Last week’s front page news that Hostess Twinkies are back on retailers’ shelves after a two-year, bankruptcy-induced hiatus produced a bit of nostalgia in this old convenience store merchant.
Back when I owned a little corner store in the Creston Heights neighborhood—the first incarnation of Siciliano’s Market—I occasionally indulged in some admittedly childish shenanigans with the iconic, cream-filled pastries as my prop.
It started when a regular customer, one of a group of fun-loving, artistic types who worked for a firm across the street, brought a Twinkie up to the sales counter. I looked at the golden, cellophane wrapped sponge cake and for some reason had an uncontrollable urge to smash it. After the startled customer’s shock at having his intended purchase flattened like a pancake with a clipboard, we had a good laugh. I put the smashed Twinkie aside and told him to grab another.
Thirty minutes later I was surprised to see that the spongy snack cake had almost returned to its original shape.
From that day on employees of the firm would occasionally buy a Twinkie with the hope, I’m sure, that I would repeat the tomfoolery.
Every once in a while I would oblige them.
New and Returning Beer
- Oddside Firefly, $2.59/12oz - "The blend of papaya and a small dose of habaneros provide an ideal mixture of spicy and sweet" (source).
- Southern Tier Harvest, $1.69/12oz - "Harvest Ale is our celebration of the changing weather and the sowing of hops and barley that will be used in our upcoming brews. We usher in the fall with a classic English style Extra Special Bitter of the highest order. Deep ruby in color with an even deeper hop flavor… in fact, we throw fresh English hops into every brewing vessel, then dry hop after fermentation to impart a zesty kick. This beer has real hop character that mingles with fresh malted barley for an experience that will make you wish it were fall year ‘round" (source).
- New Holland Incorrigible Reserve, $4.79/22oz (1 per) - "Michigan blueberries & blackberries fuel a second flavorful fermentation of this beer after its residence of several months in our House of Funk sour cellar" (source).
- McEwans Scotch Ale, $3.29/12oz - "Deep brown colour. A chocolate and caramel body with a lingering sweet finish. Originally brewed by McEwan’s at the Fountain brewery in Edinburgh. Production moved from Fountain to the Caledonian Brewery in 2004. The McEwan’s brand passed to Heineken in 2008 after their purchase of Scottish & Newcastle’s British operations. Heineken sold the brand to Wells & Youngs in 2011. Packaged McEwan’s beers are produced at Wells & Youngs brewery in Bedford" (source).
Video of the Week | Blake's Hard Cider
Congrats to former staffer Greg Johnson, now a cidermaker Blake's Hard Cider.
Cheers!
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