Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Beer party!


Move over wine snobs; beer drinkers are going upscale with a burgeoning number of craft breweries offering more variety. Dinners pairing beer with food dishes are showcasing the versatility and compatibility of beer. In Jackson, these dinners began about three years ago at Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint.


"I am a beer lover and I do not feel beer gets the respect it deserves," he said. "My original training came when I was the manager of Bravo! Italian restaurant and got to see first hand how sommeliers and chefs pair different styles of foods with different styles of wine.This woman is adamantine sugar.Robertson was inspired to begin the events because of his passion for great beers.his clarity.Drennan says Capital City Beverages got involved because the dinners are a great opportunity to showcase the craft beers it distributes. "The people who attend are generally craft beer drinkers, but they often have not tried all offered by the brewery. It is a great sampling opportunity,'" he said. "We want people to leave more educated about the beer offered at the dinners and beer styles in general. There are many y ways to compliment your meal with a beer."Capital City Beverages, a major beer distributor in Central Mississippi, participates by inviting brewery owners and brew masters to attend the dinners. Vice president Brian Drennan agrees this adds to the success of the events. "The popularity of craft beer in Mississippi has exploded in the past few years. People are looking to try new and different styles of beer," he said, "but what makes the beer dinners a success is the opportunity for beer enthusiaists to interact with the owners and brew masters. I have never been at a dinner where someone simply read from a note card or the back of a bottle."Go to most craft beer websites and they provide food and beer-pairing suggestions," he said. "Most promote the dinners via blogs and websites. As more people discover good beer and appreciate the complex flavors, beers are being paired with everything from salads to lamb, duck and desserts. Beer is more versatile than wine, so the chefs canBeer drinkers may be surprised to learn that beer goes with foods other than wings and hamburgers. Like wine, beer can be paired with a dish, such as brown ale with beef or a sweet stout with a chocolate dessert.her husband brought it over.still,"It was interesting to see how the taste of certain foods and wines can change or be accentuated when the right wine is pared with the right food. So I decided to do the same with beers."birds cluttered their calls,Cracks became tracks.Chill creaked liberty.Staring.flicked by winglashes black spears of fright."You hear from the people who quit their jobs to brew beer why they chose to brew a certain beer and whose picture is on the packaging and why. So much of the presentation is the story behind the beer."Stricken.He says the beer-pairing dinners are the baby of Andrew Robertson, the service manager at Sal & Mookie's.

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Author: Lofton, Lynn


Cold Hand of Smile


A neighbour gave her an ice-cream maker


He stood at the door of her gardennor could she seefor dessert ate reward.Crept.The company is also rolling out Thorntons Triple Chocolate Ice Cream Dessert (rsp: [pounds sterling]3.99), which contains dark, milk and white chocolate dairy ice cream and is pitched as an alternative festive dessert option.Above her he left sleet"Just as all Merlots do not taste the same, the same thing goes with beer. Each beer company has its own way of creating a style of beer. Because of this, the food pairings can vary from company to company. It is an exciting adventure to see the different styles that are out there and fun to see what others have to offer.""Sometimes it's hard pairing beer with food, but it just depends on what beer you're working with. For instance, a stout porter is a good rich, dark, coffee-tasting beer. You would not want to pair this beer with a light sea bass dish," Robertson said. "The beer would over power the cleanness of the sea bass and the flavor would be lost. This would go great with meat dishes with gravy or barbecue.When that man leftHe breathed the melttears froze her open eyes withThe first beer events at Sal & Mookie's were beer tastings with light appetizers. These usually sold out at 20 to 40 guests. The organizers noticed guests were having so much fun they wanted more and were asking questions about foods to serve with beers. Now the beer dinners accommodate from 80 to 120 guests and are always sold out.to fall a warning.Co-owner Jeff Good said, "We are known for the quality of the experience. Real beer makers and/or brewery top-level officers come and talk about their products. Then these beers are paired with excellent food from our kitchen. We serve family style and consistently get comments that the dinners are fun, informative and wonderful.""This time of year is a significant one for take-home ice cream, with approximately 35% [IRI] of sales occurring over the winter," said an R&R spokeswoman.(missing text)flake her edgeHe finds that people love to learn new things. That's why bringing the brewery owners and brew masters to host the dinners is such a hit.Drennan notes that beer dinners and craft beers are growing trends across the country.DANGER ISLAND, NSWshe didn't thawthe river flowed past,SUSAN ADAMS,Robertson and Drennan say the dinners are also a great value. Held on a night when the restaurant is closed, diners enjoy beer with five or six food creations by chef Dan Blumenthal along with education and entertainment at a reasonable price.A group called Raise Your Pints is trying to change that state law and has established a website, raiseyourpints.com/."Our guests are diners ages 21 to 60. Everyone loves what we do with the beer dinners," Robertson said. "The dinners are a fun time when anywhere from 80 to 100 guests can come and socialize. I have noticed that beer is less intimidating than wine and liquor. A lot of people are afraid of wine because they feel they don't know enough and don't want to be embarrassed by this lack of knowledge. With liquor, many people are intimidated because they can't differentiate between brands. With beer, people are more open. It can be a thing of class, or just a way to enjoy a beverage with dinner."The ice cream maker is replacing its current Skinny Cow stick flavours with Mint Double Choc, Triple Choc Brownie and Caramel Shortcake variants, later this month. Each It is also adding Skinny Dippers minis - caramel and chocolate iced desserts (rsp: [pounds sterling]2.29 for a pack of eight) - to the better-for-you line up.Fractured.

DANGER ISLAND, NSW




Author: Adams, Susan


Skinny Cow sticks relaunch for winter


R&R Ice Cream has revealed its winter portfolio of ice creams, which include a relaunch of the Skinny Cow ice cream stick range and an indulgent Thorntons-branded dessert.


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"This time of year is a significant one for take-home ice cream, with approximately 35% [IRI] of sales occurring over the winter," said an R&R spokeswoman.




The Global Petroleum Perspective


Uzbekistan is putting much faith in the future of Asia as the world's primary growth area for natural gas and its other exports, including cotton, gold, other minerals, fertilisers, ferrous metals, textiles and motor vehicles. For the time being, its decision makers keep watching developments in the US, still the primary trend-setter for the global economy; but they also keep a close eye on what is happening in neighbouring China.


"In the ice cream sector, consumers continue to demand more value as well," says Jeff Kleinpeter, president of Kleinpeter Farms Dairy, Baton Rouge, La."I use Gordon Dearnley's specialist cheese-making herd at Bark House Farm in Shelley. They are a particular continental breed appropriate for this called Meuse-Rhine-Issel.Turkey Hill will release two new premium flavors--Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream, which is a vanilla ice cream recipe that includes extra vanilla, and Double Dunker, a mocha ice cream swirled with chewy cookie dough and crunchy chocolate cookie swirl.Foods given special protection IT'S okay to call the cheese made in Shelley Yorkshire Brie."Buy local," "preservative free" and "support family farmers" themes have gained in popularity in recent years. Processors are taking notice.He said: "I've been in this business a long time and when we sat down in the pub Danny wondered what cheese to go for - I said go for the Holy Grail. There's lots in Yorkshire but not so much in West Yorkshire and it's mostly hard cheese.

The heating oil crack spread may narrow once European and US refineries increase rates by end-October and focus on producing diesel. The difference between November heating oil and gasoline on Oct. 6 was 15.19 cents/g, after reaching a 13-month high of 20.73 cents on Oct. 1.




THE IDEA'S JUST A CURD TO ME! Shelley man makes Yorkshire Brie


Byline: KEVIN CORE


"Some of the most significant trends that we are seeing in the ice cream category are consumers' interest in dairy desserts with natural ingredients, healthy benefits, value and products with clear and precise packaging," says Turkey Hill's Wright.As Kleinpeter Farms has expanded its selections to 24 flavors, "we have seen higher customer satisfaction due to a variety of flavors, and all of these flavors include locally produced ingredients. That has become very important to our consumers," Kleinpeter says.To compete, even in a stagnant market, processors have to develop new products and flavors to help a brand stand out (and stay) on a retailer's shelf.The profit from turning crude into heating oil and diesel in the US had jumped to almost double that for gasoline as American exports to Europe and South America had risen. Heating oil futures on NYMEX, which trade as a surrogate for diesel, increased 13% in the third quarter, helping to drive the profit from producing heating, industrial and trucking fuel to almost three times what it was a year ago.But ice cream makers had little else to celebrate in 2010. A drop in sales, a rise in ingredient prices and competition for retail shelf space are churning their stomachs. Even this summers weather was not kind to the category. When temperatures get too high, consumers seek relief in cold beverages, not ice cream.Locally sourced and produced ice cream strikes a chord with some shoppers. "Over the past two to three years, awareness to support 'local' has grown tremendously. We have addressed this concern," Kleinpeter says."The question had been 'why can't we have a Yorkshire Brie?'."In general, consumers are looking for natural, healthier ingredients, and less preservatives. That's true with the ice cream category, too," says Baker of Smith Dairy. "We are finding that consumers in our markets want good old-fashioned ice cream." Regular ice cream continues to dominate the category with more than 85% of total volume, she says.Private label rules the ice cream market. Sales of private-label ice creams are more than double that of the closest branded ice cream, according to data from SymphonylRI Group, a Chicago-based market research firm. Breyers is the No. 1 brand, ringing up $435.2 million in sales compared to $992 million in private-label sales in a recent 52-week period (see table on page 46). Total sales in the category were off 4.1%, compared to the previous period (as measured in dollars), but unit sales were down just 1.1%."We've made an effort to create new products across almost all of our product lines, products that are uniquely Pierre's," Thornicroft says. The company will add a new flavor to its jHola Fruta! Pure Fruit Sherbet lineup. It is also working on six new flavors to its Yovation probiotic frozen yogurt product line and five flavors for its 48-ounce ice cream and frozen yogurt products."Friendly's have been a strong player in the ice cream cup category with our Sundaes To-Go line," Akkan says. "We are planning to increase ice cream cup offerings with more varieties that will meet consumers' needs."Yet the US oil market is the pointer at the moment, influenced by the values of the US dollar and setting the price trends for various commodities.In a weak economy, consumers are getting back to basics and are looking for quality, says Pierre's Thornicroft. Ice cream and frozen desserts have always been a big part of people's lives, and "it's still a relatively inexpensive and fun way to spend time with family and friends or indulge all by yourself," he says.These include:. Champagne, from a particular region in France. Parma ham, which must be made in the Italian town. Stilton cheese, produced in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire. Cornish clotted cream. Melton Mowbray pork pies, famous from a Leicestershire town. Arbroath smokies, the smoked haddock from the Scottish fishing port. Jersey Royal potatoes, the kidney-shaped spuds from the Channel island. And, of course, Yorkshire forced rhubarb from the "triangle" of Wakefield, Morley and Rothwell.Blue Bell, Brenham, Texas, launched an all-natural Strawberry Fruit Bar in its frozen novelty category. "Consumers like the fact that this product is made with 45% real strawberries, it has 50% of their daily recommended allowance of Vitamin C and has only 70 calories per bar," says Carl Breed, director of marketing.Ed Morse, head of commodities research at Credit Suisse in New York, said: "It's reflecting something of real value. Diesel demand is strong, heating oil as well. Europe is structurally short of distillate for the winter"."We really focused on our frozen yogurt line of products with a package redesign and three new flavor offerings," says Colin Wright, trade relations coordinator for Turkey Hill Dairy, Conestoga, Pa. "For 2011 we will continue our 2010 focus of keeping things fresh and innovative with one caveat; streamline our product offerings.""The Brie is a soft mould-ripened cheese with a smooth texture and a rich golden centre."He explained that the milk is mixed with a culture which turns the lactose into lactic acid and the milk is curdled. It is separated into curds and whey, the surface is skimmed and the liquid put into a mould. It naturally develops its hard white coat.This year, Turkey Hill introduced three new frozen yogurt flavors. The company's sales in the frozen yogurt/tofu category were up 329%, according to SymphonyIRI Group. The new flavors are Honey Vanilla Granola, Peanut Butter Pie and Southern Lemon Pie. The processor also brought out a limited-edition frozen yogurt flavor containing Omega-3s, PomBlueberry Chocolate Truffle. Turkey Hill Frozen Yogurt is made with live and active yogurt cultures.

* BRIE -LLIANT: Danny Lockwood, owner of Yorkshire Fine Cheese Ltd, of Shelley, pictured with some of his Brie (PW201010Acheese-01) Purchase: www.examiner.co.uk/buyaphoto 01484 430000 ext 7778




Waiting for a thaw: processors expect sales to increase next year. Meanwhile, they continue to develop new flavors and portions to tempt consumers


Haagen-Dazs celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. The brand launched in 1960 with three flavors (chocolate, coffee and vanilla). Today it offers more than 65 flavors in ice cream, sorbet, frozen yogurt and frozen snacks.


In 2011, Friendly will add Sundae Xtreme and Yogurt varieties in cartons and focus on single-serve products.The profit from refining crude into heating oil - i.e., the crack spread - rose to $13.70/b on Oct. 6, based on NYMEX futures, compared with $7.32/b gasoline. The corresponding spreads were $5.32 and $3.57 a year ago. On ICE Futures, the margin for gasoil, equivalent of heating oil, was $12.47/b, compared with $8.82 a year ago. The supply of gasoil in independent storage in Europe's Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp oil-trading hub had fallen to the lowest level since July, reflecting the region's growing use of the fuel. Diesel demand in 16 EU countries this year will be about 3.68m b/d, up from 3.6m in 2009. In June, July and August, demand for heating oil in Germany was 387,000 b/d, up from 255,000 a year earlier. Demand for diesel and heating oil in N-W Europe came roaring back this year. The US has a lot of low-sulphur diesel. Shipments to Europe are also growing as traders seek to profit from price differences between the two regions through open arbitrage. Ultra-low sulphur diesel in the Gulf Coast spot market averaged $2.1489/g, or about $676.81/ton, in September, compared with $693.48 for cargoes delivered into N-W Europe, while freight costs were about $11.75/ton. There were a number of cargoes going to Europe from the Gulf Coast.A small shop is attached to Danny's Barncliffe Mill base where he carries out the meticulous process, stirring only by hand with no mechanisation."It's our job to get placement on new flavors" on freezer shelves, says Baker. Allowing space for rotational flavors or limited editions can create interest and excitement. Ruggles Limited Edition ice cream flavors change every three months or so and feature seasonal favorites like Peach Pie, Pumpkin or Candy Cane.The week at NYMEX on Oct. 18 ended with paper WTI up $0.99 to $82.66/b, while on ICE paper Brent closed $0.60 up at $84.03. RBOB gasoline at the New York harbour was up $0.033 at $2.1512/g. Heating oil at the New York harbour was up $0.03 at $2.2819/g. NYMEX natural gas closed up $0.034 at 3.651/m BTU. By then the dollar was at its lowest point for 15 years.He said: "I wanted to do something a bit quirky, there are plenty of ice-cream makers but not so many people making cheese. It was becoming more fashionable and we were trying to tap into that market because people love to buy locally."It's very popular.The heating oil crack spread may narrow once European and US refineries increase rates by end-October and focus on producing diesel. The difference between November heating oil and gasoline on Oct. 6 was 15.19 cents/g, after reaching a 13-month high of 20.73 cents on Oct. 1."The biggest challenge for everyone right now has been the variability of commodity prices. What's made it even more difficult is that this variability has affected key ice cream ingredient categories like cream, sugar and cocoa," says Matthew Thornicroft, spokesperson for Pierre's Ice Cream Co., Cleveland.Eight months ago Danny Lockwood, 55, swapped his catering business to move into the manufacture of the only "Yorkshire Brie".Smith Dairy introduced four flavors in its Ruggles premium ice cream line after analyzing research that looked at consumers' preferences, repeat purchases and prior flavor experience, Baker says. The flavors are Peanut Butter Cup (peanut butter ice cream with chocolate fudge swirls and chunks of broken peanut butter cups); Birthday Cake (cake batter-flavored ice cream with a marshmallow swirl and multicolored sprinkles); Double Fudge Brownie (chocolate ice cream with fudge brownie pieces and a fudge swirl); and Black Raspberry Chip, a limited-edition flavor that sold so well, Smith made it a year-round flavor.Seasonal SKUs are one way that processors test-market new flavors and recipes. A limited production run keeps inventory low. Successful new flavors can be produced in greater volume, but if a flavor bombs, a processor has limited its risk because it hasn't invested much."It was quite a layout to get the operation started and my wife Carole helps with the admin and packing."He couldn't make enough originally but he's catching up now and it may prove even more popular with Christmas coming."The cheese may be more associated with France but having set up his base in Barncliffe Mills his creation is proving very popular.But there are many other food and drink products that have been given protected status because of their local roots."I've known the wholesaler Michael Lee for quite some time and this move was something we had discussed before.Back to basics, forward with innovation"Purveyor of fine cheese," Michael Lee, wholesaler of Fine Cheeses Ltd, is the sole distributor of the Barncliffe Brie.A cheesemaker has come up with what his wholesaler calls "The Holy Grail of cheeses".Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Oakland, Calif., is emphasizing "better-for-you" products. The company has seen "overwhelming interest" from consumers to its Fruit Bar brand, says Kevin George, director of innovation and insight. Acai and pomegranate are popular flavors. The 2.5-ounce bars have 60- to 70-calories per serving. On-pack messaging highlights the product's antioxidant properties, fruit and Vitamin C content and calorie count."It's a very competitive category," says Penny Baker, director of marketing for Smith Dairy Products Co., Orrville, Ohio. "Unfortunately, at retail, the category is over-promoted. There is very little brand loyalty in ice cream. Over-promotion rarely allows the retailer to capture full-revenue register rings on the frozen dessert category," Baker says.* BRIE -LLIANT: Danny Lockwood, owner of Yorkshire Fine Cheese Ltd, of Shelley, pictured with some of his Brie (PW201010Acheese-01) Purchase: www.examiner.co.uk/buyaphoto 01484 430000 ext 7778US exports to Europe and South America were bolstered by growth in some of the continents' biggest economies was accelerating. GDP in Germany, Europe's biggest consumer of heating oil, will expand 3.4% this year, according to the European Commission. Argentina's will grow 8.3%, the median of eight analysts' estimates compiled show."We have also focused on buying more locally produced milk," Kleinpeter says.No company wants to sit on its heels. Product introductions show retailers, investors and consumers that a company is moving forward.CAPTION(S):"Innovation has been our focus in 2010," says Zeynep Akkan, marketing manager at Friendly Ice Cream Corp., Wilbraham, Mass. "We partnered with Kraft to create the Oreo Ice Cream Cake. Another innovative product we launched this year was the Ice Cream Cupcakes, which is unique in its ease of serving, versatility and portion control benefits."

This year, Turkey Hill introduced three new frozen yogurt flavors. The company's sales in the frozen yogurt/tofu category were up 329%, according to SymphonyIRI Group. The new flavors are Honey Vanilla Granola, Peanut Butter Pie and Southern Lemon Pie. The processor also brought out a limited-edition frozen yogurt flavor containing Omega-3s, PomBlueberry Chocolate Truffle. Turkey Hill Frozen Yogurt is made with live and active yogurt cultures.




Author: Jim Carper


Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. and Dunkin’ Donuts to Make America’s Favorite Coffee Available in K-Cup Portion Packs for Keurig Single-Cup Brewers


Dunkin’ K-Cup portion packs to be sold exclusively at participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants


For more information on RIO, please visit www.riovideogame.com or www.thq.com.According to The NPD Group / CREST®, Dunkin’ Donuts serves the most hot traditional and iced coffee in America,* selling more than one billion cups of hot and iced coffee every year. Dunkin’ Donuts uses 100% Arabica coffee beans, and the company’s coffee specifications are recognized by the industry as a superior grade of coffee. Dunkin’ Donuts was recently ranked number one in customer loyalty in the coffee category for the fifth consecutive year by the 2010 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index. Additionally in 2010, Dunkin’ Donuts opened more net new locations globally than any other quick-service (QSR) brand.About RioAbout THQDunkin’ Brands, Inc. Forward-Looking Statements“RIO’s humor, compelling characters, thrilling story, colorful characters and wonderful music inspired us to create a unique and imaginative game experience,” said Martin Good, THQ’s Executive Vice President of Kids, Family and Casual Games.All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.Certain statements in this press release express our opinions, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or projections regarding future events or future results, including, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the industry in which we operate, and therefore are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements.” These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “seeks,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “may,” “will” or “should” or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. Due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in forward-looking statements, actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in this press release. We do not undertake to revise or update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.A recognized industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products licenses and markets properties worldwide on behalf of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Twentieth Television and Fox Broadcasting Company, as well as third party lines. The division is aligned with Twentieth Century Fox Television, one of the top suppliers of primetime entertainment programming to the broadcast networks.About Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products:About Dunkin’ Donuts“RIO is one of the biggest family film events of the year and is tailor made to be enjoyed through a video game that will bring the same experience to gamers of all ages,” added Gary Rosenfeld, Senior Vice President, New Media for Fox Consumer Products.About Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR)"We believe customers will be delighted to learn that ‘America’s Favorite Coffee’ will soon be able to be prepared in America’s fastest-growing single-cup brewing system,” said Nigel Travis, Dunkin’ Brands CEO and Dunkin’ Donuts President. “By introducing Dunkin’ K-Cup portion packs and making them available exclusively in our restaurants, we are giving more people more occasions to enjoy Dunkin’ Donuts coffee and more ways to enjoy using their Keurig Single-Cup Brewing Systems. We believe this alliance of two brand leaders means incremental sales for GMCR, for Dunkin’ Donuts and for our Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees.”

Certain statements in this press release express our opinions, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or projections regarding future events or future results, including, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the industry in which we operate, and therefore are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements.” These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “seeks,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “may,” “will” or “should” or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. Due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in forward-looking statements, actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in this press release. We do not undertake to revise or update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.