Gift cards are great. They show you that the giver took enough time at the checkout line to think of a place that you’d like and lock you into spending a certain amount of money at that establishment. The only problem with the gift card idea is the transmission of funds. You have to carry around another de facto credit card. Don’t get me wrong, I love having a gift card in my wallet if I ever need to open a door, but I already have a Ralph’s card for that.

All you iPhoners out there already have the ability to load up your phone with Starbucks Starbucks giftcards, but recently, the iPhone’s ugly cousin, Blackberry, got the power as well. When someone gives you a gift card, you just enter it into the app and chuck the card in the recycle bin. Next time you order your French Press (seriously, it’s off menu, but go to a store and try it today) all you have to do is quit Facebooking long enough to open the Starbucks app. The barista on register will scan the barcode on your phone and you’re good to go. Technology, FTW!

I’m sure these types of apps will proliferate and evolve as each store tries to be the leader in mobile technology. I’d really dig some added functionality that would let you place your order on the phone then alert the store when you’re 5ish minutes away from the store (based on your GPS location). I think that might be getting into far future territory where everyone’s car folds up and we all have robot maids though.

And the next time you find yourself anxiously waiting in line for a caffeine fix, send a shout-out to Starbucks on Twitter and Facebook.

Well, we’ve already witnessed what beer loving roboticists like to do in their free time, but what happens when the beer loving Yelp engineers get extra time on their hands? They engage in “hackathons” and invent the Kegmate, an iPad-powered “Kegbot”.

And for those of you who are geeky enough … errr brilliantly intelligent enough to understand the cryptic language known as “computer engineering”, the kids over at Yelp have been kind enough to detail the entire project on their blog for anyone brave enough to recreate it on their own. Here is an excerpt from the blog:

Theory of Operation (An Overview): Sensors attached to the keg feed data into an Arduino microcontroller, which in turn communicates directly with the iPad via a serial connection. The iPad processes that data and displays it in a snazzy manner along with a description of the current brew. An RFID reader attached to the system allows users to ‘swipe in’ to KegMate and keep track of how much beer they’ve had, as well as assign a star rating for the beer currently in the keg (this is Yelp, after all).

Check out the project video below.

I went to my friends’ wedding a few short weeks ago. Something that I have always loved about weddings, picnics, business retreats, and other like events isn’t just the community, but the community filled with far more alcohol than we could shake a stick at.

In the course of time we have all had means and methods for transporting our various beverages to the site of choice. Flasks, jockey boxes, wine gourds, coolers being amongst some of my favorites. Duane Woytonik of Brewpub4u seems to have delivered to us the mastery beer transport machine.

Based out of Seattle, Duane has constructed a 3.5 barrel brewing system with 8 keg holders, 10 bar stools, 2 big TVs and a 60 gallon boiler. And the best part about it, its portable. I think the Olympians might just reserve it for their next bacchanal.

“Sheila”, as I am calling her, is a beautiful piece of hand welded stainless steel. Built by hand by Duane and his crew, they have contracted out for not just drinking purposes but for brew making as well for educational, expansion, and experimentation purposes.

To best describe Sheila, imagine if M.C. Escher and Rube Goldberg were drinking together one sunny day and just happen to discover a few years to kill, welding equipment, and enough beer to last them all the while.

It’s a marvel of modern man and if you want to check it out or reserve it for your next event visit the Brewpub4U website or friend them on Facebook.

Do you find yourself missing out on all the action at parties because you are too busy slaving away mixing cocktails? The creative minds at Vincor Canada are aiming to solve this problem through the introduction of Vextini, its new line of premixed vodka martinis.

“This product is all about ease of making the perfect martini and embracing martini culture, which clearly includes socializing with friends and family.” — Nadine Iacocca, Director of Marketing, Spirits & Refreshment.

The current Vextini line-up includes three different flavors: ‘Pink Bikini-tini’, ‘Sicilian Kiss’ and ‘Lights, Camera, Cosmo!’.

Using the newest augmented reality code technology, Vincor Canada has teamed up with Bos Toronto and Lollipop to develop an interactive print campaign for the launch of its new product. Each print ad has a giant AR square blocking out a portion of the ad. In order to find out what is hiding behind the secret code, one must visit the Vextini site and hold up the ad to a webcam. This unlocks a video that reveals the behind the scenes on the scenario pictured in the ad.

There are three separate AR codes that initiate three different scenarios that include a lumberjack, a mummy, and a pirate — all the quintessential elements for a killer party. Technology FTW.

Just when I thought that being a Mutineer was the coolest job in the world, I discovered Willow Garage, a team of robot design experts. They actually get paid to develop hardware and open source software for personal robotics applications. Which begs the question: whose job is cooler? I sense an epic battle of wits and strength coming on… or maybe just a duel. The Mutineers vs. The Roboticists — Coming to a theatre near you.

But, I digress.

Around 5pm on Fridays (really, just Fridays?), the folks over at Willow Garage start getting thirsty for some fine beverages. But often times, they are too focused on finishing projects before wrapping up for the weekend. The solution? After a week of “hacking” (whatever that is) and optional sleep, Willow Garage unveiled its successful “Beer Me, Robot” demo. Check out the rad video:

Robots and fine beverages? This takes FTW to the next level — For The Mother F*ing Win! Now if only we can convince Willow Garage to send the prototype to the Mutineer headquarters for further experimentation…

Some industries have been a little slower than others at acknowledging the importance of social media and the influence of blogs. Finally, it seems like the craft beer industry has started to catch on.

Although barely two years old, Buckbean Brewing Company, has been actively reaching out to beer bloggers, engaging the community and sending free samples all across the US. They have even publicly stated that they believe “the online beer community is the most underrated and, at times, unappreciated group of beer enthusiasts and experts out there” — which is quite a bold (yet, reasonable) statement.

In an effort to show its continued support for the community, Buckbean is offering beer bloggers the opportunity to compete for a chance to be flown to Reno for CANFEST — where the winner will also serve as a guest judge in the beer competition.

Here’s the deal: “Starting now and lasting until the 1st week of September, we’re offering those with an established beer blog (meaning you didn’t build a blog simply to participate in this contest) an opportunity to write one blog post, centered on why they deserve to come to CANFEST. We are very partial to creativity and humor. Once your blog post is live, send the link back to constance@abbipr.com with an appropriate subject line.”

For more information, visit the Buckbean Blog.

While San Francisco has been busy banning products from vending machines, Pennsylvania (of all places) has been trying to find ways to increase their vending machine offerings.

Pennsylvania’s Liquor Control Board recently introduced “wine kiosks” in two Harrisburg grocery stores. In order to purchase wine from the machines, customers must swipe their ID, blow into a breathalyzer, and then look into the security camera. A state employee in Harrisburg then remotely verifies that the buyer isn’t drunk and matches the photo ID. If everything checks out, the customer is approved to buy wine.

If the initial test run is successful, there are talks of putting the kiosks in grocery stores all over the state.

Conceptually, this invention both intrigues and disturbs me. Whereas the idea of incorporating technology into the world of fine beverage seems really cool, I fear that something like this will only contribute to the ever growing depersonalization of our society. There is something to be said for human interaction, especially in the food and beverage culture.

I’m curious to hear other people’s opinions on the matter. Is this a positive thing for the industry? Or is it destructive?

In an effort to engage its fans as well as provide a platform where mixologists of all levels can showcase their skills, Patrón Tequila has created a Facebook application that challenges people to re-imagine classic drink recipes and develop their own, unique cocktails.

Each cocktail submitted to “Patrón Cocktail Lab” will be up for public voting. Professional mixologists will also be available on the site to provide expert advice, commentary and tips. The Patrón Cocktail Lab will kick off with the “Patrón Margarita, Deconstructed,” where visitors will be asked to reinterpret the classic margarita recipe. The winning recipe will become an official Patrón cocktail.

Additional challenges to follow include the “Patrón Greenmarket” challenge and the “Patrón Salt Concierge” challenge. Top participants will earn entry into exclusive Patrón events.

I cannot help but admit that this is a rather clever and impressive use of social media. It definitely inspires one to invest a little time and energy into cocktail R&D. But it’s not like I really need an excuse to make a margarita…

Comedian Ben Morrison co-hosts the 2010 Wine Blog Awards on the big screen with Alan Kropf, who enjoyed some absinthe during the ceremony, at the Wine Bloggers’ Conference in Walla Walla, Washington.

Things got truly epic in Walla Walla this last weekend at the Wine Bloggers’ Conference with the 2010 Wine Blog Awards, presented by yours truly. Riedel Crystal sponsored the trophies, and Mutineer Magazine sponsored the epicness.

Here is a list of the nominees and winners:

Best Wine Blog Graphics, Photography, & Presentation

• WINNER: Good Grape
• NOMINEE: Snooth
• NOMINEE: Spittoon
• NOMINEE: Swirl Smell Slurp: A Wine Blog
• NOMINEE: Winesleuth

Best Industry/Business Wine Blog

• WINNER: Good Grape
• NOMINEE: My Daily Wine
• NOMINEE: New York Cork Report
• NOMINEE: Think Wine Marketing
• NOMINEE: Wine Biz Radio

Best Wine Reviews on a Wine Blog

• WINNER: Bigger Than Your Head
• NOMINEE: Enobytes
• NOMINEE: Good Wine Under $20
• NOMINEE: Jason’s Wine Blog
• NOMINEE: Spittoon

Best Single Subject Wine Blog

• WINNER: New York Cork Report
• NOMINEE: Elloinos
• NOMINEE: Catavino
• NOMINEE: Tinto y Blanco
• NOMINEE: Vinsanity

Best Winery Blog

• WINNER: Been Doon So Long
• NOMINEE: 4488: A Ridge Blog
• NOMINEE: Quevedo
• NOMINEE: Tablas Creek
• NOMINEE: Twisted Oak

Best Writing On a Wine Blog

• WINNER: Catavino
• NOMINEE: Chronic Negress
• NOMINEE: Drinkster
• NOMINEE: PaulGregutt.com
• NOMINEE: Steve Heimoff

Best New Wine Blog

• WINNER: Swirl Smell Slurp: A Wine Blog
• NOMINEE: A Long Pour
• NOMINEE: Drink Nectar
• NOMINEE: Notes From the Cellar
• NOMINEE: One Brilliant Bottle

Best Overall Wine Blog

• WINNER: 1 Wine Dude
• NOMINEE: Dr. Vino
• NOMINEE: New York Cork Report
• NOMINEE: Palate Press
• NOMINEE: The Cellarist

Congrats to all the winners. We look forward to seeing everyone again in Charlottesville, VA next year!

Here at Mutineer Magazine, we are counting down the days until the 3rd Annual Wine Bloggers Conference in Walla Walla, Washington. We are super stoked to announce that our good friends at Jordan Winery have donated their videography services to this year’s event.

Jordan’s videographers plan on producing a documentary-style web video chronicling the 2010 conference. Jordan Winery will also host the WBC’s first “Video Diary Room“, a private space where anyone attending the conference will have the opportunity to speak freely on camera about anything they wish.

“We’re really excited to offer conference attendees a new creative outlet for expressing their enthusiasm and opinions about wine, blogging, the conference or any topics that inspire storytelling,” — Allan Wright, owner of Zephyr Adventures & organizer of the Wine Bloggers Conference.

Although topics about wine, blogging, conference speakers and discussions are encouraged, no topic is off limits. However, in order for the messages to be aired, attendees must adhere the official YouTube Community Guidelines.

You can bet your last dollar that the Mutineers will be making an appearance or two (or ten) in the Video Diary Room. Special thanks to Jordan Winery for making this possible. We look forward to seeing you at the Wine Bloggers Conference this weekend!