TRY THIS AT HOME!

Beer connoisseurs, worldwide, travel to their favorite breweries for a chance to tour the facilities and pay homage to their favorite beers. Many who make the trek are awestruck by the massive machinery, the noise from the bottling line, and the sheer size and complexity of the overall operations.  

Though the brewing process may appear daunting, it is simple enough to be done at home. In fact, home brewing has emerged as a very popular hobby among beer lovers everywhere.

Home brewing allows one to be creative and to fully enjoy the art of beer. Single batches (5 gallons) of beer are typically created within 4-6 week timeframes. Brand new flavors can be created by using special mixtures of ingredients. The home brewing process can be broken down into the following steps:

1.     Brewing (2 hours)

2.     Fermentation (2 weeks)

3.     Bottling (1 hour)

4.     Carbonation (2-4 weeks)

5.     Tasting!

The process is fun and rewarding and it’s easy to break into the hobby as a novice. After the initial investment of a beer kit ($150-$300, depending on your budget) and a set of ingredients ($15-$40, depending on desired style of beer), you are ready to brew your first batch! Kits are nearly 100% reusable, so batch after batch can be brewed; new flavors can be tested and favorites can be perfected. Nearly all microbrews and brewpubs were started as a home brew hobby.  Who knows - maybe one day we will be signing up to take a tour of your brewery. Good luck with your new brewing venture!

Please drink (and brew) responsibly. 

Cheers ­­!

For information on MillerCoors and Yuengling Brewery tours, check out our clients websites:

Coors Brewery 

Miller Brewery

Yuengling Breweries

BATTER UP!

What comes to mind when you hear the word “baseball”?  Maybe that it’s America’s favorite pastime, the phrase “Play Ball,” or quite possibly you begin reminiscing about your own glory days as the All-Star Pitcher in Junior High. For many of you, the first thought may very well be ‘BEER’!  Whether cheering for the Red Sox in New England, the Giants of San Francisco, or your 5-year old T-ball player, we all look forward to the warm weather and the gathering of family and friends that the baseball season brings. And, of course, our clients’ refreshing beverages help make those experiences complete.

It’s safe to say that the GAP team has its fair share of sports fans – some might even call them ‘fanatics.’  We believe that this love of the game shines through in our many sports-themed items. So, while we look forward to spending some serious time at the ballpark, the baseball season also provides us with opportunities to showcase our items that truly reflect America’s love of baseball.

Our client’s also show deep support for the game. For example, MillerCoors has a long-standing relationship with Major League Baseball. The most commonly known sponsorships include the Milwaukee Brewers’ “Miller Park” and the Colorado Rockies’ “Coors Field”. This season, GAP teamed up with MillerCoors once again to have our very own Coors Light pub tables stationed in the Angels stadium this season! 

This year, GAP is also showcasing its custom baseball-shaped Adirondack chair and custom baseball giveaways.  The baseball kit we created for Yuengling includes baseball essentials, which can bring the life to any party! From large mass displays featuring home plate to the branded banners hanging from high, GAP Promotions represents the very best of the summer baseball season. 

We wish you all the best this baseball season. Go Team!

IT'S BARBECUE SEASON!

It’s that time of year again. The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and the sea breeze is blowing through our open windows. It’s spring! With winter behind us and summer just around the corner, we’re looking forward to spending time outside doing the things we love most: drinking refreshing beverages and grilling up mouth-watering food. Our clients offer a wide range of beverage options to enhance any outdoor activity and GAP Promotions has some amazing items to set the stage for the perfect cookout.

Memorial Day is coming up, which is a great excuse to get the family together, grab a few beers, and fire up the grill. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and potato salad are cookout staples, but for those of you looking for some variety, try the grilled salmon recipe listed at the bottom of the page.

And of course, no cookout is complete without beverages to complement your culinary creations. Jeremiah Weed’s new Premium Malt Beverages are the perfect companion to any summer feast. Or, you could kick back with the ever-popular Jose Cuervo Margarita. If beer is your beverage of choice, snag a Red Stripe or Red Stripe Light to accompany that savory burger.

Check out some the custom items that GAP offers to take your outdoor experiences to the next level.  And remember, always drink (and grill) responsibly.

Jose Cuervo Chill’n Grill

Hand-crafted wooden cooler and grill combo that conveniently keeps your drinks nearby while cooking.

Yuengling Surfboard-Shaped Adirondack Chair

Wooden Adirondack chair with cup holders and leg rest that folds for easy storage.

 


Ready to Serve Cooler

Wooden stand cooler with easy-access lid. 

Grilled Salmon Recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds salmon fillets

lemon pepper to taste

garlic powder to taste

salt to taste

1/3 cup soy sauce

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup beer (you can drink the rest)

1/4 cup vegetable oil

Directions

1. Season salmon fillets with lemon pepper, garlic powder, and salt.

2. In a small bowl, stir together soy sauce, brown sugar, beer, and vegetable oil until sugar is dissolved. Place fish in a large resealable plastic bag with the soy sauce mixture, seal, and turn to coat. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

3. Preheat grill for medium heat.

4. Lightly oil grill grate. Place salmon on the preheated grill, and discard marinade. Cook salmon for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

Yields 6 servings.

(via: allrecipes.com) 

GAP’s clients are increasingly asking for “green” products and we are truly excited by the prospect of providing products that leave less of a footprint on the planet while also greening our own internal operations.  We believe that by embracing the “going green” movement, along with our clients and suppliers, we can all make a difference and help sustain our planet.

Many of GAPs clients and vendors have instituted sustainable development plans within their organizations. One vendor has formed a Green Team whose members meet monthly to “discuss and brainstorm new and useful ideas to help reuse, reduce and recycle.” The company offers employees incentives to carpool or take alternative transportation. Since printing is a large part of their business, since 2009, all materials have been produced with 10% recycled paper and using FSC certified printers.

One of GAP’s primary accounts set the tone for a commitment to corporate citizenship, a legacy built upon a foundation of more than 288 years in the beer brewing business. The company’s commitment to sustainable development starts with the grain vital to their product, includes the glass that holds the final product, and is also reflected in the manner in which the product is delivered to its final destination.

Many wine companies are becoming certified organic. One such company has partnered with its regional power facility to incorporate green power options and has invested in tree planting to offset its fuel usage. This company is leveraging a range of options to create a carbon neutral operation.

At GAP, we are seeking out more factories that incorporate sustainable practices and corporate responsibility into their missions. In a recent sweepstakes program, we included an outdoor furniture table and chair set utilizing 100% FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood products. FSC is an independent, non-governmental organization promoting the responsible management of the world’s forests. FSC certification allows for more informed purchasing decisions, benefiting individuals, the environment, and corporate performance.

A number of the companies from which we regularly source promotional products have introduced Eco-Friendly products, and the list continues to grow. For example, one of our current catalog offerings, a Lip Balm Tin, is produced using only all-natural, environmentally-safe ingredients. Additionally, in response to the backlash over plastic products, other alternatives for packaging have been introduced including corn-based and recycled paper.

Awareness of how we use energy on a daily basis, both personally and in business, will create not only a cleaner planet but a place that sustains a healthier life for years to come. As Amory Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute put it: “Mainstream America’s concerns of “hot showers, cold beer and lit rooms” can be achieved with renewable energies and energy conservation.”  The bottom line is we can all contribute in small ways.

As we source items for 2012, we increasingly look towards environmentally-friendly options and we will continue to seek out ways to make our operations more energy efficient and environmentally responsible. We look forward to working with our valued clients and suppliers to find even more ways to lighten our footprint and protect Mother Earth.

Drink Beer, Save Water


FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)

PREPARE FOR CINCO DE MAYO WITH GAP PROMOTIONS

This time of year many Americans look forward to May as a sign that Spring has officially arrived. However, if you’re in the beverage industry, May means one thing: Cinco de Mayo.

Many people think Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of Mexican Independence Day. However, Cinco de Mayo actually refers to the Battle of Pueblo, May 5th 1862. This was a battle between Mexico and France. Mexico had temporarily suspended foreign debt payments, and the French sent a battalion to confront President Juarez and the Mexican Army. Over 4,000 Mexican soldiers defeated the French troops before they were able to reach Mexico City in the town of Pueblo. The Battle of Pueblo was a significant turning point in the French occupation of Mexico.

In remembrance of the Mexican army’s surprise defeat of the French, Cinco de Mayo has been celebrated by Mexicans and Latinos living in California since 1863. Over time, the holiday has gradually become a part of American culture as a celebration of Mexican heritage. In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is regionally celebrated in the town of Puebla commemorating the Mexican military victory.

Knowing the history of Cinco de Mayo is important in order to fully embrace the celebration. The GAP Team would like to wish everyone a Happy Cinco de Mayo; and as always, drink responsibly.

We have included a few things that might help you celebrate Cinco de Mayo this year!

Jose Cuervo – “Made in Mexico” Tile Sign

Authentic wall sign made with 36 handcrafted ceramic tiles recessed in a wooden frame

Jose Cuervo – “Walk-In Cantina”

The perfect mass display for large format that commands high visibility

Jose Cuervo Margarita

Ingredients:

1 oz. Jose Cuervo Tequila

3 oz. Jose Cuervo Lime Margarita Mix

1 cup ice (or more)

Salt

Lime wedge

Your Choice of Tequila:

Silver

Tradicional

Platino

Especial

Directions:

Rub the rim of a chilled margarita glass with the lime and dip it into the salt to coat it. In a cocktail shaker, combine Jose Cuervo Especial®, Jose Cuervo Lime Margarita Mix® and ice. Shake vigorously and strain drink into the garnished glass filled with ice.

(via: wikipedia, mexonline.com, cuervo.com)

GAP PROMOTIONS PREMIERS AT THE 2011 WSWA

April 10th, 2011 marks the beginning of the 68th Annual Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America Convention and Exposition. The convention returns to the beautiful Grande Lakes Orlando and is being held on the grounds of the Ritz Carlton and Marriot Hotels.

April 10th also marks GAP’s inaugural year as an exhibitor at this renowned industry show (See us at BOOTH 228). Several GAP team members, from Account Managers to Graphic Designers, will be on hand to connect with new, present and previous clients. The show offers GAP a new opportunity to extend our beverage industry knowledge and design talents into the fields of wine and spirits. Our 20’ x 10’ booth will showcase GAP’s talent, innovation, and manufacturing capabilities. Visitors are welcome to review many of our custom-designed racks, fixtures, and displays which have brought success and driven sales for our clients.

At BOOTH 228, visitors will be greeted by our friendly staff and, will also be eligible to receive a COMPLIMENTARY Wall Plaque specifically designed and produced with their company art or logos. We invite all attendees to see and discuss the fixtures on display, and schedule a few minutes with our Art Director to have their own fixture designed – at the show! One lucky winner will receive a free prototype of their fixture to use in their market.

The Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America offers a great opportunity for GAP Promotions and all attendees and exhibitors. We hope everyone gets a chance to stop by BOOTH 228 and say hello!

GAP PROMOTIONS GOES TO CES 2011

For most people, the beginning of January means cleaning up the holiday decorations and making New Year’s resolutions. For GAP Promotions, a new year entails a new Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Recently the GAP team joined over 140,000 tech enthusiasts at the Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas to get a sneak peak at the latest technology and gadgets 2011 has to offer. Technology and electronic specialists from all over the globe come together at CES to showcase their newest and coolest creations.

From tech powerhouses like Sony and Verizon to the smaller tech companies like Gelaskins, their innovative advances truly change the way we see our gadgets. The show provides a level playing field for gadgets, tech, and accessories. For sure the big booths with flashy themes are eye-catching, but for the seeker of the 2011 “wow” ideas (like GAP), it is the discovery of break-through products that shine.

Honorable mentions and GAP team favorites include the new “glasses free” 3D television from Sony. Details are still held in secret behind the black curtain as the product is still in Beta testing stages. Currently there are only 2 prototypes and CES was fortunate enough to house both for this new technologies debut. Motorola also had a strong showing this year, introducing state of the art laptops, tablets, and their first LTE 4G Smartphone; an exciting showing for Motorola.

CES 2011 definitely did not fail to impress. This invaluable look into the future of technology gives GAP a head start on the competition as we incorporate the latest innovations into our displays and fixtures currently in development. It’s a great way to kick off another successful year. And there is no telling what contraption, gadget, or robot will steal the spotlight next year.

Below are a few of the many photos taken at CES.