Hudsonville Ice Cream Celebrates Detroit Baseball with Seasonal Release of Tiger Traxx Flavor!

Spring means the arrival of two great loves—baseball and ice cream. The latest Limited Edition flavor from Holland-based Hudsonville Ice Cream brings together these two passions with the release of Tiger Traxx—the Official Ice Cream of the Detroit Tigers.

Tiger Traxx brings a taste of the ballpark home with you. Your family will cheer for creamy vanilla ice cream, loaded with chocolate covered pretzel baseballs and a thick fudge swirl. Enjoy this Limited Edition flavor while cheering on your favorite hometown baseball team.

“Michigan loves its Detroit Tigers—and we’re certain they’ll love this seasonal flavor as well,” says Raymond Sierengowski of Hudsonville Ice Cream. “This homerun combination celebrates two of America’s all-time favorite pastimes—baseball and ice cream!”

This is the fourth season that these two Michigan organizations have teamed up. Tiger Traxx and five other flavors will be available in the “Big Cat Court” section of Comerica Park, as well in the ballpark suites, throughout the full season. Tiger Traxx will hit retail freezer cases in mid-April, through early September.

Hudsonville Ice Cream flavors can be found in grocery stores and ice cream parlors in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Illinois. In addition to its “All Season” flavors, which are available year round, several “Limited Edition Flavors” are offered throughout the year.

Started in 1895 as a farmers’ cooperative, the Holland-based Hudsonville Creamery & Ice Cream is the largest manufacturer of branded ice cream in Michigan. For more than 80 years, this Midwest company has been producing its creamy, delicious ice cream – using many of its original flavors, while at the same time creating refreshing new recipes inspired by the Great Lakes.

Jolly Pumpkin to Open Midtown Detroit Location

Jolly Pumpkin has announced it will be opening a location in Midtown Detroit in early 2015. The 5000-square-foot space at 441 Canfield will serve all the craft beers, distilled spirits and wines available through the Northern United Brewing Company brand – including North Peak Beer, Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, Civilized Spirits and Bonafide Wines, as well as an eclectic pub fare menu.

“We are very excited to be opening Jolly Pumpkin Detroit and becoming part of this incredible neighborhood. Many have helped us develop this project and we are grateful for their support,” says Tony Grant, partner with Ron Jeffries at Northern United Brewing Company. “Sue Mosey at Midtown has been instrumental, as have Invest Detroit and Comerica Bank.”

“Midtown Detroit, Inc. is thrilled to welcome Jolly Pumpkin into the neighborhood,” says Executive Director Sue Mosey. “Their investment and strong brand will draw in more people to Midtown’s burgeoning retail and restaurant district. Their future location, in the historic Willys Complex, compliments other strong businesses such as Shinola, Willys Detroit, RUNdetroit and the Fellow Barber, creating a walkable block of quality commercial storefronts.”

"We are so excited to come to Midtown Detroit,” says Jeffries. “We look forward to being part of this vibrant beer neighborhood.’”

As with all its locations, Jolly Pumpkin will be working with local suppliers in developing its menu, specifically partnering with Avalon Bakery, McClures Pickles and Calder Dairy. Jolly Pumpkin Detroit menu will offer eclectic pub fare, featuring Jolly Pumpkin pizza, truffle fries along with the full tap house and tasting room beverages of all the Northern United Brewing brands.

Jolly Pumpkin is part of Northern United Brewing Co., which also encompasses the Grizzly Peak and North Peak Beer Co. craft beer brands, as well as Civilized Spirits and Bonafide Wines. NUBC’s philosophy focuses on a dedication to conservation, inspiration and locally-sustainable practices.

Find NUBCo products at stores, restaurants, and bars all throughout Michigan, including: North Peak Brewing Company, Mission Table and Jolly Pumpkin Brewery, all in Traverse City; Jolly Pumpkin and Grizzly Peak, in Ann Arbor.

Valentine Distilling Expands Distribution Along East Coast - Former Detroit Red Wing Eddie Mio Joins Team as Brand Manager

Michigan-made Valentine Distilling Company has been introduced to the marketplace in New York State – with placements at award winning restaurants like Rye House and City Winery. Distribution will extend to Maryland, Connecticut and Washington DC this fall, all via Opici Family Distributing. According to distiller/owner Rifino Valentine, this will make six (7) total states for distribution – with the others being Michigan, Tennessee and Illinois.

The Opici family celebrated their 75th anniversary in the wine business in 2009. Hubert Opici is recognized as an icon in the industry, and the fourth generation of the Opici family is in place to continue this tradition for generations to come.

Increased distribution means the addition of a Brand Manager position, with Eddie Mio taking over the responsibilities. Mio, who played goalie for the Red Wings for three seasons, from 1983 to 1986, was also assistant GM for the Phoenix Coyotes and a part of hockey great Wayne Gretzky's Gretzky Estates Winery.

“I am extremely pleased to be joining Valentine Distilling Company,” says Eddie. “I was drawn to Valentine because of the care and quality of what they are distilling in Michigan is remarkable. Rifino is handcrafting products that not only compete at the local level, but at the international level as well. To be able to maintain the consistency and quality of all their products is why ‘Made in Michigan’ on the bottle is exciting and I am glad to be promoting Valentine Distilling. We’ve only just begun!”

Valentine Distilling currently has four products in its Michigan-made portfolio:

• Valentine Vodka (Released March 2009). In 2012, Anthony Dias Blue, editor-in-chief of The Tasting Panel magazine recognized this as one of the top vodkas in the world with a 94-point ranking – placing higher than noted international brands like Belvedere, Ketel One, Grey Goose and Absolut. It was also awarded a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2012. In 2011, it received a Double Gold Medal in the “Best Domestic Vodka” category by TheFiftyBest.com. The Beverage Testing Institute (BTI) also awarded Valentine Vodka with a Gold Medal “Exceptional” in both 2010 and 2011.

• White Blossom (Released March 2012). Infused with the flowers of Elderflower, this product won a Gold Medal – rated Exceptional – receiving a 92 point rating from the BTI.

• Liberator Gin (Released March 2013). Winner of the “Best of Category – Gold Medal” and “Best of Class” for the Contemporary Rectified Gin at the American Distilling Institute’s 7th Annual Judging of Artisan American Spirits competition as well as a Gold Medal (90 point rating) from the BTI’s International Review of Spirits Competition.

• Liberator Old Tom Gin (Limited Release July 2013) A barrel aged version of Liberator Gin that is aged in new American oak barrels for up to a year. Gold Medal Winner, Craft Spirits Competition in 2013.

• Woodward Whiskey (Released June 2013). Started as a top-secret project five years ago, Woodward Ltd. is a four-year bourbon handdistilled from corn, rye and barley. It most recently received a Silver Medal from the Craft Spirits Competition in 2013.

“Our goal from the beginning, has been to bring manufacturing back not only to this country, but to Detroit,” says Rifino. “We’ve always set our sights on crafting spirits that compete on the international level. To win these competitions, topping some of the biggest and best companies in the world, is not only personally satisfying, but also serves the economic purpose of bringing manufacturing back. Our philosophy has always been ‘don’t drink Valentine spirits just because they are local – drink them because they are better.’”

Valentine Distilling launched into the Michigan market in early 2009 and has since been ranked one of the top-rated craft distilleries in the country. Operating out of a 5000-square-foot facility in Ferndale, Valentine Distilling proudly produces its original spirits in two world-class Christian Carl Stills.

VALENTINE DISTILLING CO.
161 Vester Street – Ferndale, Michigan

www.ValentineDistilling.com
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