To make the Volstead you will need:

• ¾ oz simple syrup
• ¾ oz vodka
• ¾ oz Elderflower Liqueur
• ¾ oz lemon juice
• 5 strawberries

As you chill the cocktail glass start by muddling 4 of the fresh strawberries in the bottom of your stainless steel shaker, be sure to cut the strawberries in half first and muddle completely. Follow up by the rest your ingredients; I find that for the Elderflower Liqueur St. Germain is the best but Bols is great alternative, for the Vodka use whatever is your favorite. Fill the rest of the shaker with ice and shake extremely well, shaking is better than stirring because it mixes the muddled strawberries much better. Strain in to your chilled cocktail glass and you have yourself the best and most refreshing vodka drink for summer there is.

The Volstead is perfectly refreshing with only a hint of sweetness provided by the simple syrup that creates the perfect stage for the fresh strawberry notes to dance on. The Elderflower Liqueur is uniquely its own adding fresh floral notes that remind me of the fields of wildflowers found in the mountains near my home. Be sure to experience summer to its fullest with a Volstead in hand. 

The post Drinking in the Feeling of Summer with the Volstead appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

For this article I am going to cover the Americano; a low alcohol Campari-based sipping cocktail that is great for long and hot summer afternoons. First gather your ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz Campari
• 1 ½ oz sweet vermouth
• Club soda or seltzer
• Orange slice for garnish

Start by filling a classic cocktail tumbler with ice to pre-chill the glass. In an ice filled shaker mix the Campari and sweet vermouth, straining in to the ice filled tumbler and topping off with club soda or seltzer water (I prefer club soda). Finish the prep by garnishing your Americano with a slice of orange. The distinct and classy cocktail that results is a rooty, earthy, and full bodied experience that has only a slight hint of sweetness. At its core the Americano is a deep and etherial drink that is refreshing yet distinct and mature. The Americano can be adapted by using a bigger glass with more club soda or seltzer to create a very low abv drink that can be enjoyed all day long. 

Enjoy this amazing warm weather cocktail as you watch the days get longer and warmer from the comfort of your front porch.

The post Starting Summer with the Americano appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

I poured the 11.2 oz Irish Wheat bottle in to an official 20 oz Guinness glass and a pure white head built quickly and tall but with minimal density that dissipated in to a perfect quarter inch fluffy blanket. The color is a beautiful golden yellow with a distinct wheat beer cloudiness and a nose dominated by wheat notes and subtle hints of spicy clove and banana. The Brewer’s Project uses the same original and unmodified Guinness ale yeast used in all their beers for over 200 years and it shows on the palate with a distinctly Guinness edge over a  pure refreshing wheat base and noticeable notes of banana in every sip. The whole mouthfeel is crisp and simple with the fully wheat grain bill really shining here, making an easy drinking and refreshing beer that is perfect for hot spring and summer nights.

The Brewer’s Project hits it out of park again with Guinness Irish Wheat that is Guinness through and through thanks to a shared soul of the original ale yeast strain. This Wheat beer drinks more like a classic wit than an American unfiltered wheat with its refreshing, subtle, and clean nature. This is the perfect porch sipping beer for the warm seasons already upon us.

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Making sure your sweet whip is ready for the open road can be divided into two parts: Checking your car and packing supplies.

Checking Your Car

Your car won’t take care of you if you don’t take of it. Make sure your jalopy has plenty of oil, coolant, and other fluids. Check your tire pressures, not forgetting your spare tire if you have one. If not, filling your tires with Fix-a-Flat ooze can mean the difference between being stranded and limping into town. Lastly It’s not the worst idea to pick up a spare quart of oil or bottle of coolant to take with you just in case.

Packing Supplies

Speaking of just in case, you’ll also want to make sure you have tools you’ll need should something go wrong. Here, your best bet is a travel tool kit sold at any AutoZone, augmented with any special tools your car needs. Tire pressure gauges are cheap and a godsend when you need one, as are spare fuses. If an accident should occur, you’ll be thankful you have an emergency tool with a seatbelt cutter and window breaker. And of course, duct tape is never a bad idea.

This summer you can successfully cross any state or nation if you show your car a little love before sending it into battle. Any AutoZone around can have you prepped up with all these items, and we’ve even got a $5 off coupon for you. You depend on your vehicle to get you to where you are going, and it depends on you to take good care of it.

This post is brought to you by AutoZone; the opinions are all mine.

The post How to prep for your summer road trip appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

I’ll be honest here, one thing I never understood as a kid was why do dress shoes always had to be uncomfortable when they’re brand new. No matter how expensive or cheap those dress shoes were, they are always unbearable until it was broken in. I mean I get it now as an adult. I understand what it takes to create a one of a kind bespoke dress shoe and endure a painful few weeks until it’s the best shoe in your closet and I appreciate that. Despite that, I don’t buy those shoes regularly and I definitely won’t spend a painful few weeks just for a shoe I plan to wear seasonally. This is where Samuel Hubbard shoes come in. Never have I experienced a chukka low shoe so insanely comfortable right out the box. This nubuck sky blue leather chukka lows is from their limited collection and have to say I am astounded by the quality of materials they used to make these. The nubuck leather is consistently buttery throughout the shoe, the sole has more grip on the ground than a set of dirt tires on a rally course and is thick for maximum support for a full days use. The leather insole has you feel like you’re walking on clouds. They are even more comfortable than some of the running shoes I own. In the shoebox it also comes with a small pamphlet on Hubbard’s shoe making history. Briefly summarized, they were in business from the 1930’s until about 1970’s and recently opened its doors again in 2014 still as a family business. If you want other colors or just looking for something more traditional they have plenty of options to choose from on their website. You can count on me scouting their collection for my next pair of oxfords.

The post Samuel Hubbard – Business, Comfort, and Colors appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

When picking out shorts, step one is avoiding denim. Unless you 1) are named Jeb or Clyde, 2) own a 1979 Trans Am, or 3) shotgun Bud Lights on the daily, then denim jeans are permanently off the table for you. #Sorrynotsorry. For the last several years, the fit of choice has been a relaxed one with a length falling just above your kneecap when standing. Any longer and you risk being unwillingly initiated into the ICP Fubu brigade; any shorter and you are now sporting swimming trunks.

Adsum recently sent us a pair of their Camp Hero shorts I’ve nicknamed “The Weekenders.” With comfy levels off the charts, an expandable waistband for relaxed movement, and classic styling these trunks have been getting heavy rotation on my derrière on the weekends. Made of a nylon blend, they are much more casual than a short I would wear out on a bar night, and they lean heavily into the athleisure category much to their comfortable advantage. Easy to wear, easy to clean, easy to pair with a T-shirt and sandals – what else could you want from a summer short?

A well executed short will help you enjoy summer more, help you cool off, and expand your wardrobe in one swoop. Adsum has a great fit and style, but whatever you pick keep it basic and classic looking. Then the beaches and BBQs with cool legs and cooler style.

The post The Adsum All Around Weekend Short appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

And Jeremy is far from the only one. Surfing communities online and off are awash with disappointment and dismay over not only that the 2014 US Open was such a shit show, but also over that fact that this has been the case for years now. For surfing’s laid back, live-and-let-live culture this presents a difficult problem. Is it okay that 80% of attendees are not interested in surfing at all, or should the event clamp down on these hangers-on by having designated areas accessible only by a premium paid ticket? Would that “harsh the mellow” of too many? Given that very few Open-goes even watched the surfing, and that the experience was negatively impacted for the true fans of the sport, something will have to change. If it doesn’t don’t expect to see too many more US Opens of Surfing held on SoCal shores.

The post The US Open of Surfing Was a Shit Show appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Korbata Bow Ties

It takes a certain kind of man to rock a bow tie. A confident man. A well dressed man. A man who knows what he’s doing. You are that man.  Korbata ties are clearly a new breed and won’t leave you looking like a middleschool science teacher. Their bold colors and modern fabrics combine to drag the bow tie into the 21st century and deserve a place on your neck this year. And they are handmade in Guatemala, so you can be sure what you are rocking is unique.

Neon Bandits Socks

Socks, like Hansel, are so hot right now. The look of bold socks has transitioned from business down to casual late last year. Now they are everywhere and Neon Bandits are bringing prime examples that walk the line between too boring and too loud. Their patterns and styles are equally at home for a day on the basketball court as they are for just lounging around the park. Leave your all white, or heaven forbid all black, socks at home and start wearing out something with a bit more flavor and sass. Your stinky shoes will thank you.

Ab Aetterno

While everyone is still fawning over fabric strapped watches, take a bolder direction by picking up one of Ab Aeterno’s wooden watches. These time pieces stand our on your wrist in the best way possible. I’ve gotten more complements on mine, and they almost always lead to conversations about the watch and how it is made. It’s a friend-maker and date-getter is what I’m saying…

Ray Ban Caravans

Leave round aviators to cops and old men living out their Top Gun fantasies. Ray Ban Caravans are where the real action is. These squared off aviators are pure style, and will set you apart from the pack. Protect your eyes and bring the fashion with Caravans or any number of their knockoffs.

Nose Piercings

Piercings are becoming more and more commonplace. A good piercing for guys? A simple nose piercing. The good news with these is that, as long as you have your piercing done by a reputable piercer and you keep it clean at all times, you can always change your mind and remove them without anything being too noticeable down the line. Find stylish nose piercing men and give some different styles a try!

The post 2015 Summer Accessory Roundup appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

“Right now, there’s a dizzying profusion of classic styles on the market, which range from undrinkable swill to perfect expressions of ale and lager. Of course, there are plenty of exotic beers, made with rare infusions, unusual aging, or wild yeasts. Many of these experiments are god-awful.”

So maybe we won’t have a ton of free time, but dammit we’ll be making that time count! And since every summer should involve adventure, why not set some drinking goals? Step away from your old standbys and hunt down 15 of America’s best summer beer options.

When it comes to beer, we’re living in America’s golden age. And a walk down the beer aisle has gotten a lot more complicated. First we encounter the dizzying profusion of classic styles, ranging from undrinkable swill to perfect expressions of ale and lager. Then we have the exotics, made with rare infusions, unusual aging, or wild yeasts. Many of these experiments are god-awful, but some should be part of your regular refrigerator rotation.

To save you from shelling out $12 for a six pack you’ll want to pawn off on your less-discerning guests, I’ve hunkered down to some serious research, sampling many an unpalatable experiment in search for truly divine summer beer. You’re welcome.

Cold Press Black, Bent Paddle, Duluth, MN — 6% ABV

Ever tried to decide if it’s beer o’clock, or time for another cup of coffee? You can thank Bent Paddle Brewing for the perfect solution. Cold Press Black is a diabolical mix of smooth black ale and cold pressed coffee, and the result is subtly delicious and invigorating. Like Four Loko for grown-ups.

RPM IPA, Boneyard, Bend, OR — 6.5% ABV

Bend is a hotspot in a state famous for beer. In such a beer-centric region, it takes a lot to stand out, but Boneyard is ahead of the pack. Brewed with six varieties of Northwestern hops, this well-rounded IPA sets the standard for summer beer.

Organic IPA, Eel River, Fortuna, CA —  7.2% ABV

Want to feel virtuous while you get your buzz on? Done. Brewed by America’s first certified organic brewery, Eel River IPA’s environmental pedigree is as sterling as its flavor. A solid English-style IPA for everyday drinking.

Blushing Monk, Founders, Grand Rapids, MI — 9.2% ABV

So you don’t go in for fruity beers? We made that claim as well until we tried Blushing Monk, brewed with Belgian yeast and raspberries.  Amazingly, the intense raspberry flavor is neither cloying nor overly sweet, but instead has a sparkling bite.

Bourbon County Stout, Goose Island, Chicago, IL — 14.2% ABV

Luxurious and thick, this imperial stout is aged to perfection in bourbon barrels. Be warned: the notes of cherry and vanilla may make you forget the brew’s killer ABV.

Light Me-Up Lager, Hop Valley, Eugene, OR — ABV 4%

Many artisan brewers can’t seem to resist the temptation to fancy up their lagers, but the masters at Hop Valley know restraint. Light Me-Up is the ideal summer brew: refreshing, but not sweet.

Blonde Ale, Hop Valley, Eugene, OR — ABV 5%

Looking for a light beer of substance? This easygoing blonde ale has body yet finishes crisp. Perfect for the moment when you’re burnt out on lager but it’s too hot to switch to IPA. This balanced brew is perfection in a can.

Park Sesh Lager, Stanley Park, Vancouver – ABV 5%

For a truly easy-drinking and crisp summer beer, you could do much worse than this delicious Park Sesh lager from Stanley Park. This 5%-er is perfect for those lazy days in the park when you just want to unwind and relax, and it’s a great all-round beer for parties and other events too.

Double Day Tripper, Indeed, Minneapolis, MN — ABV 8%

With a hoppy nose and a honeyed orange-peel aftertaste, this macho pale ale packs a punch. One of those rare beers that catches and then keeps your attention, growing more complex as you drink.

Cask-Conditioned Imperial IPA, Maritime, Seattle, WA — ABV 7.5%

You’ll have to make a pilgrimage to Maritime’s Seattle taproom to taste this brew, but it’s well worth the trip. Pumped straight from the wooden cask and served at room temperature, this beer retains the flavor of an IPA, but goes down smooth like a Northwestern pale ale. While you’re there, order a round of the best onion rings on earth.

Wild Peach, New Glarus, New Glarus, WI — ABV 7.5%

Another challenge to our prejudice against fruity beer. Tart and complex with a bittersweet finish, this American take on lambic is brewed with wild Michigan peaches and aged in oak. One of the best beers ever.

Maiden the Shade, Ninkasi,  Eugene, OR — ABV 6%

Ninkasi put Eugene, Oregon, on the beer-lover’s map, and this seasonal summer brew epitomizes the brewer’s aggressive yet nuanced style. Milder than your average Northwestern IPA, with a bright, hoppy finish that tells you all is right in the world.

Scrimshaw, North Coast, Fort Bragg, CA — ABV 4.7

Crisp with a dry finish, Scrimshaw offers a refreshing contrast to your average overly-sweet pilsner. Recommended for day drinking.

Damnation 23, Russian River Brewing, Santa Rosa, CA — 10.75% ABV

For the serious beer snob, drinking has become akin to bird watching or record collecting: the rarer the quarry, the greater the thrill. Russian River Brewing has long been famed for producing some of the world’s most sought-after beers, and Damnation 23 is no exception. Although we certainly recommend their most famous brews, Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger, this tripel is the better summer beer: full-bodied yet easy-to-drink, with hints of oak, pear, and cherry. You’ll probably have to go to Santa Rosa to get your paws on one, but what is summer without a road trip?

Three Floyds, Behemoth, Munster, IN — 10.5% ABV

The lurid label promises something “not normal” and delivers. A good barleywine for beginners to the category, Behemoth is big and bold, with a fruity finish.

Toppling Goliath, SOSUS, Decorah, IA — 8.0% ABV

A light malt base allows the hop profile to shine on this summer beer. Surprisingly fruity for a Double IPA, SOSUS goes down easy, like a velvet hammer. You have been warned.

The post It’s Good to Have Goals: Here’s Your Summer Beer Bucket List appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Say goodbye to light colored shirts. Yes, I know it’s the summer and you want to wear those pastels but the truth is sweat will show up easily on gray, light blue, red etc. Gray is one of my favorite colors to wear, but in the summer it looks like I smashed two water balloons underneath my arms. I now opt for an indigo t-shirt, which hides the sweat marks perfectly. Other colors that have worked are maroon, army green, and color block shirts where the top block is a darker shade.

Get a high strength antiperspirant. Certain-Dri has been a mainstay in my repertoire of toiletries for the past few years. Before using this product, consult your physician and see if it is right for you. I apply it before bed and I’m good to go the following day. Without getting too graphic, I have noticed I get clogged sweat ducts from time to time which are pretty uncomfortable and resemble a zit you can’t pop. Beauty has its price, as does not looking like swamp monster.

Fun fact: Sweating doesn’t cause the pit stains; it is the aluminum in the antiperspirant. The aluminum is what stops the sweating and is generally harmless because it is in a controlled area, but clothes hate it. I recommend putting on any antiperspirant at night to minimize the pit stain effect. In the morning, apply your deodorant as normal and you’ll be fresh the entire day.

The final step if none of these tips have worked: Botox. That’s right, LA’s favorite age-defying Botox. If you have arrived at this step, consult a professional as I am not an expert on Botox. It is better to hear it from specialist in the field than a guy who gives out fashion advice on the internet.

If you viewed our post on linen, we remind you that a linen shirt is a light layer that will hide the sweat. While these methods can’t stop hyperhidrosis or excessive sweat, they can conceal sweat just enough to provide you that confidence you need. Now you’re ready to head back out into the world with tell-tale rings around your arms and collar. Go forth dry man!

The post Hiding Sweat in the Summer appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

I tend to think I look good in a variety of pairs, because A: I hate my face and sunglasses cover a good majority of that mess of flesh, and B: because my beard also masks a lot of the imperfections so covering more square inches is always accepted. Make sense? Whenever I look for new ones I always try and go for a style I don’t have yet, or a frame color that might work with a certain look I’m going for (read: somewhat matching), or maybe a new lens material that cuts down glare without affecting what the image actually looks like. I take a lot of photos and sometimes polarized lenses can change the way an object looks, which is why I tend to keep the polarized lenses only for driving. It’s science.

So when I heard that there was a brand on the opposite side of the planet using a different type of lens material I haven’t tried and also some nicely styled pieces, I figured it was time to see (puns baby) for myself. I like Australia, or at least the idea of it, so I figured I’d give them a try as new headwear for my dome-piece.

Otis uses mineral glass—which has a high optical clarity and is also endlessly recyclable—that they tout as being some of the best in the world for scratch resistance and distortion free performance. Basically like the sea glass you’d find in a large body of saltwater (yes, the ocean). I’m not sure how they stack up against scratches, but each pair is polished and treated with chemical curing agents and thermal hardening, which can apparently take abuse. And for me that’s good, because even the name Reckless Abandon is fitting since as much as I try and train myself not to bend over when my sunglasses are in my chest pocket, it never a fails that they’ll fall out and come crashing to earth. I think my dog can be trained more efficiently. And at 9.8 meters/second, it happens fast, so having that piece of mind that they might survive the plunge without a forever eyesore on the lens, you can rest a little easier.

While Otis’ Reckless Abandons aren’t the cheapest glasses at $180 for non-polarized lenses, I don’t find them too bad because like I said I use them for photography when I want to keep my glasses on, and for normal street glasses it’s right in the wheelhouse of other high-end brands. They feel solid in the hands and the hinges have a nice steady action to them. You can’t open them up by flicking and you don’t have to muscle them closed; it’s a nice mix of tension. As for the visual cues, the logos, or lack thereof, are a refreshing change from some companies who feel the need to make sure the boldest and most in-your-face font is available for advertising. Honestly, that’s held me back from purchasing Smith glasses in the past.

I like wearing brands that aren’t “the norm” and haven’t had the foothold in the market for as long as established brands. So the fact that Otis is trying to come into a saturated sunglass market with some new tech and style, the Reckless Abandon glasses aren’t a bad place to start.

The post Otis Reckless Abandon Sunglasses appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

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Sperry boat shoes have been a household name for decades. The man behind the shoe, Paul Sperry, came up with the idea when his dog was able to run over ice easily. Mr. Sperry used a method that was used on tires, called siping. By cutting thin slits in the rubber sole, the shoe was able to catch on slippery surfaces. The nonslip shoe made it ideal for boaters. Boat shoes are also famous for their moc-toe (think moccasin) with oiled leather to repel water.

Since these shoes are normally worn in wet and hot conditions, no socks are necessary. The no sock trend really picked up steam in the 60s with penny loafers and continued through the 80s when loafers with no socks was seen as preppy. Because yachting was a main reason people wore Sperrys, Top-Siders began to be associated with the wealthy.

Today, the shoe seems to be reserved for southern frat boys with salmon shorts and a too-tight polo. Personally, I like to think they are worn by so many Greek Life students because they are always in style. Sperrys have been considered a modern fashion trend for quite some years and it doesn’t look like they are going anywhere. At this point, they are really less of a fashion trendvand more of a style icon.

When purchasing a boat shoe, think simple. A complicated, half tennis-half boat is not something you want. This is known as a hybrid shoe that they try to do too much with one design. This design is generally clunky, has too many clashing materials, and is an overall visually unappealing shoe. Meanwhile, a classic one-material boat shoe is simple, sleek, and only uses leather for the top of the shoe. Colors like Oatmeal, Sahara, and Tan are safe classics. Avoid colors like black, gray, and any leathers that are grained. Whatever company you choose, if you’re looking for one shoe to wear throughout this summer, the boat shoe is it.

The post Boat Shoes: The Everyday Summer Shoe appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

The reason I mention this rule is to apply to my short’s length; my first third is my shoes, second third is my bare legs, and the final third is my shorts. Shorts that are too long make you look shorter because the thirds are at an imbalance. Anything past your knee is generally too long. Shorts that are too short, well, you better have Victoria Secret model legs if you’re wearing shorts too short.

Maybe you don’t like showing that much leg or don’t feel comfortable in shorts that end above the knee. For the everyday man, 11” shorts hit right in the middle of the knee or slightly above are perfectly acceptable. I generally reserve this for the people just starting in the fashion game or older men where it is less acceptable to be extreme in clothing choices.

The 7” shorts usually fall in the two inch above the knee category. Reserved for the people who are comfortable with their body and know what looks good. Don’t be shocked if you get people wondering why you’re wearing short shorts. You’re not; they’re just jealous they don’t have the muchachos to pull them off.

Yeah, I squat bro! Ah, the infamous 5” shorts. Reserved for the people with muscular legs or the risk takers. I don’t recommend them, but if you can pull them off, kudos. You really have to be comfortable with your body to wear these.

As with most of my articles, don’t take these tips as rules, take them as recommendations. Height is dependent on how the shorts will fit you. If you’re a 6’6” guy, the 11” shorts will probably fit like the 7” and if you’re 5’4” the 7” will fit like the 11”. Go experiment and find out what looks good on you.

The post A Short Guide For Short Length appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

It wasn’t until I heard from a friend about Icebreaker, a New Zealand-based purveyor of merino wool. So I thought, “Okay, a different kind of sheep but the same nemesis to my skin.” All I had known was the frilly and irritating qualities of a more robust and un-wearable clothing, especially without anything other than a long sleeve shirt underneath.

Now I’m wearing wool closer than I ever thought possible. Hugging my peaches in a cocoon of lightweight merino wool, the Icebreaker Anatomic Boxers are stylish, highly breathable and you know what; they don’t itch! You can wear these and your sweat literally doesn’t absorb in the way cotton does. If you were ever searching for a pair that could be worn two days in a row—after physical activity—and not smell like the inside of Guy Fieri’s belly-button, the Anatomica line of boxers (and briefs) combat stank better than a hit of pow-pow.

After spending a night, and a day, in the same boxers—for testing purposes, of course—in Atlantic City during a bachelor party and coming home to my fiancé who was none the wiser, I’d have to say they worked in concealing whatever lurked beneath. Some old-school things are cool: vintage signs, classic cars, and old guitars, but we’re thankful that modern merino wool exists for the sake of comfort and technology.

You can scoop up some anti-smelly Anatomica boxers from Icebreaker directly on their site here.

The post Icebreaker Anatomica Boxers Are Bachelor Proof appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.