4 GREAT BARBECUE RECIPES FOR 4 GREAT SUMMER DRINKS

4 Great Barbecue Recipes For 4 Great Summer Drinks

Gentlemen, summer barbecues are right around the corner, and we can’t wait. Why? Because there are few greater sounds than those of various meats sizzling to perfection on a charcoal grill. And there are few greater sights than people enjoying the food you’ve graciously provided. You eat, you sip on refreshing summer drinks and you laugh as you enjoy the company of your friends and family. Fellas…barbecue season is upon us.

With Memorial Day so close, arguably the unofficial springtime kickoff to summer’s barbecue season, we at of Iron & Oak decided to compile a list of great barbecue recipes…with a twist. Each recipe will be strategically paired with a delicious summer drink for the best possible barbecue experience. Tie those aprons on, guys! Here are four great barbecue recipes for four great summer drinks.  Continue reading

Tips For Today's Aspiring Gentlemen

Tips For Today’s Aspiring Gentlemen – Part III: Social Lives

Our main goal here at of Iron & Oak is to prepare you aspiring young gentlemen for the grueling world you’ve stepped into. We want you to look good. We want you to live well. And we want you to be knowledgable on a variety of topics. Follow our Tips for Today’s Aspiring Gentlemen and you’ll soon become sprightly, respectable gentlemen in your own right. If you want, pretend as if Mad Men‘s Don Draper and co. are giving you these tips themselves. Not exactly gentlemen, they’ve led long lives full of debauchery, but they’ve learned a lot over the years.

In this series, you’ll find a selection of choice tips spanning several subjects. Some of these may sound familiar, maybe you’re father or grandfather mentioned them to you a long time ago. Some of the may sound completely new to you. Bottom line, we wish we knew some of these earlier on and hope you’ll continue to learn from future gentlemen tips to come. Continue reading

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Every Man Should Know: The Wonderful World of Beer

Beer. There’s something about it that elevates your spirits beyond epic proportions. It’s probably just the alcohol, but nevertheless, it’s damn good.

There are many of us who go through life drinking beer. We drink it at home. We drink it at bars. We drink it when we celebrate. And we drink it when we’re sad. It’s always been there, and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. This feel-good beverage has graciously and valiantly stood the test of time, yet there are those of us who don’t know much about it. Maybe that’s because we’re so enamored with the substance that we couldn’t care less. Or maybe it’s because we’ve just never thought about it before.

Here at of Iron & Oak, however, we believe that every man should know the basics behind beer, the different types and where they come from. If you’re going to drink it, why not learn a bit about it? Knowledge is power and whatnot, right? Or so they say…  Continue reading

Slim Timber and Their American-Made Wood Products

Slim Timber and Their American-Made Wood Products

Every now and then we come across an innovative company that’s pushing the boundaries of American handcraftsmanship, and this time, we’re beyond excited. Of course, we’re talking about Slim Timber and their American-made wooden products. They’re sleek, unique and absolutely gorgeous.

Slim Timber is simply made up of a husband and wife team based out of Boise, Idaho. They’re extremely creative and share the same passion for handcrafted, American-made products that we do.

The company specializes in producing distinctive wooden wallets perfect for any man. With two wood wallet variations, each made from two types of wood allowing for four total wallet options, Slim Timber has raised the bar as far as suitable wallets for gentlemen are concerned as they’re ergonomically designed, allowing for maximum comfort. Plus, all of the wood used is hand selected to show off the “beautiful and fascinating qualities of the wood.”  Continue reading

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The Cordial Gentleman: How to Wear A Bow Tie

A cordial gentleman is a satirical term for a man who displays certain characteristics of class and elegance, but chooses often to act rude and distasteful, often in large groups of people. Whether you’re pursuing a career as a lawyer, accountant, pastry chef, or yoga instructor, beginning will always be treacherous business.

When someone is called a ‘beginner,’ it’s usually done so with a negative connotation. However, I think that a beginner’s mind is a brilliant place to come from; unexplored possibility, unlocked potential. And after all, beginners are always granted permission to fail. The word ‘beginner’ suggests that a person or a project is unfinished. Beginners can develop new ideas, meet new people, and try new things.

The first step to becoming a cordial gentleman is reevaluating the way you present yourself. Dating as far back as the 17th century, the bow tie has been a timeless staple in menswear. MSNBC’s Rick Kaplan once said, “Wearing a bow tie is a statement – almost an act of defiance.” Sporting the retro piece of neckwear is a way of expressing an aggressive lack of concern for what other people think. The beauty of the bow tie is that it allows you to have some fun and express individuality without losing your level of formality. Like all trends that came before it and all trends that will follow, the bow tie comes with a rigid lists of do’s and don’ts that every man should be aware of.  Continue reading