Nog time. Christmas took over all the local stores on October 31, so there’s no possible way that a hit or two of egg nog could be rushing the season. In fact, it’s already snowed this year: might as well drink a whole gallon of the stuff.
Conveniently, Hartzler Dairy’s Egg Nog hit the local store shelves a few weeks ago. It’s sold in super cute quart-sized bottles. The clear bottle is painted in red and green with a message that says (among other things) Merry Christmas. Through the clear glass, the beverage has an appealing, golden hue.
Unscrew the lid of the bottle, and the fragrant smell of its contents wafts up. You don’t have to shake anything, the stuff is smooth, without gross sediment on the bottom. The nog pours thick and settles into a glass without even a teeny splash: it’s that heavy, gravity holds it all down.
As anticipated, Hartzler’s egg nog tastes like the holidays: it’s viscous and sweet, with that unmistakable mouthfilling wonderfulness of spiced cream. There’s nothing that tastes quite like it.
The contents that work together to create this fabulousness are listed on the lid: number one is whole milk, then cream, egg yolks and sugar. There are also a few chemically things that are difficult to spell or pronouce, and turmeric.
It’s worth noting that the dairy has some things going for it besides a local (Wooster, Ohio) angle. Its cows are certified artificial hormone free. They also graze freely in pastures. Hartzler Dairy has happy cows.
It also has suggestions for serving its egg nog. The house website suggests that it goes well with ginger ale and coffee. It also mentions something called eggnog cookies -but why water down the good stuff? Egg nog season comes but once a year: do it right and drink it straight.
For more information, visit www.hartzlerfamilydairy.com.