Category: News

Halloween weekend has come and gone (not counting actual Halloween today, October 31) and music stars were out in full force, donning some fantastic costumes. One costume pair in particular turned heads, though: Billie Eilish dressed as a baby while apparent boyfriend Jesse Rutherford of The Neighbourhood went as an old man.

This is seemingly a reference to their age gap: Eilish is 20 while Rutherford is 31. The two have apparently known each other since Eilish was 15 and Rutherford was 26, a fact that made some uneasy when their relationship was first rumored. So now, some find their costume to be in bad taste, or at least an interesting decision.

One fan joked, “can’t believe billie eilish and jesse rutherford didn’t dress up for halloween.” Another noted, “so jesse rutherford and billie eilish basically dressed up as a pedophile and a child. great message guys.” Somebody else accused the two of “making fun of grooming.”

Others, though, have argued that Eilish is an adult capable of making her own choices, and that she and Rutherford likely don’t care what the public thinks about them.

Eilish has yet to publicly address the supposed relationship; In a 2020 interview, she noted of her romantic life, “I definitely want to keep that private. I’ve had relationships and kept them private, and even the ones that I’ve had, and the tiny amount that I’ve let the world see, I regret. So, I can’t even imagine… I think about it sometimes. I think about the people that have made their relationships OD public, like, you know what I’m talking about? And then they break up, and it’s like, ‘What if it goes bad?’ And then everybody has this whole opinion on your relationship that they have no idea about. It’s very much not something I’m interested in.”

Check out some more reactions to Eilish and Rutherford’s costumes below.

If you’re a streetwear fan it’s safe to assume 2022 has been incredibly kind to you. From dope sneakers to hot apparel drops, our favorite brands delivered consistently throughout the year for the first time in a minute. After two years of pandemic-induced uncertainty, in 2022 streetwear has felt truly vital.

From big brands like Supreme and Adidas to smaller labels like A Ma Maniére and Cactus Plant Flea Market, all our favorite brands brought their A-games to the table this year — producing all sorts of unexpected brand collaborations and team-ups, sure to level up your wardrobe and have you looking like the freshest person in the room. Whether you’re looking for new apparel to elevate your style or completely change your look or a fresh pair of kicks that’ll have everyone from sneakerheads to casual fashionistas drooling with envy, these collaborations represent the best 2022 has had to offer.

Supreme x Burberry

Any ideas you have about Supreme being a subversive and rebellious youth brand, get rid of them. That’s not what Supreme is anymore, the brand is far from its roots, ditching endless drops of graphic t-shirts for high-end brand collaborations.

It’s sad to see the brand stray so far from its roots (though this isn’t the first time,) but you know what? It also totally works. This is the most vital Supreme has looked in a while and if they have to link up with high-end luxury brands to do it, who cares?

The collection featured jackets, shirts, hats, slides, and luxurious silk pieces, all dressed in Burberry’s iconic color palette with minimal Supreme branding throughout. We never thought we’d see the day when you could buy Supreme branded silk pajamas or that silk pajamas would ever be considered streetwear in the first place, but hey, welcome to 2022.

Shop the Supreme x Burberry collection at your favorite aftermarket site.

Bad Bunny x Adidas Blue Sky Forum

For just over a year now, Adidas has been linking up with Bad Bunny for new iterations on the Forum, Response CL, and Powerphase silhouettes, but this summer’s sky-blue Forum is the best the collaboration has ever looked. Inspired by the beaches and blue skies of Puerto Rico, the Blue Sky Forum featured a low-rise chunky silhouette with a stylish buckle in a monochromatic colorway.

The sneaker sported a mixed leather and suede upper with Bad Bunny iconography on the tongue logo. If Adidas is looking for a replacement for Ye (and we’re sure they are) they might already have it in Bad Bunny. He’s only dropped four sneakers with the brand, but each has been better than the next.

We’re excited to see how this collaboration continues to grow.

Pick up a pair of Bad Bunny x Adidas Blue Sky Forums at aftermarket sites like GOAT.

Cactus Plant Flea Market x McDonald’s

Cynthia Lu’s Cactus Plant Flea Market is one of the hottest brands right now. Beloved by everyone from Frank Ocean to Playboi Carti, few brands in 2022 are quite as beloved by the hype beasts as CPFM — to the point where it feels like each new collection from the brand is an instant hit. Case in point, the latest collection with McDonald’s.

Dropped as part of McDonald’s Adult Happy Meal promotion, Cactus Plant Flea Market made four figurines that retranslated classic McDonald’s characters in CPFM’s unique aesthetic, and while the toys were hyped and are currently selling on sites like eBay for jaw-dropping amounts of money, the real highlight of the collection was the apparel.

The Apparel collection consisted of long-sleeve shirts, t-shirts, hoodies, and sweaters with simple McDonald’s graphics designed by CPFM. It’s the coolest McDonald’s has ever looked in the fast food brand’s entire history and serves as a testament to the power of Cynthia Lu’s design philosophy.

Shop the Cactus Plant Flea Market McDonalds capsule at aftermarket sites like StockX.

Palace x New Balance 580

Palace and New Balance are two brands that are absolutely killing it in 2022, so it’s only natural that the two entities teamed up. For Palace’s first team-up with New Balance, the brand didn’t just drop a new 550 or 990 and call it a day. They could have, and it definitely would’ve sold out, but instead, the brand did something big and we appreciate them for that — they revived the 580 silhouette.

The 580 was a staple of New Balance’s catalog in the ‘90s but the sneaker silhouette had been forgotten until Palace stepped in. For Palace’s 580 the entire upper was draped in hairy suede with a speckled midsole and vintage-inspired dual branding. It opened the gate for even more 580s, including last week’s Stray Rats take on the shoe, which is also pretty notable. We have to give the spot on our list to the OG though.

If the 2010s were all about Supreme and Nike, then the ‘20s belong to Palace and NB.

Find the Palace x New Balance 580s at aftermarket sites like GOAT.

Prada x Adidas Re-Nylon

Prada and Adidas have been working together for a while now, and for the two brand’s third collaboration they dropped an expansive 21-piece collection that consisted of athleisure-inspired basics done in Prada’s high-end minimalist aesthetic.

While the rest of the fashion world prioritizes loose and baggy silhouettes, Prada and Nylon kept things clean and sharp with stylish bucket hats, zip-ups, long jackets, and sleek sneaker silhouettes. The collection is named for the use of Re-Nylon, a new fabric out of Adidas made from recycled plastic waste collected from oceans, fishing nets, and fiber waste that can, according to Adidas, be recycled indefinitely.

We always champion sustainability in fashion, but what makes this collection truly special is that each piece was crafted in Italy by actual Prada artisans.

Shop the Prada x Adidas Re-Nylon collection at aftermarket sites like StockX.

Yohji Yamamoto x New Era Autumn/Winter Collection

Streetwear isn’t what it used to be. What was once a style aesthetic primarily focused on dope graphic t-shirts and hoodies has since become interchangeable with the sort of stuff you’d find on a New York Fashion Week runway. So anytime a brand reaches back into the roots and offers something simple, it catches our attention, like Yohji Yamamoto’s Fall and Winter collection with New Era.

Ironically, Yohji Yamamoto is the type of brand that helped to elevate streetwear into high fashion, but the brand has always had an appreciation for the simplicity of early streetwear and in linking up with Buffalo-based headwear brand New Era, the two brands were able to pay homage to streetwear’s roots with a collection of simple baggy graphic t-shirts and hats.

The t-shirts were inspired by Yamamoto’s take on the mikaeri-bijin artwork of the ukiyo-e woodblock artists of Japan’s Edo period retranslated through a more contemporary lens.

Shop the Yohji Yamamoto x New Era Fall/Winter 2022 Capsule collection at the Yohji Yamamoto webstore.

Balmain X Barbie

Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling has put the famous doll back in the spotlight and the fashion world was quick to use that as an opportunity for a grip of Barbie-inspired clothing collections. The best collection so far has been by way of French luxury brand Balmain, who teamed up with the people at Mattel for a 50-piece collection of ’90s-inspired fits dipped in Barbie pink colorways.

The collection features everything from men’s silk suits, to bodycon dresses, jackets, pants, and accessories printed with Barbie-inspired fonts and a whole lot of pink. A notable thing about this collection is that it’s probably the only Barbie-branded thing to be decidedly unisex in its branding.

Shop the Balmain x Barbie collection at aftermarket sites like StockX.

Moncler x Hiroshi Fujiwara Maya 70 Jacket

In celebration of Moncler’s 70th anniversary, the outerwear brand has been linking up with labels and designers to redesign its iconic glossy Maya puffer jacket. The brand first linked up with Palm Angels’ Thom Browne, but the most notable new take on the jacket comes by way of Fragment Design’s Hiroshi Fujiwara.

You may know Fragment Design as the brand behind Travis Scott’s best Jordan collaboration, and they’ve brought a sporty approach to Monclear’s Maya puffer by infusing it with a varsity-jacket-inspired look, altering the silhouette by giving it a sleeker shape.

It’s a radical reimagining of a classic jacket that actually manages to improve on the original design, which is no easy feat when you’re talking about the very puffer jacket that made puffer jackets cool in the first place.

Buy the Hiroshi Fujiwara x Moncler Maya 70 Jacket at aftermarket sites like StockX.

A Ma Maniére Air Jordan 2 Airness

Watch out Union, A Ma Maniére is coming from your crown as the best Jordan collaborator. The Atlanta-based brand has consistently dropped some of the best Jordan collaborations to date and this year’s Air Jordan 2 Airness is the best the silhouette has ever looked. The sneaker delivers on the original concept of the Peter Moore-designed sneaker by giving this ahead-of-its-time silhouette the full luxury treatment.

Featuring a premium leather upper with quilted lining and a faux snakeskin midsole, the A Ma Maniére Air Jordan 2 Airness is the most luxurious the sneaker has ever looked, and since the original concept of the shoe was to create something that Michael Jordan could rock on the court and at the golf club, we feel like this sneaker truly delivered on the original idea dreamed up by the late Moore. We only wish he was still around to see it.

Find the A Ma Maniére Air Jordan 2 Airness at aftermarket sites like GOAT.

Jeopardy!‘s primetime spinoff, Celebrity Jeopardy!, continued on Sunday with contestants Wil Wheaton (Star Trek: The Next Generation), Troian Bellisario (Pretty Little Liars), and Hasan Minhaj (Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj). Only Wheaton advanced to the next round, but it’s Minhaj who’s getting most of the attention on social media.

As noted by Yahoo! Entertainment, “in an attempt to bring levity to the game, Hasan often mugged into the camera and answered clues with comedic schtick. Unfortunately, the game is so fast paced that deviating from the natural rhythm often frustrates fans.” That’s clear from a search of Minhaj’s name on Twitter. “I don’t know who Hasan Minhaj is but he’s being so painfully unfunny and cringe on Celebrity Jeopardy rn,” reads one tweet, while another goes, “Hasan Minhaj is definitely the most annoying person on the planet and I can’t believe I watched #CelebrityJeopardy this long before turning it off.”

Some people were fans, however.

Minhaj has “no regrets” for his playing-to-the-camera enthusiasm, nor should he. For one thing, it’s Celebrity Jeopardy!. It’s supposed to be silly. Also, even though the comedian finished with zero dollars, he still raised $30,000 for the International Rescue Committee, which assists those who were affected by the floods in Pakistan.

(Via Yahoo! Entertainment)

At long last, Rihanna made her musical comeback last week with “Lift Me Up.” The song will appear in the upcoming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever movie, and now director Ryan Coogler has revealed what inspired Rihanna to contribute to the film: Chadwick Boseman.

At a recent press event, Coogler said (as Screen Rant notes):

“Look, Rihanna has given us a whole career and a whole catalog of music. And now she’s given us makeup and clothing, and I think the world would understand if she hung up her mic. I completely understand because I love her music so much, but I feel like she’s given all that you could ask for. But the truth is we were looking for a great artist who could tell the story of the film, embrace the themes of the film, and present them to the audience in a different packaging. That’s what Kendrick did so beautifully with the first film, and this film is different. It made sense that it would be a woman, and it made sense that it would be someone who could speak to not necessarily the words but the feeling of motherhood, because that’s a major theme in this film.

And I think it timed up that she was in that kind of space in her life, and she was open. It was really the trailer, I think, when she saw the performances that everybody was putting down. That was what kind of put her over the edge and [made her] say, ‘Hey, I want to see this film. I want to see if I can figure this out.’ …But the truth is, once she played us the record, she said straight up, ‘I did this for Chad.’ It was him, man. And sitting here thinking about it, it’s hitting me right now… Chad brought us all together, you know what I mean? He just keeps on and keeps on giving. I’m just really thankful that Rihanna was the latest gift to join the family, and I can’t wait for folks to see how it’s used in the film.”

Tems, who co-wrote the song, also recently said of it, “After speaking with Ryan and hearing his direction for the film and the song, I wanted to write something that portrays a warm embrace from all the people that I’ve lost in my life. I tried to imagine what it would feel like if I could sing to them now and express how much I miss them. Rihanna has been an inspiration to me so hearing her convey this song is a great honor.”

Every year, Diageo (the massive international alcohol conglomerate) releases its beloved Single Malt Special Releases Collection. It’s like Scotch whisky Christmas Morning and as anticipated as Sazerac Company’s Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. The bottles just landed on my desk, so I’m going to take a deep dive into each one and rank them according to how tasty these whiskies are.

Spoiler alert, they’re all really f*cking tasty.

While all of these whiskies are single malts made from 100% malted barley (peated or unpeated), there really is a massive amount of difference between each one’s flavor profile and overall vibe. That’s accomplished via the aging process both in which barrels were used for the primary maturation and the finishing barrel (if applicable), as well as the actual location of the warehouse around Scotland. Also, one of them technically isn’t a single malt at all. It’s a “Single Grain” whisky made with wheat from the famed but very niche Cameron Bridge Distillery (we’ll get into that later).

Overall, you’re looking at true and quintessential Scotch whisky experiences with these seven bottles while also getting a bit of a flavor tour around Scotland. And brass tacks, these whiskies are never bad or even mediocre. So the ranking is really on my personal palate’s whims and desires. Read those tasting notes, see what speaks to you, and then let that guide your whisky purchases.

Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Scotch Whisky Posts of The Last Six Months

• All Of Johnnie Walker’s Core Whisky Line, Blind Tasted And Ranked
• Johnnie Walker Vs. Chivas: Which Scotch Whisky Brand Will Win Our Blind Test?
• The Winning Scotch And Bourbon Whiskeys From This Year’s Ascot Awards
• World Class ‘Sipping’ Single Malt Whiskies Under $100, Ranked
• Peated Scotch Blind Taste Test: Our Professional Taster Picks His Earthy Favorites

6. The Singleton of Glen Ord 15-Year-Old

ABV: 54.2%

Average Price: $129

The Whisky:

This Highland whisky is a classic that you don’t always see on local shelves. The Singleton of Glen Ord is routed to the Asia-Pacific market almost exclusively. So this is a nice chance to actually get your hands on some of the juice if you’re in the U.S. The actual whisky is aged in refill American and European oak (those are barrels that have already held scotch at least once before) initially and then finished in wine-seasoned casks that have a very light touch (think white wines, not red).

Tasting Notes:

The nose does pop with a dry white wine vibe with a sense of butter, woody spice, and tart red berries next to creamy vanilla with a toffee vibe. The palate stays super creamy with a nice maltiness that’s attached to big bowls of fruit — grapes, melon, blood oranges, apples, pears, and more. There’s a light sense of kosher salt in the mix late that leads to a slow build of peppery spices and sweet marzipan.

Bottom Line:

This is a great, standard unpeated malt. It’s fruity and creamy and feels like it was kissed by white wine oakiness. The only reason it’s last in this ranking is that it wasn’t a super exciting pour of whisky — just a really good one.

5. Cameron Bridge 26-Year-Old

ABV: 56.2%

Average Price: $319

The Whisky:

The Lowland whisky is from the country’s largest grain whisky producer that also makes the famed Haig family of grain whiskies for David Beckham. This single-grain (wheat) Scotch whisky was distilled back in 1992 and left to mellow in refill American oak casks for 26 long years before batching and bottling at cask strength.

Tasting Notes:

The nose has a nice grainy spiciness that leans toward black pepper with a hint of cinnamon-laced toffee before the fruit kicks in with toasted coconut, fresh mango, papaya, and … freshly plucked pea pods. There’s a sweet caramel on the palate that’s accented with more of that spiced toffee, creamy honey, dark and milky chocolate, and a touch of waxiness. The end has a sense of dried red chili pepper heat next to sweet honeycombs and earthy oak.

Bottom Line:

This was really nice and didn’t overdo it on the age with too much woodiness or char. There was a nice balance. Ultimately, this did feel grainier than maltier, though — with a tad more rough-around-the-edges vibe. Still, I’m really splitting hairs there.

4. Clynelish 12-Year-Old

ABV: 58.5%

Average Price: $199

The Whisky:

This unpeated Highland malt was mellowed in refill American oak barrels that held bourbon and then finished in Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry-seasoned casks.

Tasting Notes:

There’s a subtle mix of mincemeat pies, syrupy pears from the can, floral honey, and a herbal note of maybe bay leaf or sage with a whisper of mint on the nose. The palate has a waxy saltwater taffy vibe tied to vanilla with a soft pepperiness and woody winter spice warmth next to soft toffees. The end is lightly spiced with dried chili pepper and peppercorns next to that soft and waxy vanilla saltwater taffy on the spicy finish.

Bottom Line:

This is delectable and subtle. There’s a nice “classic” single malt whisky vibe that’s equal parts comforting and fresh. That said, I really want to try this in a cocktail with a splash of sweet vermouth and a dash or two of bitters.

3. Lagavulin 12-Year-Old

ABV: 57.3%

Average Price: $149

The Whisky:

This peated Islay whisky is aged in heavily peated American oak refill barrels. That means that the bourbon barrels have held a lot of peated whisky over the years before this whisky went in. Those barrels are vatted with the same whisky that spent years mellowing in virgin oak casks. The resulting blend was bottled as-is.

Tasting Notes:

This is very Lagavulin from the jump with a subtle ashiness that’s countered by briny peat, cellular floor dirt, old cellar beams, and slate after a briny rain next to singed fruit orchard bark. The palate is lush and sweet with a sense of Lemon Drops singed with a blow torch next to salted lemon rinds and a hint of seared salmon skin with a layer of smoked belly fat still attached. The end amps up the ashy seaside smokiness with a flake or two of salt and dark lemon in the mix.

Bottom Line:

I know burnt Lemon Drops don’t sound appetizing, but Lagavulin’s team has pulled it off here. This really is delicious but is a big and bold peaty whisky, so expect some ash. It’s not licking-the-inside-of-a-cold-Weber-grill ashy but it’s close.

(tied) 2. Talisker 11-Year-Old

ABV: 55.1%

Average Price: $119

The Whisky:

This classic lightly-peated Talisker is aged by the sea in American oak, ex-bourbon first fill, refill casks, and wine-seasoned casks. Those barrels are batched and then bottled as-is after 11 years of quiet mellowing.

Tasting Notes:

There’s a clear sense of seaside campfires far down a rainy beach next to a fruit orchard with a hint of nori sheets, old boat rope, and a dash of brown wintry spices on the nose. The palate leans into the oiliness of the nori with a slightly singed salmon skin vibe, smoked fish oils, and a touch of that distant campfire next to smoked plums and apricots with a hint of salted pear chips and dry red chili pepper. The end has a long meander through a pebble beach with sea salt, smoked pear, and briny seaweed salad next to a hint of fatty smoked salmon bellies with a black and red pepper crust.

Bottom Line:

This is wonderfully nuanced and full of maritime sensations. The overall texture is luxurious and welcoming with a mild peatiness that’s never overpowering. It’s truly a masterpiece of whisky.

(tied) 2. Cardhu 16-Year-Old

ABV: 58%

Average Price: $179

The Whisky:

This Speyside unpeated malt was aged in refill and re-charred American oak bourbon barrels for 16 years. That whisky was then refilled into Jamaican pot still rum-seasoned casks for a final rest before vatting and bottling as-is.

Tasting Notes:

There’s a definite sense of aura of funky rumminess with a hint of barrel char and grilled tropical fruits with plenty of brown spices — clove, allspice, nutmeg — surrounded by creamy lemon meringue pie, mango lassi, and freshly washed sheets flapping in the summer breeze (it’s wildly engaging and kind of weird but I love it). The palate has a rummy toffee syrup mood with spiced rum cocktails cut with banana bread, walnuts, and brown butter with a hint of brandy-soaked oak staves. The end has a light black pepperiness with more of that rummy barrel funk and soft and sweet (not acidic) tropical fruit.

Bottom Line:

This was really freakin’ good. It was a journey and was the best unpeated single malt (or single grain) whisky by far.

1. Oban 10-Year-Old

ABV: 57.1%

Average Price: $109

The Whisky:

This lightly peated Highland whisky from the tiny Oban Distillery is rendered from refill and new American oak barrels. That whisky is vatted and then refilled into Amontillado-seasoned casks for a final rest before batching and bottling as-is.

Tasting Notes:

There’s a lithe sense of lemon/lime saltwater taffy wrapped in white wax paper with a hint of lime leaves and wild sage next to salted smoked lemons and tangerines with a hint of really good and cloudy extra virgin olive oil speckled with smoked sea salt and freshly cracked red peppercorns. The palate is silken and full of layers of smoked grapes, smoked plums, and salted chili pepper candies with a fleeting sense of violet and lavender creaminess tied to a lush vanilla underbelly. The end has a mild woody chili pepper spiciness that’s dry and leads to a limber finish with warmth, lightly caramelized malts, and smoked apricot jam with brandy cream.

Bottom Line:

This had a wonderful texture of pure lusciousness throughout. It was enticing and complex while feeling convivial and somehow light and fresh. This really is a stellar whisky that transcends peated/unpeated. Ultimately, it’s just really f*cking good.

While many of us don’t enjoy the dark days and cold weather that the changing of the seasons brings, we rep hard for the scary movies, candy, and ridiculous, creative costumes October has to offer. And pairing your Halloween shenanigans with a frosty, cold beer (or three)? Well, that’s just smart, is all.

But we don’t want to combine our Halloween fun with just any beer. Bring on the dark, malevolent, creepy brews.

Naturally, pumpkin beers still make an appearance during October but this list of creepy, ghostly beers is more than just gourd-centered. Keep reading to see all of the best Halloween beers to drink this year. Did we rank them? Of course we did.

8) New Holland Ichabod

ABV: 4.5%

Average Price: $11.99 for a six-pack

The Beer:

Even if you never read the story “The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving, you know the premise. Ichabod Crane is a schoolteacher who happens upon the “headless horseman” late one gloomy night. This seasonal pumpkin ale is made with malted barley, real pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Tasting Notes:

On the nose, you’ll find some cinnamon, cloves, and maybe some ginger, but not much else. Not much of a pumpkin smell on the nose. The palate is lightly vegetal pumpkin mixed with cinnamon, cloves, wintry spices, and light hops. Overall, fairly watery and not a ton of pumpkin flavor.

Bottom Line:

This beer drinks more like a lager than a pumpkin beer. It’s fairly light and muted in flavor. Not an overly exciting beer for Halloween ragers.

7) Flying Dog The Fear

ABV: 9%

Average Price: $14.99 for a six-pack

The Beer:

There might not be a more aptly and simply named Halloween beer than Flying Dog Fear. You might not fear it, but you definitely want to give this 9% ABV imperial pumpkin ale the respect it deserves. While it’s a well-balanced beer, it gets its pumpkin flavor from 300 pounds of pumpkin per 50 barrels.

Tasting Notes:

The nose is a mix of bready malts, toffee, vegetal pumpkin, cinnamon, and spices. Drinking it revealed slightly bitter pumpkin, butterscotch, nutmeg, cinnamon, and more spices. Fairly generic. A little boozier than most pumpkin beer fans are used to.

Bottom Line:

The word that I would use to describe Flying Dog The Fear is just “okay.” It’s not bad and it’s not great either. Boozy, light in flavor, and just fine.

6) Allagash Haunted House

ABV: 6.66%

Average Price: $14.999 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans

The Beer:

Listed as “Hoppy Dark Ale”, this seasonal favorite from Allagash is brewed with roasted barley and Blackprinz malt before being hopped with Crystal, Chinook, and Saaz hops. It’s known for its mix of malts, hops, and bitter, roasted flavors.

Tasting Notes:

A nose of roasted malts, bitter chocolate, toffee, and coffee meets your nose before your first sip. The palate is highlighted by flavors like roasted malts, dark chocolate, fresh brewed coffee, and a nice kick of piney, floral hops at the end. The finish is a mix of malts and hops and it’s surprisingly dry.

Bottom Line:

This is a well-made beer and a seasonal favorite for a reason. The only thing that keeps it from landing higher on the list is the mix of roasted malts and bright, floral hops might not appeal to the palates of all drinkers.

5) Southern Tier Warlock

ABV: 10%

Average Price: $14.99 for a four-pack

The Beer:

When it comes to spooky Halloween tales, we seem to hear unending stories about witches, but it’s time for warlocks to get their due. Thanks to the folks at Southern Tier, they are. This 8.6% ABV fall seasonal imperial stout is brewed with ale yeast, four different malts, CTZ hops, pumpkin, and various fall spices.

Tasting Notes:

The nose is loaded with aromas of pie crust, dark chocolate, candied pecans, light pumpkin, and fall spices. The palate is centered on roasted malts, more nutty sweetness, sweet pumpkins, nutmeg, cinnamon, chocolate, and coffee. The finish is a warming mix of sweetness, spice, and roasted malts.

Bottom Line:

This is a great example of a well-balanced pumpkin imperial stout. All of the various flavors are in perfect balance without anything dominating too much. It’s a well-made seasonal beer.

4) AleSmith Evil Dead Red

ABV: 6.66%

Average Price: $5.50 for a 22-ounce bottle

The Beer:

If you’re looking to reach back into the world of horror nostalgia this Halloween season, we suggest watching the 1981 film Evil Dead (not the recent remake) starring the highly underrated Bruce Campbell. Make the evening even better by pairing it with this 6.66% ABV hop-fueled, bready malt-filled red ale.

Tasting Notes:

Pine, grapefruit and various IPA aromas start the nose off strong. It moves into bready malts and sweet caramel malts. The palate continues this trend with more toffee, vanilla, citrus zest, and piney, dank hops. It’s a complicated beer that needs to be sipped to be believed.

Bottom Line:

This seasonal favorite is a great mix of hops and malts. It’s loaded with citrus, pine, and caramel malt flavors, all with a pleasing, dry finish.

3) Rogue Dead Guy

ABV: 6.8%

Average Price: $10.99 for a six-pack

The Beer:

There are few beer labels as macabre and spooky as Rogue Dead Guy. It’s literally a creepy, cult-like skeleton. Luckily, the beer inside isn’t as scary. This German-style Maibock is made with Pacman yeast, 2-row, C15, and Munich malts. It gets its hop presence from the addition of Perle and Sterling hops.

Tasting Notes:

Complex aromas of sticky toffee, caramel, chocolate, bready malts, and floral, lightly piney hops can be found on this beer’s nose. The palate is loaded with flavors like honey, more bread-like malts, butterscotch, and more herbal, slightly resinous hops. Bready, caramel, and light hop presence — this beer has it all.

Bottom Line:

Rogue Dead Guy is a year-round beer but it’s most well-suited for fall drinking because of its caramel, malty flavor profile. It’s even better than its classic label.

2) Great Lakes Nosferatu

ABV: 8%

Average Price: $12.50 for a six-pack

The Beer:

1922’s Nosferatu starring Max Shreck just celebrated its 100th birthday. What better way to celebrate this iconic vampire tale than by imbibing a beer inspired by it? Great Lakes Nosferatu is a red IPA brewed with 2-row, Crystal 77, and Special Roast malts. It’s hopped with Simcoe and Cascade hops.

Tasting Notes:

Pine needles, caramel, bready malts, floral hops, and orange zest are prevalent aromas on the nose. Taking a sip brings forth notes of roasty malts, toffee, brown sugar, tangerine, and resinous, dank pine. The finish is a nice mix of malt sweetness and hop bitterness.

Bottom Line:

If you’re an IPA drinker who doesn’t want to give up on his or her favorite style once fall hits, this is the beer for you. While it has a nice roasty malt, caramel backbone, it has a heavy enough hops presence to please the biggest IPA fans.

1) 3 Floyds Zombie Dust

ABV: 6.8%

Average Price: $14.99 for a six-pack

The Beer:

This year-round, 6.5% ABV pale ale is consistently ranked as one of the best on the market. This hoppy beer gets its bold flavor from the addition of Citra hops. Its label is adorned with a zombie king and it’s the perfect accompaniment to your favorite zombie TV show or movie.

Tasting Notes:

The nose is all ripe grapefruit, tangerine, caramelized pineapple, bready malts, and light pine. The palate follows suit with more pineapple as well as mango, guava, grapefruit, caramel malts, and lightly floral, dank pine. The finish is a mix of sweetness and floral, piney, slightly bitter hops.

Bottom Line:

While there are some great beers on this list, none are as well-made as 3 Floyds Zombie Dust. This is a borderline perfect pale ale. Grab a sixer and watch 28 Days Later.

Earlier this month, country legend Loretta Lynn died at 90 years old. Since then, Country Music Television (CMT) has been putting together a tribute special, Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration Of The Life & Music Of Loretta Lynn, that aired last night (October 30). Surprisingly, Taylor Swift made an unannounced appearance on the program via a short video clip.

In it, Swift says (as Hollywood Life notes):

“I’m so grateful to Loretta for being an example, not only for songwriters everywhere, but more specifically female songwriters. She was so ahead of her time. The way she exercised brutal, truthful, fearless honesty every time she sat down to write a song is something that changed music forever and paved the way for every songwriter who’s trying to be truthful and honest today.”

Back in 2016, Lynn was supportive of Swift’s shift away from her country roots to more pop-oriented music, saying, “Taylor: get it, girl! That’s what she wanted. I am about as pop as corn bread.”

Shortly after Lynn’s passing, Jack White — who collaborated with Lynn on her 2004 album Van Lear Rose — offered some kind words, saying in a video message, “What a sad day today is: We lost one of the greats, Loretta Lynn. I said when I was first asked about her what I thought, and I said years ago that I thought she was the greatest female singer-songwriter of the 20th century. I still believe that.”

Multiple times per week, our TV and film experts will list the most important ten streaming selections for you to pop into your queues. We’re not strictly operating upon reviews or accrued streaming clicks (although yes, we’ve scoured the streaming site charts) but, instead, upon those selections that are really worth noticing amid the churning sea of content. There’s a lot out there, after all, and your time is valuable.

TIE: 10. Winchesters (CW series streaming in various places)

Jensen Ackles fans go where he goes, and that led to a nice little boost for The Boys, in which he portrayed Captain America parody Soldier Boy. Although that character ended up on ice, Jensen’s been busy elsewhere. He’s plugged in on Big Sky and returned to the Supernatural franchise in this prequel series that sees him as Dean Winchester in narrator form. This series focuses upon Dean’s parents, Vietnam veteran John and demon hunter Mary. There are nefarious forces and super secrets at hand, along with warring family legacies that rear up before this installment collides with the O.G. series.

TIE: 10. The Good Nurse (Netflix movie)

You’ve heard of Typhoid Mary, now meet Charles Cullen, who intentionally killed dozens of patients in his line of work. Cullen is portrayed by chameleon Eddie Redmayne in this dreary tale. His only real foil happens to be a nurse portrayed by Jessica Chastain. Her character illustrates the ironic downfalls of an institution that fails to even provide adequate care for its own workers. This isn’t the easiest watch, but award-calibre performers give enough reason for plopping this one in the queue.

9. Halloween Ends (Universal movie streaming on Peacock)

It’s the end of a long-winded era for sure, and here, Jamie Lee Curtis takes a final lap as Laurie Strode, who’s been dealing with far too many decades of being sister to a horrific serial killer. David Gordon Green takes this one home, which will hopefully make you completely forget about those Rob Zombie pictures. He’s hopefully forgotten them already, too, and it’s fitting that Danny McBride helped Green get this last leg of the franchise moving and puts it in the grave, so everyone can rest a little bit easier, and everyone can move onto other obsessions. That includes Green, known for Pineapple Express but now moving onto The Exorcist for Blumhouse.

8. Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (Netflix series) and Conversations With A Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes (Netflix docuseries)

Yes, we’re still doing this. Ryan Murphy is as well, and he’s the reigning Netflix king while bringing this dramatized and gross story to life, so we can see too many people asking Evan Peters’ Jeffrey Dahmer why his apartment of horrors emits screams and smells. When you’re done there, check out Joe Berlinger’s documentary series that zeroes in on the procedural angle of putting a serial killer behind bars.

7. Star Wars: Tales Of The Jedi (Disney+ series)

If you’re finishing up this latest round of Andor and wouldn’t mind something a little less grounded from a galaxy far, far away, then dive into this animated anthology series that takes us through a few key paths. That includes a detailing of Ahsoka Tano’s life and a pre-Dark Side Count Dooku. Enjoy those tweaks to the canon while preparing your minds for the live-action Ahsoka starring Rosario Dawson.

6. Interview With The Vampire (AMC series streaming on AMC+)

This series is not only better and more satisfying than the O.G. 1990s movie starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, but it’s also going to last longer. AMC already renewed the show for a second season, so we can all settle back and enjoy Lestat (Sam Reid) and Louis (Jacob Anderson) decloseting their relationship and know that hearts won’t be broken by an abbreviated story. As well, we’ll soon see more Anne Rice materializing onscreen when The Mayfair Witches debuts and stars Alexandra Daddario.

5. The White Lotus (HBO series streaming on HBO Max)

The sleeper series surprised plenty of people with Armond did, you know, that thing, and this season will see Jennifer Coolidge’s boozy socialite in Sicily, where the show will follow a new smattering of dissatisfied wealthy types. There’s a lot of raciness in this season, and Aubrey Plaza stars as well, which leads to a perfection of the formula while we all long to always-never take vacations again.

4. Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities (Netflix series)

October has been full of rightful and wannabe contributions to the horror realm, and this selection firmly belongs in the former category. The streaming charts have been eating this one up as the horror maestro presents a carefully crafted anthology series full of the most sinister tales imaginable. We’ve got The Babadook director Jennifer Kent and inaugural Twilight helmer Catherine Hardwicke with contributions, including an H.P. Lovecraft tale that hits differently in 2022. Other directors include Ana Lily Amirpour, Panos Cosmatos, Guillermo Navarro, David Prior, Vincenzo Natali, and Keith Thomas. It’s almost the end of witching season, so make this one go out with a bang.

3. Don’t Worry Darling (New Line/WB Film Streaming On POV)

You’ve heard about all of the alleged drama and Olivia Wilde’s special salad dressing. In addition, there’s confirmation that this still-circulating drama is more captivating than what actually materializes in this movie. People are still snapping this one up, though, while the movie plays in theaters. Maybe it’s the Harry Style effect? I still need to hold out hope that he spit on Chris Pine, even though he didn’t, and every day is a good day to appreciate Florence Pugh. The streaming price is steep on this one, but it’s a decent wine-watch.

2. The Watcher (Netflix series)

Netflix and the Internet can’t quit Ryan Murphy, and the feeling must be mutual. Naomi Watts and Bobby Cannivale star as a terrorized couple who’s attempting to figure out who the hell is sending threatening letters that detail their house and their children. There’s no definitive to be seen here, but there’s a lot of fun offshoots, and fortunately, the show remains relatively trigger free while delivering the goods in terms of salacious delights. While stalkerdom is never funny, this show does successfully delve into camp while introducing a whole host of strange neighbors (including characters played by Margo Martindale, Richard Kind, and Mia Farrow) and the worst realtor ever, played by Jennifer Coolidge.

1. House of the Dragon (HBO series on HBO Max)

Dammit, we have to wait until 2024 for more Targaryen drama. That’s not fantastic, but while we console ourselves, it’s worth revisiting how bad Daemon screwed the dragon-pooch and how Matt Smith is a genius who made the final moment happen. And then we should all consider what it would be like to actually have a dragon while reveling in this world we live in, which somehow led to Neil Gaiman fixated upon bodily functions and discussing them in public with George R.R. Martin. We’re in a gilded age of content, people. Crack open a canned Negroni Spagliato (with Prosecco in it), and for the love of god, keep your socks on while watching the season all over again.

Sunday’s race at Martisville was the last opportunity for drivers in the playoffs to punch their ticket to the Championship 4, who will race for the NASCAR Cup Series title in Phoenix next week.

On the final lap, three of the spots were up for grabs, with Christopher Bell winning the race to ensure he got a spot alongside Joey Logano. Behind him, the battle for the final two spots couldn’t have been any closer as Ross Chastain pulled off one of the greatest moves of all time to pass a number of cars, including Denny Hamlin, on the final turn to get to the finish line behind Chase Elliott and knock Hamlin out.

Chastain floored it into the wall going into turn 4 and just held it wide open as his car scraped along the wall, flying by everyone in the corner and eventually slipping just past Hamlin before the start/finish line.

It is an insane move and Chastain explained afterwards that it’s something he’s done before…in NASCAR 2005 on the Nintendo Gamecube when he was a kid and he always wanted to know if it’d work in real life. It turns out, it does and it got him into the last race of the season with a chance to win the Cup Series title.

For every kid that ever tried some wild stuff in a video game to win a race, this is vindication for us all that we weren’t cheating or doing something you could only do in the game. Chastain did it in real life and made himself a legend in the process.

The Detroit Pistons haven’t gotten off to the start to the season they hoped in Year 2 with Cade Cunningham at the helm, as their young stars have had the struggles young players often do in terms of consistency and efficiency, which is part of the reason the team made the move it did on Sunday.

Prior to the Pistons home game against the Warriors, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski brought word that they were inking Bojan Bogdanovic to a two-year contract extension that will keep him in Detroit through the 2024-25 season for $19.5 million per year — just about the same number he’s currently at.

Bogdanovic is one of a few veterans on the Pistons roster and the sharpshooter has brought some life to the offense as a catch-and-shoot threat opposite his young and talented guards in Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. Bogdanovic is leading the team in scoring through six games at 23 points per, knocking down 51.1 percent of his three-point attempts, and while that rate won’t continue, his presence has been big in opening up the Pistons offense.

As for the price tag, it’s a big payday for Bogdanovic, but that’s part of the tax of getting quality veterans onto teams still in the rebuilding process — see: JJ Redick in Philadelphia. His contract also won’t impact the long-term cap situation for the Pistons when it matters most, as he’ll come off the books before it’s time to sign Cade Cunningham to a likely max extension.