Budweiser introduces strawberry beer

Published April 24, 2013

FoxNews.com

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After Budweiser’s successful launch of Lime-A-Rita last April, selling more than 500,000 barrels of the margarita-flavored beer in 8 months, the company has expanded its line of fruit-themed beer to include strawberry.

Last month, Anheuser-Busch announced on its website that it will launch the Bud Light Lime Straw-Ber-Rita, an 8 percent alcohol per volume malt beverage that “blends the refreshment of Bud Light Lime with the taste of an authentic strawberry margarita.”

Responses to the beverage have been mixed.

“It tastes a little a little like someone poured some strawberry Pixi Stix into a fruit-punch wine cooler,” reads a review in Paste Magazine. “It was pretty gross.”

But the straw-beery drink got pretty high marks from RateBeer, an independent review board for craft beer enthusiasts.

“Lime-a-Rita just adds a new level of convenience by providing a beverage with the perfect balance of flavors,” reads the review. 

Whatever the response, it's clear the marriage between fruit and beer is not going away anytime soon.

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RP Advanced introduces new Lightweight Tactical ATV for Special Forces

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Ever try to sneak up to someone in a HUMVEE in tight quarters?

Probably didn’t go to well.

Enter the Lightweight Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle, or LTATV.

The military grade side-by-side ATVs are deployed by U.S. Special Operations Forces on quick response and low profile missions where heavier equipment would just get in the way. The vehicles can also be transported on a variety of small aircraft, including the CH47 Chinook helicopter.

Now, RP Advanced Mobile Systems has unveiled its latest entry into the class, the C2 Commander. The McMinnville, Oregon-based company is run by ex-USAF Special Operations Weapons Control Specialist Terry Wilmeth, and specializes in upfitting consumer versions of ATVs for military use.

The C2 Commander is based on the Can-Am Commander and retains its basic 4x4 chassis and 976 cc Rotax powertrain, but RP adds a few military specific tweaks.

Read: Northrop Grumman unveils proposal for next U.S. Special Ops vehicle

Along with strengthened bumpers built for pushing vehicles and other obstacles out of its way, the C2 Commander gets an upgraded suspension system and a multi-modal cargo bed that can accommodate a variety of weapons systems and gear, including a medical litter for transporting injured troops.

RP has also developed its own run-flat tires made with up to 12-plys that run on beadlock wheels. The company says the tires can take a hit from a 7.62 mm round and continue for up to 75 miles at a speed of 45 mph when deflated. In addition with basic black, they’re available in tan to blend in better with vehicles finished in desert camouflage schemes.

The biggest mechanical change, however, is the addition of an electronically activated rear open differential system, or RODS. While most ATVs come with a locked rear differential for maximum off-road capability, RODS gives the C2 Commander added maneuverability on paved roads and in tight, urban quarters.

RP has also developed a unique seating system designed to reduce fatigue on long sorties over rough terrain. Wilmeth says this is one of the biggest complaints heard from Special Forces operatives returning from LTATV-based missions, so they’ve constructed a seat using a memory foam-type material that offers improved support and better conforms to their gear, and even has a removable section in the back to accommodate backpacks and other “battle rattle.”

The C2 Commander will be making its public debut at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference Association in Tampa in May. If it works as well as RP says it does, it might be the last time anyone out of uniform gets to see one, secret missions and all that.

The per unit price is around $25,000 and it is only available to the military, but you can pick up the tires for your ATV for about $250 each.

Just remember to leave the national security matters to the professionals, if you do.

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Subaru introduces off-road hybrid

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Subaru is coming out with a gas-electric hybrid crossover SUV for the crunchy granola crowd that wants to save fuel but still haul kayaks to the river.

The Japanese brand, which specializes in all-wheel-drive vehicles, unveils the 2014 XV Crosstrek Hybrid on Thursday at the New York International Auto Show.

The company's first gas-electric hybrid gets somewhat better gas mileage than the conventional Crosstrek and has stop-start technology that shuts down the engine at red lights to save fuel. It has all-wheel-drive capability and the same 8.7-inch ground clearance so it can go on trails.

Test Drive: 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek

Subaru also will unveil a concept WRX high-horsepower compact car that strongly hints at what the next generation pocket-rocket will look like. The company says this WRX is lower, sleeker and wider with a bigger grille, while it keeps the classic hood scoop with clearance for a new turbocharged engine and air cooler. Subaru didn't say when the new WRX would hit showrooms or give further details.

Here are the highlights of the XV Crosstrek Hybrid:

UNDER THE HOOD: A 2-liter Boxer engine with 148 horsepower, plus a 13.4 horsepower electric motor and a continuously variable transmission that keeps the engine revving in an optimal range for gas mileage and power. The 13.5 kilowatt nickel-metal-hydride battery is under the rear floor, while the electric motor is under the hood just behind the transmission. The hybrid version weighs about 300 pounds more than the gas version. The electric motor starts the car under light acceleration and starts the gas engine once the car is moving. The car can run on electricity alone in low-speed situations.

OUTSIDE: The gas-electric model has hybrid badges on the front edges of the front doors and tailgate and different wheels and tail lamps. Also has a new green pearl exterior color exclusive to the hybrid. The front grille shutter system cuts wind drag at highway speeds.

INSIDE: Passenger cabin is slightly smaller (0.7 cubic feet), as is the cargo space of the hatchback. It's about 2 cubic feet less at just over 50 cubic feet. Hybrid instrument cluster with a blue color scheme, and blue-and-silver interior.

GAS MILEAGE: Subaru expects 28 miles per gallon in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. That's three miles per gallon better in the city than the gas version with an automatic transmission, but only one mpg better on the highway.

PRICE: Will be announced closer to the car's arrival at dealerships in the fall of this year.

CHEERS: Subaru has come up with a hybrid system that can still handle the rigors of going off the road.

JEERS: The hybrid system will come with an added price, but it doesn't get that much better mileage than the gasoline version.

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