Joe the Explorer — A Travel, Gear and Exploring Blog with Joe Piehl

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Barrel-Aged Malört: A Bitter Experience in Chicago

Malört is novelty spirit known throughout Chicago for its strong sharp taste and its association with poor decisions – drinking Malört is typically one of those poor decisions. But as a staple liquor in Chicago’s nightlife scene, I’d be missing out if I didn’t try a shot of Barrel-aged Malört […]
Are Self-Service Security Checkpoints Ready For Airports?

Meet Qylatron, a new technology that promises to simplify security checkpoints at stadiums, monuments and airports with a self-service option. In theory this sounds great, but will it work in airports? Already in effect at the Rio de Janeiro airport and several venues in the US, passengers and visitors use […]
Sunday Toast: DryHop Brewers and Intelligentsia Coffee Create a New Coffee Beer

This week DryHop Brewers and Intelligentsia Coffee, two household names in Chicago, brought together the coffee and beer communities with the launch a new coffee stout, My Mirrors Are Black. There are a number of similarities between the Windy City’s beer and coffee communities, so it was only a matter […]
Flying to Russia with Aeroflot

Moscow is on my short list for future adventures, but what’s the best way to get there from the US to Russia? After a bit of research, it looks like flying with the Russian airline Aeroflot is the right choice. With a fleet of 139 aircraft averaging just over five […]
Yellow Spot Irish Whiskey Hits the Spot

For a long time, I automatically associated the word yellow with Yellow Tail wine (aka the second cheapest wine), but thanks to Yellow Spot whiskey from Pernod Ricard, yellow is my new favorite color. Inspired by a recipe last bottled in the 1950s, the single pot still Irish whiskey was […]

December 1, 2013 at 9:10 amBarrel-Aged Malört: A Bitter Experience in Chicago

November 20, 2013 at 2:57 pmAre Self-Service Security Checkpoints Ready For Airports?

November 16, 2013 at 12:48 pmSunday Toast: DryHop Brewers and Intelligentsia Coffee Create a New Coffee Beer

November 11, 2013 at 9:21 amFlying to Russia with Aeroflot

November 10, 2013 at 9:18 amYellow Spot Irish Whiskey Hits the Spot