The Orchards of Michigan

MODSUB#57

Wotcha!

We’re coming to the end of Sober October ‘24.

I have one question for you.

What non-alcoholic drink did you try for the first time this month?

Hit reply and let me know. I want to know what new discoveries YOU have found, so I can share with others.

Okay on to this week’s drinks. Enjoy!

In this week’s edition:

NAN
New NA Drink News

COCKTAIL
Fruitbelt - Apple Marigold Tart Sparkling Tonic

BEER, RTD COCKTAILS
Three in the Fridge
- Bravus Brewing Company, Casamara Club, Deschutes Brewery

Read time: 6 mins 35 secs

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NAN
New NA Drink News

NORTH AMERICA

• BEER: One that slipped by me; Go Brewing have a limited F*k’in Pump’kin available through their Beer Club Membership. Word is they are down to their last few cases, so be quick. (Link)

• BITTERS: Talking of limited releases, All The Bitter have just announced this year’s batch of Fig and Black Walnut Bitters has gone on sale. Only 400 of them and the perfect stocking stuffer (cough, cough, hint, hint, Mrs. ModSub). (Link)

• COCKTAIL: One more limited release; NoWhere Foods have announced a Fresh Hop version of Alpenglow, one of my summer faves this year. (Link)

• COCKTAIL: March 2025, is when Bella Matcha plan to debut their first matcha lemonade. (Link)

• WINE: Oceano Zero’s 2023 Non Alcoholic Pinot Noir has been available for a few weeks but as with their last Pinot Noir, it won’t last long. (Link)

• COCKTAIL: The UK’s TRIP have teamed up with the folks from the Calm app to bring you Mindful Blend which will be available on both sides of the pond. (Link)

WORLDWIDE

• COCKTAIL: Staying in the UK, Everleaf have regrouped with London restaurant, Tayēr + Elementary for a second time to produce the new RTD, Jasmine + Lily Highball. (Link)

TONIC

ModSub: One of the big treats this summer was hearing that Fruitbelt would be launching a new tonic. The minute I read about their Apple Marigold Tart Sparkling Tonic, I was smitten by the description. Four weeks later, I finally had some in my hands—well, in my mouth, I guess. Both, really; it doesn’t matter. The point is, it was even better than I’d anticipated.

Back in 2012, Beth Denton and Michelle Gazzolo came up with the idea to create soft drinks that focused on using local ingredients from Michigan’s extensive orchards. They were also intent on bringing back “forgotten” crops—fruits that had been pushed aside by big agriculture. This approach not only honored the state’s agricultural heritage but also had positive environmental impacts, as these crops helped restore local soil conditions depleted by non-native plants.

Their latest creation, Apple Marigold, is a blend of Michigan apples, verjus from Dablon Vineyards, Great Lakes honey, and orchard bitters. The latter includes marigold along with rose hips, angelica root, black walnut, aronia berry and more. All ingredients are sourced from within the state.

The result is a lightly carbonated beverage that could arguably fit into a few categories: a dry apple cider with a hint of sweetness and a touch of earthy spice, or even a stand-in for a glass of sparkling white wine, with the verjus highlighting the grape flavors and adding a pleasant tartness.

No matter how you choose to categorize Fruitbelt’s Apple Marigold Tart Sparkling Tonic, it’s a testament to two women’s commitment to using local ingredients, experimenting and creating something both delicious and different.

That’s something I can get behind, and so should you.

How does Fruitbelt describe their Apple Marigold: Apple Marigold is made at Vander Mill Cidery with pressed apple juice blended with verjus (pressed unripe grapes), orchard bitters (botanicals sourced from MI and distilled by Robyn Cleveland) and honey from Hudsonville MI.

BEER, SODA, BEER

Bravus Brewing Company - Pumpkin Dark

ModSub: I have mixed feeling about pumpkins. On the one hand, seeing the resplendent orange fruit on everyone’s doorsteps ushers in the fall and perfectly color-coded with the changing leaves. It’s also the start of “pumpkin-spiced latte” season which is, to put it bluntly, bleugh! 

However there are some culinary upsides to those big orange bowling balls. One is this fantastic recipe by Ruth Reichl, Roast Pumpkin with Cheese “Fondue,” which is extraordinary for a special occasion at this time of year. Another is the Pumpkin Dark by Bravus Brewing Company. To be honest, given my mixed feelings about pumpkin, I wasn’t convinced I’d like it. 

But I do. The description that comes immediately to mind is a “pumpkin-cola-stout.” It’s slightly molasses-sweet, with a soft carbonation and an unobtrusive pumpkin flavor wrapped up in a very pleasant malty-tasting dark brew. Even if it wasn’t a seasonal release, I’m not sure I’d be drinking it year-round, but as the days grow shorter and colder, and those leaves take their annual nosedive to the ground, it works a treat. I’m quite made up with this one. 

Previously from Bravus: Golden Light

Bravus Brewing Company: Introducing Pumpkin Dark, a robust and flavorful non-alcoholic craft brew that celebrates the essence of fall. This stout-style brew is crafted by infusing the smoothness of dark roasted malts with nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Pumpkin Dark delivers a harmonious balance of flavors that evoke memories of falling leaves and cozy evenings by the fire.

Casamara Club - Alta

ModSub: If you aren’t aware of Casamara Club, you really should to be. I’d be fibbing if I didn’t say that I was holding out on a Casamara Club recommendation until I could find one of their new Superclassico Aperitivos but alas I’ve yet to track one down in Portland. So, with a bit of impatience, I’m turning my attention to Alta instead. 

Alta was the first of the “Amaro Club” sodas that Casamara Club introduced back in 2019. And when I say “sodas,” let me clarify: don’t picture the sugar-laden brands you find in the supermarket aisles. These amaro sodas are crafted in small batches with real botanical ingredients and minimal sugar. Alta, for instance, contains just 5g of sugar compared to the 39g you’d find in a Coke.

All Casamara Club’s Amaro Club sodas are inspired by different regions of Italy. Onda is a Sicilian-style amaro soda, Como reminiscent of an alpine amaro, Sera an apero spritz and Alta, a classic aperitivo.

What I love about Alta is the delicate, dry flavor. There is a lot going on—Italian Chinotto, juniper berry, anise, allspice berry, clove, orris berry and mandarin orange—but the balance is incredible. It’s a sophisticated soda that suits almost any occasion whether you are sipping it before dinner or sneaking it onto the table to enjoy with your meal. And thankfully, I was relieved to read that founder Jason La Valla, gave his blessing to this—it also works very well as a mixer. I added in 1.5 fl.oz. of Novara and it was smashing. They should be on your shoppin list, so put them on there right now!

Now, Superclassico, wherefore art thou?

Casamara Club: Alta is our Italian-style botanical soda with classic aperitivo aromatics and an extra dry finish. We taste pink citrus bite, and warm, fruity spice notes, reminiscent of a Negroni.

Deschutes Brewery - Non-Alcoholic Kernza Golden Brew

ModSub: As you may know, I’m a big fan of Deschutes Brewery, so it’s no surprise I was more than a little excited to hear they were teaming up with Patagonia Provisions to collaborate on two beers: one full-strength, the other non-alcoholic.

Their shared goal was to produce the first certified organic non-alcoholic craft beer in the U.S. and, moreover, to highlight more sustainable brewing practices. They achieved this by using Kernza, a climate-friendly perennial grain that’s healthy for both us and the soil it grows in. (Learn more here.)

Unsurprisingly given the two companies involved, the beer itself is a cracker. It’s a golden lager that is somewhat light-bodied in mouthfeel yet full-bodied in flavor. It’s a quartet of malt, floral, fruit and hops, harmonious but humble, a beer with a maturity seems so far beyond it’s tender years. I should have expected nothing less. Check it out, you’ll be impressed.

Previously from Deschutes: Fresh Squeezed IPA and Black Butte.

Deschutes Brewery: Patagonia Provisions x Deschutes Brewery Non-Alcoholic Kernza® Golden Brew is a Certified Organic premium non-alc lager that is bright, crisp and wildly drinkable at <0.5%. The non-alc beer is brewed with Certified Organic Kernza® (a soil-saving, carbon-capturing perennial grain), Regenerative Organic Certified® rye, Certified Organic hops, and malted 2-row barley. Radically responsible, the ingredients in NA Kernza® Golden Brew are grown in ways that improve soil health, minimize erosion, preserve biodiversity and protect waterways. 

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Last Week’s Edition + The Upward Spiral Podcast

I’ve been really enjoying this podcast from Michelle O’Brien. Here’s a few episode suggestions: Amanda Giles, Jessa Frances, Laura Silverman, Tim Barber, and Rebecca Forewood.