Daffodil weekend is upon us and as much as it is about appreciating the beautiful flowers and the beautiful weather that is upon us, I am struck by the beauty in the story of a person or group of people taking it upon themselves to beautify their surroundings. The bulbs they planted not only grew into the flowers that lined the road but also into an annual festival. So many of our holidays and traditions date back centuries or are centered around large institutions (Super Bowl, etc.) that a festival that started as a person planting flowers seems like a good time to remind ourselves that we make the world we live in, and there’s beauty in our agency and how we use it to improve the world around us. There is no telling when a small act might inspire a movement. And so, we are highlighting some products this week that, of course, have beautiful packaging and are super delicious but also are made the right way through practices worth promoting, stories worth telling, and people worth celebrating.
The Bees by Redemption Rock- We fell in love with this beer during its brief stint on our shelves for a week last summer, and it has been out of stock ever since! We are psyched to have it back on our shelves. A Weissbier brewed with honey and citrus peel. It offers notes of clove, orange, banana, and vanilla. A light body, a crisp finish, and a hint of sweetness make this beer perfect for the sunny days ahead of us. It’s not just a beer that tastes great either, it’s one you can feel good about consuming, as Redemption Rock is a certified B Corporation. B Lab is a nonprofit that assesses how corporations perform in what they call “impact areas,” including governance, workers, customers, community, and the environment. Redemption Rock is the first and only brewery in Massachusetts, the third in New England after Allagash Brewing in Maine and The Alchemist in Vermont, and the only company in Worcester to get certified. Redemption Rock scored highly in a number of areas thanks to their efforts: – To donate an equivalent of at least 1% of their annual revenue to local nonprofits – To keep their sales footprint in Massachusetts – To hire from within their community – To source from local businesses whenever possible – Blind hiring – Using their business to drive civic engagement – Donate all cash tips to a charity of the month (in February, for example, they donated to the Trustees of Reservations who maintain over 100 natural and historical sites in Massachusetts, including World’s End in my hometown of Hingham 😊) Read more about Redemption Rock and their endeavors here: Read more about a B Corp here
Metalhouse Pearlina Metal House is a small apple orchard and cidery run by a couple who moved to Esopus, NY from NYC in 2009 to get back in touch with the land. Matt grew up on a vineyard in the Finger Lakes, and Kimberly worked on olive farms in Italy and wheat farms in Washington to start a family. Named after the dilapidated corrugated shell of a barn found on the property that they renovated and retrofitted to make cider in, Metal House Cidery is intentional about both how they farm their apples and how they make their ciders. This offering from Metal House channels a charmingly wild spirit. Wild pears were added to their apple blend of Esopus Jonathan, Ida Red, and Rambo. Frothy fizz, a little funk kept in check by clean mineral yet moderate acidity. No unnecessary fertilizer or pesticides, a minimum fermentation period of 6 months for their ciders. The results speak for themselves.
If you’re a fan of their cider, consider joining their cider club and supporting their young business!
Chateau Payral Bise is a 50/50 blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc with a golden color and textured tannins due to 6 months of skin contact. It features notes of melon and guava fruit, an exotic spice mix, and a persistent finish that pairs well with cheese plates or charcuterie boards. Thierry and Isabelle Daulhiac have managed Chateau Payral since 1992 and have converted the estate in Bergerac, France, to organic farming methods.
Japas Cervejaria was founded in Sao Paulo, Brazil by three Brazilian women of Japanese descent who share a passion for beer. Their project, Japas, incorporates Japanese influences and brewing techniques in their beers, reflecting their Japanese heritage. Brazil has the largest population of people of Japanese descent outside of Japan. One of the highlights of Japanese cuisine is Matsurika tea, made using Jasmine petals, which brings a soft floral note to their pilsner, Japas Cervejaria Matsurika Jasmine Pilsner.
written by Mike Ferrara, Beverage Supervisor