Under $10: Upcoming Classes

August 21, 2013, 8:04 am

≫ Next: Back-to-School Gift Certificate Giveaways

≪ Previous: Revolutionary Fare Party + Pie Contest - August 24!

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If you're pinching pennies (aren't we all!), here are a few classes that won't stretch your wallet too far. 

The Masters of Social Gastronomy Take on Chinese Takeout - Wednesday, August 28

The Brooklyn Waterfront: Past and Present - Wednesday, September 11

Great New York City Buildings Few Guidebooks Will Ever Mention - Thursday, September 12

The History of Meat - Monday, September 16

Ice Cream Club Meeting - Sunday, September 22

Agitprop! A History of 20th Century Propaganda - Wednesday, October 2

 

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Back-to-School Gift Certificate Giveaways

August 27, 2013, 7:15 am

≫ Next: The Masters of Social Gastronomy Get Barbecued

≪ Previous: Under $10: Upcoming Classes

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It's back-to-school season, so we thought it was time to give away a few gift certificate packages! We'll set you up with one of our incredible tote bags (your choice), a bundle of our world-famous fact magnets, and a $50 gift certificate to help you get your learn on!

Leave a comment below by Friday, September 6 at 12pm EDT, and we'll select the winners at random and let you know via email/facebook. You have to be 18 and live in the US, btw. 

If you hate FB but still want to participate, just shoot us an email at contest@brooklynbrainery.com

Boring legalese rules? We've got them right here.

The Masters of Social Gastronomy Get Barbecued

August 29, 2013, 5:44 pm

≫ Next: Book Recommendations from Our Teachers

≪ Previous: Back-to-School Gift Certificate Giveaways

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Every month, our MSG lectures take on the history and science behind some of your favorite foods. Up this month: barbecue.

Have you ever wondered where the tradition of slow cooking generous hunks of fatty meat came from? From its roots in Spanish barbacoa, to massive Southern meat pits and the modern day backyard cook out, we'll track the barbecue's history.

Then, Soma will tackle the fiercely regional world of barbecue, from the sauces of the Carolinas to Austin's brisket battles, because there's more to modern barbecue than slathering on the thick, sweet dip that Kansas City gifted the world We'll look at some of the most fiery fights of the day: pork versus beef, spicy versus sweet, and the blasphemy of the Texas crutch, sharing DIY tips along the way.

We're super excited that this month's MSG is at The Brooklyn Kitchen!

All the details:
* Doors open at 6:30, talks shortly thereafter.
* $5 admission includes 10% off all non-food purchases + beer.
* Tickets will most likely sell out, so be sure to get yours in advance! 

 

Book Recommendations from Our Teachers

September 2, 2013, 9:12 am

≫ Next: Coming Up this Fall: Daytime Classes

≪ Previous: The Masters of Social Gastronomy Get Barbecued

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Every so often we spotlight some must-reads from our awesome teachers. Up this time: grammar, food pairings, and music writing. 

 The Glamour of Grammar 

by Roy Peter Clark

Why you should read it: Clark takes a great approach toward pesky grammar points. This is an engaging, interesting, and highly informative read. 

Suggested by: Grace Duggan

 Taste Buds and Molecules: The Art and Science of Food, Wine, and Flavor

by Francois Chartier

Why you should read it: Throw out all those pairing books written by overly opinionated chefs and their egos. Instead take a spin with Chartier's book which uses SCIENCE. 

Suggested by: Andrew Torrens

 The White Album

by Joan Didion

Why you should read it: I'm recommending just the essay here, the essay that comes from the book of the same name, although Joan Didion is an amazing writer all around. This isn't specifically a music essay, but we read a selection from this essay in every class, one that talks about the Doors, and every time without fail, the class is blown away. She's one of the best living writers, I think, and this essay is one way that shows it. 

Suggested by: Stacey Kahn

Coming Up this Fall: Daytime Classes

September 3, 2013, 5:01 pm

≫ Next: Event Heads Up: Farm Visit + Dinner at Kinderhook Farms

≪ Previous: Book Recommendations from Our Teachers

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For those of you who work a non-traditional schedule, we have lots of daytime classes coming your way in Prospect Heights this fall. 

Sign up and get all the details by following the links below! 

For fun:

Make Your Own Marbled Papers

Shibori Tie-Dye

Learn to Knit: A Simple Shawl

Pretzels & Mustard

For work (maybe):

Storytelling for Business

Presentation Skills

Experience Design for Everyone

By way of reminder, all classes are 18+! 

Event Heads Up: Farm Visit + Dinner at Kinderhook Farms

September 5, 2013, 2:13 pm

≫ Next: Prospect Heights Health & Harvest Fair on September 21

≪ Previous: Coming Up this Fall: Daytime Classes

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Our good friend (and past Brainery teacher!) Michelle Warner is organizing an awesome-looking day of learning & eating at Kinderhook Farm on Saturday, September 14th. 

Kinderhook Farm raises some of the Hudson Valley’s finest grass-fed natural lamb and beef. Their animals, including free range chickens and pastured hogs, roam hundreds of acres of pastureland, growing strong as they forage the rolling fields.

On the trip, you will learn all about the inner workings of a grass-fed livestock farm, starting with an in-depth walking tour of the grounds. Afterward, you'll take part in a cooking lesson using Kinderhook ingredients, and the evening will wrap up with a shared hearty supper in the Hudson Valley twilight. 

Learn more& reserve your spot: http://kinderhookfarmtour.brownpapertickets.com/

Prospect Heights Health & Harvest Fair on September 21

September 12, 2013, 6:33 am

≫ Next: Nedick's: "Always a Pleasure"

≪ Previous: Event Heads Up: Farm Visit + Dinner at Kinderhook Farms

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On Saturday, September 21, our block in Prospect Heights will be transformed into a fun and family-friendly block party. Come on over to our table for a quickie lesson in modular origami! 

Nedick's: "Always a Pleasure"

September 13, 2013, 7:22 am

≫ Next: Under $10: September + October Classes

≪ Previous: Prospect Heights Health & Harvest Fair on September 21

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While digging up our backyard at the Brainery this spring, we found this nearly intact and neat glass bottle. I'd never heard of Nedick's before and was kind of loving the logo, and so I did a little digging around. 

a newer version of the logo, originally trademarked in 1944 

What was Nedick's anyway? 

A Nedick's stand, undated

The first Nedick's was a stand founded sometime around 1913 in New York at 23rd and Broadway. Its name came from combining the last names of its two founders, Neely and Dickinson, and the stand quickly grew into a chain found throughout the NYC area until the 1970's. 

Nedick's became famous for their orange drink and grilled hot dogs, and I loved this remembrance of a location we're probably all familiar with:

I grew up in Brooklyn and Nedicks had a small stand right outside the Long Island Railroad on Atlantic ave. across fro the big downtown Williamsburg Savings bank which is still there and is most famous for its clock...Of course I always had to stop and get one of the great hot dogs which were grilled to a perfect crunch like Nathans. They shaved the sides of the buns and had these tiny little perfectly cut onions that always amazed me.

What was in the bottle? 

One of Nedick's most beloved products was its uncarbonated orange drink, which is likely what was in the bottle I found.

It was varyingly described by a fans as "a combo of orangeade and orange juice," and by a critic in a 1969 New York article as "a liquid I have not sent to the lab for analysis but which is certainly closer in taste to sugar water than orange juice." Some people liked the pulp, while others thought it was a little too frothy. 

Regardless, Nedick's was bottling the stuff at least by 1949, as we can see by the awesomely specific ad below:

Nedick's Orange Drink ad, 1949, source

If anyone out there remembers what Nedick's Orange Drink tasted like, I'd love to hear about it! Perhaps it's ripe for a comeback?> 

 

 

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Under $10: September + October Classes

September 16, 2013, 6:55 am

≫ Next: Popping Up in the Lower East Side

≪ Previous: Nedick's: "Always a Pleasure"

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In a handy list:

Drop-in Session: Friendship Bracelets - Saturday, September 21

The Masters of Social Gastronomy Get Barbecued - Tuesday, September 24 at The Brooklyn Kitchen

The History of the Gowanus Canal - Thursday, September 26

For the Record: A History of the DJ - Monday, September 30

Great New York City Buildings Few Guidebooks Will Ever Mention - Tuesday, October 1

Agitprop! A History of 20th Century Propaganda - Wednesday, October 2

DNA, RNA, WTF: Basic Cellular & Molecular Biology - Thursday, October 3

Home-Buying in Brooklyn - Tuesday, October 8

The Brooklyn Waterfront: Past and Present - Wednesday, October 9

How to Run a Marathon (or Half-Marathon!) - Sunday, November 10

Popping Up in the Lower East Side

September 19, 2013, 7:09 am

≫ Next: For the Holidays: Private Classes and Gift Certificates

≪ Previous: Under $10: September + October Classes

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We have exciting news!

This November, we'll be popping up for aweek of classes and events in the Lower East Side as part of the awesome Storefront Transformer project. They're aiming to turn a vacant storefront into a neighborhood hub for seven consecutive weeks, each centered around a different theme: show, shop, eat, make, learn, play, and share. 

BUT, the project will only happen if MiLES, the organization behind everything, can raise enough funds to cover the costs. Check out their Kickstarter for some awesome rewards, explore the other pop-ups, and we'll see you there.

 

For the Holidays: Private Classes and Gift Certificates

September 23, 2013, 10:06 am

≫ Next: Tangra Fall: An Indo-Chinese Pop up Dinner

≪ Previous: Popping Up in the Lower East Side

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Sure sure, it's too early to plan for the holidays, but they'll be here before we all know it, and there's nothing better than being prepared. 

If you're organizing a team-building holiday party away from the office or a non-traditional get together for your friends, we can help plan a private class from start to finish at our location in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. Read more about private classes, or email us to get the ball rolling. 

And if you're just looking for a cool present for your very best friend or relative, pick up a gift certificate that can be used toward any class. 

 

 

Tangra Fall: An Indo-Chinese Pop up Dinner

October 27, 2013, 12:12 pm

≫ Next: Things We Love: Homebrew 101 Class at Bitter & Esters

≪ Previous: For the Holidays: Private Classes and Gift Certificates

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Who needs Thanksgiving when you have the chance to eat an awesome multi-course dinner prepared by two of our favorite teachers, Chitra Agrawal and Diana Kuan?

Tangra Fall is "a vegetarian, seasonal Indo-Chinese pop-up feast" taking place on Saturday, November 16 at the Court Tree Collective in Carroll Gardens, and, judging by the photo above, you don't want to miss it. 

Tickets went fast for the summer edition, so be sure to grab yours quickly, and check out some photos of the summer feast while you're at it. 

 

Things We Love: Homebrew 101 Class at Bitter & Esters

October 29, 2013, 9:46 am

≫ Next: Very Cool: How Your Sriracha is Made

≪ Previous: Tangra Fall: An Indo-Chinese Pop up Dinner

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We're big fans of Bitter & Esters, the homebrew shop and classroom on Washington Avenue in Prospect Heights, so we were beyond thrilled when the kind folks at Vimbly invited us to participate in a Homebrew 101 class at the shop last week. In case you haven't met them yet, Vimbly allows you to easily find things to do, all over the city. 

We were greeted by Douglas and John, owners of Bitter & Esters, along with a pint of amazing homebrewed beer and then we got down to the business of the day: brewing a five gallon batch of the White House's Honey Ale, in honor the President's visit to the neighborhood. 

We've brewed a couple times in the past, but it was incredibly helpful to have each step broken down and explained as we moved through the brewing process, adding the ingredients and cooking up our awesome-smelling brew.

When you're first starting out homebrewing, there are a ton of options for materials and hardware to consider; you have to think about everything from the quality of your water to sanitation to your choice of fermentation bucket, so it was great to get recommendations from John, who's been homebrewing for over 20 years. In addition to going through the whole brew process during our class, we also got recipes and an awesome brew guide to take home. (I'm protecting that guide with my life.)

Be sure to check out Bitter & Esters (700 Washington Ave) for gear and a class next time you're in the neighborhood, and thanks again to Vimbly for making our experience possible! 

Very Cool: How Your Sriracha is Made

November 5, 2013, 8:05 am

≫ Next: Holiday Gifts Made by Our Teachers: 2013 Edition

≪ Previous: Things We Love: Homebrew 101 Class at Bitter & Esters

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Inside the Sriracha Factory from Sarah Lohman on Vimeo.

Our pal (and Brainery teacher), Sarah Lohman of Four Pounds Flour recently visited Huy Fong's new sriracha factory in Irwindale, California. She also spoke with founder David Tran and got a look at the fields where all the red jalapenos that go into your favorite condiment are grown. Check it out! 

Holiday Gifts Made by Our Teachers: 2013 Edition

November 16, 2013, 7:05 am

≫ Next: Upcoming Classes: $10 and Under

≪ Previous: Very Cool: How Your Sriracha is Made

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Turns out our teachers are quite the talented bunch outside of the classroom! And since the holiday gift-giving season is officially in swing, we thought it'd be fun to highlight some of their projects, all of which would make aaaaawesome gifts. 

Jewelry & Accessories

We are Here - Emilie Shapiro's absolutely lovely jewelry line, featuring rings, necklaces, and bracelets

Gothamsmith - super cool 3D-printed jewelry and cufflinks with a sense of humor

Happy Go Crafty - Jess teaches us all sorts of crafts, and you can pick up some very lovely fascinators from her Etsy shop. You can also download her knitting patterns and DIY your gifts. 

Datter Industries - Kaye's an all-around super talent, and if jewelry's not your thing (though it should be), check out her illustrations and prints. 

Toys and Fun Stuff for the House

Toobalink - from our pal Will Sakran, who teaches electronics and soldering, comes this neat connector set that lets you turn trash (paper towel and toilet tissue tubes) into structures and sculptures. Like life size legos!

Divine NY & Co. - Rekha's home accessories are just plain beautiful. Check out the very-cool burlap coasters! 

Food!

Chutneys & More from the DP Chutney Collective - Drake's taught half of Brooklyn how to pickle and preserve at home, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try his ridiculously good chutneys. Check out his site for a list of local stores that carry them or purchase online at Samplrs.

Hobbies + Fun Things to Do 

Brooklyn DIY Supply - kits for making and giving, on subjects from soap to mustard and bitters. 

Dabbler - Dabbler's our way of putting all the awesome things we've learned over the past few years to good use. Every month, you'll get a well-curated package on a specific topic dropped off in your inbox. You'll pick up a new hobby, gain a new skill, do a fun project, or learn something just plain useful.

Books

The Chinese Takeout Cookbook by Diana Kuan - Diana teaches all sorts of Asian cooking classes for us and all over NYC, and her first cookbook features recipes on everything from moo shu pork to black sesame ice cream. It's really, really good. 

Craft-a-Day: 365 Simple Handmade Projects by Sarah Goldschadt - A way to kickstart your creativity with adorable handmade projects, even if you might not think of yourself as a crafty person. Check out her new book too: Pom-Poms!:25 Awesomely Fluffy Projects

Instacraft: Fun & Simple Projects for Adorable Gifts, Decor & More by Alison Caporimo - Awesome little crafts you can make with five minutes and materials you very well might already have on hand. Check out Alison's Etsy shop, Figment and Fragment, for jewelry too! 

Paradise Lust: Searching for the Garden of Eden by Brooke Wilensky-Lanford - A lot of people have spent a lot of time looking for the Garden of Eden on earth, and Brooke covers some of the most interesting ones here. 

Dear Dad, It's Over by M Dickson - Though M usually teaches on serial killers, with a huge dose of humor, thankfully, she tackles her own memoir here, with a similar, very funny approach. 

Ben Feldman, our resident NYC historian, has a few books that will make great reads for any New York City history buff on your list: Butchery on Bond Street and Call Me Daddy.

One Page Productions - if you're looking for blank pages, check out Woody Leslie's selection of handbound books. 

 

 

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Upcoming Classes: $10 and Under

November 20, 2013, 4:41 pm

≫ Next: December's Society for the Advancement of Social Studies: The History of Really Big Things

≪ Previous: Holiday Gifts Made by Our Teachers: 2013 Edition

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We have approximately 10000 cheap classes coming up in the next few weeks, so I'm just going to make a list of them here. Click the link to register! 

Paper Fortune Cookies - Sunday, November 24

Made in NYC: The Reinvention of Local Manufacturing - Monday, November 25

New World Foods - Tuesday, November 26

Obamacare and Me in NYC: What the Affordable Care Act Means for Uninsured New Yorkers - December 1 and 13

Rise of the Machines: A History of Computer Technology - Monday, December 2

Mary Lou Williams: The First Lady of Jazz - Thursday, December 5

Your Microbes and You: A Love Story - Thursday, December 5

Lighting Your Home - Friday, December 6

The Brooklyn Waterfront: Past and Present - Monday, December 9

The Sound and the Fuehrer: Propaganda, Violence, and Resistance in Germany, 1918 - 1945 - Tuesday, December 10 

December's Society for the Advancement of Social Studies: The History of Really Big Things

December 1, 2013, 9:45 am

≫ Next: Holiday Discount for Fluent City Language Classes

≪ Previous: Upcoming Classes: $10 and Under

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On December 10, join our pals atS.A.S.S. for their December event, the History of Really Big Things. You'll get three short lectures loaded with tons of fun facts and awesome drink specials, all for free. 

RSVP and get all of the details over on Facebook, and head on over to The Bedford on December 10th! 

Holiday Discount for Fluent City Language Classes

December 2, 2013, 7:55 am

≫ Next: Visiting the Brooklyn Army Terminal

≪ Previous: December's Society for the Advancement of Social Studies: The History of Really Big Things

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The folks over at Fluent City, a Williamsburg-based language school, are offering you (yes you!) a discount on all classes and gift cards through December 15th. They've got everything from 10-week intensives to short one-night slang workshops in just about any language, so you're sure to find something that tickles your fancy. 

All you have to do is enter the code "BKBraineryHoliday" while checking out for a Fluent City class. Be sure to click "apply discount code" so it all sticks and finally be on the road to remembering all that French you forgot. 

*Heads up! This is not a discount code for Brainery classes; you have to use it over at Fluent City!* 

Visiting the Brooklyn Army Terminal

December 8, 2013, 11:33 am

≫ Next: Gifts for New York City History Buffs

≪ Previous: Holiday Discount for Fluent City Language Classes

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Yesterday, we had the awesome experience of visiting the Brooklyn Army Terminal on a tour with the great folks at Turnstile Tours. 

The Army Terminal is located along the Brooklyn waterfront in Sunset Park, around 1st Avenue and 58th Street. If you've never been to 1st Avenue in Brooklyn, you're definitely not alone. 

 

Built as a distribution center for troops and supplies heading to Europe during World War I, the Terminal was designed by Cass Gilbert, who also designed the Woolworth Building in Lower Manhattan.

At the time of its construction in 1919, it was the largest reinforced concrete structure in the world, and its massiveness is hard to overestimate. Even today, when we're used to seeing huge buildings all over New York City, the Terminal's size is impressive. 

One of the most famous parts of the Army Terminal is the Atrium in Building B (below).

Train tracks run through the center of the atrium, allowing a large overhead crane to move goods directly from the train cars onto the cantilevered balconies along the walls, where they were then moved into the warehouses. It's a beautiful space and well worth checking out in person. 

a view of the atrium

Train tracks ran directly into the center of the atrium.

If you'd like to get inside and see for yourself, Turnstile Tours offers public tours of the Army Terminal a couple times per month, including one on December 14th. 

 

Gifts for New York City History Buffs

December 19, 2013, 2:38 pm

≫ Next: Surviving the Coney Island Polar Bear Swim

≪ Previous: Visiting the Brooklyn Army Terminal

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I haven't even begun to think about gifts yet, and if you're in the same boat, we thought we'd share some of our favorite ideas for New York City centric gifts. Lots of them can be given and received instantly, perfect if you're a procrastinator like me. 

Tenement Museum membership: I cannot say enough amazing things about the Tenement Museum. Their tours are engaging and a lot of fun, led by a really great group of museum educators. Plus, with a membership, you get to use the Friends hotline to make advance reservations, something that seems like quite a perk considering how busy it can be.  

If your giftee doesn't live in New York City, but still loves the Lower East Side, check out this history of 97 Orchard Street, the Tenement Museum's building. 

Turnstile Tours gift certificates or tours - I've been on several tours with Turnstile and loved every minute. They're the exclusive tour guides for some of the city's most fascinating but hard to visit sites, like the Brooklyn Army Terminal and the Brooklyn Navy Yard, so you're practically guaranteed to visit a place you've never been before. 

Maps! - Everyone loves maps, and this one of Brooklyn from Etsy is quite pretty. The Museum of the City of New York also has a nice collection, with lots in color. 

If you're studying up for an NYC-themed trivia night, check out What Happened Here?: New York City Knowledge Cards. Also good for impressing your friends with your knowledge of the city. 

For something a little different, our friends at Gothamsmith have a great tie bar inspired by a building at the corner of Lafayette and Howard Streets in Manhattan.