The face of Tactical Nuclear Penguin

Earlier this month we discovered the most tactical beer on the planet. Not long after, Tactical Nuclear Penguin made the long journey from Scotland to the U.S. coast.

Because of its ridiculous potency (it has a 32 percent alcohol by volume), the recent import is making a pretty loud splash stateside. Said to be six times stronger than good ole Budweiser, the penguin beer has been compared to other radical imports like absinthe.

Jim Watt, co-founder of Brew Dog, chatted with us via e-mail about his creation that will soon appear at Whole Foods supermarkets in California and New York.

‘Tactical Nuclear Penguin’ is a pretty random and hilarious name. Where did it come from?

This video kinda explains it. Oh, and we really like penguins.

Would you consider your approach to beer-making ‘tactical’? If so, in what way?

No, we are not very tactical. We just tend to follow our muse and see what type of trouble it lands us in. You can see exactly how we reclaimed the strongest beer title here…

What do you think would happen if a real penguin drank TNP?

It happens most weekends in Fraserburgh. Most of the nonsense in the Tactical Nuclear Penguin video was the result of a penguin drinking TNP!

We suggest trying TNP while donning a nice pair of tactical pants. What would you deem as appropriate TNP-drinking attire?

I would suggest really dressing up for the occasion. A dinner suit and black bow tie combined with an air of aristocratic nonchalance would be perfect!

Any other tactical beers in Brew Dog’s future?

Of course. Maybe one infused with raspberries! Tactical Raspberry Penguin anyone?

Recently we asked our devoted readers who they’d like to see in the Tactical Pants Guide and someone mentioned the Swedish brand Blaklader. Naturally, we cruised over to their US site. And the curly haired, intimidating cross-armed man who greets visitors was wearing a … tactical kilt?! Seriously.

Pictured on the right, that strapping man paired his kilt with lumberjack-esque plaid and some pretty fierce black work boots. What would you wear with yours?

Initially created as a tradeshow spectacle, the Glaskow kilt comes in black and has two reinforced utility pockets that can actually be tucked in when not in use. The pockets are also angled so it’s easy to access any of your items on the go.

Now the inherent nature of a kilt probably makes it the least tactical item on the planet. Can you imagine trying to perform drills in what essentially is a skirt? It would definitely be distracting for those around you.

The kilt also hosts a reinforced rule pocket with a pencil pocket and knife holder. There’s also two back pockets with bellows and a hammer loop.

In addition to its fabulous kilt, Blaklader offers some fairly tactical work gear that seems to be quite resilient when put to the test. Check it out in the video below.

Here’s another crazy commercial from Blaklader celebrating the mystical art of Parkour.

In the male-dominated profession of law enforcement, Karen Bartuch definitely stands out. Not just because she’s a striking six-foot-tall blond, she’s also a natural leader. As the president and founder of the Women’s Tactical Association, Bartuch brings women and men together to enhance their skills in firearms, combat mindset, tactics and fitness.

Since 2002, Bartuch has worked as a police officer in Chicago. While she currently writes policy for her department, her previous assignments include being a member of the gang team and the Target Response Unit. She fills us in on her vision for the WTA, why she chose the cop life and the misconceptions about tactical women.

Growing up did you always want to be police officer?

No, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I went to college (Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill.) and landed a sales job in corporate America, pharmaceutical sales to be exact. I was really unsatisfied and unfulfilled even though pharmaceutical sales is a great job (for some) and paid me well.

For whatever reason, I felt like my job was unimportant. It didn’t matter; there were more important things going on in the world than whether or not I sold more prescription medication.

What made you want to join the force in 2002?

My brother Erick is a Blue Island Police Officer. At the time (and still today) he LOVED going to work every day, and I wanted that. I knew that I liked action — I was always into sports and fitness and daredevil-type things, so I applied on a whim to join the Chicago Police Department. The offer to join came right when I was denied a promotion at my pharmaceutical sales job, so I made the change. And I have not looked back.

You started the Women’s Tactical Association to give an alternative to the primarily male-dominated training. Does WTA training differ from other tactical training?

No, the training is no different nor do I want it to be. I want my members (of which I have males and females) to be the best they can be and to push themselves farther than they think they could ever go physically and mentally.

In addition, I would never advocate different criteria for specialized units such as SWAT based on gender or any factor for that matter. Our SWAT team has one standard for all. That being said, our training should be the same to prepare us. The bad guy does not care if you are male or female, so even if we have to work twice as hard then so be it.

Are there misconceptions or assumptions about tactical women?

I would say the biggest is that some people feel we don’t belong in the tactical community. And just like the men, there are some of us who don’t. The reality is that not all of us will ever make it onto a SWAT team. But there is a large percentage of LE that is female; CPD is almost 25 percent. The WTA is providing life-saving skills and training that may not have been easily available to females in the past to ensure that they are operating at a level that can hopefully dispel some traditional misconceptions and assumptions about females.

While you do extend an invitation to males, are any men members of the WTA?

Yes, we have several, and they love it because we provide the best training available consistently, and we try to keep it affordable. We have several former marines who just joined are proud card-carrying members!

What does the future of the WTA look like?

The sky is the limit. My goal is to get many of us trained up as instructors for rifle, pistol etc. so that we can get ALL of the members operating at the same level. Right now, since we are so new we have various skill and comfort levels with weapons handling, fitness, etc. I would like to have a strong group that is all speaking the “same language.”

I would also like to see us eventually competing in pistol and rifle competitions on a regular basis as well as SWAT competitions nationwide. Other states have also contacted me about starting chapters so I would like to start branching out and get other states and departments in the fold.

At first, many women’s tactical pants were just men’s pants with slight modifications. Now manufacturers are attempting to find the perfect fit for women’s tactical pants. What brand do you like the best and why?

I have two favorites, the 5.11′s (EMT pant) and the Tru-Spec ripstop. I like these two because they are designed for women’s bodies, they sit lower on the hips (many of the others are too high waisted, which is not good for holster draws or for comfort), come in long sizes (I am 6 feet tall) and are very practical and comfortable at the same time. Women want to have the same functionality, e.g., lots of pockets, durability, comfort, etc., but we definitely require a different “fit” than just the men’s pant.

Are there any changes you’d make to the women’s tactical pant (or in any type of tactical gear) that would make your job easier?

I plan to tackle the fit of the duty belt next; we have inherent anatomical differences that are not currently being addressed with current duty belt designs. Ballistic vests are now being customized for women, which is good. My first vest is the size of a sports bra and basically was a shortened male vest — unacceptable. Other than that, I think much of the equipment is gender neutral.

It might be April Fools, but this beer is no joke. Tactical Nuclear Penguin is the strongest beer was the strongest beer in the world for a short period of time last year.

While it no longer holds that world record, it is by far the most tactical beverage around. And with an alcohol by volume of 32%, it still packs a pretty potent punch.

The brew comes wrapped in a brown paper bag with a cute lil’ penguin doodled on the side. The bottles and beer have a black licorice color emphasizing its powerful nature. It even contains a warning label that reads: “This is an extremely strong beer, it should be enjoyed in small servings and with an air of aristocratic nonchalance. In exactly the same manner that you would enjoy a fine whisky, a Frank Zappa album or a visit from a friendly yet anxious ghost.”

Brew Dog, an independent Scottish brewery, dreamed up the concoction by developing a completely unique process. This 18-month method includes storing the beer at a near-arctic temperature of -20 degrees for three weeks in the final stages. That’s what gives it its extra alcohol content.

Tactical Nuclear Penguin is extremely potent, and it is also extremely pricey. It costs $68 for an 11.2 ounce bottle including shipping and exchange rates. Obviously this is a drink that’s meant to be cherished — not sloshed into a beer bong.

Tactical Nuclear Penguin from BrewDog on Vimeo.

Watch two guys in their living room unveil a bottle of the first batch of Tactical Nuclear Penguin. They discuss whether or not it’s technically a beer and decide they really don’t give a hoot. At first taste, one exclaims: “You know, that’s super mellow! There’s some nice coffee and some malt tastes. There’s also a smoky tobacco taste.”

In this review, Tactical Nuclear Penguin is deemed a hybrid of a beer and a spirit with certain softness and a surprisingly light body.

Mark Dredge unwraps his bottle and notices the beer’s thick legs. He describes it as woody, oaky, smoky, yeasty, fruity and, above all, boozy. “It kind of clears your nose a little bit.”

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It’s a dangerous world out there. So dangerous, in fact, it’s extremely vital to guard your favorite tunes with the most secure sound system around. Wait, what?

Is that really necessary? No. But it is really awesome.

Makers of the acclaimed iBox have used an original ammo box to create a hardcore variation of an iPod amplifier. Thodio’s new ammo boom box, or A-BOX, is constructed from steel and Kevlar. And while it looks pretty menacing, it’s not exactly bullet proof. Sorry folks.

Good news is that it can be connected to any iPod or MP3 player. Bad news? To look this cool is pricey. The two models sell for $339 (25-watt amplifier) and $475 (70-watt amplifier). And that’s just an introductory price!

Then again, think about how terribly sweet it will be at your next backyard get-together. Totally worth it. Right?

A quick glance at what the ammo box looked like before it transformed into your military-grade radio…

And after the transformation…

(Via Say Uncle, images via Thodio)

Tactical kiddos

You’re never too young to be tactical. Believe us: In our infancy, we were scaling crib walls with a binky in the front pocket, a blankie in the rear pocket. Ah, memories.

But do they actually make tactical pants for babies? Of course!

While the itsy-bitsy look-alikes aren’t 100 percent replicas of daddy’s and mommy’s pants, these kiddie cargos were recently featured on People Magazine’s Celebrity Baby Blog as affordable and trendsetting.

Available in khaki, colored and pattern sets, the pants range in price from $6 to $38. The luxurious pocket space (miniscule, of course, compared to regular tac pants) is the perfect size for a rattle, teether or Micro Machine, though it probably won’t fit that giant ring of keys.

If your little one has moved past infancy, try tactical pants for kids in sizes 3-10. Tactical Daddy, as well as various other online stores, carries a 5.11 kids tactical pant. Or go with more of a G.I. Joe look with Propper’s BDUs for kids in both universal and woodland camo.

And for those Tactical Daddies: Marcus Melnick made a big splash three years ago by launching a Tactical Daddy Vest — his solution to the modern diaper bag. In the video below, view just how much baby stuff can be crammed into a 16-pocket 5.11 tactical vest.

(Images via TacticalDaddy.com)

A rogue neighbor trying to get all up in your grill? Or what if PETA tries to toss red paint all over your cookout? Be prepared to roast any unwanted backyard guest this spring with a Tactical Grilling Kit.

While there are no guns or ammo involved (you’re already supposed to have that!), the kit ($75) touts a Tactical Grilling Apron and a Tactical Beer Shingle, both of which offer all the hand-free action you’ll need to get the job done. Mmmm…we can already smell that tactical bacon sizzling now.

Advertised as a perfect Father’s Day gift, the apron is made out of 1000D Cordura with three rows of modular attachment across the waist and two rows across the chest. And just like the tactical corset, the tactical grilling aprons accept any PALS/MOLLE compatible accessories.

Accessories such as the Tactical Beer Shingle offer three compartments perfect for canned beer, or for those trying to lay off the sauce, some sparkling Fanta. And last but not least, the Tactical Spatula Sheath ensures you won’t be unarmed when it’s time to flip those delicious burgers.

With the options of Universal Digital Camo, MultiCam, coyote, MARPAT, NAVPAT, blending in with your outdoor surroundings during casual barbequing has never been easier. To top that, all their products are made in the USA. Now all we need is spring to hurry up, and we’re set.

Watch the commercial below to see a real Tactical Griller in action!

Here’s a sneak peek of what all goes into making one of their custom grilling patches ($7.50). Don’t know what to put on your patch? TG suggests menu items, nicknames or colorful phrases like BOHICA or SNAFU.

It’s hard enough to find ladies tactical pants with a proper fit. Now try tracking down a shirt that not only matches but drapes properly and stylishly. That was more than a challenge a few years ago, before clothing manufacturers stepped up to offer for-her tactical clothing. Nowadays choices abound.

This type of clothing is geared for off-duty, outdoor wear, yet it still possesses a very tactical element. And even with more choices than ever, many women’s tactical pants only come in yawn-inspiring khaki. (No offense to traditionalists, but wearing khaki day-in and day-out can get, well, boring.) Sprinkle some flavor into your tactical wardrobe by placing emphasis on your top half.

5.11 Tactical Polo ($29.99)

One of the few major players to offer tactical women’s shirts, 5.11′s polo mixes durability with comfort. Even though this looks like an ordinary polo, it packs in tactical attributes with its moisture wicking finish and mic-loop pockets. Offered in white, black, silver tan and dark navy, this shirt is made with 100% cotton, treated to prevent fading, wrinkling and shirking. It’ll keep you looking sharp.

Classic Long Sleeve Safari Shirt ($50)

SHE Safari specializes in producing the best-fitting and most fashionable outdoor hunting and tactical wear. And it shows. Its long sleeve safari shirt constructed from 100% cotton 5-ounce French twill features tapered lines and pleated pockets. With a hidden button strap, the long sleeves easily transition into three-quarter length. Available in dark olive, khaki and light olive.

Short Sleeve Pleated Shirt ($55)

This has to be one of our favorite “tactical” shirts because of its ability to transition from daytime to nighttime wear (and just for its general non-tacticalness). Actually, this shirt would be better suited on a runway then on a shooting range. While it gives the wearer freedom of movement, it has no real tactical characteristics. That being said, we still think it’s totally ferosh.

Fly Fishing Short Sleeve Shirt ($57)

You might not be the fly fishing kind of girl, and that’s OK. This lightweight shirt is just tactical enough to sway your opinion. Offered in striking colors like desert tan, sunrise yellow and salmon, it has an active, flattering fit with adjustable cuffs and a core mesh venting system. The 100% cotton feather cloth will keep you cool on sweltering days. And with pockets on the chest and right side, there’s plenty of room to store whatever tactical doodads that cross your path.

Short Sleeve Shooting Shirt ($40)

Here’s another fashion-forward top from SHE Safari that flatters the female figure. Wear it in khaki or olive on a hunting excursion or even to the grocery store. Its 100% waffle-knit cotton with French twill accents adds spice to what would otherwise be an average polo. A shoulder and front pocket make it just tactical enough to make it on this list.

When it snows in Texas, strange things are bound to happen. Like a tactical snowman contest, which ITS Tactical held this weekend.

On Friday, the blog announced a giveaway for a mega patchbook plus two in-stock patches for the most tactical snowman. There were a few entries and ultimately he chose a winner (pictured on right). The good news is that this contest will be held annually, so now we have a whole year to plan our tactical pants snowman!

We couldn’t help but wonder what other tactical snowman there are out there on the net. There weren’t many, but here’s one with machine guns for arms and a laptop for a head. No joke.

Then we got to thinking, why would a snowman need to be packing heat? Isn’t heat the most dangerous thing for Frosty anyhow?

However, we found an alarming number of people (and animals) attacking snowmen in videos. So, now it only makes sense that all snowmen should be armed and not left out in the cold. Here’s a list of the imminent threats plaguing snowmen worldwide.

1. The Firework Attack

2. The Drop-kick Attack

3. The Remington 870 Attack

4. The Siberian Husky Attack

5. The Explosives Attack

6. The River Otter Attack