trader joe's opens friday 0ct.28

In the clothing industry (about which I know more than the beer business), just because Company X's factory makes Company Y's clothing doesn't mean Y's clothing is the same quality as the stuff with X's label on it. X is normally happy to make things on contract with whatever quality materials and construction Y is willing to pay for, since nobody knows what factory it comes from.

Is it the same in the beer world? Or can one reasonably expect that TJ's Vintage Ale will be as good as Unibroue's other beers (etc.)?

I don't know for sure, but the few places around here that sell private label stuff are often selling the exact same beer, just under another name. The AP Crafters label beers are Schlafly Brown Ale, BBC Pale, Upland Wheat, and KY Light, no changes to the recipe. The Sheltowee (sp?). sold at Liquor Barns is very close, if not identical, to the original BBC brews.

Thanks for the info Justin. I'll have to check it out.

I was in heaven when I visited Jungle Jim's in Cincy recently. They have a lot of beers not distributed in Indiana/Kentucky. I also made a recent trip to Nashville and had a terrific meal at the "Flying Saucer" restaurant. Now that would be an amazing addition to the Metro scene!

[Robin Garr]

It will actually cost $2.99 a bottle because of taxes and shipping costs from California.

Either the CJ misunderstood or the source is "modifying" the facts a bit. The real issue is that in California TJ's is its own wholesaler and retailer. They can't do that in other states, so the wine has to go through the "three-tier" system, and that's where the wholesaler gets his vig.

IIRC, $2.99 is actually cheaper than at TJ in Cincinnati. I think it's around $3.29 up there.

[Robin Garr]

IIRC, $2.99 is actually cheaper than at TJ in Cincinnati. I think it's around $3.29 up there.

Ohio purportedly has the highest wholesale markup among the 50 states.

In the clothing industry (about which I know more than the beer business), just because Company X's factory makes Company Y's clothing doesn't mean Y's clothing is the same quality as the stuff with X's label on it. X is normally happy to make things on contract with whatever quality materials and construction Y is willing to pay for, since nobody knows what factory it comes from.

Is it the same in the beer world? Or can one reasonably expect that TJ's Vintage Ale will be as good as Unibroue's other beers (etc.)?

Private label in the beer biz usually means putting your label on an existing beer. The Sheltowee line is an exception as all are unique formulas, some close to the Brewer's line but tweaked so not identical.

The only way to determine if TJ Vintage will be as good as the brewer's other beers is to buy one, drink it and report back. Of course, it is an import.

IIRC, $2.99 is actually cheaper than at TJ in Cincinnati. I think it's around $3.29 up there.

Ohio purportedly has the highest wholesale markup among the 50 states.

Which explains why a feller can buy a six pack of Great Lakes Brewing beer a full buck cheaper in KY than he can in the Cleveland grocery store right across the street from the brewery.

Tomorrow's the big day!
I'm looking forward to having a Trader Joes.
So sue me.

I thought this might be interesting to some of you. It was forwarded to me a few days ago. Italics are mine.

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Protest the opening of Trader Joe's in Louisville, KY, in solidarity with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW)!

Saturday, October 29th @ 10:00 am.
Where: 4600 Shelbyville Road, in Shelbyville Road Plaza in St. Mathews, Louisville, KY.

In solidarity with the Coalition of Immokalee Worker's campaign for 1 cent per pound and enforceable labor standards, the members of Kentucky Interfaith Taskforce on Latin America and the Caribbean (KITLAC) are sending a call out to show solidarity and support this historic movement for farm worker rights, decent wages and living conditions, as the struggle returns to Louisville.

Trader Joe's officially opens Friday, October 28th. What better way to bring in Trader Joe's first Saturday morning in Louisville than with the voice of the people.

Trader Joe's is part of one of the world's largest supermarket corporations and the foreign owners are the 10th and 18th richest persons in the world, and they now have a stake in the Louisville economy. Let's rise up and show that the People Occupy Louisville and Demand Justice for Farm Workers!

How: Bring your voice, energy, colorful signs, and musical instruments.

For more info: contact Stephen Bartlett: sbartlett@ag-missions.org (502)896-9171)or Pat Geier pgeier@fastmail.fm (502)456-6586)

For more info on the campaign and week of action starting Oct 21 at Trader Joe's corporate headquarters, see: http://www.ciw-online.org.

I totally support this movement for 1 cent increase per lb for tomato workers by the CIW. But if you read the Trader Joe's info from their site, it appears that they stepped up and pre-paid an additional 3 cents per lb for the 2011-2012 year. The disagreement curently appears to be over How the committment is being made, not that Trader Joe's isn't paying fair wages.

Deb

We'll probably be part of the crowd late tomorrow night!

So TJ's is the only grocery store in Louisville not complying with this group's demands? 'Cause I haven't noticed them protesting Whole Foods, Kroger, Target, Valu Market...

Jeff,
Whole Foods signed the committment back in 2008. Don't know about the other stores you mention.

Deb

So TJ's is the only grocery store in Louisville not complying with this group's demands? 'Cause I haven't noticed them protesting Whole Foods, Kroger, Target, Valu Market...

People protest (among other reasons) for attention. I'm pretty sure no one is really paying attention to the Valu Market at Fegenbush Lane and the Outer Loop. But, they should be, seeing as so many people with clout shop at at that Valu.

[I say this as someone proud to be raised just down the road.]

and they now have a stake in the Louisville economy

Hasn't Aldi been in Louisville for some time?