Category Archives: Flasks

The Flask and the NFL – A Guide to Watching Sport with a Flask

With the days getting shorter and the leaves starting to change color that can only mean one thing – fall is coming. Fall means football and the 2014 NFL Season starts this week.

Tailgating forms a big part of the football experience and you will find plenty of flasks here.

Tailgating by slgckgc, on Flickr
Creative Commons Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License   by  slgckgc

When it comes to drinking inside the stadium you need to be careful as NFL Stadiums strictly control the consumption of alcohol. If you read the policies of any NFL Team (eg New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers) you will see that you aren’t allowed to bring alcohol into the stadiums.

In the luxury suites, they are a bit more relaxed regarding the consumption of alcohol, so not only are these the best seats in the house, but you can also enjoy yourself a little bit more.

If you are watching the game from home, then you are free to do what you want and can drink from your football flask with no-one bothering you. Many like watching the game with a flask for the convenience that is affords.

This applies to watching any and every sport on television be it tennis, soccer, golf, baseball, cricket, basketball, Australian football, rugby or hockey.

Many like to go down to the pub, club or bar to watch the game with their friends. If you are going to take a hip flask with you, you should first find out the rules of the establishment.

Alcohol symbolizes victory due to so many sports teams and athletes celebrating with it. When it comes to the playoffs, they set up plastic sheeting in baseball clubhouses and players don goggles due to all the alcohol that the players spray over each other.

The top three finishers in a Formula One race are each handed a bottle of champagne and proceed to spray each other and the crowd with it. This is in contrast to the winner of the Indianapolis 500 who is given milk to drink.

In a sign of the times, teams are competing against each other as to whom can rack up the highest celebratory bill. When the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup in 2011, their celebrations saw them generate a six-figure one.

In homage to the Super Bowl winning Seattle Seahawks, here is a cocktail devoted to the city of Seattle

Emerald City

8 oz coconut rum

4 oz melon liqueur

4 oz Blue Curacao liqueur

1 splash sweet and sour mix

1 splash soda

Combine the ingredients in a glass filled with ice

Flasks.com Blogger Contest & Flask Giveaway!

Flasks.com Blogger Contest & Flask Giveaway

The Scoop

Have you ever wondered what the flask craze is all about?? Have you ever dreamed of owning one of your very own?! Well, now is your chance to enter and win one of 10 flasks we’re giving away in our blogger contest & flask giveaway!

In recent years, the flask has slowly been making its way back into society as a socially acceptable accessory and we see it as our duty to expose this awesome drinking tool for what it is: freaking AWESOME!

The Details

So, if you have a website or blog that features articles about alcohol, liquor, spirits, whiskey or anything related to flasks, then you’re eligible to enter the Flasks.com essay competition to win 1 of 10 flasks that we’re giving away for the top ten best posts! We are looking for bloggers to share stories on their blog about any of the following topics:

  1. When/what was your most memorable moment with a flask?
  2. What is your favorite place to use a flask, and why?
  3. Top 5 alternative uses for a flask besides storing alcoholic beverages
  4. Top 5 favorite spirits to store in a flask and take on the road
  5. Any other creative ideas you can think of relating to flasks (must be positive and subject to our approval of course)

The Rules

The official contest rules are as follows:

  • The post must go live before the end of the competition on November 21st, 2013.
  • To enter send an email to yakir [at] flasks.com with a link to the post by that time.
  • The post should be no less than 400 words and should not plagiarize.
  • The post must use one of the topics listed above. If you choose a creative idea, it must be explicitly approved by Flasks.com to be eligible for one of the prizes.
  • The contest is limited to only one entry per site/blog.
  • Winners can choose 1 flask of their choice up to $30 in value from items currently in stock at Flasks.com as of the end of this contest.
  • The post should link to a page on www.flasks.com, whether a blog post, product page, or homepage. Whichever page you reference, please ensure that it is relevant to your post.
  • Winners will be announced and contacted by or before December 19th, 2013.

Make sure to use the hashtag #BringingBackTheFlask when promoting on Twitter!

Any further questions regarding the contest can be sent to yakir [at] flasks.com.

Good luck! 🙂

Situations When a Filled Flask Can Save the Day

There are many things that can happen in the course of your day. Some events will be happy and some will be sad. Whatever the occasion, a flask can come in handy to save the day more often than you’d think! Here are some examples of situations when a filled flask can save the day, in case you did not know.

Elevator

Photo Credit: Hannah Perry

Getting Stuck in an Elevator

You and a couple of other friendly people get stuck in an elevator. Rather than panic, you can all sit down, relax, and share a few drinks. At this rate, it really makes sense to turn the whole fiasco around and start partying your brains out while waiting for the repair people to rescue you.

Tending a Wound

If you’re out and about somewhere and someone gets a small cut or scrape, the liquid inside your flask can be used as an antiseptic for the wound to clean it and help numb the pain. Then you can cover it with a bandage (and take a sip of the alcohol inside to ease the discomfort from the wound).

Camping in Chilly Weather

If you are out hiking or camping alone, or with some other people and the weather gets chilly, the contents of a filled flask can help you warm up. Also, if you all become lost, the flask may help you to have a sip and relax while you figure a way to get back where you want to be.

An Agonizing Meeting or Event

If you are ever at a meeting, a dinner at someone’s house, or somewhere you really do not want to be, you can step outside, to the coat room, or to the restroom and have a drink to escape the agony of whatever it is that you’re forced to deal with.

In a Small Waiting Room

Spending hours in a waiting room can be brutal due to the crying or screaming of young children. If too many people are crammed into the small area, sometimes it’s beneficial to leave the room, have a drink to relax, and return to the room only once you are better able to ignore the antics of the others who are also waiting.

Trucks in Traffic

Photo Credit: Mick FInn

Standing in Long Lines for Hours

This situations requires no further elaboration.

So, as you can plainly see, a filled flask is a vital thing to carry around and can even save the day on occasion, if you let it 🙂

What Flask Size Will Fit in My Back Pocket?

Does a 6 oz Flask Fit in your Back Pants Pocket?

For the most part, yes a six ounce flask will fit into the back pocket of your pants, and that is the beauty of owning and carrying a flask. You will be able to have your favorite libation with you, wherever you go, and whenever you want it. Of course, you sometimes need to be discreet when taking a sip, or when pouring some into another drink, cup, or whatever.

Beer in back pocket

This dude knows where it’s at! Back pocket libations FTW!
Photo Credit: Mike Lang

A regular pair of jeans made for a man with a slightly loose fit will generally hold a 6 oz hip flask quite comfortably. A typical pair of womens’ jeans, generally a bit tighter of a fit, may be a little uncomfortable after a night of partying with a flask in the back pocket. But luckily for the ladies, they can try the 4 oz. size if they’re planning on wearing tighter-than-average jeans. There are some women who have been known to have a flask strapped to their leg, under a dress, which gives way to many possibilities in terms of flask placement.

Of course, a gal could also keep the flask in her pocketbook or purse, which is an added benefit. There was a time in America, during prohibition, when many people carried hip flasks with them, because alcohol was outlawed. It was a time when people simply weren’t allowed to drink in public! Man, am I glad that era is over!

Now, if someone wears loose fitting or baggy pants, then there is no problem at all in carrying a hip flask in a back pants pocket. I’d be you can even conceal an eight ounce flask in a relaxed fit pants pocket. It is all a matter of personal preference. Just make sure to consider where are you going, what are you wearing, and how much liquor will you need for the day, evening, or road trip.

Do You Have to Be 21 Years Old to Buy a Flask?

In case you were wondering, you don’t need to be 21 years old to purchase a hip flask. I know, it can be confusing. But the law only prohibits those under a certain age (21 years old in most parts of the U.S.) from purchasing alcohol, but not alcohol accessories and paraphernalia.

Sometimes buyers under the age of 21 are purchasing a hip flask to give as an awesome gift to an older relative. A lot of children will purchase a hip flask as a gift for their father on Fathers Day or for an Uncle’s birthday. In theory, someone under the age of 21 could buy a flask as a gift for a friend who is also not yet 21, as long as there is no alcohol in it.

Flasks really make an awesome gift, and they come in so many shapes, sizes, styles, and colors; there is always something for everyone. Plus the flask can be specially wrapped in a gift box with a pair of shot glasses and a funnel. A good flask company will go so far as to offer free customized engraving and free shipping with purchases.

But, in short, you don’t have to be 21 years old to buy a flask. So keep that in mind when you’re in the market for a new bath toy for your kids ;).

Top 5 Halloween Costume Ideas that Include a Flask

Cowboy Costume

Photo Credit: peppergrasss

You may have some exciting plans for Halloween 2013. Whether it’s going out on the town or rocking out at an epic house party, everyone wants to show up in an extraordinary Halloween costume! There are really so many great costumes to choose from. Here are our top 5 picks for Halloween costume ideas that go great with a flask!

  1. Old Western Saloon Dancer or Showgirl
  2. Cowboy
  3. Pirate
  4. Gangster / Mafioso
  5. A Blues Brother

A woman can dress like an entertainer from the early 1900’s – a saloon dancer or showgirl in the Old West. This costume can be significantly enhanced by wearing a garter belt, especially one complete with a flask of her favorite spirits. This way, even if someone shows up late to a party and all the booze is gone, those with a flask in their garter belt will be prepared for anything that comes their way!

A man can dress up as a cowboy, or a pirate, both of which can seem more realistic if he totes a flask attached to his belt or in his hip pocket. No one has to know that the real reason you are wearing the costume is so that you can enjoy a swig here and there throughout the night.

Gangster Woman

Photo Credit: Paul Kelly

Another Halloween costume that would go good with a flask is a mafia or gangster outfit. Find a black fedora hat or a Homburg, some black slacks, a black coat, white dress shirt, and even a necktie. But be careful because if the costume is not done just right, you can end up looking like one of the Blues Brothers (although that’s another great Halloween costume idea). A flask would go great with the gangster look. Women and men alike can dress up as mafiosos… or Blues Brothers! After all, Halloween costume ideas give people a chance to live out fantasies, or goof around all they want.

For that matter, some men, might choose to wear a mini black dress and garter belt, along with the flask tucked away in the garter. High heels might be a stretch though. But, hey! To each their own.

Have a Happy Halloween everyone! Just remember: if you drink, please don’t drive. We want you to be safe and to also enjoy the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays as well 🙂

How to Survive Family Reunions and Visiting Relatives with a Flask

These days, we all get invited to “family functions,” which we would rather not attend. Maybe it is to the home of a distant relative, who we find annoying, or maybe you’ve been invite over to spend some time with your spouse’s family, a place you don’t feel especially comfortable there. Sometimes the hosts have different ideas about things than you do, and maybe they live differently, eat differently and even drink differently, or not at all.

What if you are a big fan of scotch or tequila and your host only has wine? That’s why You Should always bring a flask of your favorite stuff to a family holiday party! Even if it is not a holiday, but simply a run-of-the-mill visit, make sure to travel with flask in hand. This way you will always have your favorite spirits with you. Flasks also help you drink discreetly in a case where this is a necessary precaution.

Maybe the relatives you’re forced to visit are extremely religious and don’t allow a drop of alcohol in their house. Well, in that case, you can take your glass of ice and Coca-cola, step aside to a quiet spot for a minute, and pull out your handy flask to introduce some Bacardi Rum to that Coke. Now you’re ready to return to the party with a smile on your face, and no one will know that you have a nice Rum & Coke in your hands! Voilà!

Family Reunion

Even if you’re not a serious drinker, you may feel like having a few drinks if you’re travelling on your one weekend off from work for a while. And if the aunt and uncle you’re visiting that weekend are opposed to having liquor in their home then you’ll be our of luck unless you have a flask with you.

So, what’s the moral of the story? I don’t think I need to address it in too much detail. Basically, make your life simpler and more risk-free by investing in a good quality flask for you to carry around some spirits in. To keep your family visits fun and exciting, or simply to keep you from wanting to jump off the roof, you need a flask for such occasions!

How Many Shots Does an 8 oz. Hip Flask Hold?

4oz "Mean Green" Skull and Crossbones Pocket Flask from Flasks.com

4oz “Mean Green” Skull and Crossbones Pocket Flask from Flasks.com

Everyone knows that flasks come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. One important factor to consider when shopping around for a good quality hip flask is the amount of shots the container can hold. If you’re the kind of person who likes to sneak off and take a drink solo, a smaller flask that holds just a few shots may be the right fit for you. However, if you’re sociable and like to share what you carry, then a larger flask size will help you get on with your schmoozing while providing enough shots to make all the rounds.

When 1 Shot = 1.5 oz. (average bar & club shot size)

An average shot that you might get at a club or bar is usually 1.5 ounces. That would make the following scale true:

When 1 Shot = 1 oz.

However, some bars, clubs, and restaurants use a 1 ounce shot glass, or maybe you prefer a one ounce sized drink, in which case, these would be the results:

  • 4oz Flask = 4 shots
  • 6oz Flask = 6 shots
  • 8oz Flask = 8 shots
  • 12oz Flask = 12 shots
  • 64oz Flask = 64 shots

When 1 Shot = 2 oz.

Now in some extreme cases, there are establishments that may use a 2 ounce shot in a drink, or they free pour and do it a little heavy, or maybe you are used to entertaining people, or going to someone else’s home and being entertained, and your perception of a shot might be a full two ounces, in which case, these would be the translations:

  • 4oz Flask = 2 shots
  • 6oz Flask = 3 shots
  • 8oz Flask = 4 shots
  • 12oz Flask = 6 shots
  • 64oz Flask = 32 shots

When people buy a flask, as a gift to give to someone else, they will usually give a woman a flask of 4-6 ounces and a man a flask of 6-8 ounces, with 8 being the most popular choice! You can even have the flask seller put the flask into a handsome gift box, along with a convenient funnel, and a couple of shot glasses. Just make sure you get the right size flask to suit your social and drinking habits.

Popular Songs that Originally Included the Word “Flask” In the Title

Billboard charts top 100

Photo Credit: Klaus Hiltscher

Sometimes a music artist or band writes a pop song, but then their record company decides they should change the title, even slightly, just to create a better likelihood that the song will become a BIG number one hit!

But, alas, we suspect that there have been certain hit songs from the past that originally included the word “flask” in their title. Here are some popular songs from the last few decades whose titles we suspect were subject to change, replacing a flask-related term with something more mainstream.

(Disclaimer: this post is for entertainment purposes only. None of these songs actually had the word flask in their original titles.)

  1. The Bellamy Brothers: Let Your Flask Flow #1 in 1976 (“flask” was changed to “love”. Go figure!)
  2. Rupert Holmes: Escape (The Flask Song) #1 in 1980 (they changed the words in parentheses to “The Piña Colada Song”)
  3. The Police: Every Drink You Take #1 in 1983 (“drink” was changed to “breath”)
  4. Cyndi Lauper: Flask After Flask #1 in 1984, (they changed the word “flask” to “time” in both instances!)
  5. U2: Still Haven’t Found My Flask #1 in 1987 (they changed “my flask” to “what I’m looking for” Still not sure how I feel about this.)
  6. Sir Mix-A-Lot: Baby Got Flask #1 in 1992 (“flask” was changed to “back”)
  7. Seal: Sip From A Flask #1 in 1995 (they changed “sip” to “kiss”, and “flask” to “rose”)
  8. J Lo: If You Had My Flask #1 in 1999 (they changed “flask” to “love” – I’d give up drinking for her love!)
  9. 50 Cent: In Da Club Wit My Flask #1 in 2003 (they deleted “wit my flask” completely. They should have just deleted the whole song, if you ask me!)
  10. Mariah Carey: Touch My Flask #1 in 2008 (they replaced “flask” with “body”. This was probably a much better idea!)

If you think of any others, leave a comment and let us know 🙂

Boy Scout Camping Tips for Father and Son: Dad Should Bring a Flask

Every man wants to be a good father. When sons want to become Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts, a father will inevitably get drawn into the scouting action, and sooner or later, he will have to go on a camping trip.

Drawing of Boy Scout troop

Photo Credit: National Library of Norway

This is generally known as a great way for father and son to bond and have a fun time together.A father is able to play the part of a hero of sort and showcase some of his manly skills, like killing a spider inside one of the tents or scaring away a wild animal. He can also teach the boys about life and dispense general advice on being a stand-up human being.

But after too many consecutive hours of listening to silly ghost stories and marshmallows by the campfire, a father may feel the need to leave the other fathers in charge for a minute and sneak off, perhaps with one other dad, and have a few sips from the flask! They, of course, do not want the boys to see them, but it’s important for the fathers to bond with one another, as well as with their sons, and this is a great way to do so.

Alternatively, it’s always good for a dad to carry a flask around because of alcohol’s antiseptic properties. If someone gets a cut or a scrape, the high alcohol content of some liquids can really come in handy. It’s also a good excuse in the event that one of the boys on the trip finds a flask laying around ;).

Boy: “Dad, what’s that?”
Dad: “Oh, that is medicine, in case someone gets sick or hurt.”
Boy: “Ugh, okay.”
Case closed…

You can also check out part 1 of our Hip Flask Handbook series for more ideas (or excuses) on why it’s good to take a flask along on a scout camping trip with your son.