Maurice Malone

If you know denim...

African American denim designer and fashion brands owner Maurice Malone speaking to students in denim class at Parson School of Design
A can of Reizendbier by Alementary Brewing Company with a colorful design featuring a vintage van, poppies, and a rainbow on a white background.

Reizendbier by Alementary Brewing Company: A Hefeweizen to Remember

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I’ll admit, I picked up Reizendbier by Alementary Brewing Company mainly because I was on the hunt for a new craft Hefeweizen, and the can’s artwork caught my eye. I thought I had struck gold with this one. It was smooth and flavorful, free from any small brewer’s bitterness. It was a joy to drink. My only regret at the time? For the review, I only bought one can.

Reizendbier poured a cloudy, light golden color with a nice white head. While it didn’t have a strong aroma, that didn’t detract from its appeal. The real magic happened in the taste—this is where Reizendbier truly shone. It was perfect for a hot day—light enough to be fully refreshing yet packed with enough flavor to keep you interested.

Reizendbier was brewed with a balanced mix of 50% Pilsner malt and 50% wheat, complemented by European aroma hops, and fermented with a world-famous yeast. Alementary Brewing Company believed that sometimes style didn’t need creative input; it just needed to be made well. And brewed well, this beer certainly was.

Unfortunately, not all good things last. Alementary Brewing Company announced on January 29, 2024, that they were closing their business due to a contract business that fell through and a not-so-great fourth quarter in 2023. They closed their doors in April 2024, leaving a void in the craft beer community. Even outstanding beers can meet an untimely end, but Reizendbier remains a testament to their brewing excellence.

If you are lucky enough to find a can of Reizendbier on a shelf somewhere, don’t hesitate to buy it. It’s a delicious investment and a fitting tribute to a truly exceptional beer. Rest in peace, Reizendbier. You will be missed, but never forgotten.

  • Style: Hefeweizen-Style Wheat Beer
  • ABV: 5.25 %
  • IBUs: 10
  • Season: Year-round
  • Brewer: Alementary Brewing Company, Hackensack, New Jersey-based, craft microbrewery

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A 12 ounce can of Greenport Harbor Brewing Beehave Summer Ale with a blue and white design on a white background.

Greenport Harbor Summer Ale Review: A Refreshing Taste of Summer in a Glass

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Greenport Harbor’s seasonal Summer Ale hits the mark as an easy-drinking brew, perfect for unwinding on warm days or balmy nights. This golden ale pours a brilliant, sunlit hue, enticing the senses with its subtle wheat notes and a delicate floral aroma imparted by a touch of orange blossom honey. On the palate, it’s incredibly smooth and refreshing, with a balanced malt profile that provides a gentle sweetness, expertly countered by a crisp, clean finish. The beer boasts a moderate hop presence, adding a whisper of bitterness that lingers just enough to cleanse the palate and beckon another sip. This seasonal gem is a true embodiment of summer in a glass, offering a delightful and refreshing escape with every sip.

  • Style: Golden Ale
  • ABV: 5.3 %
  • IBUs: N/A
  • Seasonal: Summer
  • Tasting Notes: Moderate hops, brewed with a hint of orange blossom honey, offering a light, slightly sweet, and floral finish.
  • Brewer: Greenport Harbor Brewing Company, Greenport, New York-based craft brewery

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Close-up of a poorly chain-stitched hem on a pair of Levi's denim jeans, showing misalignment and puckering.
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Vet Your Jeans Expert: All Denim Tailors Are Not Equal

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At Williamsburg Garment Company, we often receive jeans with requests to correct the work of other tailors or so-called denim specialists. Just because a tailor labels themselves as a denim specialist doesn’t mean they have the necessary expertise or use the right equipment. Moreover, owning a chain stitching machine is not synonymous with knowing how to use it correctly or understanding its intricacies.

Take these jeans as an example. Upon inspection, we discovered numerous issues with the chain stitching. Firstly, the thread tension was excessively high. Secondly, the sewing alignment was significantly off.

It’s possible they saw our article on how the roping effect is created by the seams not being aligned and overcomplicated the misalignment. Alternatively, it could just be a case of very sloppy sewing, resulting in the alignment being too far off and compounded by poor tension.

A close-up of bad chain stitching on the hem of a pair of Levi's denim jeans shows misalignment to create a roping effect, but instead causes a bad case of puckering.

To further exaggerate the twisting, they likely didn’t press the hem. After washing, the fabric turned and puckered into this exaggerated form. Lastly, while the thread size might not directly cause the issue, its thinness and incompatibility with the original thread size only serve to highlight the problem.

We took these jeans and undid the previous poor hemming. Our team applied new chain-stitch hemming with precise alignment and appropriate thread tension, ensuring a smooth and professional finish. The corrected hem not only restored the jeans’ appearance but also maintained the integrity of the original design, as shown in the photo below.

Close-up of a poorly chain-stitched hem on a pair of Levi's denim jeans, showing misalignment and puckering.

When searching for a denim expert to work on your treasured jeans, the closest option may not be the best option. Check reviews, and most importantly, look at photos or examples of their work before deciding. Remember, just because someone has a chain stitching machine doesn’t mean they know how to use it properly.

The transformation from the poorly sewn hem to the expertly corrected one is a testament to our commitment to quality and precision. We understand the intricacies of denim and the importance of every stitch, ensuring that your jeans receive the care and expertise they deserve.

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A can of Rupee Mango Wheat Ale with a green and gold design on a white background.

Rupee Mango Wheat Ale Review: One of the Best Mango Beers

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I’m a fan! My first thoughts on the Rupee Mango Wheat Ale: This is a damn good beer. It’s bursting with flavor, like biting into a ripe mango and chasing it with a refreshing beer. This might be one of the best fruit beers I’ve ever had. The balance is perfect. The mango dances on the tongue, perfectly integrated with the beer, making every sip a delightful experience. The aroma of mango excites the senses with each tip of the glass, enhancing the overall enjoyment.

Crafted by a world-renowned master beer brewer and an award-winning Indian chef, Rupee Mango Wheat Ale is designed to complement Indian, spicy, and global cuisines. The ingredients, including mango, wheat, malted barley, and natural flavors, create a harmonious blend that pairs beautifully with various dishes. Whether you’re enjoying Indian, Thai, Asian, Mexican, Caribbean, BBQ, Middle Eastern, African, or Latin cuisine, this beer is a perfect match, including other spicy foods like one of my favorites, good-ole American buffalo wings.

The multi-award-winning Rupee Mango Wheat Ale follows a traditional Indian recipe with lower levels of carbonation, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable drinking experience, especially with spicy foods. If you’re a fan of fruity beers, this mango wheat beer is a surefire bet. It’s a worthy buy. If this blog had a rating system, it would be at its peak. Without a doubt, it stands out as one of the best mango beers on the market.

  • Style: Wheat Ale
  • ABV: 4 %
  • IBUs: 8
  • Brewer: Rupee Beer Company, Massachusetts-brewed, emerging craft brewery

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A can of Rupee Basmati Rice Lager with a blue and gold design on a white background.

New Favorite Reviewed: Rupee Basmati Rice Lager

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The Basmati Rice Lager from Rupee Beer Company is truly exceptional. I’ve tried two beers from the Rupee brand, and both were first-pitch home runs. This brew is a clean and crisp delight that was so good, I drank it down fast. So, what does it taste like? A glass of excellence!

This lager hits all the right notes with a medium body and just the right amount of carbonation. It’s pleasant and easy to drink, resulting in a smooth, refreshing experience. The consistent flavors and light aroma make it incredibly satisfying, providing a pleasant drinking experience from start to finish.

Rupee’s Basmati Rice Lager was crafted by a world-renowned master beer brewer and an award-winning Indian chef to complement Indian, spicy, and global cuisines. Brewed at Dorchester Brewing Co. in Boston, Massachusetts, this lager adheres to traditional Indian recipes with lower carbonation, ensuring it’s delightful to drink and enjoy with any meal. With numerous awards and industry recognition, Rupee has made a name for itself as a top choice in ethnic beer, designed to enhance your dining experience.

If you’re seeking a smooth, refreshing lager that pairs beautifully with your favorite spicy dishes, Rupee’s Basmati Rice Lager is definitely worth a try. Cheers to a beer that not only quenches your thirst but also elevates your dining experience!

  • Style: Rice Lager
  • ABV: 4.75 %
  • IBUs: 17
  • Brewer: Rupee Beer Company, Massachusetts-brewed, emerging craft brewery
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A close-up of hands measuring the waistband of a pair of blue jeans laid flat on a table using a tape measure, demonstrating how to measure the waist of jeans accurately.

How to measure the waist on jeans: The two industry-standard methods

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Tired of guessing your jean size? Learn how to measure the waist for jeans with expert precision! In this video, I reveal the two industry-standard methods for measuring waist openings. Use this insider knowledge to decipher fit guides and confidently find your perfect size. Say goodbye to ordering the wrong size jeans!

As a denim designer with over 40 years of experience, I’ve worked with countless denim factories and crafted numerous pairs of jeans. One thing I’ve learned is that measurement methods can vary widely across the fashion industry. To ensure consistency, I always communicate specific measurement methods whenever collaborating with a new factory or pattern maker.

With e-commerce now at the forefront of my business, selling directly to consumers means clear fit guides and charts are more crucial than ever. Just as each factory might have its own measurement techniques, so do different brands online. This can create confusion for shoppers trying to find the perfect fit. That’s why I’m dedicated to explaining these methods clearly, helping you navigate through sizing with confidence.

Let’s start with the most crucial measurement for determining your jeans size: the waist. When consulting a fit guide from a merchant or brand, look for notes on how the measurements were taken. If the method isn’t specified, don’t hesitate to ask. The “Measuring Along the Top Edge” method generally yields a larger measurement compared to the “Relaxed” method, so knowing the method used can help ensure you choose the right size.

The Two Industry-Standard Methods for Measuring the Waist

  1. The Relax Method:
    • Lay the jeans flat on a table and smooth out any gathers.
    • Measure from point to point across the waist.
    • Double this measurement to get the total waist circumference.
    • For instance, if the point-to-point measurement is 17.5 inches, the total waist circumference is 35 inches.
  2. Measuring Along the Top Edge:
    • Lay the jeans flat on a table and pull the top edges of the waistband together.
    • Measure the distance across the waistband.
    • Double this measurement to get the total waist circumference.
    • For example, if the measurement across the waistband is 18 inches, the total waist circumference is 36 inches.
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