Tastemakers: Cuppa Joe Warehouse Lounge Crab Sliders/Right Brain Brewery Fire Roasted Sweet Corn Cream Ale

Oct. 26, 2008

Cuppa Joe Warehouse Lounge
Crab Sliders

Sandi and Shayne Daley recently opened their third Cuppa Joe location. Instead of duplicating their menu from the Grand Traverse Commons location, they developed a new menu that matches the personality of their new neighborhood. The Warehouse District, located in downtown Traverse City between Union and Hall Streets and north of the Boardman River, has become one of the hot spots in the region. The district is home to the InsideOut Gallery and Right Brain Brewery.
Now, the Warehouse Lounge has a very contemporary and eclectic menu. Since they are located across the hall from the Right Brain Brewery, they are a perfect match as the Brewery does not serve food but allows you to bring it in. On an earlier visit, I enjoyed the Baja fish tacos; this time, the Crab Sliders seemed to jump out as an entrée that could be paired with the beer I was enjoying.
The three mini crab burgers were seasoned and prepared to perfection. Although I enjoyed my dinner next door at the Right Brain, eating at the Warehouse Lounge is also quite nice. There is this sense that you have been transported out of our up north, woodsy, sportsman community to a trendy New York City warehouse eatery.
The Daleys have another winner on their hands and, yes, for caffeine junkies like me, they have all kinds of coffee drinks at this location as well. They are also open for breakfast. For info, call 231-421-1945 or just stop in.


Right Brain Brewery
Fire Roasted Sweet
Corn Cream Ale
Brewmaster John Niedermaier might be on some sort of Guinness Book of World Records pace. Since Right Brain Brewery opened last December, Niedermaier has brewed 68 styles of beer using some 103 recipes.
The brewery has quickly become a destination for brew enthusiasts. The place is packed most nights with a broad brush of the demographic palette of the region. On any given night there are young and old professionals, along with people still striving to become professional. Right Brain Brewery has become a place for people to come and meet after work and discuss the affairs of the day, all while sipping on some pretty interesting and tasty craftbrews.
I stopped in late last week and enjoyed a couple of very unique offerings. The first (see photo) was the Fire Roasted Sweet Corn Cream Ale. This beer was made with 250 ears of sweet corn from the Altonon Farm in Williamsburg that Niedermaier shucked and roasted himself. This brew has a hint of the roasted corn on the nose and the palate. It is not an overwhelming taste, very subtle and the creaminess of the beer will make this a winner with those who prefer macrobrewed beers.
Also on the beer list, which includes a dozen to 18 brews was the Ancho Chili Dutch Double Chocolate Porter. Again, Niedermaier has mastered the art subtlety with this brew. There is a perfect balance between the peppers and the (real) Dutch chocolate. Proprietor Russell Springsteen encouraged me to blend the beer with their pumpkin ale – this combination made for a perfect dessert beer.
If you have yet to stop in at Right Brain Brewery, be sure to wait no longer. For info and directions, go to rightbrainbrewery.com