This is a guest post, written by E.J. Iannelli.
Rocky Ridge Ranch has recently opened membership slots for its 2011-12 Winter CSA program. (For more background on what exactly a CSA is, see here.)
This will mark the second year that Rocky Ridge is running the program. Last year was a trial run of sorts in which the CSA was a combined meat-and-veg offering. This year, it's been split into two separate components to better accommodate vegetarian diets.
Other lessons—valuable ones—were learned last year too. Winter gardening is a tricky and potentially costly undertaking; working within its limitations is something of an art.
As one of last year's members, I can honestly say that this art wasn't quite perfected at the time. We had pie-in-the-sky notions of greenhouse tomatoes in December and zucchini in March. While the first few weeks were deliriously bountiful as we reaped all the late-ripening veggies that were planted for the summer CSA, the latter stages were defined by kale, kale, and more kale. It had the air of a gulag menu.
Gary and So, the farming couple behind this enterprise, have said that improvements are already underway this year. Climate- and season-friendly vegetables will be planted, and the more finicky varieties will be in the ground earlier. The heated greenhouses are already in place and functional. But even the refined CSA still comes with the caveat: know what you're getting into. It could be tomatoes in December, or it could be yet another round of kale.
Although veggies inherently leave a lot to the Fates, Rocky Ridge's meat offerings, on the other hand, rarely fall short of excellent. Our Thanksgiving turkey—included in the cost of the CSA—would have fed a battalion. Even something as unexciting as ham hocks make for a great pea-and-ham soup that warms to the soul in the dead of winter.
The sign-up page outlines in a general way the contents, assured and anticipated, of each delivery and the overall schedule. The more detailed info, unfortunately, is outdated, but Gary has said that he can be reached via e-mail for specifics.
If our own plans can offer any help as a rough guide, we intend to sign up for the veggie winter CSA and supplement its lulls with Main Market produce boxes if and when they're available. We've still got a chest freezer full of meat from last year's winter CSA (which should be some indication of the quantity), so we plan on buying Rocky Ridge meat on an ad hoc basis during CSA pickups.
We like beer here at Team SpoCOOL, so much that we sometimes even make it ourselves. Homebrewing, in other words. We also like contests, and have been known to arrange a few. Sometimes 1+1+1 does equal three, and thus came the inspiration for SpoBREW, our first homebrewing contest.
This would be the spot where we'd ask teams to sign up, but as it is, when we tested the waters on Twitter we soon had fourteen teams signed up. Our cap is fifteen, meaning there's one spot left. One. Spot. For heaven's sake, don't wait; e-mail team@spocool.com right now if you want it, the last one.
This is, not surprisingly, not your average homebrewing contest either. That's not how we roll. It doesn't matter if you've never brewed a batch of beer in your life; consider this the chance to get started. Psychological warfare is probably more important than your brewing skills anyway. It's all about how good you are at getting your competitors off their game. That's how we constantly keep beating Team Down to Earth.
But what if you don't want to brew and still want to compete, SpoBREW style? Did those team slots just fill up too quickly and you still want to feel competition rush through your body? Fret not, we also have an art contest! Anyone can enter here, even the homebrewers. More details below.
Lastly, of course we will keep you updated here on how the competition is going. Regular updates at that. And we assumed some of the other brewers will do the same thing on their own websites.
Enough talk, how do you—or we as it is—win this thing? The rules:
The Homebrewing Contest
The rules are simple: Each entry (entry = beer) must be brewed from scratch, either by an individual or by a team. You can sign up by e-mailing team@spocool.com -- feel free to e-mail team@spocool.com with questions. The deadline for registering is May 12th, and we will cap the contest off at 15 teams, on a first come first serve basis.
The judging will take place on either July 9th or 10th—location is still to be determined. Your entries will need to be dropped off there 30 minutes before judging. (If, for whatever reason, your team can't make it, we can possibly make alternate arrangements.) You do not have to be present to win—only your brew needs to be there.
You'll need to bring two gallons of your entry in unmarked bottles, as the tasting will be blind. You might be better liked if you bring more than that, however! One gallon is about eleven 12oz bottles. (And of course you can take any bottles not opened back home for your own enjoyment.) A typed description of your entry will also be required when you check in your beer at the contest.
Individuals are free to participate in multiple teams; each team can submit only one entry.
Judging will, not surprisingly, be based on various criteria, such as "appearance," "smell" and "taste." More details on the specifics are forthcoming.
There can be at least two best of show winners: One decided by a jury of experts and one by your fellow homebrewers. Of course, one entry can win both categories. (Respect to the winner if that happens.) Other possible ways to win the contest will be decided by the panel of judges.
A team will get at least 4oz of each brew to sample—an individual will get 2oz.
Finally: We are not responsible for your health or well being; whining and complaining about the competition is not welcomed!
The Beer Art Contest
This one is just as simple. Come up with a name and label-art for any made-up beer of your choice. Then make sure the art is printed (or displayed on a digital device like a laptop or iPad or whatever) and deliver it alongside a description of your beer to the place of judging—spot still do be determined (and might be an outside venue)—at least thirty minutes before start. Date will, again, be either July 9th or 10th.
Multiple entries are allowed, and the winner will be determined by the contest audience.
Please register as a contestant on this site.
