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Duck Head: the Social Sportsman

Introducing the Social Sportsman

We are Duck Head

If you are reading this first entry of The Social Sportsman, chances are we have a history together. Possibly you wore a pair of Duck Head pants in college or maybe even high school - to class, football games, parties or even to go hunting or fishing. If you are not familiar with us - let us introduce ourselves.

We began like many American brands, out of resourcefulness. Tight supplies after the Civil War inspired our founders, the O’Bryan brothers, to repurpose army tent material known as ‘duck’ cloth to create a durable work pant, the original khaki. After over a century of perfecting the foundation of a man’s wardrobe, we took a retreat to find ourselves, just like you on that recent fishing trip. Yes, you were excited about the thrill of the catch – but you were really craving the time at the end of the day to catch up with lifelong friends. You once again found clarity in your purpose. We, too, have found our footing once more. We’ve returned to our roots with the original, the classic, and the iconic but with a modern method.

We are an active crowd that works hard, plays hard, and loves the good company of both new and old friends.  Come fall, we look forward to the opening day of dove season despite the lingering warmth of summer. We know that football games and fishing trips will provide plenty of opportunities to catch up with friends we’ve missed. We eagerly await nights at the hunting cabin swapping stories and watching friends become family.

What is the Social Sportsman?  

The Social Sportsman is a way for us to share the things that we have learned over our 150-year history. We will talk about everything from our favorite places to escape the busyness of life and the best places to visit on a Fall Saturday down South, to our favorite ways to style the iconic Duck Head Chino.

How you can get involved

While we know a thing or two about having a good time, we are a curious bunch that loves to know about the latest and greatest. So, if you have an upcoming dove shoot or a hidden gem of a bar-b-que joint, we’d love to know about it. We are excited about this new adventure, and we know it will be worth following. It feels good to be back, and now the question becomes, where are we going next? Follow us @DuckHeadApparel on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to find out.

 
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Duck Head: the Social Sportsman

Introducing Fall's First Styles

We are kicking off our fall arrivals with a couple of pieces to transition you from summer into the cooler autumn months. The Fall 2019 collection combines our love of the outdoors and desire for functionality with a nod to our historical roots. Earlier this week, we took a moment to sit down with our design team to talk about the inspiration behind creating the collection as well as hear their thoughts on what is to come for this season.

 Notes from our Design Team

We are excited about Fall 2019 as we expand our line into new product categories including lifestyle and layering pieces, while building perfectly on our foundation of the Gold School Chino. This season, we stay true to our roots with rich earth-driven tones reminiscent of the woods, lakes, streams, and antique fishing rods of our youth. Since the beginning, the focus of the line has been driven by texture. We wanted to go beyond creating a pullover for warmth or a corduroy pant because the season calls for one. We wanted to enhance the experience of our Social Sportsman by infusing the line with a variety of fabrics to pique interest and increase durability. From the cotton composition of the Covey, to the tight wale of the late fall corduroy, each piece is designed to exude quality while begging to be a part of any adventure that awaits. 

The Nitty Gritty: Introducing Fall’s First Styles

The Heathered Pique Henley is an excellent piece for transitioning into the fall. This lightweight heathered Henley adds elements of texture and depth to your wardrobe. The three-button placket is finished with woven trim and horn buttons, adding a layer sophistication. While waiting on fall temperatures, an untucked Heathered Pique Henley shirt pairs well with the Gold School Chino Shorts, an 1865 Needle Point Belt, and sneakers for a casual tailgate look. As the weather grows colder, use the Heather Pique Henley as a base layer under the Conway Flannel Shirt Jacket and a pair of 1865 Corduroy pants.

The Covey ¼ Zip Pullover is a mid-weight layering piece that will effortlessly transition between those early morning errands and a casual Friday at the office. Made of versatile cotton, the Covey ¼ Zip Pullover is bound to become a coveted member of your fall rotation. A covered placket and leather pull add an extra level of complexity while the left chest pocket gives an air of playfulness. As the chilly mornings of autumn approach, the Covey ¼ zip layers well with a Trademark T-Shirt, and the 1865 5-Pocket Pant. If you’re heading to the office, pair the Covey Pullover with a Plaid Button-Down and the Gold School Chino. 

Casual Fridays & Early Kick-Offs 

Earthy tones and khaki pant foundations make the Fall 2019 collection an easy addition into the life of the Social Sportsman. A life where fall Saturdays are split between the hunting lodge, a tailgate or two and gatherings with friends and family. Fall will be in full swing before you know it. Shop our new Fall arrivals today and let us know which items you are most excited about by commenting below.Feature 2

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Duck head: The Social Sportsman

A Can In The Hand Is Worth Two On The Shelf

Today is National Beer Can Appreciation Day.  Who knew such day existed but it’s certainly a fact to file away for your next trivia night and here are a few more details to back up your knowledge bank.  On this day, in 1935, the first can of beer was sold in Richmond, VA.  A small brewing operation, the Gottfried Krueger Brewing Company, produced and delivered 2,000 cans of Krueger’s Finest Beer and received overwhelming support from those willing to participate in the taste test.  Maybe they had pent up demand from the Prohibition years but nonetheless, Krueger’s canned beer became an instant success.  Within months, the original canned beer began to take away share from its larger competitors.  Anheuser-Busch, Pabst and Schlitz quickly followed suit and in just one year, over 200 million cans had been produced and sold.  The rest is history.

Today, many craft breweries across the country prefer cans as their vessel of choice to guarantee purity and taste in their blends.  Cans prevent light damage and oxidation that sometimes occurs in bottles.  So, in a nod to the early craft brewer, Krueger, we wanted to talk about a few of our favorites across the South. Some of these you may know of, some of them are new, and a few are quirky too. So, pop a top, if you’re 21 or older of course, take a seat and enjoy. 

Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company

Kiln, Mississippi

Located in southern Mississippi, Lazy Magnolia is the oldest packaging brewery in the state and the first since that pesky Prohibition law in 1907. Mississippi was the last state to repeal their Prohibition laws in 1966 and as such it took a while for breweries to emerge within the state.  Lazy Magnolia has been providing locally brewed beer since 2003 with the primary goal of providing the highest quality products made with true Southern style and a nod to traditional Southern tastes. Check out their website here: https://www.lazymagnolia.com/

Our Brew Picks

Southern Hops’pitality

(5.5% ABV)

The South prides itself of porch-sippin’ and grillin’ and this traditional session IPA is the perfect pairing for your backyard BBQs. A bold initial citrus burst blends perfectly with the Lazy Magnolia’s unique hop blend for an exciting dry-hopped aroma.  The brew is a light straw color and draws a crisp, smooth tropical fruit finish on the palate. Our friends are Lazy Magnolia suggest pairing this IPA with everything from shrimp, traditional grilled meats, and tacos to any spicy food of your choice.

Skeleton Key

(9.5% ABV)

If you’re familiar with historic homes in the South, you know that they often come with a Skeleton Key which will open each room in the house. This brew takes its cues from this historical key, by unlocking all of your senses with a vast array of traditional Southern flavors. The Skeleton Key is an imperial stout aged with bourbon barrel oak chips.  Flavors of bourbon and oak are layered in while specialty grains add notes of chocolate, roasted barley, and coffee. Add-in a healthy dose of hops, and your senses will be going wild with each sip.

Backwoods Belgian
(8.5% ABV)

Rounding out our list of go-to's from Lazy Magnolia is none other than a Belgian style Golden Ale. This pale golden ale delights the palate with a myriad of flavors, including oranges, apples, and a surprisingly peppery finish. Effervescent and refreshing, this full-bodied ale has a touch of Southern sweetness through the infusion of honeysuckle flowers.

 Good People Brewing

Birmingham, AL

Good People Brewing focuses on three main principles when doing business - we believe great beer is brewed for great conversations, we have a genuine belief in being genuine, good people are genuine, honest and caring.  Talk about a mantra to live by.

 We believe great beer is brewed for great conversations. We couldn’t agree more whether you’re swapping stories about the greatest one that got away (we mean fish here) or chatting about life lessons that weren’t learned from a book.  Taking the time to enjoy good friends and good brew is important.  We love Good People’s ideology that every glass, or bottle, or can, is an open invitation for a conversation.  Check out their website here: http://goodpeoplebrewing.com

Our Brew Picks

Coffee Oatmeal Stout

(5.7% ABV)

A big fan off coffee? What about hops? The two combine in this complex and flavorful stout. You can’t go wrong pairing this brew with your favorite meal or with a dessert.

Snake Handler

(10.0 % ABV) 

A double IPA with pine, citrus, spice, and grassiness to celebrate your hoppy side. This brew pairs well with any game, grilled meat, or salmon. Go ahead and count on us to order this one on our next visit. 

Hitchhiker

(7.8% ABV)

An IPA with a west coast vibe, the Hitchhiker, balances citrus flavors and a caramel backbone. It sounds like the perfect beach beer paired with the deep-sea catch of the day.

Stouts, IPAs, and Belgian Ales all round out some of our favorite brews from Mississippi and Alabama. From quirky twists to Southern roots, these brews will have you feeling refreshed after a long day at the office or ease into a boys’ night out.  Have you visited either Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company or Good People Brewing? If so, let us know if your top choice made our list. Cheers!  Happy Beer Can Appreciation Day! 

THANK YOU LAZY MAGNOLIA BREWING COMPANY AND GOOD PEOPLE BREWING FOR PROVIDING IMAGERY AND BREW INFORMATION.