pay for it to have to watch it on my computer. According to their site, however, many Scotch enthusiasts are already raring to go:

We have viewers from 79 Countries, including the little Island of Niue. Viewers from around the globe have kept our temporary site hopping 24hrs a day.

Due to the overwhelming global response to singlemalt.tv we have had to close subscription until launch of the full site on Friday. At that time the full registration service will be available. The temporary hold on subscription is necessary whilst we make the changeover to the new online viewer.

If you are a subscriber, let me know how it is. I'm very interested not only because of the subject matter but because I like the idea of being able to access very specific programming tailored to feed your passion. Now, if I wasn't so hooked on my DVR.

Striving to be a Better Host

I don't entertain very often. But, as part of my definition of "manliness", I strive to be the perfect host when I do choose to entertain. To that end, I'm a sucker for information like this provided at Cool Hunting this morning.

For aspiring foodies there's finally a definitive guide to beverage and food pairings. Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg, the award-winning co-authors of Becoming a Chef, Dining Out and The New American Chef   have compiled expert advice from America's top sommeliers and other experts in What to Drink with What You Eat.

Taking a holistic—almost philosophical—approach the book offers ways to increase enjoyment of food and drink and gives practical advice like matching foods and wines by region and a list for a "starter case" of wine to have on hand. The thorough index of pairings (organized both by beverage and by food) includes the obvious choices like chocolate and coffee, but also slightly more nuanced matches; Kung Pao chicken can be served with beer, fruity wine, Gewürztraminer or Riesling and that persimmons are best with pear brandy. There are some surprises too, like the marriage of Kit Kat Candy bars with African tea . With a user-friendly layout, helpful tables and inspiring sample menus from some of our favorite chefs this book is the perfect addition to any kitchen library. Available from Amazon.

How many of your friends and relatives would be secretly impressed by some of those unexpected food/beverage pairings? Plus it sounds like a lot of fund to experiment with.

If you haven't visited Cool Hunting, check it out. Always a good source for interesting things available in the market today.

This post has been written as part of the Carnival of Modern Man.

Companion to a Nice Cigar

I know it's not the healthiest of habits but I love cigars. I love the flavor, the texture, the smell. But, most of all, I love the relaxation associated with sitting down to enjoy a great cigar at the end of the day. It's my time to celebrate a job well done.

Apparently I'm not alone. It appears that the whole cigar industry is enjoying another resurgence - despite many communities passing anti-smoking laws. To many men it sounds like a great opportunity to re-embrace a traditional symbol of manliness.

Occasionally someone will ask me what I drink when I smoke cigars and I usually answer with something very helpful like, "it depends" - and it really does. But, recently, I tried a new beer (to me) that I thought was not only awesome on its own but was a really nice pairing with many of the cigars I tend to smoke. It's a product from Spaten and it's called "Optimator". Don't be afraid of the description. While it is a dark beer, it's very smooth. And the "toasty" flavor works very well to enhance the natural tobbacco flavor of most cigars while not overpowering it.

Give it a shot. And then let me know how you liked it.

This post has been written as part of the Carnival of Modern Man.