Another Fruitful Northern Michigan Partnership

One of the most exciting and personally satisfying parts of running Brownwood Farms is finding ways to partner with other Northern Michigan businesses. I’m lucky to be friends with several local and regional entrepreneurs. When the opportunity presents itself to work with these talented people and bring brand new products to market, I jump at the chance.

Case in point -- our latest Brownwood Farms product, Yankee Bourbon BBQ Sauce, made in partnership with Michigan native Kent Rabish, founder of the Grand Traverse Distillery (the state’s largest micro-distillery). Kent and I have been friends for years, and we’ve often searched for ways to collaborate. When I heard that Kent was developing a smooth, flavorful Michigan-made bourbon aged in American Oak barrels, it was Game On. The idea for Yankee Bourbon BBQ Sauce hit me soon after, while I was playing bartender at a local holiday party serving up Jim Beams.

Southern Flavor Meets Northern Ingenuity

The result of our collaboration - and countless rounds of tasting and testing - is a rich, smooth, flavorful BBQ sauce that we think stands toe to toe, spare rib to spare rib, with any southern BBQ sauce on the market today. Perfect on grilled meats of all kinds, it’s a truly unique and addictive flavor. Try it once and you’ll find yourself dreaming up all kinds of new foods to pour it on.

What's Next for Brownwood Farms?

Northern Michigan has long been fertile ground for new gourmet food ideas, and the Brownwood team is always tilling the soil. Delicious, healthy fruits make this region great. Yet with each passing season, I grow more excited about new, complementary flavors (wines, spirits, oils, spices, etc.) being developed by talented local craftspeople. I have no doubt that Brownwood’s taste profile — and partner list — will continue to expand in the coming months and years.

Other Compelling Pairings

If you like where Brownwood Farms is headed these days, and you enjoy your first taste of Yankee Bourbon BBQ Sauce, be sure to try our increasingly popular Apple Reisling Salsa as well, made with fresh grown-in-Michigan fruit and top-quality Reisling wine from our friends at Chateau Grand Traverse.

Also be sure to keep a close eye on Kent and his crew at the Grand Traverse Distillery, as they continue to build on the phenomenal success of their True North Vodka line and bring more compelling locally-made products to the Northern Michigan table.