Consumer Products and Services

Sweatstock 2013 at Sweat Records and Churchill's Pub April 20

Sweat Records, Kenny Millions, and Holly Hunt Talk Sweatstock 2013 and Saving Record Stores

Skeptics predict the local music shop is going extinct like the penny arcade. But for the last six years, so-called "independently owned, stand-alone brick-and-mortar retailers" around the U.S. (and the world) have been banding together under the Record Store Day banner to, paraphrasing the immorta ... More >>

You Might Soon Be Able to Buy Craft Liquor at Distilleries in Florida (but Growlers Are Still Illegal)

First, the good news for Florida booze-hounds: A bill that would help craft distilleries in the Sunshine State is headed to the House floor for a vote. If it passes, you'll be able to buy small-batch liquors straight from distilleries, ending a Prohibition-era ban that has prevented local rum and wh ... More >>

Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day Is Today: Here's the Story Behind It

Today is Free Cone Day, a made-up holiday that's celebrated throughout the land. And why not? It's not every day a company celebrates by giving something away. But then again, Ben & Jerry's is no ordinary company. The ice-cream manufacturer is politically incorrect, satirical, and socially consc ... More >>

Ben & Jerry's Free Greek FroYo: You Invite the Truck!

"Free Ben & Jerry's" just might be the happiest phrase in the universe.The Vermont-based ice-cream company that believes treating people well is as important as making a great product, has a long history of giving away its frozen goodies. It began with the first Free Cone Day in 1979 w ... More >>

Top Five Recent Beer Inventions

The brewing of beer is a technology as old as civilization itself. Since its inception, mankind has steered its innovative mind toward the betterment of this process, as well as making beer more pleasurable to drink. Many inventions have come down the line, from the beer tap to the beer hat, yet the ... More >>

Dairy Industry Aims to Use Aspartame Secretly

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the National Milk Producers Federation want to be able to use aspartame without having to include it on product labels, as is currently required by law. The FDA has been ignoring the petition, which was filed in 2009. Until now. The agency is co ... More >>

Spiegelau's Matt Rutkowski: Labels Lie, German Beers Mostly the Same

As the craft-brew scene explodes across South Florida, how exactly do you learn about beer?(Besides drinking it in massive quantities.) Learn from the experts. Duh.We spoke with Matt Rutkowski, U.S. vice president of Spiegelau (the guru of beer glasses), about the biggest myths circulating ... More >>

Dolphins Stadium Upgrade Bill Passes First State Senate Committee Unanimously

The Miami Dolphins won their first legislative battle in a war to secure taxpayer money to cover half of the planned $400 million upgrades to Sun Life Stadium this morning as the bill passed its first Senate committee unanimously. 

Red Lobster Parody Spotlights Restaurant Workers Without Paid Sick Days (Video)

With a major flu epidemic going around the United States, have you ever wondered whether or not your server sneezed on your all-you-can-eat shrimp?A video, produced by ROC United, spoofs Red Lobster's commercials that spotlight happy employees serving seafood to even happier guests. In this video, a ... More >>

Bougainvillea's to Take Over Cervezas in South Miami

South Miami's popular craft beer outpost, Cervezas, is now under the ownership of another local drinking den - Bougainvillea's Old Florida Tavern. The acquisition announcement was made via the two bars' Facebook pages last night. Read also: - Best Bar for a Bender: Cerveza - 4/20 "Get Stone'd" Sto ... More >>

Carnival Cruises Apologizes, Reverses Drag Ban on Drag Queen Cruise

Facing a growing backlash after telling passengers who were set to sail on a themed cruise featuring cast members from RuPaul's Drag Race that they themselves could not wear drag, Carnival Cruise Lines has now relented and dropped the drag ban.

Beat the Cheeseheads

There Will Be Blood

Key West Brewfest Starts Next Week, B.R.E.W FIU Brings Back Apple Jack Ale

Read Also CerveTech Brew Institute: You Got ServedKey West Brewfest starts its third year on Thursday, August 30, and will be the biggest ever, with over 60 beer companies, many of those from Florida.Among the Florida vendors on the list are Naples Beach Brewery, 7venth Sun, Swamp Head Brewery, Ciga ... More >>

Brewvolucion at Crandon Park This Saturday: Meet Miami's Homebrew Crew

America finished celebrating its biggest holiday two weeks ago, but Miami is having a revolution of its own. A beer revolution, or Brewvolucion.This Sunday at Crandon Park in Key Biscayne, beginning at 1 p.m., you can join the craft beer revolutionaries who are making it all go down.

Darden Buys Yardhouse Restaurants for $585 Million

As if restaurant giant Darden needed any more popular eateries in its catalogue, the good folks at the world's largest full-service restaurant group have just agreed to purchase  Yard House Restaurants, including four in the South Florida area for a steep $585 million. It adds the loc ... More >>

Radio One Fest at Bayfront Park's Klipsch Amphitheater July 7

Kosher Hot Dog Suit: If 'Holy' Food Is Blasphemous, We Can't Trust Anyone

Something just ain't kosher.As reported by Short Order earlier this week, ConAgra Foods, Inc., the company that produces those delicious Hebrew National hot dogs, is being sued. Well, not only sued, but sued in a class action lawsuit. The law firm of Blackwell Burke filed the suit in Minne ... More >>

Milestones in Beer History

Craft Beer Weekend Starts Tonight at The Federal; Three Events Around Town

American Craft Beer Week is a little half way over, and there are several more events around Miami worth checking out for the beer-loving warrior. Before the week is finished, make an effort to attend and sip, or chug, some fine and local hand-crafted beersRemember Brews & Bellies at The Federal ... More >>

Radio One Fest With Waka Flocka Flame, T.I., Fat Joe Comes to Miami on July 7

Just three days after the United States turns the big 2-3-6, BlackPlanet Radio, the U.S. Army, and other sponsors are throwing a post-Independence Day bash in Miami-Dade County featuring performances by some of America's biggest rappers. It's called the Radio One Fest and it'll be going down Satur ... More >>

American Craft Beer Week Just Ahead: Wagyu Beef, Tiger Prawns, and Discounts on Suds

American Craft Beer Week in Miami begins Monday, May 14. What better excuse do you need to dress up like Gambrinus with beer stein in hand for seven days in a row?Brown Distributing is helping Miami shake its non-beer-loving image by driving all over the county to make sure there are enoug ... More >>

The Craft Brewjas: Meet the Women Who Love Beer

Known to be a white liquor city, Miami is currently enjoying a craft beer explosion. With Schnebly Redland Winery and Brewery becoming the city's first to export its beer and Wynwood Brewing Company on the cusp of opening its doors, Magic City cicerones have a lot to look forward to. Between the com ... More >>

Ruby Tuesday's To Buy Lime Fresh Mexican Grill UPDATED

Tennessee-based Ruby Tuesday Inc. announced Wednesday that it will be acquiring Miami's Lime Fresh Mexican Grill for $24 million.The deal includes Lime's intellectual property rights as well as the assets of seven company-owned restaurants, and will offer Ruby Tuesday an opportunity for growth, part ... More >>

Sun-Sentinel to Start Charging For News Content Online

The Sun-Sentinel is erecting a pay wall on April 9, so expect a mass exodus of readers who don't want to pony up five bucks a month for mostly routine local news.The once proud Fort Lauderdale-based daily is following the lead of other Tribune Co. owned newspapers like the Los Angeles Times, which i ... More >>

LeBron James Promotes Pork Donuts and Ice Cream in China

​It may be the best athlete food endorsement since "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Slim Jim, or it could be the worst since Mike Tyson and Pepsi, but Dunkin' Brands Inc. announced Monday that LeBron James will promote pork donuts, among other products, in China and elsewhere in Southeast Asia, accord ... More >>

Workers Storm the Capital Grille in Miami; Cite Discrimination, Wage Theft

​Yesterday evening, over 60 restaurant workers and Restaurant Opportunities Centers United supporters from several union and labor groups walked into the Capital Grille in Miami during the restaurant's dinner service, interrupting the bankers and power brokers who dine there to read a letter to ma ... More >>

Greater Miami Chamber Of Commerce Endorses Destination Casino Resorts

​Yesterday, Miami's largest business organization put its support behind destination casino resorts, which should please its new landlord. The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution to back the proposed state casino bill that might allow Malaysian-based Genting to turn the site of t ... More >>

Wine Dinner Line-Up: DB, The Setai and Meat Market's Last Stand

db Bistro ModerneChef Verbiak's "pressee" of poultry and foie gras.​There seems to be an abundance of wine pairing dinners happening both on and off the beach, providing a glorious opportunity to do a little high-end boozing. Sure, these prix-fixe gatherings can get a little expensive, but since t ... More >>

Fishy Swan Song

Plum TV: Large Layoffs and Major Restructuring UPDATED

​Just days after the resignation of CEO Jerry Powers, it seems Plum TV is headed for an uncertain future. Plum airs luxury lifestyle coverage on cable networks in a few high-end markets across America, including Miami Beach, Nantucket and Aspen, and recently launched magazines in Miami and the Ham ... More >>

Rupert Murdoch is dangerous

Get Your Faces Melted! Free Tom Cruise Rock of Ages Concert at Sun Life Stadium Today

Photo by David James/Warner Bros.Tom Cruise as Rock of Ages' Stacee Jaxx.​Wanna go hang out with Tom Cruise, the Rock of Ages crew, and thousands of sweaty, unpaid extras? Perfect. 'Cause today at 1 p.m., the New Line Cinema movie musical is hosting a "concert" at Sun Life Stadium, wherein Cruis ... More >>

So Sound Recordings Drops Free Label Sampler Mix

So So Recordings founder Fabian "Jazzy Eyewear" Giannattasio.​Last month, we here at Crossfade highlighted Miami's five best electronic music labels, including a small local imprint, So Sound Recordings, boasting some heavy duty sonic ammunition. The brainchild of DJ-producer Fabian Giannattasio ... More >>

Jeff McInnis to Open Yardbird Southern Table & Bar in South Beach

Jeff McInnis is coming back to South Beach​Jeff McInnis, the cute Top Chef who left Gigi to the consternation of many Miamians, is set to open Yardbird Southern Table & Bar in Miami Beach. According to Melissa Trimp, marketing and public relations manager at 50 Eggs Restaurant Group in ... More >>

Dom Perignon Winemaker Vincent Chaperon Guarded Cork in the Military

Laine Doss Vincent Chaperon, wine maker for Dom Perignon.​Even though Vincent Chaperon is only 34, he has about a dozen years of experience in the world of Champagne. He's also the winemaker for iconic brand Dom Perignon, which is located in the heart of France's Champagne region. The hands ... More >>

Nanotechnology: "The Next Big Controversy in Food"

Michael Passoff, activist and one of 2009's "100 Most Influential People in Business Ethics."​What is nanotechnology? Michael Passoff, a senior strategist with shareholder activist group As You Sow, recently wrote an article about nanotechnology and its use in food manufacturing. "Nanotech is alre ... More >>

No Age, Best Coast, and Sonny & the Sunsets Hit SoBe for eMusic Road Show February 4 to 8

Best Coast in Miami?! Well, kinda.​Now wait a second before you shit your hipster pants 'cause this blog's headline is somewhat misleading. In case you got the wrong idea, those awesomely amazing bands we just namedropped won't be performing live in concert at your favorite SoBe hangout this week ... More >>

Carols on Steroids

For the Floor

November is Sticky Peanut Butter Month

​November is national peanut butter lover's month. Even with peanut allergies on the rise, peanut butter is found in about 75 percent of all American homes.This American pantry staple dates back to the Incas who created a paste-like substance from peanuts. The first American commercial peanut crop ... More >>

New Charlie's Angels TV Pilot to Film in Miami

​In a blow to those who prefer Hollywood churn out an original idea every once in a while but a possible boon to the Miami film industry, ABC is said to be working on a pilot for a TV reboot of the well worn Charlie's Angels franchise. Deadline Hollywood reports that ABC has already ordered a pilo ... More >>

New Miami-based Internet radio station Da One hopes to fill in gaps left by the death of 103.5 the Beat

Sweat Records Celebrates Its 5th Anniversary With Sweatstock This Saturday

Parking in South Miami Just Got More Interesting

Got a Ticket? Don't worry. That is, if you wore a wire for the feds.

Book Clubs Are Not Dead

Best Lawyers

Stanley and Susan Rosenblatt

Get Your Foreign Butts Out of Our Convenience Stores!

Want to make Big Tobacco really mad? Just try importing export-only cigarettes

Play With 'Em Again, Sam