If you didn’t feel in the holiday spirit yet, well, step right this way with these rugged Rancourt boots.

Although I’ll be in Brooklyn this weekend (likely wearing a pair of rugged leather boots very similar to the excellent Rancourt & Co. leather boots shown above!), my mind is back on my home state of Michigan, and in particular, my alma mater, Michigan State University. I was just in East Lansing last weekend for a terrific time with old college friends, filled with beers at HopCat (a staple of my senior year) and Crunchy’s, along with some Michigan State football. It’s of course with football in mind that I’ll be enjoying craft beer back in my new home borough this weekend — it’s Michigan vs. Michigan State on Saturday, after all! It’s a rivalry that meant a lot to me as a student, and means even more now that I’m farther away from campus. I’ll be finding a sports bar in Brooklyn to hunker down for the game, likely followed by a round of (hopefully!) celebratory beers at the always-excellent Threes Brewing. If your plans involve college football as well, I wish you nothing but luck! And if they involve more frenzied pursuits — such as starting your holiday shopping early — then I’d suggest you A) Check out the below Friday Read and B) Check out the never-not-outstanding Huckberry 2019 Gift Guide, packed with gear like the above Rancourt & Co. leather boots, plus plenty of stylish stocking stuffers. In the meantime, the below reading and gear picks ought to get you started — agreed?

• Let’s get this weekend started accordingly the right way, yes? I’m talking, of course, about one of the best new beers to try now, covered by yours truly at GearMoose. That beer would be the rich, utterly satisfying Perrin Brewing S’more Stout, a fittingly inspired beer for cold Michigan (and New York) winters. I can’t wait to get my hands on some when I’m back in the Mitten State.
• Speaking of my home state of Michigan — as has been on my mind this week — it only makes sense that Shinola would come up in conversation here. In fact, over at GearMoose once more, I covered the Shinola Bronze Monster, a durable, tough-as-heck timepiece with plenty of style points built right in. Did I mention it draws design inspiration from Detroit’s Prohibition smugglers? Yes, it’s got plenty going for it, too. Wear it with your favorite henley and tough chore pants on a chilly winter weekend.
• OK, let’s keep it rolling when it comes to rugged weekend gear and perhaps more importantly, rugged winter boots. I covered the Danner Pub Garden Boots here on the blog just last week, and if you missed that feature, now’s your chance to catch up. They’re fit for the trail, the town, and indeed, the pub, easily. They’ll also wear particularly well with, say, a classic Barbour jacket and rugged work pants.

OK, those are all the style quick hits and men’s style news updates I’ve got for you this week. If you’re still searching for the best gifts for everyone on your list (and it never hurts to start as early as possible!), well, then head to my roundup of some of the best gear for November. From flannel shirts to chukka boots to the best whiskey glasses for the spirits lover, that post has something for everyone (if I do say so myself). OK, it’s time to get ready for some football. Cheers!