Australia seems to be experiencing a surge in the availability of non-alcoholic beers right now, and that’s something we’re more than happy to get behind.

It’s practically a guarantee that we’ve all said “I’m never drinking again,” following a particularly booze-laden night out at some point in our lives. Fortunately, you can follow through on your word and still enjoy the delicious taste of beer thanks to a selection of non-alcoholic beers.

While it’s undoubtedly true that some of the best craft beers can make or break a Sunday session, non-alcoholic beer and low-alcohol beer offer just as good of a drinking experience, without the hangover. What makes non-alcoholic beer even more attractive is the fact, in most cases, they’re packed with fewer carbohydrates than their alcoholic brethren. So, they’re not only good for the following morning but for your waistline, too.

How is non-alcoholic beer made?

Any beer than has less than 0.5% ABV (alcohol by volume) is classed as non-alcoholic. So, while it does still technically contain alcohol, it’s not enough to get you drunk. As a comparison, 9 non-alcoholic drinks equals 1 standard drink in Australia.

To make non-alcoholic beer, brewers go through much of the same process as when making alcoholic beer, in that it requires making a mash, adding hops and fermenting. But, once this process is completed, things change. Non-alcoholic beers, naturally, have to then have the natural alcohol removed.

To do this, brewers will most commonly subject it to a high heat so that the alcoholic part of the brew to evaporate, since alcohol has a lower boiling point than water.

Another method brewers use is called vacuum distilling, which lowers the boiling point of the alcohol even further and allows more of the flavourings from the hops to remain in the brew. Using the first method of exposing it to high heat, can also take away some of the flavour along with the alcohol.

Alternatively, the non-alcoholic beer could go through a reverse osmosis process which sees the brew passed through a filter which only the alcohol and water can pass through. Once this process is completed, the alcohol is removed from the resulting liquid, and the water, complete with any acids that made it through the filtering process, are added back into the mixture that didn’t make it through the filter. It’s this mixture that contains the sugars and flavours.

Dry July

Dry July is an annual fundraising campaign, started in 2008, that encourages people to go sober for the month of July in order to raise money for those affected by cancer. Since its foundation, Dry July has increased in popularity and has helped people to start rethinking their relationship with alcohol.

In fact, Dry July says more and more Australians are beginning to lead more ‘Sober Curious’ or ‘Mindful Drinking’ lifestyles. This doesn’t mean they’re giving up alcohol entirely, but they’re starting to question if they always need to be drinking alcohol, or restricting the amount of alcohol they consume.

The foundation says “over the past 15 years, alcohol consumption has decreased in Australia, from 10.8 litres per capita per year down to 9.4 litres, the lowest seen in 50 years.” And, contrary to what you may think, it’s the younger generation that are getting behind the mindful drinking lifestyle, with “the number of people in their 20s abstaining from alcohol increasing from 8.9% in 2001 to 22% in 2019.”

It’s this shift in mindset that has been the catalyst for more and more non-alcohol beers (and non-alcoholic wines) to enter the market.

Best Non-Alcoholic Beers

So, if you’re new to non-alcoholic beer and are considering giving it a go for campaigns such as Dry July, which ones should you be looking out for? We’ve put together this list of the best non-alcoholic beers to help get you started.

We’ve deliberately skipped the likes of Peroni Libera and Great Northern Zero because, whilst they may indeed be non-alcoholic beers, we don’t think they truly showcase what is possible when it comes to taste, i.e. they don’t provide much evidence to prove making the switch to non-alcoholic or low-alcohol beer doesn’t have to be boring.

The post 14 Non-Alcoholic Beers You Have To Try For Dry July appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Breitling’s well-known for its pilot’s watches – but the Swiss brand has a long history of producing capable dive watches, too. 2022’s update to their popular SuperOcean collection reflects that history, reviving a fun retro design while adding a wild splash of colour.

Specifically, the new SuperOcean is modelled after the Breitling SuperOcean Slow Motion ref. 2005 of the 1960s and 70s, which features distinctive square indices and a square-tipped minute hand. That original ref. 2005 was a chronograph, while the new SuperOcean is a pure time-only piece – but there’s still plenty going on with this new piece.

For starters, it’s much more water resistance than the original, with 300m of water resistance. Its COSC-certified Breitling Calibre 17 movement (based on the iconic ETA 2824-2) is also far more shock, sand and saltwater-resistant than the modified Venus 188 movement in the Slow Motion.

It also has a scratch-proof ceramic bezel and a subtly cambered, glare-proof sapphire crystal which both looks distinctive and provides added legibility. In short, it’s just way better for diving.

But what we’re really excited about is its looks. It’s a tough dive watch, sure, but it also just looks the business – and it’s available in a veritable rainbow of fun tropical colours straight out of a 70s fever dream. Groovy, baby.

Eight colours are available in total across the range: black, blue, brown, green, orange, silver, turquoise and white. Additionally, the new Breitling SuperOcean is available in four case sizes (46, 44, 42, and 36mm) plus three different case metals (steel, two-tone steel + red gold and bronze). There’s more choice than a 70s smörgåsbord.

There are also two strap options, a sporty rubber strap and a new three-row metal bracelet, which both have a folding clasp that allows for micro-adjustments of up to 15mm – perfect for slipping your watch over your wetsuit.

You could even experiment and throw the new SuperOcean on one of Breitling’s Outerknown ECONYL yarn NATO straps for even more of a tool watch look. The world’s your oyster.

RELATED: Breitling Launches The Perfect Chronograph Watch For Active Australians

Breitling’s also enlisted the help of its Surfer Squad, made up of Sally Fitzgibbons, Stephanie Gilmore and Kelly Slater, to put the new Breitling SuperOcean through its paces. The latter even has his own signature SuperOcean model – which we reckon is the pick of the litter thanks to its eye-catching (and very 70s) orange dial.

In short, we’re big fans of the new Breitling SuperOcean. Its design is bold yet clean, and even more impressive in person – as is the fit and finish on these things. and the wide range of case sizes and materials really means there’s a SuperOcean for everyone.

Breitling has once again shown that they’re the kings of colour, and the sheer variety of shades available for the new SuperOcean is a rather tantalising prospect, too. At a time when most watch brands play it safe with colour, Breitling stands out from the pack. And that’s what you want from a watch, right?

Check out the new Breitling SuperOcean collection in its entirety at Breitling’s online boutique here.

• The Luxury Watch Industry Needs To Change, Says Breitling CEO
• Breitling’s Legendary Navitimer Gets A Makeover For Its 70th Anniversary

The post Breitling’s New 70s-Inspired SuperOcean Is The Grooviest Dive Watch Of 2022 appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Two photos of Sydney Airport, taken 38 years apart, show how one part of Sydney has changed surprisingly little since the 1970s.

Sydney ain’t what it used to be (see: Vice’s recent piece: An Oral History of the Rise and Fall of Sydney’s Once-Magical Club Scene, if you don’t believe us). According to popular belief (and Melburnians), we are a city of personal trainers, bankers, wankers and real estate agents who are all simultaneously arrogant and self-loathing.

But even as Bondi’s 20-cent bread rolls have become $9 spelt loaves and Kings Cross has become a ghost town, there’s one thing that appears to have remained constant: the part of General Holmes Drive where you can see planes coming into land.

RELATED: Bondi Beach Photo From 1900 Proves Why We Shouldn’t Romanticise The Past

Bringing that thought into our brains is Instagram account @retrosydney_. @retrosydney_ posted an image two days ago which shows a Qantas Boeing 747 passing across General Holmes Drive in 1978.

Claiming to have got their information from aussieairliners.org, @retrosydney_ captioned the image: “1978: General Holmes Drive, Mascot. Looking West as a @qantas Boeing 747 passes across General Holmes Drive in 1978 in its ‘ochre’ livery.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sydney in Retrospect (@retrosydney_)

They added: “Interestingly, this aircraft pictured here (VH-EBF) was ordered by Qantas in September 1972 and entered service in August 1973 – it was the 6th 747 to be delivered to Qantas.”

“It also had been the plane to have the first baby delivered on a Qantas Flight on a trip from Singapore to Sydney in late July 1974 , and also featured in the movie ‘Crocodile Dundee’ in 1985.”

@retrosydney_

Inspired, DMARGE did a little sleuthing on Pinterest and found an image of another Qantas jet crossing General Holmes Drive in 2016 (38 years later).

The two photos of General Holmes Drive show one aspect of Sydney, despite all the other New Things, has barely changed at all since 1978 – General Holmes Drive. That said: the cars were cooler in the 1970s, we, and a few Instagram commenters (“there’s a few big engines there and I’m not talking about the jumbo”) reckon. Oh, and @retrosydney_ claims the type of jet (The Queen Of The Skies) featured in the above image was scrapped in 2008.

RELATED: Photos Show How Bondi Beach Swimwear Has Changed From 1929 To 2022

Other observations from social media commenters included wishing the roads were as smooth now (“If only Sydney roads were still that smooth. Need a 4WD to go anywhere after the last few summers”) and yet more pining after the cars (“that Statesman front end…..”).

Find that interesting? You’ll want to check out this 85 year old photo of Bondi Icebergs…

• Iconic Harbour Bridge Photo Suggests Sydney Peaked In 1959
• ‘Then vs. Now’: What Bondi Looked Like 10 Years Ago Will Blow Your Mind

The post Then & Now: Sydney Airport Photos Taken 38 Years Apart appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Looking for the best flip-flops for summer? You’ve come to the right place.

Flip flops are not known as a particularly high-fashion footwear item; you would never go to work or attend a wedding in a pair of flip flops. But they are a wardrobe must-have, especially in summer.

Perfect for casual wear, flip flops are lightweight and are the next best thing to going barefoot. Flip flops have always had to fend off competition from sandals and slides, but as an inexpensive pair of summer footwear, they remain tough to beat.

Men’s Flip Flops FAQs

Some other helpful DMARGE stories about footwear:

• Best Men’s Summer Shoes 
• Best Loafers For Men
• Best Waterproof Shoes & Sneakers

If you’re after a pair of men’s flip flops, we’ve rounded up the best brands that offer the most comfortable, durable, and stylish flip flops that’ll keep you feeling and looking cool all summer long.

The post 20 Best Men’s Flip Flops For Summer Lovin’ [2022] appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Legacy travel experiences could be making a comeback at the cost of Airbnb, some statistics suggest.

Old school travel experiences like hotels are making a resurgence as newer school experiences like Airbnb appear to be idling, as we come out of COVID-19, some recent statistics shared by Skift (and The Wall Street Journal) suggest. Skift wrote at the end of May: “Just look at their market caps —Booking Holdings $92.05 billion and Airbnb a humbling $77.8 billion.”

The respective market caps of the two companies (as of June the 30th) tell a similar story. Booking Holdings (the company that owns Booking.com) has a market cap, at the time of writing, of $73.54 billion. Airbnb, at the time of writing, has a market cap of $59.78 billion. They’ve both suffered a drop, but Booking.com – the hotel booking platform – is still ahead by $13.76 billion.

“The new and the high tech are suddenly out of fashion, with the Nasdaq down around 23% this year. That sentiment change seems to have bled into the online travel sector, where the uncool is making a comeback.”

The Wall Street Journal

This may just be a result of a global bear market, but it could also be a result of a few trends being (somewhat) reversed as we finally start to get back to normal. Namely: during the peak of the pandemic, Airbnb was – particularly in Australia, but also worldwide – considered a safer option to hotels, as you were less liable to be in contact with other people, and could be more self contained.

RELATED: Surprising Ways The Luxury Travel Industry Will Change In 2020

Now that most people are getting back to normal again, it makes sense Booking.com might see a bit of a (relative) boom, and Airbnb might see somewhat of a drop (although there are a lot of other things going on economically: this is just one theory as to why they might have dropped).

On the other end of the stick, eating in hotels – something which Ovolo’s Vincent Lombino told DMARGE saw a boom during the pandemic, seeing as customers were nervous about the hygiene standards of restaurants outside – could now be due to drop off, you might think, if COVID-19 really was the driver behind its renaissance.

That said, as Mr Lombino told DMARGE exclusively back in 2020, some hotels have put a lot of work into their restaurants, so that they are no longer the sterile, generic places they have a reputation for being, but now, in some places, are some of the coolest places to eat in a city.

“Will things will have to change post-pandemic? I’ve been in this business a long time [and] the whole concept was people never liked to eat in hotels,” Mr Lombino told DMARGE.

“[The industry’s task] has been to develop really cool restaurants and bars inside hotels… [and previously] it was really hard to crack that,” Mr Lombino said.

RELATED: Could Airbnb’s Empire Come Crashing Down In 2022?

However, two things, according to Mr Lombino, have now changed. First of all, individuals and organisations like Ovolo have “fought hard” to make the hotel restaurant experience cooler.

“People will find trust and faith in the strong brands,” Mr Lombino told us. In fact, “instead of running out the door” Mr Lombino hopes they’ll stay “in their cool little bubble,” enjoying 5-star hotels like Ovolos’ produce, products, and reputation.

“Hotels that do it well are actually going to see a renaissance – back to the good old days (20, 30, 40 years ago) when all the best restaurants were all in hotels. They moved out but they have an opportunity to come back.”

Food for thought.

• ‘HOW IS THIS LEGAL?’: Wild New York City Story Proves Why Airbnbs Are Always A Gamble
• Wild Bali Photo Depicts Airbnb Feature You’d Never Find In Australia
• Instagram’s ‘Explore’ Page Is The New Lonely Planet

The post Uncool Travel Experiences Are Back In Vogue appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Bradley Cooper – the Oscar-nominated actor best known for his roles in The Hangover, American Sniper, Nightmare Alley and Silver Linings Playbook – has, according to Howard Stern, agreed to run for Vice President in 2024.

Howard Stern, notable radio and television personality and comedian, announced just days ago on his radio show, The Howard Stern Show, that he was seriously considering running for president in 2024.

Following the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs Wade – a landmark 1973 ruling which had legalised abortion across the country – Stern recalled a conversation he had off-air with his co-host Robin Quivers. “I said to Robin, and I hate to say this, but, but I said to her, ‘I’m actually gonna probably have to run for president now.”

Stern went on to say that he wasn’t “f*cking around” and that “The problem with most presidents is they have too big of an agenda. The only agenda I would have is to make the country fair again.”

Now on the latest episode of his show, Stern has announced that iconic actor and nine-time Oscar-nominee Bradley Cooper has agreed to be Stern’s running mate; meaning that if Stern does run in 2024 and is then elected President of the United States, Cooper would become the Vice President.

Stern teased listeners by initially saying, “I have some exciting news I’d like to share with you. Early this morning, I was texting back and forth with someone [about my candidacy]. This person texted me and said, ‘I want to congratulate you’ and ‘You have my vote.’”

Still keeping listeners on their toes, Stern said, “[It was a] very lovely conversation and I said, ‘How would you feel about being my vice president?’ And you know what he said? ‘Done.’”

Then Stern revealed who he had been texting. “This guy is going to bring in the female vote like you wouldn’t believe. My vice president… Bradley Cooper.”

Quivers voiced what we’re all now thinking and said, “What? Get out of here! He said he wants to be vice president? Does he know what he’s saying yes to?”

If Cooper does run for vice presidency as Stern’s running mate in 2024, they won’t be the first celebrities to transition into politics though.

Just to name a few, veteran actor Clint Eastwood became a Mayor in the late 1980s, Ronald Reagan was an actor before he became the 40th President of the United States, actor and retired bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger became the 38th Governor of California and, most infamously, the 45th US President, Donald Trump was a media personality prior to his political career.

Only time will tell whether Stern and Cooper do actually run in 2024 but to be completely honest: if they do (and somehow get elected), it won’t be the craziest thing that’s ever happened in the States; not by a long shot.

• Bradley Cooper Is Almost Unrecognisable In His Latest Movie
• Bradley Cooper Loses His Sh*t After Famous Director Makes Snide Comment

The post Bradley Cooper Will Run For Vice President In 2024 appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The greatest Formula 1 driver of all time might be best known for driving Ferraris – but turns out Michael Schumacher also drove a Porsche Carrera GT, which is now up for sale in Germany.

Roock Sportsystem, a racing team and classic Porsche restorer from Leverkusen (just north of Cologne) is selling the rare supercar, which was supposedly driven by the seven-time F1 World Champion for over four years in secret.

Why in secret? Well, when the Carrera GT was launched in 2004, Schumacher was still with Ferrari, and as a Fiat employee, he was contractually bound to drive only vehicles from the Fiat Group.

As Elferspot explains, “nowadays just about every driver also has a private car collection… Lewis Hamilton, for example, poses unabashedly with his LaFerrari on Instagram… That would have been unthinkable 20 years ago.”

RELATED: Lewis Hamilton’s $7 Million Ferrari Might Upset His Bosses At Mercedes

So how did Schumi drive his Porsche, then?

According to Roock, Schumacher’s manager, Willi Weber, bought the car through his company and made it available to Michael whenever he wanted to drive it – a nice little loophole, as long as he stayed away from the paparazzi while behind the wheel. Roock apparently has a written confirmation of this attached to the vehicle’s papers.

Otherwise, the only hint that the vehicle belonged to Schumacher is an ‘MS’ logo above the Carrera GT logo on the car’s rear and a small pin shaped like Schumacher’s red Schuberth F1 helmet attached to the logbook folder.

RELATED: Charles Leclerc Crashes Priceless Vintage Ferrari In Monaco

It’s a tantalising prospect. The Porsche Carrera GT is rare and exciting enough, but one driven by the greatest F1 driver of all time, in secret no less? What more could you want?

Well, there’s just one catch. Schumacher’s current manager Sabine Kehm has come out and denied the F1 great was ever directly or indirectly associated with anyone who owned this car. Michael’s brother and former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has also weighed in, saying “as far as I know, Michael never drove a Porsche,” Auto Bild reports.

This could just be them trying to save face in front of Ferrari, but who knows…

The Porsche Carrera GT is a mid-engined targa roadster that was manufactured by the famous German sports car marque from 2004 to 2007. Widely considered one of the best Porsches and best sports cars ever made, it remains an iconic, exotic and highly desirable machine.

RELATED: I Drove Porsche’s Insane New Electric Car. It Blew My Mind

Powered by a 5.7L V10 engine that was originally designed by Porsche for the Footwork Formula 1 team in 1992, it makes a hefty 450kW and does 0-100km/h in 3.5 seconds: impressive figures now, but even more impressive back in 2004. It’s like an F1 car for the road, which is probably why Schumi wanted one.

Only 1,270 were ever made, and this one has only 14,200kms on the clock, so even without the Schumacher connection, this supercar will fetch a pretty penny. Roock hasn’t announced a price yet, but considering even ‘normal’ Carrera GTs regularly sell at auction for over US$1.5 million, the sky’s the limit…

• ‘The Porsche 911 GT3 Is The Most Selfish Car You’ll Ever Drive’
• The Watches Formula 1 Drivers Wear When They’re ‘Off-Duty’

The post Michael Schumacher’s ‘Secret’ Porsche Goes Up For Sale appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

A man has taken to Instagram to share what he calls the smallest apartment in NYC. The apartment measures 55ft squared. It is on the market for $1,400 a month.

Youtuber Eric Conover has taken to social media to show off one of the smallest apartments in New York. The apartment measures about 5 metres squared and is on the market for $1,400 a month. This is cheap compared to the average monthly rental price of an apartment in New York, which is around $4,000.

Not everyone thought it was a great deal though. Various Instagram commenters took to their keyboards with fury, writing such comments as: “1400????? nah lol” and “NYC is a scam at this point.” Further shocked comments included: “It is absolutely ridiculous how you could rent a 3 story house with that money where I live” and “Just when you think you’ve seen it all.”

“This sh makes me kinda mad.”

Others said if you’re that desperate, you should “just get a roommate.” Yet others questioned how hygienic your life would be (“definitely not where is the effin shower”). Others said you are better off moving to a less expensive area (“you no need to live in the lower east side . I pay 1100 and I have plenty of more space . And in Bushwick, that is a lot of fun as well”).

“I love NY but no way… you pay that and it’s a SHARED bathroom.”

That being said, some found it a tasty proposition. One Instagram user wrote: “ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT. NYC IS EVERYTHING.” Another said: “Give it to me right now.”

To each their own.

This isn’t the first time the New York Property market has come under scrutiny in recent years, with the New York City property market taking a nosedive in 2020 (although judging by this latest video prices have not fallen too far). Even paying for a parking spot in New York City now costs more than renting an apartment in some other places in the world…

• Incredible ‘New Normal’ Manhattan Scene Shows Everything Wrong With America
• One Big Expectation Tourists Need To Leave Behind When Visiting Japan

The post Man Shows Off The Smallest Apartment In New York City appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Allow me to tell you the tale of how I got stood up by beloved Australian actor Chris Hemsworth…

Last night was the Sydney premiere of the highly anticipated twenty-ninth Marvel Cinematic Universe film, Thor: Love and Thunder. And I was lucky enough to attend.

Although I have to admit, despite having a marvellous time, I feel a tad bit slighted because Aussie actor and star of Thor: Love and Thunder, Chris Hemsworth stood me up… Allow me to elaborate.

The journalist game can be lavish and exciting; attending red carpets, interviewing celebrities (like Jack Quaid from The Boys) and getting to drink champagne while watching a new movie before it’s been released is, frankly, awesome. But it is gruelling preparing for these events.

The amount of time spent and emails sent making sure you can attend the event in question, without being carried off by security guards, is astronomical. Not to mention, you also have to spend a huge amount of time researching, prepping and practising the questions you’ll eventually ask whoever you’re interviewing at the event.

After weeks of jumping through all these hoops, I was finally cleared to attend the Thor: Love and Thunder red carpet and was told I could interview the Chris Hemsworth. I’m sure you can imagine how excited I was.

So, yesterday afternoon, I arrived right on time at the premiere, shaking with anticipation (or maybe because it was freezing cold… who knows?) and was told it would be two hours before the guest of honour arrived, so we could take our time setting up and preparing for the interview.

RELATED: I Tried Chris Hemsworth’s ‘F**kboi’ Haircut & It Was A Total Disaster 

Unfortunately, Chris arrived late. And by the time he got to the Thor: Love and Thunder Sydney premiere, it had started to rain. But my excitement never dwindled despite how wet and cold it was.

It did dwindle, however, when I watched Chris walk inside after only being on the red carpet for a short amount of time. And it disappeared completely when I and numerous other journalists from numerous other publications were told we could no longer interview Chris as “he wanted to get out of the rain.”

Of course, I understand the weather wasn’t great and because Chris had arrived late, the staff had to make up time so the film could still start promptly. And I want to make it clear: I know how fortunate I was to attend the Thor: Love and Thunder screening; I’m honestly half-joking, half whinging about a ‘hashtag first world problem’ and by no means am throwing Chris Hemsworth shade.

In fact, I admire that Chris at least took the time last night to sign a few autographs for fans waiting on the sidelines of the red carpet.

The ultimate shout-out though has to go to Taika Waititi, the director of Thor: Love and Thunder, who braved the rain and granted me the opportunity to interview him on the red carpet (watch this space). And as for Chris, hopefully, one day I’ll get to interview him; I might just have to make sure I’ve got an umbrella for him in case of rain…

• ‘I Ate Like Chris Hemsworth For 4 Months. It Nearly Broke Me’
• Thor 4 May Be The Last Time We See Chris Hemsworth In The MCU

The post Chris Hemsworth Stood Me Up At The ‘Thor: Love And Thunder’ Premiere appeared first on DMARGE Australia.