Monday, December 27, 2010

The Coop never closes..




With a flurry of activity, Coop staffers and early morning receivers cleared the driveway and sidewalk in front of the Coop this blustery morning. However, we only received two small deliveries. But the store is well-stocked because so many members went away for the weekend. Several tractor trailers were turned back within blocks of the Coop because the streets were blocked by all those Brooklynites who felt compelled to drive themselves into a snowbank and then left their vehicles blocking the streets.

We're ready for deliveries tomorrow. Don't miss your shift. Park in our cleared driveway at your peril!

Monday, December 20, 2010

Tasting notes for some delightful and unusual seasonal beers



Dieu de Ciel Solstice D’Hiver (Montreal, Quebec) An American style barleywine that is dark in color with a reddish tint. It has a sharp bitterness that is offset by notes of cherry, malt, and caramel. You can taste the high abv in this one. Try pairing with something nutty and sweet, like a fruity cookie.

Kerkon Bink Grand Cru (Belgium) This Belgium Strong Ale is strong by today’s standards, ranking at a 13% abv. It pours almost as dark as a stout thanks to its holiday assortment of winter-dried fruits. Think figs, raisins, and Ebenezer Scrooge on Xmas morn.

Oppigards Winter (Sweden) A very drinkable winter ale with that pours a warm copper color with a creamy head. Notes of hop, citrus, and black tea make for a full-bodied flavor, but without that I’m-too-full-to-eat-now feeling. Pair with funky cheeses, apricots, and your favorite dark, seedy bread.

Stella di Natale Troll (Italy) A dark, Belgium-style strong ale with a warm combination of cocoa, spice, and toasted malt to unwind with by your real (or imaginary) fireplace. Serve in a trappist glass and enjoy slowly so none of the subtle notes go unnoticed. Then, go to bed.

‘T Smisje Kerst (Belgium) This Dark Strong Christmas Ale definitely wins the award for cutest label, but what’s inside the package is just as good. A dark amber pour with a creamy head that delivers a yeasty, hard-candy taste. It finishes with a hint of smokiness.

Baird Jubilation (Japan) The first Christmas Ale to hit stateside from Baird. Pours an almost-transparent amber, has a nice fizz, and is chock full of honey, cinnamon and spice.

Baird Dark Sky (Japan) A very rich, dark imperial stout, chock full of a toasty hoppiness thanks to being brewed with a variety of 5 different hops and 8 types of malt. A chemistry experiment gone right! Pour into a round glass, lament over the darkness of the beer sky, and enjoy.

De Struise Tsjeese (Belgium) Fast drinkers be warned. This light, clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg Christmas ale, with it’s earthy-yet-crisp base, goes down as easy as that first glass of eggnog. But with its 10% abv, it demands to be savored!

Haandbryggeriet Nissefar, “Father Christmas” (Norway) This is a thick glass of Norwegian night, packed tightly into a bitter hops explosion. After adjusting to the hops, take the next sip to notice notes of pine. Low on carbonation, it is a bit like drinking a pint off the cask.

St. Feuillien/Green Flash Biere L’Amitie (California) A collaboration of impressive brewers, this Belgian style Pale Ale is seasonal for the southern states. Rich with citrus, coriander, and dry hops. A perfect medium-bodied pour.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Amaryllis


I just took a photo of my amaryllis purchased at the coop--it appears very robust in my west window. Hope any you may have purchased are also blooming.

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

"Garlic Schmarlic! It's all the same!"

Not true!
Contrary to some beliefs, all garlic is NOT equal.
Have you tried our local Organic Elephant Garlic from upstate? A relative of the leek, many people mistakenly believe to be a giant variety of regular garlic. The contrast in flavor is often likened to the difference between leeks and onions; sweeter and generally less intense. From raw to roasted, it can be enjoyed in nearly any savory dish.

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Kettle Tia Chips in Ranch, Chili con Carne, Salsa Picante and Nacho flavors


The coop is now selling Kettle Tia chips, a delicious Dorito-esque chips. We will carry four flavors - Zesty Ranch, Chili con Carne, Salsa Picante, and Nacho Cheese. We also have a new sweet flavor of Stacy's Pita Chip - Cinnamon Sugar. Happy winter party and football season!

-Delia

Friday, December 03, 2010

!!! TAKE ME HOME !!!
Weighing in at OVER 40lbs! Hailing from the local land of Lancaster Pennsylvania!
The DELICIOUS Musque De Provence!

*Modeled by your beloved Coordinator Carlos*

Thursday, December 02, 2010

Thanksgiving Produce By The Numbers

69 Deliveries 13,000 cases 115 Tons 230,000 lbs. 118 Local Items

200lbs of Kohlrabi
400lbs (768 cups) Organic Cranberry
800lbs of Shallots
1500lbs of Leeks
2,000 Bunches of Parsley
1750lbs (2,100 bags) of Non-Organic Cranberries
3,200 pounds of Mushrooms
3600lbs of Brussell Sprouts, 310 Brussell Stalks & 450lbs Baby Brussell Sprouts
4,400 Bunches of Kale
4,439 (bags and cups) of Herbs (1019 Organic , 3420 Non-Organic)
3/4 tons of Pumpkin
1 ton of Beets
3,300 stalks of Celery
1 1/2 tons of Cauliflower
4 tons of Winter Squash (1 3/4 tons of Butternut)
5 tons of Carrots
5 tons of Onions
5 tons of Clementines (1981 boxes = 64,000 clementines)
5.75 tons of Sweet Potato (287 cases)
6 tons of Potato (235 cases)
9+tons of Local Apples 481 cases


9 tons of Bananas (432 cases = 50,000 bananas)...may seem like a high number, BUT it's actually a seasonal low.