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Summer has come and gone, and while we’re enjoying all things pumpkin spice, we’re having a hard time letting go of the pool parties, travel plans, and outdoor adventures that come with summer. If you’re like us, then you’re also still craving the carefree vibes of seasons past. Well, we can live in denial together by jetting off to domestic destinations where temperatures are still high and the sun is shining.

In fact, many such spots come up on the 2022 Uproxx Fall Travel Hot List.

To help you stay warm while the weather cools, three of our travel writers are sharing their domestic go-to destinations for warm-weather adventures. From Austin, Texas to California’s wine country to Arizona’s finest lake, read on for where to adventure, stay, eat, and party in order to avoid fall for as long as possible.

ALSO READ:

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• Our Writers Guide You Through A Perfect Summer Day In Their Home Cities
• Travel Writers And Influencers Share Their All-Time Favorite Beaches In The US
• A Guide To Fort Myers: Florida’s Surprisingly Cool Beachside Oasis

Steve Bramucci (@stevebramucci) — Austin, Texas

Where to Adventure —

If I’m paying money to travel the country in fall, it’s to get in the water. And Austin is warm enough to swim into late October and even November. Paddleboarding on Lady Bird Lake is practically an institution, you’ve got to do it at least once when you visit town — and it’s right in the city. Rentals are affordable and you’re not burning a whole day — it’s an easy three-hour activity.

If that’s not adrenaline worthy enough for you, you might want to hit the very Instagrammable Jacob’s Well. The swimming hole got massive on IG and has since had to become reservation-only. Note that it’s closed to swimmers for the remainder of the year but hiking is still open.

Pure popularity-wise, the Barton Springs Public Pool — which is an aquamarine natural spring — is still open and thriving. It’s a truly wonderful shared space, just a few miles from downtown, and has to be in the top 20 picnic spots in the country.

If you have a little more time and are down for a three-hour drive to Waco, you can hit Waco Surf — a wave pool and wakeboarding lagoon that has been drawing incredible reviews from some of the best surfers on earth. The season shuts down soon, so make sure to check their website. I haven’t been but it’s on my personal travel bucket list.

Where to Eat — Diner Bar

In the Editor’s Letter to kick off the 2022 Uproxx Fall Travel Hot List, I praised Mashama Bailey’s fried ugali (sorghum porridge) at her new concept, Diner Bar in Austin, as my favorite bite of the year. I also gushed over her deviled eggs which are, I am 100% sure, the best I’ve ever tasted in my life. Oh, and I forgot to mention the foie and grits, which is fantastic — with grits providing possibly the most ideal platform ever for quick-seared foie gras. Who needs shrimp when you have fatty goose liver?

The cocktails carry a vibe that fits nicely with the menu — refined-yet-accessible. I loved the “Pirates in a Hot Tub” which was basically autumn in a glass without veering too sweet. “The Sinning Sisters” was strong without trying too hard to be boozy (while actually being quite boozy) and was nicely balanced. That’s a tough trick to pull off when you’re dealing with a smoky mezcal as the base spirit.

Knowing I was headed to his city recently, Uproxx’s Josh Kurp pointed me to Nixta Taqueria, where they make tortillas by hand with heritage corn. The Beard Award-winning restaurant opened in 2019 but has been booming of late (thanks to that ’22 Beard Award and great local buzz) and it was easy to see why. Those incredible tortillas and the duck-fat refried beans are huge differentiators from Austin’s many excellent taco shops. If you’re only getting one taco, go for the duck confit, it’s not a common dish and if you’re not use to duck you’ll appreciate its tenderness; if you’re getting a second (you’ll want one), I think the Enchilada Potosina, with potato and chorizo puree, just might be the best item on the menu.

Where to Stay — The Thompson

From the 2022 Uproxx Fall Travel Hot List:

If you’re opening a hotel in downtown Austin, you know it’s going to be hard to compete with mid-century darling, The Line. So how do you pull it off? You go “full boutique” for starters, with a moody-yet-sumptuous design befitting your city. Then you get mega-star chef Mashama Bailey to open not one but two restaurant concepts on property – Diner Bar and The Grey Market. Add a more affordable sister hotel in the same space, tommie Austin, featuring a unique design concept of its own.

Boom. You’ve got something special on your hands.

It’s not quite fair to expect a downtown hotel to have a pool but… it’s also way better when one does. The Thompson’s pool deck is shared with the tommie and serviced by Wax Myrtle’s, which brings the sexy energy (Thrillist called it “Sexy AF”). Once you venture outside, you’ll find some of the city’s most classic bars and hottest restaurants within easy walking distance.

Where to Party (If You’re Not Too Tired) — The Concourse Project

The Concourse Project is… well, it’s basically a warehouse. With some trailers for food and drinks. A few food trucks. That’s basically it. But within that simple construct, the venue has become home to some of the very best parties in the nation. The venue has hosted massive DJs and incredible EDM events. Recently, I was there for its first rap show — Pusha T.

The club is just stylized enough to feel cool but there’s no artifice. No fakeness. It’s a place to party and enjoy awesome music and it nails that dual purpose. Ultra-high ceilings and lots of space make it easy but it’s the artists they bring in that really do the heavy lifting to draw the crowds.

If you don’t want to go “warehouse party” big, Austin is literally Live Music City USA. Here’s a pretty handy guide of what to look out for, but for my dollar, the best thing to do is find some good friends and wander. Pop into random bars for a drink or two and you really might hear someone special. There’s a sense of discovery in that which is very rare these days.

Chloe Caldwell (@chloeicaldwell) — Santa Margarita, California

Where to Adventure — Santa Margarita Rach

If your favorite kind of adventure includes avoiding crowds, then Santa Margarita — the southernmost point of Paso Robles wine country in Central California — is calling your name. The town is home to about 1,000 locals and it feels like stepping onto the set of an old Western film — much thanks to Santa Margarita Ranch, a nearly 14,000-acre property that’s basically the heart of the tiny town. Most (if not all) of the adventure you’ll find in Santa Margarita is operated through the ranch. You can start by embracing the ranch lifestyle by going horseback riding with Central Coast Trail Rides. Your experienced guide will take you through acres of the ranch’s vast property, which leads you past wide open views, vineyards, a lush creek-bed crossing, wildlife, and more.

Follow that up with an adrenaline rush and go ziplining with Margarita Adventures. The six-zipline course takes you soaring over the ranch, which includes sweeping views of Ancient Peaks Winery‘s estate vineyard. I recommend doing the sunset zipline tour — you’ll fly over vineyards as the sun goes down over the mountains (yes, it’s as dreamy as it sounds), then hit the last few lines in the dark (glow sticks included).

Living in LA, this was the first time I’ve been able to see a night sky full of stars in way too long.

Where to Eat — The Range

I’ll be honest, there’s not a lot to choose from in Santa Margarita. But I absolutely loved my dining experience at The Range. Sticking to the Old Town Road vibes, this family-owned and operated business is equipped with funky decor that combines rustic romance with country chic…If that makes sense?

I ate out on the patio, which I recommend if it isn’t too hot outside (besides, a chilled glass of Savvy B will cool you off).

As for the food, you’ll find hearty meals like forest mushroom ravioli, 14-hour oak-smoked brisket, and even pan-seared elk medallions. At this point in the day, I was already stuffed with wine and cheese from the local winery (more on this later), so I stuck to the starters (go with the caramelized onion pizzette) and a salad. But my boyfriend would tell you to order the roasted lamb chops, which come complete with Burbank potato gratin, veggies, and garlic herb pan jus.

Where to Stay — The Stampede Loft

Just down the street from the main stretch of Santa Margarita off Old Highway 101 is the newly refurbished vacation rental known as The Stampede Loft. Again, sticking to the good ol’ Western aesthetic, this rental does barnyard chic at its finest. It’s also located beside a small vineyard and farmhouse, which really makes it feel like a luxury version of rustic living.

The two-bedroom, one-bath apartment is the upstairs part of a duplex house (you can also rent the bottom floor) that comes complete with a private outdoor deck and a barbecue — plus WiFi and a TV with streaming services if you need a digital indulgence after your outdoor adventures. I loved the apartment-style setup of this vacation rental, which features a full kitchen, living and dining room areas, and a laundry machine. Stop at the grocery store for dinner and breakfast supplies so you can make the most of the grill and kitchen!

Overall, The Stampede Loft is perfect for a weekend with friends or a couple’s getaway.

Where to Party (If You’re Not Too Tired) — Ancient Peaks Winery

You obviously can’t go to Paso Robles wine country without drinking at least a full bottle of wine (okay, two bottles). While you won’t find any massive ragers in Santa Margarita, I certainly left Ancient Peaks Winery with a strong buzz. Ancient Peaks makes its wine on the 900-acre Margarita Vineyards, which is the only vineyard in the Santa Margarita Ranch AVA.

Visit the Ancient Peaks tasting room in town to sip on the local vino (the cafe here is a great spot for lunch, too). It’s definitely worth doing a full wine tasting to get a taste of their signature collection, as well as their limited-edition Pearl Collection. From chardonnay and merlot to petite Sirah, Ancient Peaks Winery offers the complete wine country experience. If you aren’t tired before you show up for your tasting, you certainly will be after you leave.

Emily Hart (@emilyventures) — Page, Arizona

Where to Adventure — Rafting Horseshoe Bend

I first visited Page Arizona and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area nearly ten years ago. You might say I actually stumbled onto it, as I truly had no idea what to expect, besides the photos of surreal slot canyons that I had seen online.

I followed the directions I had found on a random forum that led me to a dirt pull-off on the side of a road. I followed the makeshift trail and a few people, wondering if I was in the right place. After a short walk, I was gobsmacked by one of the most impressive views I had ever seen. A 270-degree bend in the Colorado river below the steep drop-off of red canyon walls – it was unlike anything I had ever seen.

Of course, with the increase in social media sharing, Horseshoe Bend is now a well-known attraction. The dirt pull-out has been replaced by a parking lot and accessible viewing – and you should view it, definitely. But there is another way to see this impressive natural formation – one that you won’t be sharing with hundreds of others – rafting the river below.

While there are no rapids on this portion of the Colorado River, the half-day rafting trip I went on was absolutely a memorable adventure.

The day starts with a drive underground to the bottom of the Glen Canyon Dam where you marvel at the construction before heading off onto rafts. The 15-mile trip down the river is unlike anything I had ever seen. To view the impressive canyon walls from below, along with wildlife and petroglyphs is a once in a lifetime experience. One that you can easily still enjoy before the weather really shifts (hurry, you have one week left! Or plan for next year!).

Where to Eat — Rainbow Room at Lake Powell Resorts

The view from the Rainbow Room at Lake Powell Resorts feels like a mirage. Every time I have walked in to dine I am blown away again – first by the view, and then by the food.

On my last visit, I started my dinner with a prickly pear cocktail and a charcuterie board – both fantastic. I followed with a wedge salad and took my time savoring the seared salmon with grilled peach and jalapeno salsa, avocado crema, farro pilaf, and seasonal vegetables entree. The pastries at Rainbow Room are all made in-house, and I was happy to try the Mexican chocolate lava cake that came highly recommended.

Where to Stay — Lake Powell Resort

In my opinion, there is really only one place you should consider staying when visiting the Page/Lake Powell area, and that is Lake Powell Resorts. Located right on the lake and within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, the views, access, and amenities are incredible.

I have stayed here several times now, and recommend a room facing the water for the dreamiest sunrise and sunset views. Take advantage of the two swimming pools, restaurants, a bar, and a coffee shop while also stopping by the marina to rent powerboats, watercraft, and jet skis.

Lake Powell Resort and Marinas have boat cruises and dinner sunset sails leaving right from the marina at the resort, making it central to truly everything you could need or want.

Where to Party (If You’re Not Too Tired) — Rent a Houseboat

The best way to party in Page is unique — on a houseboat! Lake Powell is known for houseboating, and you can rent a variety right at Lake Powell Resort and Marina. This is perfect for larger groups who want to adventure all together. Lake Powell has 96 major side canyons and nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline, making it ideal for private exploration and celebration.

House of the Dragon’s final episode carried on the tradition its predecessor started, arriving in Game of Thrones style with a much-publicized leak and a ton of controversy. But, it’s Scorpio season, what did we expect?

“The Black Queen” sees the fallout of Viserys’ death and Aegon’s coronation from Dragonstone’s point of view as Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen mourn their family member, suffer even more devastating losses, and eventually unite in common cause. That cause? Burning all of Westeros to the ground.

Before that happens, let’s recap the line of succession one last time to see who is really poised to take the Iron Throne.

The Pretenders

Aemond Targaryen

Have we referenced Taylor Swift’s Midnights album too much when it comes to House of the Dragon? Probably, but after the complete pandemonium of its season one finale, you can’t listen to Swift sing, “Hi, it’s me. I am the problem,” and not imagine she write that in reference to Aemond Targaryen. This one-eyed Becky with the good hair made an absolute mess of things by turning a routine political envoy assignment into an opportunity to commit war crimes. What’s worse, the show wants us to believe slaying a child and his dragon was just a prank gone wrong in Aemond’s eyes eye. He wanted retribution sure. He was borderline obsessed about evening the score between him and his cousin – despite claiming the trade of claiming Vhagar was more than worth it a decade ago – and when Lucerys refused to engage, he chased him down on dragon’s back. What did he think was going to happen? Despite trying to humanize Aemond a bit by changing such a fundamental aspect of his character – in the book he’s a psychopath who fully intends on murdering Luke – the end result is the same. Aemond had a temper tantrum and because of it, thousands of people (and too many dragons) are going to die.

Otto Hightower

Otto Hightower may have been riding high after successfully usurping the throne and placing his grandson on its sharply pointed seat but he was brought back down to size this episode with just a single visit to Dragon Stone. Well that, and a well-worded insult from one Daemon Targaryen. Otto likely knew his daughter’s offer of peace wouldn’t be accepted by Rhaenyra and her King consort – he probably hoped it wouldn’t – but we can’t imagine he welcomed a standoff with two of Westeros’ most ferocious dragons and their riders. He’s clever and cunning and a threat to Rhaenyra’s claim, but he just doesn’t seem as dangerous as the show would like us to believe.

Jacaerys Velaryon

Jace is a cute kid and it’s clear he’s trying hard to fill the role expected of him but, as of now, this Jon Snow stand-in hasn’t really done anything applause-worthy save offering his cousin a turn on the dancefloor. In fact, and look we don’t say this lightly, but some might look at his brother’s death and think, “If only.” If only Jace hadn’t suggested he and his siblings ride out on dragon’s back to gather support instead of, we don’t know, sending a damn raven like everyone else without flying beasts has to do, we might not be down one dragon, and up one Targaryen Civil War. Again, this is what some people might be saying. We’re above such gossip.

The Contenders

Rhaenys Targaryen

Rhaenys Targaryen has always been the kind of HOTD character we can get behind. Patient, observant, happy to sit back and sip her wine while men cut each other’s throats for a chance at more power. But, despite her reluctance for war, she proved to be a valuable asset to Rhaenyra’s claim – and she read her ailing husband for filth while he was still recovering on his deathbed. Basically, Rhaenys was living this episode and we’d be okay with her taking the Iron Throne – if that option is still there.

Rhaenyra Targaryen

House of the Dragon’s finale aired on Emilia Clarke’s birthday and yet the show’s writers still decided to treat her predecessor like this? Look, Rhaenyra has made some mistakes. She was complacent. She allowed the Hightowers to gain power over her father. She gave birth to multiple children who looked nothing like their father, giving Alicent and Otto even more grounds to call her inheritance into question while doing nothing to quell the rumors. She played nice for over a decade and now that her children are dying and her throne has been stolen, she’s finally realized what it takes to wear her crown. But, despite her losses this episode, we’d rather be an enemy of Alicent’s, of any Hightower, than of Rhaenyra Targaryen. She’s motivated, determined, backed by some powerful allies and ruthless in a way few have yet to see. (We also wouldn’t want to be up against Emma D’Arcy in the Best Acting category at next year’s Emmys, but that’s neither here nor there.)

Daemon Targaryen

Ignoring the screams of his wife while she delivered their stillborn baby. Leaving her to grieve the deaths of both her father and their child while he sad-boy-stared into the ocean. Trying to ignite a war early by threatening Otto Hightower’s life. Choking the queen he recently crowned after she refused to turn her kingdom to bone and ash. Daemon Targaryen was a straight-up villain in this episode. We hated it, but we have to admit, he’d make a terrifying king if Rhaenyra ever lets him near the throne after this episode.

‘House of the Dragon’ is currently streaming on HBO Max.

(House of the Dragon spoilers will be found below.)

House of the Dragon exceeded most expectations with this first season full of even more Targaryen (and Hightower and Valaryon) soap operatics we could’ve reasonably expected. This prequel series is almost good enough for people to forgive that final season of Game of Thrones. We’ve got even more names to grow confused over now, this is true, but we have an abundance of loved-and-loathed characters already, and theories flew like the dragons themselves ahead of this week’s season finale.

The ending of the episode was a whopper and essentially sets off the Dance of the Dragons. Aemond, who so desperately wants to be Daemon (who purposely did evil this week), put his own misguided villainy to work and wreaked enormous damage. This damage appeared to be unintended as well, given that he seemed to want to scare the hell out of Luke after being denied the right to an eye for an eye? That objective didn’t work out as planned, given that Arrax is tiny, and Vhagar, well, enormous Vhagar did not control herself. Let’s just say that Rhaenyra’s reaction confirmed that civil war is definitely on the way. Luke and Arrax never stood a chance, and Aemond f*cked up.

Aemond realized that he screwed the dragon-pooch, and people came down justifiably hard on him (and Vhagar). This was dynasty-breaking awful.

HBO’s House of the Dragon airs on Sundays at 9:00pm EST.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

But this picture is worth a thousand Aemond deaths.

In the House of the Dragon season finale, Princess Rhaenyra, I mean, Queen Rhaenyra had the worst day ever. Or maybe days? It’s unclear how much time passes between the beginning of the episode and the end of it, but whatever the answer, a lot of stuff happens to Rhaenyra — none of it good (except the whole First of Her Name, etc. thing).

She learns about the death of her father, King Viserys, and that Aegon — thanks to a, ahem, “misunderstanding” by Alicent — has been crowned the leader of the Seven Kingdoms; and she loses one son during childbirth, and another son, Lucerys, after he and his dragon get snapped in two by one-eyed Aemond and his dragon, Vhagar. On top of all THAT, she also gets choked by her uncle-lover, Daemon, who constantly speaks over her. When Daniel Powter said “you had a bad day,” Rhaenyra felt that.

Ahead of the finale, Emma D’Arcy (Rhaenyra) told the New York Times, “It’s no coincidence that the male figures with power within this court have created conditions where Alicent and Rhaenyra’s relationship becomes untenable.” That was proven yet again during the episode. A peaceful compromise could have been met — right up until the moment when Aemond chased after Lucerys on a dragon.

Season two can’t get here soon enough.

The Miami Heat picked up their first win of the season on Saturday night in a 112-109 victory over the Raptors at home, but the majority of attention after the game was on an incident involving Caleb Martin and Christian Koloko that saw both get ejected in the third quarter for a fight on the baseline.

After Martin fouled Koloko, knocking him down, he went and stood over the rookie big man, who took exception to that and got up and wrapped up Martin, who then picked Koloko up and drove him into the first row with a tackle.

It was a good job by the other players on the floor and the referees to keep it from becoming anything more than that, but the NBA has one cardinal rule regarding fights ever since the Malice in the Palace, and that is to never let them spill into the stands. As such, it came as little surprise when word came down on Sunday night that Martin — and Heat rookie Nikola Jovic, who left the bench area — was suspended for a game, while Koloko got a fine for his involvement.

Given that Martin was the one who escalated things from some pushing and shoving to things going into the stands where fans are, it’s not surprising he got the worst of the punishment. As for Jovic, it’s an expensive lesson from the league that you cannot leave the bench area during an altercation, no matter what your intentions.

The Raptors and Heat will meet again on Monday in Miami, with the Heat needing to back up their win without Martin as they look for the mini-series sweep.

(House of the Dragon spoilers will be found below.)

House of the Dragon entered the TV landscape with a huge challenge: to overcome the underwhelming nature of the O.G. Game of Thrones finale season. As viewers soon happily realized, however, the prequel’s done so in spades and even makes me feel better about the idea of a Jon Snow solo joint. This show’s given us high soap operatics along with plenty of fire breathers, and even though GRRM’s total disrespect for names can be confusing at times, it’s still a wonderful thing and has engendered enough goodwill for people to hatch loads of theories for this first season finale.

When the episode began, however, a speedy turn of events quickly pulled at the heartstrings of viewers. Rhaenyra, upon being informed of (rotting) Viserys’ death, promptly went into labor and gave birth to a stillborn child. Naturally, people found tragedy upon compounded tragedy to be too much to handle, this early in the game.

From there, however, feelings yielded to happiness to see Rhaenyra crowned as queen, as her father wished, by one of the Ser Twins.

And viewers quickly swore allegiance to their queen.

All hail Queen Rhaenyra. Buckle up for the rest of the season finale.

HBO’s House of the Dragon airs on Sundays at 9:00pm EST.

When we were kids, we couldn’t get enough candy. Especially around Halloween. We’d eat Sour Patch Kids, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and Skittles until our stomachs ached. As we grew, our tolerance for fistfuls of candy decreased exponentially. But we still want a taste of chocolate every now and then (okay, fine — daily). Sometimes in beer form.

There are myriad beers perfect for chocolate fans. We’re talking about porters, stouts, and other bold dark, warming beers. Some specifically use cocoa nibs or other chocolate-derived flavors in their recipes while others simply have a chocolate-like flavor that will appeal to dark chocolate fans.

As Halloween approaches, we asked a handful of well-known brewers and craft beer experts to tell us their picks for the best beers to scratch that chocolate itch. Keep scrolling to see them all.

Ommegang Three Philosophers

Rob Day, vice principal of marketing for Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers in Framingham, Massachusetts

ABV: 9.7%

Average Price: $14.99 for a four-pack

Why This Beer?

Ommegang Three Philosophers Double Chocolate is my go-to chocolate beer. I went to the archives a bit for this one. Three Philosophers is great to begin with but dose it with some Taza chocolate and you get an incredibly rich flavor.

Lervig Barrel-Aged Molten Double Chocolate Fudge Cake Supreme

Basil Lee, co-founder of Finback Brewery in Glendale, New York

ABV: 12.1%

Average Price: Limited Availability

Why This Beer?

When I think chocolate, I automatically go to stouts. There are a lot of other styles that have chocolate notes, but sometimes the best answers are the obvious ones. Lervig’s Barrel-Aged Molten Double Chocolate Fudge Cake Supreme is what I would go for. I’m not being snarky here, but the flavor that makes it great?

Well, chocolate. Seriously, I think chocolate speaks for itself and pretty much everyone likes it. And fudgy chocolate just means more chocolate and tongue-satisfying sweetness.

Corporate Ladder Purchase Order 002

Ryan Pachmayer, head brewer at Yak & Yeti Brewpub and Restaurant in Arvada, Colorado

ABV: 12%

Average Price: Limited Availability

Why This Beer?

Corporate Ladder’s Purchase Order 002. It’s rich Hershey’s chocolate flavors, really fun and interesting. Brewed with Haitian and Ugandan cocoa nibs as well as Ugandan vanilla beans, this stout is a chocolate lover’s dream.

Maui Imperial Coconut Porter

Judy Neff, co-founder and brewer at Checkerspot Brewing Company in Baltimore

ABV: 9.4%

Average Price: $23.99 for a 750ml bottle

Why This Beer?

Maui Imperial Coconut Porter is my pick. I know it’s coconut, but the rich chocolate flavors with the coconut are what make this beer amazing. It’s like a Mounds bar in beer form. Chocolate, toasted coconut, indulgent perfection.

Young’s Double Chocolate Stout

Dan Schmelzer, head brewer at the Lagunitas Brewing Company’s Seattle Taproom & Beer Sanctuary in Seattle

ABV: 5.2%

Average Price: $9.99 for a four-pack

Why This Beer?

I’m going to venture across the pond to London for this one – Young’s Double Chocolate Stout is a low-ABV stout compared to its American counterparts, clocking in at a mere 5.2% ABV yet packed with a genuine dark chocolate profile that is simultaneously rich though easy drinking for a long session of rainy day consumption at the local pub.

Left Hand Milk Stout

Kyle Warren, lead brewer at Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing Company in Framingham, Massachusetts

ABV: 6%
Average Price: $10.99 for a six-pack

Why This Beer?

Left Hand Milk Stout. Remember when milk stout was one of the only beers that brewers were putting unfermentable sugar into? I do, and personally, I miss those days. Rich and chocolatey, yet light on the pallet, Left Hand’s Milk Stout is a fine example of the style that has stood the test of time and is always a welcomed pour.

Boulder Beer Shake Chocolate Porter

Ty Nash, head brew master at Little Dry Creek Brewery in Greenwood Village, Colorado

ABV: 5.9%

Average Price: $10.99 for a six-pack

Why This Beer?

I’m partial to Boulder Beer Shake Chocolate Porter. A solid chocolate flavor throughout this beer. Coffee, cocoa nibs, and buttery caramel can also be found throughout this decadent, warming beer. Who needs chocolate candy when you can have one of these?

New Glarus Uff-Da

Garth E. Beyer, certified Cicerone® and owner and founder of Garth’s Brew Bar in Madison, Wisconsin

ABV: 6.7%

Average Price: Limited Availability

Why This Beer?

When I say New Glarus, you might think Spotted Cow, but the beer that I think of is Uff-da. It’s a bock with a rich bouquet of aromas, deep chocolate, and coffee undertones that blend with toast and just a touch of fig newtons. I’ll offer the same recommendation that Dan Carey of New Glarus does: let Uff-da warm up a bit to get its full and rich sweetness impact.

Odell Lugene Chocolate Milk Stout

Nico Cervantes, brewer at Resolute Brewing in Centennial, Colorado

ABV: 8.5%

Average Price: $15.99 for a six-pack

Why This Beer?

Lugene Chocolate Milk Stout – Odell Brewing Company. When I think of beers that contain chocolate, I can’t think of another beer that epitomizes that flavor more than Lugene. It’s a chocolate milk stout that absolutely delivers on chocolate flavor without forgetting about or sacrificing any fundamental elements of great beer. If you find a barrel-aged version, don’t hesitate to try it out.

New Holland Dragon’s Milk

Max Shafer, brew master at Roadhouse Brewing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

ABV: 11%

Average Price: $16.99 for a four-pack

Why This Beer?

New Holland’s Dragon’s Milk Stout is a beer for chocolate fans. It’s a bourbon-barrel-aged stout known for its bold chocolate and espresso notes, each one hugging your tastebuds and leaving you warmed throughout. It isn’t every day that you can find a beer as bold and rich as this, which is why I find it to be such an exceptionally great beer for chocolate fans.

The Lakers looked like they would finally get their first win of the season on Sunday afternoon in L.A. as they took a 102-95 lead on Portland with just under two minutes to play, led by a 31-point, 8-rebound, 8-assist game by LeBron James and 22 points, 10 rebounds, and six blocks from Anthony Davis.

However, poor shooting and some defensive lapses let the Blazers claw their way back into the game, cutting the lead to just one with 36 seconds to play. It was then that the narrative machine really kicked into overdrive and gave us everything we could possibly dream of in a Lakers collapse.

First, it was Russell Westbrook pulling a 2-for-1 midrange jumper that wasn’t even close, as the Blazers were proven right to effectively ignore him defensively in crunch time.

Patrick Beverley then tried to grift the ball back to the Lakers by flopping on a Jusuf Nurkic screen at midcourt, which got overturned on review with Ed Malloy noting “Beverley took a dive.”

Naturally, on the ensuing Blazers possession Damian Lillard, who had 41 points to lead all scorers and all-but single-handedly kept Portland in the game, drilled a stepback three to push Portland into a 104-102 lead.

However, on the Lakers next possession, Nurkic for some reason switched onto LeBron, chased him out to midcourt, allowing James to just turn the corner and walk to the rim for a game-tying dunk.

That meant it was Portland’s turn to draw one up and, instead of going to Lillard who had the Lakers’ full attention, they got the ball to Jerami Grant in the mid-post and he drove past LeBron, squeezed by a late contest at the rim from Davis, and laid it in for the go-ahead bucket.

LeBron would get off a decent turnaround look to force overtime, but it clanged off the rim as the Blazers escaped L.A. with the win, moving them to 3-0 on the young season while the Lakers dropped to 0-3.

After losing to two title contenders, this was the game that felt the most like a reasonable litmus test for the Lakers. For a long time in the second half, it looked like they might take care of business and at least quiet some of the noise, but then they absolutely collapsed in a manner that only adds fuel to the fire. It had everything talk shows could want, with Westbrook’s brick from the midrange on a day he was 4-of-15 from the field, followed by their inability to get a stop late after playing great defense all day, Davis disappearing down the stretch from the offense, and LeBron not being able to carry them to overtime. Shooting woes continued for the third straight game, with L.A. shooting 6-of-33 from three-point range, while they were again outrebounded 52-40 (a product of throwing up a lot of missed shots), and saw Lillard go off for 41 points.

For Portland, it’s another gutty win in Lillard’s second straight huge offensive outing, and, while everything isn’t perfect, every win you can stack early in the season against a competitor for those hotly contested West playoff spots is going to come in handy late in the season.

Video game movies used to have a lousy track record. Just think about 1993’s disastrous Super Mario Bros. But the tide has changed, thanks to the likes of Sonic the Hedgehog, last year’s Mortal Kombat, and this year’s Uncharted. Now it’s time to give Mario Bros. a mulligan. There’s a new cinematic stab at one of Nintendo’s first break-out hits, and this time it’s animated. But what else do we know about The Super Mario Bros. Movie?

When does it come out?

The movie isn’t due for a bit — on April 7, 2023 to be exact. That’s right before the summer movie season begins in earnest. But then, the summer movie season is all-year-round these days, isn’t it?

Is there a trailer?

There sure is — or a teaser, anyway. In early October, said ad dropped, and it showed a cinematic universe that doesn’t look too different from the game itself — just with more famous voice talent.

Who is in the voice cast?

Well, there’s Chris Pratt, a mildly controversial choice to voice the Italian plumber who finds himself bopping around some alternate universe, jumping on goombas and whatnot. He promised a distinctive voice, but his teaser debut received mixed reviews. Some, however, noted that he sounds a lot like the Mario of the late ‘80s/early ‘90s Super Mario Bros. Super Show!

That said, Jack Black as Bowser, the games and movie’s dragon-like turtle-ish baddie, received widespread acclaim. Elsewhere on the voice roster, you can find Anya Taylor-Joy as the in-peril Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Mario’s fraternal twin brother Luigi, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, and Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong — Mario’s first nemesis.

Who made The Super Mario Bros. Movie?

There are two directors. One, Aaron Horvath, cut his teeth making segments for the early teens show Mad before moving onto Teen Titans GO!, for which he directed their 2018 movie. Michael Jelenic is also a Teen Titans vet, though he’s also been a producer on Batman: The Brave and the Bold, the early teens iteration of Thundercats, and some more recent Scooby-Doo stuff. Credited screenwriter Matthew Fogel, meanwhile, has his name on scripts for The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, Minions: The Rise of Gru, and the threequel Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son.

Will it be better than the bananas live-action Super Mario Bros. movie from 1993?

One hopes! Although that extremely batty film has since amassed some fans. Whatever happens, at least Chris Pratt knew what he was getting into before he signed up, unlike the even more esteemed thespian who played Mario in 1993: the late, great Bob Hoskins.

You can watch the teaser in the video below.

Lil Baby‘s third studio album, It’s Only Me has debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, according to a report from Billboard. The album reportedly moved 216,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. and also made for the third largest streaming week for an album this year, according to Billboard‘s independent data provider, Luminate.

It’s Only Me marks Lil Baby’s third album to top the chart, the most recent being The Voice Of The Heroes his 2021 joint album with Lil Durk, as well as his sophomore album, My Turn.

Back in 2020, Billboard reported that My Turn was the most consumed album of that year.

In a recent interview with XXL, Lil Baby said that while he considers himself a “rap star,” he feels the term “superstar” is more fitting.

“I think the qualities of a superstar is like a strong fan base,” he said. “A sustainable amount of time ’cause you could be hot like a one-hit-wonder hot, like superstar hot. It could go quick. So, a different time bracket. I would say your appearance, the way you carry yourself to the way you perform. The type of things you perform at or the type of places you will perform at and the money that you get.”

It’s Only Me is out now via Quality Control and Motown. Stream it here.