In an effort to help more beverage companies reach the trendier generation, Talking Panda has released iBar, a bartending tool for use with the iPod that will be available in Apple stores in September. The iPod is nearly ubiquitous among trend-setting twentysomethings, and its reach extends beyond music. Even Donald Trump on The Apprentice cracked down on one of his teams when it didn’t recognize how important iPods and MP3 players were in designing clothing for American Eagle. So I felt iBar was worth mentioning because of the appeal cocktails have to this generation of iPod users.

iBar works by uploading its software that contains everything there is to know about liquor and bartending. The software contains a library of more than 1,000 cocktail recipes, information on ingredients, garnishes and even glassware to help its users put on a great party. An alphabetical drink encyclopedia allows users to search a full selection of beverages, with 450 favorite drinks that are searchable by main alcohol ingredient. Each recipe includes an ingredient list, and instructions for mixing and garnishing. Many recipes offer an audio feature, allowing users to listen to instructions and background about the origin of the cocktail. Drinks are also assigned creative categories like “Ladies Night,” “Designated Driver,” and “Old School” for classic standbys.

And for those who aim to impress, iBar provides toasting tips with “Cheers!” in languages from around the world.

The iBar product seems as entertaining as it is informative, which is the mix that iPod users are looking for. But the next logical step, and one the product didn’t take, was pairing favorite beverages with the appropriate tune.

No cars were needed at the free Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr Pepper Drive-in Movie in the heart of New York City’s West Village. Waitresses on roller skates treated the hundreds of fans to the drink along with buckets of popcorn. Guests played movie trivia and watched “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” and attendees had the chance to win prizes in the sweepstakes during intermission.

Two homebrewers from Virginia ran away with the national title of Homebrewer of the Year at this year’s American Homebrewers Association’s (AHA) National Homebrew Competition. David and Becky Pyle’s Straight Lambic, a Belgian-style sour ale, was chosen Best-of-Show Beer, garnering the most coveted title. The AHA also presented gold, silver and bronze medals in 29 style categories to more than 87 homebrewers June 18 in Baltimore, Md., in front of 500 fellow homebrewers at the 27th annual AHA National Homebrewers Conference Grand Banquet and Awards Ceremony

New Leaf Beverages celebrated at the famed Gibson Guitar showroom on June 14. Patrons of the first and only New York City Tea Party got to experience an assortment of New Leaf’s flavors, unique entertainment, tasty treats and creative cocktails.

The Pepsi Bottling Group and Hershey Entertainment & Resorts entered into a multi-year, integrated marketing partnership. For the first time, Pepsi becomes the official beverage of numerous Hershey properties, including Hershey Park, The Hotel Hershey and Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park. Celebrating with some Hershey favorites are Martin Bean, PBG Pennsylvania East vice president and general manager; John Lawn, Hershey Entertainment Complex’s director of food and beverage; Frank O’Connell, Hershey Entertainment Complex’s general manager; and Stephania Olson, PBG Pennsylvania East director of foodservice.

The folks at the Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, Tenn., aren’t the only charcoal specialists in the Hollow. On the fourth Saturday in October, barbecue experts from across the world will fire up their grills at the 17th Annual Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue. Fifty award-winning barbecue teams from across the United States, along with some international teams will compete in eight categories.

Bud Light’s humorous “Real Men of Genius” campaign captured the prestigious advertising award, the Grand Prix for Radio, at the 52nd Annual International Advertising Festival in Cannes, France. Created by DDB Chicago, The “Real Men of Genius” radio campaign began in 2000 and has earned more than 100 advertising awards, including a Grand Clio.