When neighborhood folks wanted an affordable buying club during the 1972 wartime economy, the Syracuse Real Food Co-op was born. In 1974, it moved to its current location at 618 Kensington Road, off Westcott Street. The business, catering to more than 2,400 members and owners, plus thousands of shoppers, sells local and organic products.

Front End Manager Jeremy DeChario purchases the store’s diverse and rapidly expanding craft beer offerings. DeChario moved to Syracuse from Florida in 2010 and has been working at the co-op ever since. His love for beer stems from his undergraduate years, when he discovered Dogfish Head’s (Del.) varieties.

The co-op began selling beer in October 2011, and it’s one of only two co-ops in Central New York to sell beer. The other is Ithaca’s Greenstar Natural Foods Market.

Central New York has an extremely high-quality food and beverage scene stemming from farms, dairies and breweries in the area. This allows the co-op to support local products while still diversifying and pleasing customers.

The beer stock rotates limited editions, seasonal releases and new creations.

‘People want to try new things all the time,’ he said.

DeChario talks with his distributor and brewery representatives and orders several weeks in advance to ensure new beers are in stock. He remains adept to new releases; sometimes, he receives the only case sent locally and charges less than other nearby establishments.

DeChario also hosts beer tastings at the co-op every third Thursday each month. Attendees include dedicated customers and occasionally Marc Rubenstein, owner of Middle Ages Brewing. Some beers in stock include Dogfish Head Tweason’ale (gluten-free), and most Middle Ages, Ommegang (Cooperstown, N.Y.) and Sixpoint (Brooklyn, N.Y.) varieties, including Resin, a double IPA at 9.1 percent alcohol. DeChario also buys at least one of every beer he sells. He takes pride in knowing his products and discusses beer with anyone who wants to learn or share thoughts.

‘Life is too short and there are so many beers to try,’ said DeChario as a parting message.

Don’t waste any time — never settle because of price, alcohol content or unfamiliarity. Experiment and give your palate something to look forward to. Cheers!

 

—Compiled by Lucas Sacks, staff writer, ldsacks@syr.edu

Published on February 28, 2012 at 12:00 pm