Bierwandern Schweiz unterwegs mit Monika Saxer from Helvetiq on Vimeo.

La tant attendue vidéo de notre rando bière est enfin visible. Nous avons marché le long de l’Areuse, de Noiraigue jusqu’à Cortaillod pour enfin déguster une délicieuse bière brassée à la brasserie de la Vouivre.

Je n’en dis pas plus et vous laisse découvrir la vidéo et cette future rando qui sera publiée dans la version française du livre (à paraître en octobre 2014)!

Nous serons aussi en vadrouille dimanche 31 août de 11h à 19h au Craft Bier Festival à Rapperswil (SG) ainsi qu’aux Unterländer Biertage le samedi 27 et dimanche 28 septembre à Oberglatt (ZH). Passez nous voir (Monika pourra vous parler du livre ainsi que signer votre exemplaire)!

Bonne balade et… santé!

La Team Helvetiq et Monika Saxer

Der lange erwartete Trailer des Bierwandern Buches ist nun da! Wir haben uns ins Neuenburgische aufgemacht und sind der Areuse entlang gewandert von Noiraigue bis nach Cortaillod, wo wir uns das verdiente leckere Bier der Brasserie de la Vouivre schmecken liessen.

Wir möchten nun nicht weiter um den Brei herum reden, schau dir das Video an und entdecke eine der neuen Wanderungen im nächsten Bierwandern Buch.

Wir werden am Sonntag 31. August von 11h bis 19h am Craft Bier Festival in Rapperswil (SG) dabei sein und weil es so viel Spass macht, auch an den Unterländer Biertagen am Wochenende vom 27. – 28. September in Oberglatt (ZH) anzutreffen sein. Wir freuen uns, Sie dort zu treffen!

Viel Spass beim Wandern und Prost!
Dein Helvetiq Team und Monika Saxer

What is a Pop-Up?
For the last year or so, we’ve been hearing about these “pop-up” shops appearing all over New York, but what exactly are they? Pop-ups are a trend that involves “popping up” one day, then disappearing anywhere from one day to several weeks later. These shops, while small and temporary, can build up interest by consumer exposure. Pop-up retail allows a company to create a unique environment that engages their customers and generates a feeling of relevance and interactivity.
Here are the top shops we’ve noticed so far in NYC.

1. Bite Beauty’s Lip Lab: 
This pop-up first appeared in 2013, but has remained one of our favorite shops until this day. Finding the right lipstick can be tough: color, texture, wearability… it’s kind of a headache, really. At the new store, staff will help you build a custom lipstick creation. You’ll start by blending a personalized pigment, and then select a matte or sheer finish. You can even drop in a flavor, if you so choose (cherry, mint, or berry, for the record). With their lipstick machine, you’ll mix, pour, paint, and mold your custom ‘stick in just ten minutes. O ya…Did we mention this shop has now converted to a permanent store, which means custom lipsticks forever?

2. Havaianas: 
In this temporary shop, the pop-up sold a huge selection of Havaiana sandals that had never been seen in such a quantity before. They also provided a “Make Your Own Havaianas” station to provide store patrons with an even more unique experience.

3. Wired Store:
Have you ever taken a photon shower? Did you even know there was such a thing as a photon shower? The wake-you-up invention was just one of many ultra-cool things you could browse at Wired’s annual holiday pop-up shop. The Meatpacking district installment features truly one-of-a-kind items, including home electronics, kitchen gadgets, clothing, and outdoor gear. It was like visiting a museum of the most highly desired tech items of the year.

4. Soludos: 
This year, don’t miss the yellow van stationed at Pier 57 all summer long. Not only can you snag a pair of the brand’s signature, flat espadrilles, but you’ll also get a sneak peak and a chance to buy their new beach wear.

5. Birchbox Holiday Pop-Up: 
Last year, Birchbox, originally an online store for the newest beauty products, went offline. The store sold a wide range of beauty products and even offered additional services such as up-dos, makeovers, and nail art. Hopefully, this quirky shop will resurface sometime this year.

For the last year or so, we’ve been hearing about these “pop-ups” happening in London, but what exactly are they? Pop-ups are a trend that involves “popping up” one day, then disappearing anywhere from one day to several weeks later. These shops, while small and temporary, can build up interest by consumer exposure. Pop-up retail allows a company to create a unique environment that engages their customers and generates a feeling of relevance and interactivity.

Well, we’ve had an eye on these shops in London for quite some time…here are our top 5 Pop-up shops we’ve seen so far!

1.Boomf’s Print Instagram Pictures onto Marshmallows at Selfridges

Now you can have your cake and eat it too! Ever want an edible Instagram picture? Boomf makes it possib

le with this Willy Wonka-esque, real-time photo shop. Just connect to your Instagram and you’ll have your marshmallow in a matter of minutes! Luckily this one is still up and running, but only until the 3^rd of September! Get yours fast!

2. Cuervo Cantina

This idea takes you from London to Mexico and allows you to eat authentic Mexican food while enjoying the view over the London roof-tops. This one is lasting a little longer than a regular pop-up, but will close soon enough, taking its delicious margaritas and tequila with it. Check it out at Skylounge!

3. Jacob’s Savory Ice-Cream Parlor.

Fancy an ice cream but want something a little less, average? Visit this quirky pop-up and enjoy summer with a taste of Jacob’s snacks in ice-cream form. Flavors include Jacob’s Cream Crackers and Mini Cheddars to form a wonderfully savory ice-cream parlor.

4. The Kate Spade London Shop

Kate Spade engaged Neverstop to produce their brand’s London debut, with the opening of a pop-up shop situated at 7 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden. The “pop-up apartment” consists of four rooms: lounge, kitchen, dining room, and bedroom – spanning across two floors. The shop houses fashion, bags, footwear, crockery, furnishings, and art, in addition to exclusive London merchandise. It’s no longer open to the public, but what a great way to build brand-awareness while creating something new.

5. The Corner Shop

This has to be one of our favorites this year! The Corner Shop has mimicked a regular corner store perfectly. The only difference? Everything is made out of felt! Lucky Sparrow, the artist works hours to create the perfect replica, complete with a felt cash register, drinks, chips, and sweets. This shop has since closed, but these quirky gifts are available for sale on their website until August 31^st! http://www.thecornershoponline.com/

Check here for all you need to know about these quirky little shops, and check back for more places to try! http://www.londonpopups.com/

So you’ve had a long day at work, are stressed out to the point that going home won’t even allow you to escape? Here are the top 5 Sunset Getaways that New Yorker’s swear by…

1. Astoria Park, Astoria Queens

Astoria Park is located right between the Triboro and Hellgate bridges, so the view is spectacular from anywhere along the edge of the park, especially at sunset. The perfect hideaway.

2. Sunset Park, Brooklyn

Sunset Park is a neighborhood in the western section of the New York City borough of Brooklyn, but just because it’s in the city doesn’t mean it isn’t serene enough to watch the sunset. Go try for yourself!

3. The High Line

We all love this greenway. It’s quiet, it’s peaceful, and it’s probably one of the best places to relax that does not require a spa discount.

4. North Cove, Manhattan

Located in Battery Park, this quiet location is there to remind you that Manhattan is an island surrounded by water and boats and everything nautical. A great escape from the busy city.

5. Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn

This sunset is beautiful, the way the water reflects the Financial District’s glassy buildings is paired perfectly with the way the sunset shines off their windows.

Going to the Airport

Used to mean: Asking a friend to drive you to the terminal, and casually walking through security thirty minutes before your flight.

Now it means: Choosing between an insanely expensive cab ride or a two-hour-long train or a bus ride spend spooning all of your luggage and apologizing to everyone for taking up so much space and continually hitting them with your baggage.

Apartment Hunting

Used to mean: Finding your affordable, dream apartment after a slow search, when you decide to sign the lease three months before the actual move-in date.

Now it means: A frantic, “Black-Friday”-esque adventure where you sell your soul to Craigslist, see apartments with only 30 seconds’ notice, and sign the lease to move next week, only to strip-mine your entire savings account and barely have enough to eat tomorrow.

Bagel

Used to mean: A bread-like snack or breakfast food.

Now it means: The mouth-watering goodness that is lox and capers.  The food of the gods. Enough said.

Cheap

Used to mean: $1 coffee.

Now it means: $5 coffee once you add all those extra shots of espresso because, let’s be real, you can’t face the day without them.

Wicked

Used to mean: Evil, like a witch from a fairy tale.

Now it means: Amazing, wonderful, terrific.

Fall

Used to mean: The season in between summer and winter.

Now it means: The absolute best season and time of year. Nothing in the world is prettier or more romantic than a Fall in New York. NOTHING.

Fashion

Used to mean: Combining colors and patterns perfectly to create the optimal fashion aesthetic.

Now it means: You’re probably wearing J. Crew, or Vineyard Vines, or Polo, or something like that right now, right?

New York

Used to mean: That beautiful place where dreams come true.

Now it means: That beautiful place where dreams don’t always come true, but that’s ok. New Yorkers wouldn’t change it for anything.

Food has always been an iconic part of the New York culture. A mecca for restauranteurs and others interesting in the science behind combining flavors and smells, New Yorkers know food. Here are four iconic dishes that New York has served for as long as we can remember. Don’t read on an empty belly

1. The New York Cheesecake

The New York Cheesecake has always been a standard for New Yorkers. Since colonial times, Americans have made this creamy, calorific dessert- even Martha Washington had three cheesecake recipes in her own personal cookbook. However, New York Cheesecake is different that most. It is made up of solely eggs, cream cheese, sugar, and lemon juice without all of the extra add-ons. It makes our mouths water now just thinking about it.

From what we’ve heard, the go-to place for true, authentic NY Cheesecake is Junior’s at 386 Flatbush Avenue Extension, Brooklyn, 718-852-5257

2. Lobster Newberg

Lobster Newberg is one of the best lobster recipes you will taste in New York. According to history, Ship captain, Ben Wenberg, brought a recipe for cooking lobster he had discovered on one of his voyages in 1876, and showed it to restaurant owner Charles Delmonico when travelling to the New World. It was immediately incorporated into the menu as Lobster Wenberg, but when the proprietor and captain got into a fistfight a year later, the owner changed the name of the dish to Lobster Newberg by reversing the first three letters of Wenberg. This delicious dish contains lobster’s swimming in cream, cognac, sherry, and cayenne pepper.

Here’s the restaurant’s location: Delmonico’s, 56 Beaver Street, 212-509-1144

3. Fried Chicken and Waffles

Fried Chicken and Waffles is another special New York dish. It combines an African American tradition with a handcrafted Dutch pastry. Essentially, quintessential New York. It was invented in Harlem at Wells’ Restaurant in the 1940s. The story says that the jazz club was it’s busiest at 2 a.m., and the customers always asked the question, “are you supposed to eat dinner or breakfast at 2 a.m.?” This dish solved that problem, by creating a brilliant marriage of sweet and savory.

4. Manhattan Clam Chowder

Manhattan Clam Chowder was originally named Coney Island Clam Chowder, and looks to be an Italian-American invention. Go try some for yourself and see. Though, it’s pretty much just like adding tomatoes and removing some cream in a traditional Clam Chowder soup. However, the rich red broth full with flavorful vegetables and chewy clams is just another treasure of New York.

How many of these dishes have you tried? Let us know!

HELVETIQ

Nous sommes fiers et heureux de vous présenter, en avant-première, les trois frères de la Matchbox Collection !
WonderWord, MatchMaster et SixStix s’acclimatent tranquillement au bureau depuis ce matin et se réjouissent d’ores et déjà de vous faire découvrir un nouveau monde du jeu…tout en allumettes.

Les jeux sont signés Martin Nedergaard Andersen, Game InVentorS et une concoction maison basée sur Pirate Bridge.

Date de sortie: mardi 26 août 2014.

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Wir freuen uns und sind sehr stolz euch die Matchbox Collection als Vor-Premiere zu präsentieren.

WonderWord, MatchMaster und SixStix sind eingetroffen und leben sich schon gut ein im Büro seit heute Morgen und freuen sich, Ihnen schon bald eine neue Spiel-Welt zu zu bieten und Sie zu begeistern… und dies alles mit Zündhölzern!

Soviel wird bis zu diesem Augenblick schon mal verraten. Über die Matchbox Collection lesen Sie mehr in unserer nächsten Ausgabe…

Ab: 26. August 2014

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Say hello to our new Matchbox game collection! These are advance copies and we’ll be even more proud when we can introduce them properly

The games are by Martin Nedergaard Andersen, Game InVentorS and a special home-cooked game based on the classic pirate bridge.

Launch date: August 26

1. The song, “I Shot the Sheriff” written and performed by Bob Marley actually was not about a sheriff at all. Instead, Marley wrote the lyrics about his girlfriend’s doctor (the sheriff) and the anger he felt when his girlfriend at the time was trying to go on birth control. Now it makes so much more sense, every time Marley “plants a seed”, the pill “kills it before it grow.

“Sheriff John Brown always hated me,
For what, I don’t know,
Every time I plant a seed,
He said kill it before it grow,
He said kill them before they grow.”

2. “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple actually originated when the band had set up camp in Montreux, Switzerland using a mobile recording studio (referred to as the “Rolling truck Stones thing”) to record. One evening, during a Mothers of Invention concert, a fan fired a flare gun into the ceiling and the entire place caught fire. The title comes from the smoke spreading over the lake as Deep Purple watched from their hotel room. The song tells a real story…spooky.

“We all came out to Montreux
On the Lake Geneva shoreline
To make records with a mobile
We didn’t have much time
Frank Zappa and the Mothers
Were at the best place around
But some stupid with a flare gun
Burned the place to the ground
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky”

3. “Old Pine” by Ben Howard tells the story of his time in the South of France with friends when he was 16. A poignant moment of that summer came when a big thunderstorm caused trees and shrubbery to fall. The boys were persuaded to move their tents out from under an “old pine” that looked ready to topple down. Howard recounts that he “cheated death” as he and his friends watch that old pine finally fall days later.

“Hot sand on toes, cold sand in sleeping bags,

I’ve come to know the friends around you

Are all you’ll always have

Smoke in my lungs, or the echoed stone

Careless and young, free as the birds that fly

With weightless souls now. “

4. Billy Joel gained many song ideas from his dreams, but would often struggle to remember them once he opened his eyes. However, when it came to “The River of Dreams” he almost tried to force himself to forget. He later explained on The Howard Stern Show in 2010: ‘I thought, Who the hell am I to try to pull off this gospel song, so I took a shower to wash this song away. I sang it in the shower and knew I had to do it.’It’s the story about a dream of his where he is quite literally “walking in his sleep”.

“In the middle of the night
I go walking in my sleep
Through the valley of fear
To a river so deep

And I’ve been searching for something
Taken out of my soul
Something I would never lose
Something somebody stole”

5. Imogen Heap has been reluctant to say exactly what inspired “Hide and Seek”, but she has let some information slip. From what we’ve gathered, most information indicates that the song is about her parent’s separation and her father finding someone new. “Crop Circles in the carpet”; the furniture has been moved out and all that is left are crop circle imprints. “Oily marks appear on walls where pleasure moments hung before”; photos have been taken down. Listen and hear for yourself. Can you find anymore hints?

“Where are we?
What the hell is going on?
The dust has only just begun to form
Crop circles in the carpet
Sinking, feeling”

6. “Hey Ya” by Outkast may sound fun and upbeat, but the meaning behind is much different. The song moves at 160 beats per minute– the speed at which a human heart beats when you work out hard. Outkast uses this on purpose, as a metaphor as the song talks about the trials and tribulations of a relationship. The first verse questions if the girl will want to stay, but rationalizes her loyalty. In the second verse, he, himself begins to question his own desires, and goes so far as to say, ““If they say nothing is forever…then what makes love the exception?

But can’t stand to see me
Walk out the dooor..
Don’t try to fight the feelin’
Because the thought alone is killing me right nooww..
Uh, thank god for mom and dad
For sticking two together
‘Cause we don’t know hooowww…
UH!

7. “Mrs. Robinson” by Simon and Garfunkel was not written fro the movie The Graduate as many people believe. Instead, it’s an extension of the film. Throughout the movie, we are reminded of the mess the older generation has made of the world, from the artificiality of their vision to the emptiness of their marriages, and Mrs. Robinson epitomizes it all. She is a drunk and tired, feels nothing, but has everything. Her biggest secret is her daughter, Elaine, who she conceived out of wedlock. The Mrs. Robinson of song spent some time in an asylum or rehab, and has a big secret that is never completely revealed. Could it be her daughter, birth-control pills, or and alcohol problem? It’s up to you.

“And you’ll get yours, Mrs. Robinson
Foolin’ with that young stuff like you do
Boo, hoo, hoo; woo, woo, woo

So how’s your bird, Mrs. Robinson
“Dandy”, Mrs. Robinson you’d say
Hey, hey, hey”

8. “Can’t Get No Satisfaction”by The Rolling Stones was inspired by a concert on May 6, 1965. The Rolling Stones played for around 3,000 people at Jack Russell Stadium in Clearwater, Florida while on their first US tour. According to an article in the St. Petersburg Times, about 200 young fans got in an altercation with a line of police officers at the show. That night, Keith Richards had a dream, and awoke with the lyric “can’t get no satisfaction” continuously replaying in his mind. He recorded it on a portable tape deck, went back to sleep, and brought it to the studio that week. The tape contained his guitar riff followed by the sounds of him snoring.

“I can’t get no satisfaction
I can’t get no satisfaction
‘Cause I try and I try and I try and I try
I can’t get no, I can’t get no

When I’m drivin’ in my car
And the man comes on the radio
He’s tellin’ me more and more
About some useless information
Supposed to drive my imagination”

His satirical street art combine dark humor with political and social commentary that is featured worldwide. He began as a freehand graffiti artist in 1990, and it wasn’t until 2000 that he turned to the art of stenciling, the artwork he is known for today. He recounts that he decided to begin stenciling while he was hiding from the police under a rubbish lorry, when he noticed the stenciled serial number. That’s all it took to change his mind.

His power is known worldwide, and has created a buzz in other street artists purely from his success. His paintings have been sold for over £50,000 to buyers such as Christina Aguilera and Kate Moss. He is an inspiration and evokes thought…

Here are the top 19 places Banksy has invaded London and New York throughout his career.

LONDON

1. This may be one of the most recognized Banksy pieces (even though it has since been removed), the artist took to London in April 2008 to paint “ONE NATION UNDER CCTV”, commenting on the UK’s newly adopted practice of watching their people under CCTV. The best part? Banksy had to scale a wall and put up scaffolding to build the project, which so happened to be located right next to CCTV cameras that ironically failed to capture the artist.

2. April 2006. Banksy recreates a crumpled phone booth with a pick-axe in its side, and placed it on a side street in SoHo, London

3. Analyzing the meaning behind “There is always hope”. Seen by the Waterloo Bridge.

4. A classic Banksy on Cleveland Street W1. Photograph: Stephen Emms

5. Rich woman falling from a height with her shopping goods on an abandoned building in upmarket Mayfair.

6. “Sorry, the lifestyle you ordered is currently out of stock!” on an abandoned building close to Canary Wharf.

7. Located on the side of a working mans club at the corner of Pollard Row and Pollard Street. Some of the building has been destroyed and painted over, but the flower is still visible.

8. “Well Hung Lover” Located on Park Street, in Banksy’s hometown, Bristol.

9. Located in The Grange, Camberwell Southwark, London.

10.  “Kissing Coppers”. This is one of his best-known pieces, and is located on the side of the Prince Albert pub, Trafalgar in Brighton.

NEW YORK

Banksy did a complete 31-day tour of NYC calling it “Better Out Than In”. Referencing a quote by impressionist Paul Cézanne, the name comes from “All pictures painted inside, in the studio, will never be as good as those done outside”. Banksy decided to do 31 major pieces in 31 days and documented them both on his website and on an Instagram account. http://banksy.co.uk/, @BanksyNY

1. Found in Queens, Eternity does not mean forever.

2. Found in Tribeca, Beautiful and sad all at once. A tribute to 9/11.

3. “Hammer Boy” found on the Upper West Side.

4. “Night Vision Horses” on a car on Lower East Side.

5. “Graffiti is a crime” was originally on Allen St in New York, but has since been removed.

6. “Ghetto For Life” on 153rd Street (Third Avenue) is now covered by huge shutters, with no clue as to when it will be uncovered.

7. “This is My New York Accent” was originally drawn on W 25th St (btwn 10th and 11th, but has since been removed. Here are two pictures, one of the original, and one of the result a month after it was published.

8. This painting has since been removed, but there’s rumor that the Hustler’s Club (where the graffiti was originally plastered) will be displaying it in the future. Found on W 51st St (12th Avenue). The coolest part? The display was made with real rose petals found from the street.

9. Banksy decided to show some more originality by posting THE MUSICIAL! underneath odd pieces of graffiti that he found around New York City…many of them have since been removed, but here are some examples.

What are your favorite Banksy pieces? Have you seen any of them in person? Do you have anything to add? Let us know in the comments, we can’t wait to hear back from you!

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HELVETIQ