Tue, 19 December 2023
Welcome to the auto podcast that is wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. On this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches…
SponsorsFort's Toyota of PekinLearn more about Toyota Care Plus and Toyota Service Care packages are on sale for the holiday season. Patreon FamilyWe couldn't do this show without your support. ProjectsEric recaps his recent trip to Rome, Italy. It's way more exciting that Rome, Illinois. It's also his ancestral home, and he talks about visiting relatives, eating mountains of carbonara, and taking pictures of every unique Toyota he could find that the U.S. never sees.
NewsFear of Cheap Chinese EVs Spurs Automaker Dash for Affordable CarsSource: Reuters The rise of inexpensive Chinese electric vehicles has upped the pressure on legacy automakers who have turned to suppliers, from battery materials makers to chipmakers, to squeeze out costs and develop affordable EVs quicker than previously planned. Fears of slowing demand because EVs are expensive has increased urgency to reduce costs. Detroit touts first wireless-charging public road for electric vehicles in USSource: Detroit Free Press The Motor City can add a new claim to fame, as home to the country’s first wireless-charging public roadway for electric vehicles. On Wednesday, members of the news media got a chance to see it in action. A blue electric Ford E-Transit commercial van was able to charge as it moved over a quarter-mile stretch of newly paved 14th Street, a short distance from the towering Michigan Central Station, thanks to rubber-coated copper coils buried underneath the road surface. Why Electric Cars Could Soon Get CheaperSource: Sunday Times Electric cars in the UK should finally become more affordable next year because new government rules will levy a fine of £15,000 per car if too few are sold. Under the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which comes into force on January 1, manufacturers will have to ensure that 22 per cent of cars they sell every year are fully electric. The target will rise each year, hitting 80 per cent in 2030. If too few electric cars are sold, the manufacturer will either have to pay a £15,000 fine for each petrol, diesel or hybrid model sold above that threshold, or buy “credits” from rivals such as Tesla, which has an all-electric range. Car manufacturers such as Toyota and Ford will be under intense pressure to sell more electric cars, which account for only 16.3 per cent of the market according to the trade body, the SMMT. They are therefore expected to cut prices, making electric cars a little more affordable. Many people are put off by the price of an electric car, with only nine new models available for under £30,000, compared with 90 petrol or diesel models on sale for less than that price. NTSB Says Car Commercials Encourage Wreckless Driving.Source: NBC News Automakers often display a warning in commercials when showing a car executing incredible stunts: "Professional driver on a closed course. Please do not attempt." But with deaths from car crashes rising every year, experts are asking if that kind of boilerplate language, which more or less fades into the background as a vehicle burns rubber on the screen, goes far enough. Last month, the National Transportation Safety Board called for a study of car advertisements, saying the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) should try to determine if there is a link between commercials that show unsafe driver behavior and real-world speeding or reckless driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is part of the Department of Transportation and is distinct from the independent NTSB, says that deaths in car crashes increased 27% from 2012 to 2021, the most recent year for which it has reported data. "It's becoming increasingly accepted that contributing factors to the increase in road deaths over the last decade or so is largely due to bad driver behavior, or risk-taking behavior," said Zuby. Illinois Right to Charge Law Requires New Homes and Apartments to Support EV ChargingSource: Cnet Under Illinois' Electric Vehicle Charging Act, new properties must be EV-capable starting in 2024. In addition, landlords and HOAs can't unduly restrict residents from installing EV chargers. Starting next year, new homes in Illinois will be required to support electric vehicle charging stations under a new state law signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on June 9. Originally, the measure required every spot to be fully EV-ready with a charger in place. That was eventually walked back to require them only to be EV-capable, with conduits that would allow a charger to be installed at a future date. Moment of Musk: Multi-Media version!We share a very special encore of The Night Before Christmas with Elon by Jen Fulwiler Worst Christmas Car GiftsHere's the holiday yule log everyone's been waiting for: Our list of the 3 words Christmas 'car" gifts we each received. Eric
Daryl
Cars of the WeakEric: 1985 Ferrari Mondial Cabriolet - $67,000Source: Hemmings.comFrom the listing:
The Ferrari Mondial was built in Maranello, Italy, and designed by Pininfarina. The QV Cabriolet model was produced between 1983 and 1985 with a small production run of 629 units worldwide. Powered by a 3.0-liter V8 engine rated at 240HP with 4 valves per cylinder. The 4-seat mid-engine Ferrari is equipped with a gated 5-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, power brakes, power steering, power windows, solid wheels, and a soft top with a boot. Daryl: 1925 Ford Model TT Truck - $7000Source: Facebook Marketplace\From the listing:
Merry Christmas & Happy HolidaysThank you for spending some time with us in 2023, and we appreciate your friendship.Take care and have a very happy & joyous holiday season! |
Wed, 6 April 2022
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Sun, 6 March 2022
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Wed, 29 September 2021
The dining tour of Tazewell County Illinois continues with a little gem on the waterside. This episode focuses on a riverside bar that Groucho has known for over two decades. Years ago we joked on the show that Groucho worked at "Riverside Motors". While that may have been a cover name to protect the innocent... It was aptly named for its location near the Illinois River. Riverside Motors is very near a small bar that used to be called "Fitzpatricks" and later called "Captain Ron's" The newest iteration of this location along the Illinois River is called "Kutchies on the Water". Friend of the show, Mike Walters, recommended this location after Groucho reached out for an ideal location to meet up for a burger and beer. You see, Mike works for Left Hand Brewing Company and it would not be fair to have Mike on the show without talking a little bit about his company and journey over the "Eons" we have known each other. Left Hand beers are at Kutchies. Kutchies is unique in Central Illinois and certainly Tazewell County. Very few restaurants can boast riverside dining or boat parking for those arriving on the water. The atmosphere matches any seaside or lakeside restaurant you might remember from years ago. A large wood deck sits near the water and a small inside dining area and bar are there just in case the weather is not ideal for sitting outside. Just like Florida, Louisiana, or Lake of the Ozarks, you go to restaurants like this to enjoy the outside and socialize on the deck. Food and drinks are secondary... If they are "good", or on the rare occasion "great", that's a bonus! Fortunately, years of experience at Kutchies meant that there would be no surprises. Usually, a trip to Kutchies for lunch is in order a few times during the summer. Catch some sun rays and watch the folks off work boating, It's a great way to spend a distract lunch hour before the second half of the day at work. The food at Kutchies has always been solid. While they have a full menu of your normal bar/pub offerings, they have become famous for their gigantic oversized bloody marys. You know the ones with a fried chicken thigh sticking out of the drinking glass topped off with vegetables. You will beat that hangover with more booze or brunch. Pick your poison! Mike and I sat down and talked about being beer nerds back in the early 2000s and watching the members of the "cult of craft beer" come and go. Are we old enough to be considered survivors? We also talk about the origin of Left Hand Brewing Nitro Milk Stout while enjoying some Left Hand Beers offered at Kutchies. I ordered the Kutchie Burger... Because that is what I am going to do when you have a "house" burger. True to the theme... The Kutchie burger tastes like a trip to the tropics with teriyaki, pineapple, and swiss cheese served on a ciabatta roll. I opted for the homemade coleslaw and was quite satisfied for 9 bucks. Mike went with a straightforward cheeseburger with tots. As usual, he's like a giant kid! On your dining tour of Tazewell County... Make sure Kutchies is on your list of places to stop. Riverside dining near the floodplain is shockingly rare in this day and age. It's a welcome change of pace from eateries inside strip malls or standalone fast-food joints shoved in a parking lot near a big box store. (If that's your jam... It's time to step up your game!) Dining Notes: Lunch is usually pretty quick and easy for those on a time crunch. Get there a little earlier than the lunch crowd who may not be in as big of a hurry as you. Weekend dinner on a pretty midwestern night can leave you waiting for a table. Be prepared to grab a beer at the bar and wait for a table. Sound Note: Sorry, nerd alert. Groucho is playing with some dual lapel microphones for the interview at the table. It was going well until Margaret called in and tried to interrupt the show. This MAY have upset the microphone plugged into the iPhone 11. Next time... Airplane mode. Groucho compensated Mike's law audio after the interruption, so you might hear some ups and downs in the production. Feedback or ideas? Send your emails to groucho@thebeerreport.com or @thebeerreport on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok (I don't follow the Tiktok, so don't leave a message there unless you don't want to get a response for months!) Thanks for listening! Groucho |
Wed, 25 October 2017
Pod-fade??? Not us! (Though, Groucho does lie awake at night having nightmares about such things) Groucho and CHUD!!! Back in the saddle again for an honest to goodness TBR. Beers on the show: Clown Shoes Pecan Pie Porter, Real Ale Brewing Belgian Tripel Ale, Destihl Adam Bier, Revolution Brewing Un-session-able Imperial IPA. On the show:
Thanks for playing along... More shows with the CHUD need to happen!!! We are working on this!!! No sponsors for these beers... We do not pander... We do not pull punches. These brewers are great and we did not expect any bad beers... But heaven help those bad ones that we might find.
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Fri, 11 August 2017
The industry is in flux this week, and Groucho takes the show on the road to visit with fellow beer nerd and head chef at Harvest Cafe, Kyle. We review all the news of the day and talk a lot about local venues that have opened... And closed!!! Beers on the show: Hand of Fate - Coffee Vanilla Dream Ale, Revolution Anti-Hero (Less than two weeks old!) 2013 Northcoast Old Stock Ale.
Thanks to the Harvest Cafe for hosting this "Very Special" Episode! Look for a completely disjointed drunkfest show after this!
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Thu, 23 April 2015
Groucho gets to chat with Neil for 15 minutes about how his role came to be at Boulevard and where its taken him now. Neil travels the country doing events for Duval, if you find yourself near anything he is working on... I cannot emphasize enough what a great time you will have. Seek him out. Thanks to Boulevard and Duval for bringing him to Central Illinois and sponsoring a great beer event at the Fox Pub in Peoria! Oh, Matt at Fox Pub says "Hi". |
Sat, 11 January 2014
Beers on the show: Winter Yule Smith, Robinsons Brewery The Trooper!, Jester King's Blackmetal Farmhouse Imperial Stout. On the show:
Links to great people who helped bring the Pekin Beer Tasting to fruition:
Beers on the show purchased at Broadway Liquors in Pekin Illinois and Bine and Wine in San Diego.
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Fri, 20 December 2013
Call this our little tribute to Ole Uncle Lare... With the passing of Larry Lujack, a big slice of Chicago radio history has come to an end. |
Sun, 24 November 2013
Audio from Groucho walking around with a ZOOM H4 recorder. |
Mon, 4 November 2013
CHUD free show??? Groucho has to wing it as he hits Delavan to do a show about all the current beer doings that are coming up here in November. Beer "Doings" in Tazewell county!!! Lets make this be the start of a trend!!!! Beers on the show: Goose Island Illinois, Will Wheaten Stone Brewing collaboration beer Woot Stout, Uinta Punk'n. On the show:
Beers on the show provided by The Harvest Cafe. Thank you for all you guys do. |
Sat, 6 July 2013
The ultimate six pack show! Groucho and CHUD make the short drive to Delavan IL to share some amazing beers with The Exchange GM, Kevin. As usual, Kevin's enthusiasm for all things beer grabs us all and we take in some amazing beers. Beers on the show: 5 Rabbit Five Lizard Ale, Southern Tier Live, 8 Wired Brewing company Hotwired IPA, Cambridge Brewing Company Sargent Pepper, Revolution Brewing Eugene Porter, On the show:
Beers on the show graciously shared by The Exchange. Revolution Brewing and Darklord brought in by Groucho. Be sure to visit the Exchange! They are open 7 days a week and will never disappoint! |
Fri, 21 June 2013
Don't Call it a Comeback, part 3. Feeling disjointed with our sequencing??? So are we. We were fortunate to have some material that was literately time-stamped over the last 2 shows. That left a few shows in the hopper. We are glad to finally get this final show from our comeback series. THIS SHOW IS TERRIBLY SERIOUS! SORRY! WE WILL GET BACK TO THE MAD-CAP ANARCHY SOON! Beer on the show: 3 Floyds Baltic Porter and 3 Floyds Arctic Panzer Wolf On the show:
Beers on the show gifted by Groucho's favorite sales rep who tries to buy his business at Riverbottom Motors. It might be working! |
Mon, 11 February 2013
Dont Call it a Comeback, Part 1. Groucho and CHUD saddle back up in TBR studio B for the first of 3 big shows. Its all about whats been going on for the past few months. Did you miss us? Beers on the show: O'Fallon Brewing 5 Day IPA with Chinook hops, Ale Smith IPA, Bell's Hopslam. On the show:
Beers on the show from O'Fallon Brewery in O'Fallon MO, Hopslam was from Broadway Liquors in Pekin IL, AleSmith provided to the show by our friends at Marketplace Selections. Download this guy at: http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebeerreport/TBR_-_Anti_AB_Show.mp3 Support your local beer store!!!! |
Thu, 2 August 2012
Sponsor Update! Sudden Impact Paintball, Funks Grove Il. Beer on the show: New Galarus DIPA, New Galarus Black IPA, New Galaurs Golden Ale 2009. On the show:
Intro music, as always, brought to you by the fine folks at www.sayhername.com. Opening theme song, Drunk and In Love off the Green Eggs and Crack album. |
Thu, 22 March 2012
Beer on the show: Banana Bread Beer from Well's. This beer was handpicked and given to Groucho by Superfan, PJ. Shout-outs abound! Count 'em up! We are hoping to make Jeff at www.craftbeerradio 's ears bleed with this massive shoutout to Super Fan PJ!
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Sun, 24 July 2011
Beers on the show: Butternuts Pork Slap and Moo Thunder. Old Dominion Oak Barrel Stout. On the show:
Beers on the show picked up on Groucho's recent trip to Washington DC... Purchases made even after being strongly advised against it by friend of the show, Bubby.
The Term "Big Brother Beer" has been stolen with little regard from The Good Beer Show. www.goodbeershow.com. All royalties from this show will be forwarded to his Swiss bank account once they are calculated. |