Tastemakers: Moomers Ice Cream/Sergeant‘s Draught

June 1, 2008

Moomers Ice Cream

Okay, there has to be something in the water in Northern Michigan. Just in the last year the Leelanau Cheese Company took home the award for “best cheese” in North America and recently Forty Five North (Leelanau Peninsula) took best white wine in the world honors at the Pacific Rim International Wine Competition. But don’t all things happen in threes?
Yes they do, and last week Moomers Ice Cream of Traverse City completed the trifecta. They won “Best Scoop In America” as part of a nationwide contest by ABC’s Good Morning America to identify the best ice cream in the country. Viewers went online and cast their vote and Moomers came out the big winner.
I remember when Moomers opened 11 years ago, my daughter was in pre-school and her class went to Moomers and took a tour (it was the very first school field trip Moomers hosted and now they have several each year) and I have been hooked ever since. Even though Moomers is not on the way home, after picking up the kids from school we go there at least once a week and then throughout the summer we bypass dessert when dining out and venture to Moomers.
As for the best flavor, that is for you to decide. They have over 100 flavors and usually have 20 of those available at their store located on Long Lake Road a few miles past Traverse City West High School. Must tries are the Cherries Moobilee, Spumoni and the Carrot Cake. For more information including the Good Morning America clip, check out www.moomers.com or call for hours and directions 231.941.4122.



Sergeants Draught
When Dave Page started thinking about launching his own brewery, he only knew that he liked beer, and outside of that not much else about being in the beer business. He soon learned that brewing beer is not all that difficult. For Page -- who along with two partners launched Three Sergeants Brewing Company exactly one year ago -- the biggest challenge has been (as he puts it) the “beeraucracy” behind launching a brewery.
“It took one year to get label approval as it finally came 51 weeks after I made my first batch of beer,” said Page. “They make it very difficult for the small operator to make it in this business.” They being the government under which Page and his partners served as veterans of the military. The second challenge for Page has been tooting his own horn.
“In the military we are taught not to speak to the media,” said Page. “So this is all new to us, and my partners are Homeland Security officers, so they remain behind the scenes.”
The beer, Sergeants Draught, is not remaining behind the scenes. Since rolling out the first barrels the beer is being served at eight establishments in Northern Michigan. Now that the labels have been approved, 14 additional accounts will start carrying it.
Sergeants Draught is a crafted, brewed version of American-style ale. It is tasty, thirst quenching and pairs well with burgers, brats and hot dogs. It is on tap around Northern Michigan and bottles will be available soon. For additional details 3sergeants.com