Tastemakers: Toast the Local Difference/Right Brain Brewery, CEO Stout

Feb. 17, 2008

Toast the Local Difference

Since its inception in 1971, the Grain Train in Petoskey has been a major voice in supporting locally-grown products. So when the Michigan Land Use Institute launched its Taste the Local Difference initiative (a program that focuses on promoting the use of local agricultural products), the Grain Train was right there with them. To celebrate and create awareness for this “Entrepreneurial Agriculture Project,” the Grain Train launched Toast the Local Difference last year. The event featured a blend of locally-grown foods, wines from the region and Northern Michigan microbrews. It was so successful that they have moved to locations to accommodate the demand this year.
Toast the Local Difference will take place Thursday, February 21 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Stafford’s Bay View Inn in Petoskey. The evening will feature wines from L Mawby, Peninsula Cellars, Bowers Harbor Vineyards, Chateau Fontaine and Black Star Farms, along with brews from Shorts in Bellaire and UP based Keweenaw Brewing Company. The Grain Train, Crooked Tree Breadworks, Stafford’s Bay View Inn and Julienne Tomatoes will serve up the culinary fare.
Here is a little sampling of the local offerings from Julienne Tomatoes. They will feature some items using fresh russet potatoes from Kitchen Farms of Boyne Falls, corned beef (the best in United States) from Louie’s Meats out of Traverse City and rye bread from Petoskey based Crooked Tree Breadworks. Their petite pastries will feature Aspen Hill Farm Eggs from Boyne City.
New this year will be a silent auction with all items from Northern Michigan. Toast the Local Difference will benefit the Antrim, Charlevoix and Emmet County Taste the Local Difference program as well as The Grain Train. This must attend event is a perfect celebration of the great things grown and made here, as well as a celebration of those who do the growing and making. Tickets are selling quickly so call 231- 347-2381 or stop into the Grain Train. To learn more about supporting the Taste the Local Difference initiative or to find where to buy local products, check out mlui.org.

Right Brain Brewery
CEO Stout
(Grand Opening Weekend)

This weekend Right Brain Brewery, the latest entry in the fast-growing Northern Michigan craftbrew scene, will have their official grand opening party. While the brewery has been open for three months now, they have opened somewhat silently. Despite trying to keep things somewhat quiet, Right Brain has quickly become one of the region’s hotspots. In addition to the “we have freshly brewed brew for everyone” philosophy Right Brain is smoke-free, TV free and serves no food (there is popcorn and pretzels). In fact they encourage their guests to bring their own food or order take-out from a local eatery.
For their “Grand Opening” celebration Right Brain Brewery will have an Air Guitar Competition this Friday night (Feb.23). If you have had ambitions of being an Air Guitar star, this is your chance. Yours truly will be one of the judges. Winners will move on to the state championships in a few weeks in Detroit. On Saturday night (Feb.23) there be a hair fashion show featuring the work of Right Brain’s partnering business, Salon Saloon. Both nights get started at 7 p.m. but on both days from open to close, they will offer special pint pricing.
Since opening, the CEO Stout has reigned as one of the crowd favorites and sells out quickly. Proprietor and brewer Russell Springsteen promises that CEO will return to the tap in time for the grand opening celebration. The secret ingredient in this brew is coffee roasted by Northern Roasting Company in Traverse City. CEO Stout goes great with the gyro dinner from the U & I Lounge or the reuben sandwich from Folgarelli’s. For more details go to salonsaloon.com or call them at 231-929-4602. Right Brain Brewery is located in the recently energized Traverse City Warehouse District.