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Monday, October 12, 2009

Ramstein Beer Open House - Save The Date

Greg Zaccardi and Fine Art of German Beer MakingThere was a good crowd this past Saturday October 10 for the last of the Oktoberfest (there is still some left!). Everyone enjoyed the Oktoberfestive atmosphere for the 2 hours of the always very pleasant socializing, sampling (drinking beer), and Ramstein Beer owner Greg Zaccardi's explaining the Fine Art of German Beer making, as he walked us all through the impressive brewing and fermenting equipment.

2 more Open Houses remain in calendar '09. Then there will be a 2 month hiatus, until the debut of the Maibock in March.

Set aside November 14th for the introduction of the Winter Wheat Beer, which is always well attended, and December 12 for Auld Lang Syne, or, in this case, The Year in Beer Gone By!

~Ted


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Sunday, October 11, 2009

Save The Date: Tripod Rock Hike, Pyramid Mountain Park, 11/8/09

Save The Date for the second fall hike that the Smoke Rise Lake & Environment committee has organized: on Sunday, November 8, 2009 at 1pm to TRIPOD ROCK at Pyramid Mountain Park.

As Ken Bitz describes:

A short ride down Boonton Avenue brings you to Pyramid Mountain. We will hike the blue trail into the white trail to see this marvel that nature left to us thousands of years ago by the melting Ice age. A huge boulder sits upon 3 smaller boulders. Can we push it off and end the mystique? We will meet at the Inn parking lot at 1 PM. All are welcome, the children will especially like this hike.

Here are links to descriptions of the Tripod Rock hike:
+ Hike 1 on Pyramid Mountain
+ This link includes photos of Tripod Rock
+ This link to Pyramid Mountain Park includes a fabulous photo of Tripod Rock
+ The Tripod Rock Caper
+ Tripod Rock Spiritual Energy Vortex and Summer Solstice Observance

You can view/print a copy of the Pyramid Mountain Park map via this link.

Last week's hike to Indian Cliffs attracted 30 intrepid hikers [see Indian Cliffs Hike -- Sunday Oct. 4 -- Gorgeous, Bright Early Fall Day] and we all had a blast!

I hope you'll join us for this amazing hike to Tripod Rock, too!

For information about these hikes, or any other trails in the area, please contact Ken Bitz 973-283-2880, or email kbitz@optonline.net.






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Saturday, October 10, 2009

Indian Cliffs Hike -- Sunday Oct. 4 -- Gorgeous, Bright Early Fall Day

Indian Cliffs Hike From Smoke Rise at EveryTrail

Map created by EveryTrail: Share GPS Tracks

30 people! That's how many came out for the hike to Indian Cliffs on Sunday, October 4, 2009. From kids to seniors, and we had a great time. Oh, there was a nasty surprise with a hornet's nest for a few of us -- a first, by the way, for our hikes -- but everyone enjoyed the bright clear day, the unbelievable view from the top of the rocks on Indian Cliffs, and the interesting descent and return via Split Rock Reservoir and the Charlottesburg Road.

We collected our group at the Smoke Rise Village Inn parking lot at 1 PM and proceeded to the trailhead at the Beechwood Lane cul de sac to begin. Oh yes, we had 5 dogs as well, who were clearly interested in leading the hike, as well as every mud puddle along the way.


Here are Christine's photos:

This is a particularly fun hike in that it poses some difficulty with the terrain and elevation changes, offers spectacular views, takes you to places that are otherwise very difficult to reach, and also along some of the area's 19th century carriage roads, now nearly forgotten, which were the main roads of the Kinnelon area in their day.

[If you click on the EveryTrail link above, it will take you to more information about elevation, average speed and other details.]

Thanks, everyone, for coming and thanks, Ken, for organizing us!

Related Posts:
Indian Cliffs Hike
Split Rock Reservoir Hike



& Ted




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Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Ramstein Beer Open House & Ted's Fresh Hot Sauce Sat. Oct 10 2-4 PM

Ramstein BeerRamstein Beer is having its monthly Tour and Open House with Beer Samplings this Saturday from 2 to 4 PM, and will have the Ramstein Double Platinum Blonde, Ramstein Classic Dunkel Hefe-Weizen, Ramstein Golden Lager, and Ramstein Oktoberfest (while it lasts!).

Plan to come!

I will be there again with my 2 Fresh Hot Sauces for sampling (and purchase):

SR Virgin Fresh Cayenne-Cherry Pepper Red, and

SR Virgin Fresh Habanero Gold.

Ted's SR Fresh Hot SauceWe will have a tasting of the 2, with appropriate food, and invite all of you chile heads to come join us and tell us what you think.

These hot sauces are a little different from what you are used to -- they have to be REFRIGERATED -- because they are FRESH. And they're not mostly vinegar and salt like others you may have tried.
They are mostly Pepper Fruit, both hot and sweet. Come check them out!

Also take a look at my new Fresh Hot Sauce Blog for more info and my take on hot sauces.

Last month's Open House was a great success with the largest crowd ever, and a lot of interest in both Beer and Hot Sauce.

Ted's Fresh Hot Sauce at Ramstein Beer Open House
There won't be as much of a crush as there was last time (several hundred people!), for the Oktoberfest introduction, and I don't think anyone will have trouble getting his growlers filled!

Once again, that's this Saturday, Oct. 10, from 2 to 4 PM. Ramstein is at the bottom of Kiel Ave. before the stop sign in the first of the Big Red Factory Buildings on your left as you go down the hill. Here are directions.

See you there!

~Ted

PS: Here are two TwitPics that Christine took immediately before last month's OktoberFest got started: the Growler filling station and the freash hot sauce tasting station.... [Added 10/8/09.]


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Monday, October 5, 2009

Ramstein Beer's Greg Zaccardi At Mondial de la Biere Europe

Greg Zaccardi, Ramstein BeerThat's right! Our very own Greg Zaccardi, owner of High Point Brewery in Butler, NJ, and brewmaster of Ramstein Beers, will be at the first ever Strasbourg's Mondial de la Biere Brewery event in Europe -- attending, sharing a presentation on American Microbreweries and participating in a Brewers Round Table discussion in Europe with the best brewers in the world.

When? October 16 through 18, 2009.

Where? The Strasbourg Exhibition Park [Parc des Expositions de Strasbourg Wacken], Halls 20 and 21.

What's really cool is that this is an international event of recognized brewery masters by invitation only and Ramstein Beer and Greg Zaccardi have been invited!

I caught up with Greg to learn more.

C.B.: Greg, what is the Mondial de la Biere?

Greg: Mondial de la Biere started out in Quebec in 1993 and takes place every year. Mondial's president, Jeannine Marois, decided to expand the Mondial to Strasbourg, France's beer capital, which is also very close to Germany ["the technological paradise of the brewery industry"] and Belgium ["masters of artisanal brewing"]. The focus is on small, artisanal beers. What we refer to here as microbrewery beers.

While our beer has been served at the Mondial in Canada, I have personally not been there.

This event in Strasbourg is the first of its kind in Europe. The event is organized and presented in the same manner as in Canada but it is offered to a European audience for the first time. These consumers are very discerning and appreciate quality rather than quantity.

Ramstein BeerC.B.: Tell me about the events you're participating in at Mondial de la Biere.

Greg: I will be giving a presentation to the attendees of Mondial de la Biere about the history and evolution of US microbreweries and what value my German training has provided to our growth in the USA. It's titled "History & Evolution of American Microbreweries" and takes place on Sunday October 18th at 4pm.

I will also participate in the Brewers Roundtable, to discuss what has become of the brewer's profession today, with people involved in the brewing industry from around the world.

This round table is scheduled on Saturday, October 17th, from 11:00 p.m. to 12:30. Mr. Mario 'Eer will act as moderator.

To give you an idea, Conrad Seidl, Michel Haag, Teo Musso, Ben Vinken, Gilbert Delos, amongst others, all internationally acclaimed beer experts, will take part in this activity. I will provide insight from the North American point of view.

C.B.: Wow! That's an impressive crowd! What is the North American perspective? I'm biased in favor of Ramstein Beer, but why would Europeans care?

Greg: I think what I add is the perspective of an American who learned German brewing methods and more importantly the mindset for quality. I brought those skills and mindset back to the US to open a brewery and make a living in the world of brewing.

The big question is was it worth it and is there a viable market for it? No easy answers here but I think that it is based on goals. I have made a lot of people proud and happy and I can't imagine being at any other job.

Practically everyone that tastes our beers smiles and that's pretty rewarding.

Thank you, Greg!

There you have it! Our local Brewery is of such quality and renown that this showcase of the best beer that the world has to offer will include our very own Ramstein Beer and Greg Zaccardi!

Congratulations, Greg!

Note: Ramstein Beer's Oktoberfest is currently ranked #1 by BeerAdvocate [added 10/10/09]






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Sunday, October 4, 2009

The Best Food Deals Around Kinnelon

Image courtesy of Creative Magazine.
PathmarkI admit it. I like almost everything about food, except all those calories.

I like eating it, of course.

I like cooking food -- I have to eat it, and I'm easily bored by the same old, same old, so I might as well make stuff I like.

I like buying food, especially at interesting food stores.

I like buying food cheaply -- the more I save the better -- and I especially like buying food where I save a LOT of money.

It has become very clear, too, that some food items can be purchased astoundingly cheaply at some stores locally in and around Kinnelon, NJ.

Mostly that means you have to buy from a warehouse club, like BJ's, or a store farther away, like Corrado's. These stores are fun to go to anyway, beyond just the saving of money; you can get stuff there you CANNOT get at local supermarkets like Stop and Shop or Pathmark.

I've made a list of some of my all time favorites in both the cheap and unique categories:

Butter @ BJ's: $1.50 per lb (excellent housebrand butter) -- $3 per lb and up elsewhere

Milk @ BJ's: $1.99 per gal for Land O'Lakes skimmed milk -- up to $4.29 elsewhere

Roasted Chicken @ BJ's: $5.00 for large Purdue Roaster -- perfectly cooked BIG chicken -- up to $7.99 elsewhere [hence Chicken Soup for a Rainy Day or Any Day]

Reggiano Parmesan cheese @ Corrado's: $12.99 top grade -- $22 elsewhere ($17 at BJ's)

Extra Virgin Olive Oil @ Corrado's: $14.99 (price can vary) for 3 liter can -- $20 at BJ's, $28 and up elsewhere

Now for Produce I do like Corrado's, but you have to be careful, because, Corrado's produce sometimes seems to be remaindered from elsewhere, so you have to check the quality and freshness closely. Also, prices vary, and you do not ALWAYS get a bargain. That said, I do get amazing bargains at Corrado's for GREAT produce:

Yellow Bell Peppers @ Corrado's: $.69 per lb -- elsewhere $3 to $4 per lb

Big Bunches of beautiful Flat Leaf Parsley and Cilantro @ Corrado's: $.79 per lb -- elsewhere wimpy little bunches for $1.50 and up.

Vidalia Onions @ Corrado's: $.79 per lb -- elsewhere $1.50 per lb and up.

Fresh Pineapple @ Corrado's: $1.50 ea -- $3 and up elsewhere.

I could list more -- they have beautiful loose Yukon Gold Potatoes for $.69 per lb so you can pick the best big ones, and not get the little bagged potatoes from S&S or Pathmark. Nice when you are peeling them.

You will not always get these prices, but whenever you do go, you will find some of them.

Last. Let me say a word about meat from Pathmark, BJ's and Corrado's. BJ's has by far the consistently best prices on Choice Black Angus beef and other meats, from Short Ribs at $2.50 per lb to Skirt Steaks at $4.99 per lb -- from Boneless Leg of Lamb at $4.99 per lb to Boston Butt Pork Shoulder at $.99 per lb. You can't beat it.

However, Pathmark has, every so often, maybe 2 or 3 or 4 weeks, a special on NY Strip Steaks or Rib Eye at $4.99 per lb, and they often have thick cut steaks or a whole Rib Eye Roast so you can cut the steaks to the thickness of your liking. They advertise it in their circular, and I'm always prepared to take advantage of it by stuffing my cart or basket.

Corrado's has an amazing selection of meat products at very good prices. Six different kinds of sausage, rabbit, aged prime beef, and more.

I would be very interested to hear what your Best Food Deals are.

Send me an email or comment on the article! I will share!

~Ted


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Saturday, October 3, 2009

Another Hike to Durham Pond

Durham pond at EveryTrail

Map created by EveryTrail: GPS Trail Maps

On September 6th, we set off with the Contreras determined to follow in Bjorn Walberg's footsteps as described in Hike To Durham Pond From Smoke Rise, NJ.

I had successfully installed my copy of Trails; Ted had spent time experimenting with it; we had paper copy backups of Bjorn's path and felt ready to set off into the unknown with water, bear bell and cameras.

As you can see if you compare our trail to Bjorn's we didn't quite follow in the same footsteps. We took the reverse approach. However, we we had a blast discovering TomTom lookout on the White Trail [part of the Four Birds Trail] that with the Blue Trail circles Split Rock Reservoir - from which we were able to see Indian Cliffs, discovering many unexpected signs and communications and finding the Boys Scout camp.

We also saw the most amazing stone bridge that reminded us instantly of the four bridges that Francis S. Kinney built around Smoke Rise.

There's definitely a mystery there. Did Kinney intend to purchase the area around Durham Pond? We read speculation that the area might have been considered for development of a private estate around the late 1800s. Was it related to one of several iron mines and forges in the immediate area, including under the Durham Pond bridge and dam and at Split Rock Reservoir? The History of Winnebago Scout Reservation describes that "a railroad once carried the ore down out of the mountains mine slag the rock left after the iron was removed from the ore. Signs can be found along the road near the dam at the south end of Durham Pond."

In any case, the bridge is magnificent and transports you to a different time and place.

I've uploaded my photos of the hike to Flickr and share with you a slideshow of them all. By the way, if you click on the red pin markers in the trail map above, you'll see thumbnails of photos taken linked to specific locations along the trail.



Enjoy!



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