What does Fair Trade mean? Simply put, it means a form of trade where farmers and producers of commodities such as coffee beans, chocolate or artisan goods are paid a fair price for their product and labour, carried out in a sustainable manner to allow long-term trade and working toward fair wages and treatment of workers involved.

What makes a product certified Organic? Again, simple concept: products that are certified Organic are free of chemical pesticides and fertilizers and grown in soil that has been free of such synthetic chemicals for several years to ensure organic purity. Strict records of production and sales are kept and periodic site inspections are conducted to ensure adherence to Organic certification guidelines.

So, how do these relate to You and Brewed? Every time you buy a coffee, from the dollar-fifty mug of java to the five-dollar large latte, you are supporting both the Fair Trade and Organic movements. It’s also part of promoting a globally aware community, right here in Corner Brook. Seriously, it’s that simple. You enjoy our product and service and we do the rest! How do we do it? Well, we’ve got a few tricks up our sleeve.

First, as mentioned above, we only use Fair Trade and Organically certified coffee beans. Those large burlap sacks you often see around our shop are actually one-hundred-fifty pound bags of green coffee beans. We order them directly from the countries of origin (Guatemala, Bolivia, Peru and Mexico). This in turn not only ensures fair payment to coffee producers, but eliminates middlemen – resulting in savings for all of us. Yes, Fair Trade products do cost us more upfront. However, for us, the benefits to the Fair Trade operations we buy from and the quality of the product we offer you is well worth it.

Second, we roast all of our beans on-site. This means the freshest product possible for you. We roast in small batches to keep our freshness standards that much higher. Every espresso drink (macchiato, mocha, latte and cappuccino) is made from espresso ground fresh for each drink and our drip coffee is ground in small batches to meet the day’s demand. You could say we’re obsessed with the freshness of your coffee.

Finally, we have an amazing staff who works hard to keep Brewed running in its beautiful and unique way. You may have noticed that we don’t wear uniforms at our shops. We want our baristas to be themselves and let their personalities come through in their service. We don’t just tune in the local radio station then tune out our minds, we encourage our staff to bring their own music to work and share it with you. We want you to know that you can stop by for a chat and that we can get to know you as more than just another body in line for coffee.

Ultimately, we want to offer globally minded products in a local way. We want to show Corner Brook that coffee culture is a beautiful thing and easy to get involved with. We want you to Be Kind, Be Local, Be Brewed.

So, down to business.  Just arrived last week - Brewed Awakening t-shirts!!!  Now you can wear your Brewed Pride and look sharp!

These guys are pre-shrunk, ring-spun, soft-feel cotton from Gildan (The folks at Gildan finally caught up to American Apparel's fit and feel).  They're custom-designed and locally-printed by Jeremy Osmond  -

http://www.josmonddesign.com/

-  'cause, as ya'll know, we love supporting and building community here at Brewed and Cycle Solutions.

The shirts are goin' for 30 dollars, taxes in, and can be picked up at both our West Street and Mt. Bernard locations.  We've got a limited run, so be sure to grab one while they're still available!

In other news, New Year's Eve is tomorrow!  It comes faster and faster each year - never ceases to amaze me.  All the staff at Brewed/Brewed on Bernard/Cycle Solutions want to wish you all the best in the New Year and a safe celebration tomorrow night!!!  Spread the cheer, love and get your game-face on for 2011 - it's gonna be the best one yet

Well, that's all from me for the time being.  See you next year!

Douglas

So, I just came from helping Peter lug the 150 lb sacks of green beans into our Mt. Bernard location and was reminded of all the hard work that goes into the production of coffee, and subsequently the fact that our coffee is Fair-Trade certified.

I know I plug it a lot but it's a great thing to know that here in our little mill town we can have an alternative to Tim Horton's or Mother Parker's hotel bellywash.  And, you can have it for $1.50 a mug.  We've got a good thing going here, and that's just the coffee.  More Fair-Trade awareness brings about a more global-minded attitude which in turn, well, is just better for everyone.  Just a thought

Cheers,

Douglas

Douglas here, hopin' you're feelin' as good as I am (though, I've got copious amounts of espresso on my side).  The season is upon us, even though the snow can't seem to get its act together, and we're feelin' festive at Brewed.  We're rockin' the Gingerbread lattes, eggnog steamers and the pumpkin pie cappuccinos (sorry folks, the eggnog is sans rum...).  Also, all the staff stockings are hung with care so feel free to drop all the lumps of coal you like

Time's runnin' out on the gift-gettin' as well, so be sure not to forget Brewed and Cycle Solutions for great gift ideas and stocking-stuffers.  Whole-bean coffee and merino wool long johns always make me happy on Christmas mornin' - just sayin'.

A great Monday to y'all, I need another cup o' coffee.

Douglas

Starting today and running until December 31st we're offering gift bundles for all the espresso-junkies on your list.  Here's the breakdown:

Buy a pound of coffee and a travel mug, receive both for $32

Pick up a bottle of flavour syrup and a pound of coffee, get both for $30

Wow 'em with a travel mug and a bottle of syrup for $32

If you're feeling extra festive, pick up a bottle of syrup, pound of coffee and a travel mug and get all three for $45

We' also now have out holiday syrups - gingerbread, egg nog and pumpkin pie - in stock.  Get a festive-refueling for all your daily doin's.

And, if for no other reason, just come in and see me.  I love ya'll.

Douglas

The gang up at the Grenfell Theatre department are putting off a production of Helen Edmuston's Coram Boy. The show runs Nov. 24th - 27th @ 8pm and tickets can be purchased at the college bookstore or at the box office prior to each showing.

Live, at the GCSU Backlot, The Pathological Lovers.  I had the chance to see them at Casual Jack's a few years back and I'd recommend you do the same this Friday.  Doors open @ 8:30, cover is 7$ and ID for 19 is required. Oh, and bring your dancin' shoes.

It's that time of year again - The Grenfell Visual Arts Silent Auction and Coffee House is running this weekend, the 26th and the 27th, in the Grenfell Fine Arts atrium from 12 noon until 11pm. Seriously, a great chance to snag some art on the cheap.  Art is, like your fruits and vegetables, good for you - eat it up.

TNL's production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol will run at the Arts and Culture Centre this weekend.  Friday and Saturday's shows begin at 8pm while the Sunday show runs at 2pm. Call their box office at 637 2580 for tickets.

BEST FISH!  Emerging Artists' Craft Fair happens this weekend at the main floor of the  Marble Mountain Lodge.  Friday, the 26th noon - 9pm, Saturday the 27th from 10am-6pm and Sunday the 28th from 11am-4pm.

So, there's much to see/do/buy/enjoy  - get out there!

Oh, I almost forgot, here's a shameless plug for a product I love:

Cycle Solutions is now proudly carrying Icebreaker Merino Wool clothing.  The following are the list of advantages to Merino wool:

- doesn't stink. ever. I go for a run in it, hang it to dry, fresh as a daisy in just over an hour.

- keeps you warm even when wet.  again, run through a puddle in winter and within a minute your feet are warm again.

- annually renewable/sustainable via the lovely New Zealand Merino sheep/farm(ers) that produce it

- flame retardant, seriously.

- biodegradable

- because the wool fibers are long, the wool actually feels nice on the skin, not itchy (base-layer heaven)

- by weight, Merino wool is the warmest clothing for any pursuit as compared to synthetics

- and, if that isn't enough, it also offers high UV protection

So folks, I'm pretty damned cool but I don't offer half of those factors.  I personally own hats, gloves, base-layers and socks in Merino wool and I am one cozy, happy guy all winter long.  I'm heading out for a run after work today and you can be sure I'll be wearing my ice-breaker 200 weight gear under the wind-proofing.  I know, it sounds like a sleazy plug, but I love the stuff and I've put it to the test over and over.  Promise.

Ciao for now,

Douglas