Tastemakers: Union Street Station‘s Hammy - Upper Canada‘s Maple Brown Ale

UNION STREET STATION’S “THE HAMMY”
Wednesday’s for lunch at Union Street Station has been a given for years. People actually take an early lunch so they are assured of gettingW Denny Kline’s Seafood Gumbo before it sells out. But Union Street isn’t a one hit wonder with their menu. Since her arrival as the general manager Kate Judd has not only spruced up the décor, she has expanded the menu.
Kate grew up putting red pepper jelly on everything so she wanted to develop a signature sandwich using her favorite condiment. She has succeeded with the creation of The Hammy. This hot ham sandwich is served on Hawaiian Luau bread with melted Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato and red onion with mayo and of course red pepper jalapeno jelly.
While the jalapeno jelly gives the sandwich its zip, it is the bread that closes the deal. Locally owned Bay Bread on Randolph in TC came up with this Hawaiian Luau sub bun that is baked with toasted coconut and fresh pineapple.
The Hammy has beer written all over it; try Oberon on tap from Bell’s Kalamazoo Brewing Company. Order with a lemon wedge to bring out the citrus flavors in both the beer and the sandwich. Now, Kate is a wine girl at heart, so ask for the local white wine feature, especially any Pinot Gris to wash down this all-star sandwich.

BOTTOMS UP
UPPER CANADA MAPLE BROWN ALE
The sap has been running and fresh maple syrup may be found all over Northern Michigan this time of the year. Maple syrup is a given over pancakes and waffles, but in beer? Yes, the maple flavor is a great way to balance some of beer’s bitter characteristics.
Several maple brews are on the market, mostly available regionally at brewpubs and microbreweries as seasonal taps. The Upper Canada Brewing Company (a lot of maple syrup in the land of the maple leaf) developed their Maple Brown Ale 10 years ago brewing and distributing it year round. The popular ale has a subtle sweet finish to it. While the nose has plenty of maple aromas, only hints of the pure maple syrup are found in the taste. This beer is nicely balanced and is lighter in nature than traditional English style brown ales, but it is versatile and goes with several foods.
Remember as a kid when mom would make breakfast for dinner? Try it again some night; this time when serving pancakes and maple-smoked sausage links open Upper Canada Maple Brown Ale and leave the OJ for your kids. It also goes great with blackened whitefish or a burger topped with maple cured Canadian bacon.-- Rick Coates

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