Brining is a really easy way to keep a turkey moist and flavorful. If you haven't tried it, you really should. You'll be amazed at the difference.
Warmly welcomed, we did the intros and headed straight down to the 'labrewatory' for a tour of the operations and a peek into what is yet to come. Trust me, a lot is in the works. We started with a sample of the BrewFarm Select, the first beer to come out of the BrewFarm. The BFS, as it is sometimes referred as, was a crisp and flavorful beer falling under the category of golden lager. This product is a great beer that is flavorful enough for the connoisseur and smooth enough for the casual drinker. It is being brewed at Point Brewery in Stevens Point, WI.
We also got a run down of the renewable energy aspects of the BrewFarm and the list goes on and on. Most noticeable is the constantly spinning 20kw wind turbine that cranks out the electricity for the whole operation. Secondly, they heat and cool the property with geothermal coupled with an in floor coil system and a well-thought thermal mass structure with 1 foot thick walls. They also reused many materials from barn boards, reclaimed tin sheet metal, and timbers giving the whole property an immediate charm.
The conversation went on for hours and lucky for the three of us, we were able to sample some of the test batches of beers yet to come. BrewFarm Select is just the tip of the ice berg. Look forward to six packs contract brewed at Sand Creek Brewing in Black River Falls, and 750ml bottles being produced on-site at the BrewFarm. Four varieties of hops are being established and should be ready in 2 more years, achieving the start of the Farm side of BrewFarm.
Please give BrewFarm Select a shot, you'll be happy you did. Then you can join the growing list of folks excited about what is yet to come.
Don't forget to sign up for fresh or frozen turkeys for your thanksgiving and holiday dinners! These certified organic or natural birds are coming from our long time sources Coon Creek Family Farm, Beaver Creek Ranch, and Sunnyside Farms
. We would like to have your orders by November 19 to help out our suppliers scheduling.. Plan to pick up your fresh Beaver Creek Ranch turkey (avg 20#) on Friday, November 20th about noon.. The Sunnyside Farms certified organic pasture raised fresh turkeys (avg 10-15#) will be available Saturday, Nov 21st about noon. The Coon Creek Family Farm certified organic frozen turkeys are available now, but please give us a call (715-552-3366) if you'd like to place an order or sign up on our in-store clipboard by visiting us!
Organic Tangerines (Satsuma and Fall-Glo) have arrived!
New Seasonal Tea
...look for other fine Stouts to be thrown into the mix!
**The Beer Dudes highly recommend drinking Stouts at around 55˚-60˚F. More flavors will be released as it becomes warmer. Don't want to mess around with a thermometer? Keep your Stouts in the fridge until you're ready to drink one (or two). Let sit out for a good 15-20 min, then open and pour. Always, always pour into a glass!**
2. New beer shelving and re-set
Look forward to new shelving and a re-organization for our beer! The old Johnny's beer shelves have served us well, but it's time for an upgrade. What does this mean for you? Newer shelves mean we can organize our four doors of great beer just as we want, streamlining our selection to only the best brews from the state and the region (plus a few others that are just that darn good). Plus, they'll be super-easy to grab out of the cooler, putting you on the fast track to enjoying the beer of your choice. We're excited about this, too!
3. Central Waters out of Amherst, WI has become Wisconsin's first Green-Powered Brewery! Here's an excerpt from their website:
"The biggest step has been the addition of roughly 1,000 square feet of solar collectors... 24 panels, in all. Central Waters Brewing Company [also] uses a radiant floor heating system, and more energy efficient lighting systems, motors in the equipment, and brewhouse. All of the materials used in the newly remodeled tap room are from recycled resources. Also, with the implementation of the new grain silo outside of the brewery, we are able to reduce the amount of packaging materials that come into the facility, therefore the amount of packaging that needs to be disposed of. In addition to the sustainability practices currently in use at the brewery, Central Waters works with local farmers to recycle the grain used in the brewing process. The spent grain is taken by these farmers and used as feed for livestock, and also used as compost. The addition of the solar collectors, coupled with other sustainability practices, allows Central Waters Brewing Company to drastically reduce the consumption of natural gas, therefore greatly reduce our carbon footprint. Central Waters Brewing Company…truly "making the world a better place, one beer at a time."
Let's hold up our glasses to these great pioneers at Central Waters!
4. Beers worthy of special mention
Here are some great brews that deserve to be noticed:
"A fine beer may be judged with only one sip, but it's better to be thoroughly sure."
Slàinte!
The Beer Dudes (Jordan and Drew)
Pura Vida Eau Claire!
Our family farm is located on the beautiful ridges above the Wisconsin river valley. Here, we have chosen to specialize in and grow only "old-time" and exotic pear varieties. The unusual and delicious pears that we produce are harder to grow, but far superior to the common Bartletts. The richer flavor and perfume of our pears is often lacking in the more commercial varieties of pears. Our pears are delicate and require careful methods of husbandry. We practice organic methods of agriculture to grow our fruit. Each tree is given special attention. Each of our pears is handled gently and hand-wiped. We value quality over quantity.
The Luscious pear is buttery, very sweet, and aromatic. It has a butterscotch and honey taste. At first, many people told us, "They're not beautiful enough. They're not big. They're not shiny." But after tasting this pear, people have embraced the Luscious as one of the best tasting pears grown. Due to the nature of this variety of pear, it would be smaller in size - a lovely dessert pear - and highly russeted. Luscious pears are difficult to grow and would require the use of toxic chemical sprays to produce a blemish-free fruit. We use only certified organic methods in growing our pears. This pear is not as attractive as more ordinary or hybrid pears, but the taste and flavor are extremely Luscious!
As the pears ripen they have a golden yellow color with a reddish blush. Luscious pears are to be eaten while still firm. These pears have enjoyed a loyal following by all who have tried them. They bring back memories to many people who miss the "old-time" pears their grandfathers used to have growing in their yards.
We hope you enjoy our certified organic pears.
wery, is powered by a combination of wind power and processed waste water (on site). Another key factor in JLF picking up this product was the worker ownership aspect. After one year on the job, New Belgium workers gain a voting share in the company, not to mention a free fat tire cruiser bike. Beyond these perks there is an established benefit package that rivals the best in the country. The folks at New Belgium also are huge advocates of biking and sponsor several initiatives including the Tour de Fat, Team Wonderbike, the Urban Assault Ride, and Bike-in Cinema. For more great info check out their awesome website: www.newbelgium.com.
ults being that we have to restock the shelf often. The current mix includes an Oktoberfest from Summit, New Glarus, Bell's, Capital, and Leinie's. The sixth beer is either a Berghoff Oktoberfest, Capital Autumnal Fire, or an extra Summit Oktoberfest. We will run the current premixed Oktoberfest through the end of October. Look forward to a premixed Stout six pack starting in November.
"Ecco La Pasta is where hands, eyes, and appetite all meet to create a true Italian experience.
Only the finest ingredients are used to create our specialty flour, a premier blend that's easy to work with by hand and perfect to use with any home pasta machine. Hand-made gnocchi, using our Ecco La Pasta gnocchi flour, consistently makes perfectly light, toothsome pillows of potato. Just like Grandma used to make from scratch... without the mess." - from the Ecco La Pasta website
Also new in packaged:
Local Gluten Free Waffle Mix - Blending Naturally original and apple cinnamon. $5.49 each made in Mondovi.
Obsession Chocolates homemade cinnamon and chocolate marshmallows. 4pk for $5. or 1 milk chocolate covered cinnamon marshmallow or 1 dark chocolate covered chocolate marshmallow for $2. each. Great in Hot Cocoa!
Great River Milling Company in Fountain City WI. Whole Wheat Pastry Flour $9.39 for 5lbs. Unbleached Bread Flour $8.19 for 5lbs and Buttermilk Pancake mix $5.49 for 2lbs.
It's still grilling season, and we have lots of brats to choose from:
What is the Eat Local Challenge?
For the hard-core: A contest to eat completely within the 100 mile radius of the Challenge.
For most people:
Just Local Food's involvement:
We encourage you to come to our store, and try some of the amazing local food available. Many of our products come to us direct from the farm, such as organic milk (in glass bottles) Crystal Ball Farms (89 miles), fresh eggs from Matt Buvala (52 miles), organic chicken from Coon Creek Family Farm (10 miles), salad greens from DragSmith Farms (59 miles). We work directly with many local farmers and suppliers to get food that is fresh and sustainably grown, that has been raised for flavor and nutritional goodness rather than its ability to be transported across the country (or hemisphere), which keeps money in the local economy, and reduces the amount of energy required for shipment.
To make it easy to spot local foods within our store, look for the Eat Local Challenge logo or a red "LOCAL!" label on the shelves. There are many other great foods outside the 100 mile radius that we get direct from the farm, such as the tortilla chips from Whole Grain Milling (Welcome, MN), that you may also want to try.
Check out one of our in-store tours called Just Local Food 101. Aaron will take you around the store and tell you the stories behind the local food we carry. The more you know about your food and the people who grow it, the more you'll get why we're so passionate about local food.
We have some great ideas for easy local meals. Once you form a new habit, it’s easy. You just need to start. We look forward to helping you discover all the benefits of eating locally.
Current Just Local Food 101 Schedule:
Thurs, Sept 3, 7pm – 8pm
Thurs, Sept 10, 7pm – 8pm
Mon, Sept 14, 10am – 11am
Thurs, Sept 17, 7pm – 8pm
Tues, Sept 22, 10am – 11am
Pick up a copy of A Second Opinion for details and ideas.
Why eat local? Here’s 10 reasons.
pura vida mi pueblo,
1. Oktoberfests Are In!
Chef Bradley 'Dean' Parent is at it again with some new products.
