Tastemakers: Taste The local Difference Guidde 2009/Short‘s Brewing Company Nicie Spicie

May 31, 2009

Taste the Local Difference 2009 Guide
6/1/09
The small-local farm is making a comeback. In the 10 counties known as the Northwest Lower Michigan corridor of the state there are now 2,229 farms. A few years back the Michigan Land Use Institute launched the Taste the Local Difference initiative to help farmers connect to consumers. Fresh off the press is the 2009 version of their Taste the Local Difference guide. This 80-page glove-box friendly resource is packed full of information for those interested in seeking out local and fresh foods as well as other non-food agricultural products produced in the area.
The guide lists farms by county and each listing contains an overview of the offerings at each farm along with hours of operation and website and phone number for additional information. Also included is the listing of the 25 farmers markets in the region as well as restaurants and delis that use local products. Another helpful page is the fruit and harvest dates, giving one a guidepost as to what is in season.
Taste the Local Difference has a supporting website that allows users to search for specific items and farms in their area that offer those products. Another great online tool is the local food exchange where both growers and buyers may post items they are looking for or selling.
The Michigan Land Use Institute has been a longtime supporter of preserving farmland in Northern Michigan. while much of their work is rooted in legislative policy, the Taste the Local Difference program is not about politics -- it is about practicality. Supporting the local farmer makes sense on all levels from healthy eating to preservation of our land and agricultural heritage. To learn more, visit mlui.org or call 231-941-6584 to obtain a copy of the new guide. --Rick Coates


Shorts Brewing Company Nicie Spicie

Larry Bell launched his Sol Sun (now called Oberon) ale 20 years ago and it quickly became the benchmark for Midwest summertime wheat beers. Now, microbrewers are not about duplicating, they are about creating. So when brewmaster Joe Short of Shorts Brewing Company in Bellaire launched his summer brew Nicie Spicie, he didn’t have Oberon in mind; instead his focus was on brew that worked for those Northern Michigan hot days and cool nights of summer.
Nicie Spicie works well as a thirst quencher by day and a nighttime sipper after sundown. This brew is a blend of premium two-row malted barley and malted white wheat and is loaded with fresh citrus zest, coriander and a four pepper blend. The citrus notes make this a perfect beach beverage. The pepper and coriander is a nice touch and gives Nicie Spicie a wide range of food pairing options. Enjoy with your favorite grilled seafood, especially items that are blackened. Pair with grilled tequila lime shrimp and grilled seasonal vegetables.
Brews from Shorts are now available all over, though visiting the brewery and enjoying their fresh menu and buying a growler or two is a great experience along with their strong lineup of music all summer. For additional information visit shortsbrewing.com or call them at 231-533-6622. --Rick Coates