Evento

Virtue Cider Earth Day Farm Dinner

Virtue Cider is made on a working farm that, besides growing apples, also raises farm animals including the Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs that live on their 48-acre orchard. The breed was popularized in the early 1900s as a farm animal that would graze on agricultural byproducts like fallen apples, which is when they also earned the nickname Orchard Pigs. Within a few decades, farmers realized the pigs were not only useful, but also produced some tasty and lean bacon. By the mid 1900s, however, these foraging fiends nearly went extinct as the mass pork production industry replaced them with pigs more suited for captivity. At Virtue these hogs mostly eat the post-crushing apple pulp, along with spent grain from local breweries, and what they can find rooting around the farm. Their rooting around helps naturally control pests.

Hopleaf acquired one of these hogs and is making it the centerpiece of a 6-course farm dinner paired with Virtue Cider. Founder Gregory Hall will host. Appropriately, this dinner will be on Earth Day 2018. The natural agricultural practices at Virtue Cider are examples of the environmentally friendly farming regimens that are in line with the Earth Day founders hopes.

Here's the menu!
Welcome cider: Virtue Rosé
1st: House-made Charcuterie w/seasonal accompaniments
Paired with Michigan Apple
2nd: Kale Salad with spiced sweet potatoes, compressed fennel, bacon lardons and pepitas w/bacon-ramp vinaigrette
Paired with Percheron
3rd: House-made Pork Sausage with petite salad
Paired with Mitten
4th: Cider Braised Pork Ragù, beet-infused gnocchi, confit ramps, herb bread crumbs
Paired with Michigan Brut
5th: Sous Vide Pork Loin, glazed and wood grilled w/Swiss chard, parsnip puree, compressed apple, pickled aji dolce peppers and cider jus
Paired with Michigan Honey
6th: Bacon-oatmeal-cherry cookie & porter ice cream sandwich
Paired with Michigan Cherry