Tastemakers: Red Mesa The Cuban/Hazed & Infused Boulder Beer Company

Red Mesa “The Cuban”

Joe “Big Dog” Balest is a regular reader of the “Tastemakers/Bottoms Up” columns and often writes or calls in with suggestions. A native of a “meat and potatoes” neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Big Dog transferred here four years ago as a manager with Kennametal Abrasive Flow Products. With the exception of the time he brought back something they call “beer” in Pennsylvania that we call “water” in Michigan, Big Dog has been right on with his recommendations. So when he called to tell me that he had tasted the best sandwich ever anywhere, I thought I better check it out.
Red Mesa has been producing award-winning food since they opened in Boyne City 10 years ago and in Traverse City in 2005. A relatively new sandwich to their menu, the Cuban is packed with achiote seared pork, smoked turkey, dill pickles, Swiss cheese, cilantro chimichurri and a red onion marmalade on grilled panini. The complexity of this sandwich creates a literal Latin American garden sensation on the taste buds.
Achiote is a spice used primarily in Mexican cuisine and was once the “lipstick” of the Aztecs, as the plant produces rust red colored oil that was used for face paint. As a spice, it creates a tangy-earthy flavor on meats while creating a vibrant red hue. Chimichurri is from Argentina and is a blend of oregano, garlic, salt, pepper, onion, paprika, olive oil and sometimes vinegar, along with parsley, but at Red Mesa cilantro has been substituted. The blend of the two keeps the taste buds bursting with flavors. The Cuban is a lot like a great wine or full flavor beer, as flavor profiles change with each taste. Yes, the Cuban is a great sandwich to enjoy with tequila or a full-bodied brew. Good call, Big Dog. Now the next time you go back to Pennsylvania try to bring back some beer with some flavor in it.


Hazed & Infused Boulder
Beer Company

The Boulder Beer Company was among the first microbreweries (first in Colorado) in the country. Started on a small farm by a couple of Colorado University professors, the Boulder Beer Company quickly caught on and served as the impetus of the Colorado craftbrew industry. Colorado became home to several beer associaations and, in 1983, the launch of the Great American Beer Festival (gabf.org), the largest celebration of beer in the United States. While Milwaukee and St. Louis became beer capitals, Colorado is the country’s craft brew capital.
A few years back brewmasters wanted to come up with a kick-butt brew that would be offered only once in pubs, which has exploded into the marketplace and is now offered in 20 states. The secret to Hazed & Infused’s success comes in the dry-hopping process that offers increases in aroma and hop character. The citrus flavors make this brew perfect on hot summer days. A slightly lighter American Pale Ale style makes this beer very approachable for first-time craft brew drinkers, while standing up to more critical palates. This beer was recently introduced in the Northern Michigan marketplace. Ask for it at your favorite beer shop or pub. Pair with burgers, grilled chicken or salmon.
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