⚡ BBQ World Cup

The BBQ World Cup is Coming - And You Should Be There

The biggest thing to happen to barbecue drops in March 2027, and if you're serious about BBQ culture, start planning now.

The BBQ World Cup brings 100 of the world's best pitmasters to Las Vegas for a $1 million championship prize pool—one of the largest purses in barbecue history. Twenty qualifying events run through 2026. Top teams compete in brisket, ribs, pork, and chicken.

Beyond competition, expect live demos from champions, equipment showcases, restaurant tastings, and pitmaster meet-and-greets.

The move: Lock in Vegas plans now—hotels, flights, tickets. This is a first-year event generating serious buzz. By March 2027, you'll either be there or wishing you were.

Because eating well is never just about the food.

Why You Should Be Rucking Instead of Running

Running beats you up. Rucking builds you up.

Rucking is simple: walking with weight. A weighted vest—20 to 40 pounds—steady pace, no sprinting. It's low-impact cardio that challenges your legs, core, and posterior chain without the repeated joint stress that comes with running.

You burn more calories than regular walking because you're carrying load. A 180-pound man walking 3 miles in an hour might burn around 260–280 calories. Run that same distance and you're closer to 300–380, depending on pace. Ruck it with 30 pounds and you can push into the 350–400 range—competitive with moderate running—without the constant impact.

It's not "zero pounding," but it's significantly easier on your knees and shins. And unlike steady-state running, you're building load tolerance, postural strength, and muscular endurance that translates to real-world movement—hiking, travel, hauling gear, moving furniture.

How to start: 20 pounds, 2–3 miles, conversational pace. Two to three times per week. Here’s our a pick for a super affordable weighted vest.

Running has its place. But if your joints are already talking, rucking lets you stay fit without grinding them down.

Train with focus, fuel with purpose.

Coal Pick Distillery - Very Small Batch Bourbon

The Story: Made by master distiller Whitney Spence on a 4,000-acre farm near Paradise, Kentucky, Coal Pick Very Small Batch is distilled, aged, and bottled entirely on-site. Each batch blends just 3 to 5 hand-selected barrels—never sourced, always local. The barrels are custom-toasted and charred, and Kentucky's extreme temperature swings pull deep flavor from the wood. This is small-batch bourbon done right.

The Pour: Maple, vanilla and a hint of cinnamon up front, with baking spices and a touch of stone fruit sweetness. The palate is creamy and rich—caramel, dark chocolate, and toasted oak. The finish is smooth and balanced, leaving behind warm oak spice that fades gently.

The Move: Neat or with a single ice cube. At 100 proof, it's bold enough to sip slow and is perfect for your favorite bourbon cocktail.

The Mettle Take: A true craft bourbon from grain to bottle. $50

Not the bottle they expect. The one they remember.