Hasta La Gadget!

New perspectives are opening for Greece as the country slowly emerges from the debt crisis. Last week, after five long years, the Hellenic Capital Market Commission approved the application of Greek renewable energy producer, “TECHNODOMIKI ANEMOS S.A.,” to launch an initial public offering, making it the first company to list on the Athens Stock Exchange since 2009.

The prospectus for the IPO, to be held from July 9 to 11, has already been approved by the exchange commission and, during a press conference held last Friday, company President and CEO, Anastassios Kallitsantsis, outlined three main reasons for choosing this period for the listing:

“1) the adoption by the Greek government of the “new deal,” whereby the country’s “green” energy producers will be offered a more stable operating and pricing environment;

2) the resolution of the lack of liquidity in the market which is expected by the end of the year;

3) the fact that the Greek economy as a whole has emerged from the “stage of stabilization” and is now entering the “stage of development.”

The new listing, which many hope will become a harbinger of Greece’s IPO revival, is the most promising development to emerge with respect to the Greek economy that has been mired in a crippling recession that has lasted for six years. The introduction of a profitable renewable energy company to the Athens Stock Market should encourage investment in other firms that have shown stability throughout the crisis and in newer businesses with potential for growth. The fact that Greece has recently been able to return to the markets with a successful 5-year bond offering is further proof of the steadying state of the nation’s finances.

“ELTECH Anemos” is active in the production of energy from renewable sources, mainly through its 12 wind farms that generate a total output of 171 megawatts. The proceeds from the capital increase will go towards the completion of 4 additional wind farms that are currently being built and will produce a further 93,5 MW of power.

Beyond that, the company has projects totalling a further 323 MW in the mature planning stage and has secured production licenses for an additional 475 MW of power.
According to the company’s press release, ELTECH Anemos, will offer investors 20,667,00 new common shares out of a total of 82,667,000 shares.

The Group’s aim is to raise 40 million euros to finance its investment plans for 2014-2015, which involve the implementation of new power projects totalling 94 MW and which are already under construction. The company plans to utilize all types of financing within the next 18 months with 45% of the funds raised to be used in the second half of 2014, 40% in the first half of 2015 and the remaining 15% designated to be spent in the latter half of 2015.

It should be noted that ELTECH Anemos is a major player in the renewable energy market in Greece, with an emphasis on wind energy production in the Greek territory. The main purpose of the company is the design, development and operation of wind power projects. With the enactment of the government’s “new deal” that cuts the price energy producers will receive but pays them on time and allows them to recover arrears, the company will be operating in a clearer environment that will provide for stable rates of return over the next 20 years and offer significant growth potential.

The company has developed a diversified portfolio of projects, spanning the country from Thrace to Crete and from Lesvos to Cefallonia and taking advantage of the nation’s considerable potential in renewable energy. It currently has a total installed capacity of 171 MW, 164 MW of which are related to wind energy. Over the last three years, production capacity has doubled from 87 MW to 171 MW and revenues have increased to €37 million (in 2013) in the midst of the economic crisis.

It now seems that Greece has much to be hopeful for, not only in the fortunes of its capital market but in the future of its energy sector as well.

Some Summer seasonals deserve coveted space in your cooler, while others should be left to crowd gas station beer fridges well into the Fall. To help guide you through the wealth of wheat beers, session ales, and busty blondes unleashed during the Summer months, we tapped a panel of beer writers, brewers, and store buyers to pick out their favorite limited-edition thirst-quenchers. Your backyard barbecue owes them a thank you.

New Belgium Summer Helles
“The world needs more lagers, so I was quite excited to hear New Belgium was brewing up a German-style Helles for the Summer. This one hits all of the bells and whistles for the style, and it’s also super drinkable, which makes it an ideal Summer seasonal.” — Jason Alstrom, BeerAdvocate (Winthrop, MA)

Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project American Darling
“On a warm Summer night, there is nothing like throwing some steaks on the grill, sitting back, and relaxing with an American Darling. The malty, pale, refreshing lager is my go-to for backyard BBQs or when I want to just share a couple of pints with friends and family.” — Lee Cooper, Hopsters (Boston, MA)

Tröegs Sunshine Pils
“Sunshine Pils is crisp, clean, and beautifully hopped. The perfect beer for a Summer day.” — Amos Lowe, Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co. (Austin, TX)

More: The definitive top 10 IPAs, as chosen by a hopped-up panel of beer writers

Shiner Ruby Redbird
“When I’m outside of New England and can’t find our beers, Shiner’s Ruby Redbird is definitely a beer I’ll search for. My typical craft preference is at the sessionable end of the spectrum, especially in the Summer, and the Ruby Redbird nails it at 4% ABV. I’m also a big fan of ruby red grapefruit, so this beer really pulls it all together for me.” — Mark Hellendrung, Narragansett Beer (Providence, RI)

Payette Brewing Fly Line Vienna Lager
“This Summer seasonal from Payette Brewing in Boise is a delicious golden lager. It’s a malt-forward beer with a big body and a crisp finish that’ll leave you satisfied on a Summer day.” — Matt Eggers, Woodland Empire Ale Craft (Boise, ID)

Brooklyn Brewery Summer Ale
“The bright notes of freshly cut flowers and light citrus make this beer pair perfectly with four more. And the colors on the can just scream Summertime pool party.” — Josh Hare, Hops & Grain (Austin, TX)

Firestone Walker Easy Jack Session IPA
“In sessionable IPAs, the hop element is more pronounced, yet the body still has balance and a malt backbone that centers the beer. This session IPA has a fruity, tropical hop aroma and flavor, filled with pineapple, passion fruit, orange, tangerine, papaya, lemon, grapefruit, and a touch of pine forest in the finish. The malt sweetness leaves just enough to balance the hops, but not too much. As the very last drops go down the throat, you’re left wanting another swig to go back on the hop trip! What makes this even better is the 4.5% ABV allows you to have more than one of this flavor-filled treat with no issues of wanting a nap after the first (or third) beer!” — Sean Paxton, Homebrew Chef (Sonoma, CA)

Schell’s Hefeweizen
“Nothing’s better than a well-made German-style wheat beer in the Summer. This one offers a great blend of both banana and clove flavor, and the aroma needed for true Summer refreshment. It’s a great Minnesota beer that deserves more love.” — Mike Hoops, Town Hall Brewery (Minneapolis, MN)

Anderson Valley Summer Solstice
“There might be few things better on a hot Summer’s day than this beer. The first time we had it at the restaurant, we all thought it tasted like a cream soda with alcohol. Summer Solstice has a beautiful malt backbone that provides a slight sweetness, while the Bravo hops give a great spice to this thirst-quenching brew.” – Julian Kurland, The Cannibal Beer & Butcher (New York, NY)

There’s still 8 more delicious beers worth drinking this Summer — check ’em all out at Thrillist.com!

More from Thrillist:

6 things you should absolutely not eat while hungover

What Your Beer Says About You

Follow Thrillist on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Thrillist

A bed of roses is overkill. Now a bed of grass well, that’s something else. You’ve probably already lain in one already, if you had the kind of childhood where plopping down on the grass and gazing up at the sky (and making out shapes from the puffy white clouds) was a regular occurrence.

You don’t have to go all the way to the park to do that these days, because you can do so in the comfort of your own home or in your backyard with the Studio Toer’s Grass Hammock. The name pretty much says it all. It’s a hammock covered in a synthetic polyamide material that’s got the look and feel of grass.

The Grass Hammock is UV-resistant and waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about leaving it outdoors in the elements. And since it’s artificial turf, you don’t have to worry about weeds. It retails for € 365 (~$500 USD) from Studio Toer.

[via Gear Hungry]

 The Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet is one of the best Android tablets on the market. It’s incredibly thin, waterproof and the screen is stunning. And now it’s available in LTE, exclusively on Verizon for $599.99, although, for a limited time, it be discounted to $499.99 when purchased with a new two-year activation. The tablet is available for order on July 10 and will be in retail locations… Read More

Independent developer Raúl Rubio Munárriz’s game Rime was inspired by a rather harrowing experience. Apparently, when on vacation in the Mediterranean with his girlfriend, he almost drowned. Just goes to show, you can draw inspiration from just about anywhere, if you know where to look.