Taste What the Drinking Vinegars Hype is All About this Weekend

Jess Sanchez McClary plans to donate a portion of the sales of a new “Forgotten Flavors” line of drinking vinegars to the Forgotten Harvest organization that works to reduce food insecurity and curb food waste. (Photo submitted)

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A Farmington woman who pitched her old-fashioned drinking vinegars to investors on ABC’s “Shark Tank” reality show this fall is opening a tasting room that will help Metro Detroit residents better understand why the small-batch Colonial-era elixirs are enjoying a resurgence nationally.

“Shark Tank” investors sent Jess Sanchez McClary home at the end of the season premiere episode, but the exposure of her McClary Bros. Old Timey Drinking Vinegars to 5 million viewers has translated to an uptick in viewers and sales on her business website.

The success is measured in increased sales both online and in retail locations, a new line of “Forgotten Flavors” drinking vinegars and the Colonial pub-inspired tasting room at 32621 Grand River that will open on Dec. 5.

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“Farmington has been our home for more than three years now and we’ve been so excited to see the growth of business and development that is happening here,” McClary said in a news release, explaining the decision to open the tasting room in Farmington. “We love how close-knit the business community is and we’re looking forward to being a part of it.”

At the tasting room, guests will be able to sample McClary Bros.’ current drinking vinegar flavors, including Michigan Apple Pie, Michigan Beet & Carrot, Michigan Cranberry, Pineapple & Fennel Seed, and Lemon & Ginger.

McClary Bros. has also teamed with Forgotten Harvest, a metro Detroit charity that fights hunger and food waste in southeast Michigan. McClary Bros. will donate 7.5 percent of the cost of each bottle of its new “Forgotten Flavors” line Forgotten Harvest.

McClary Bros. has worked with the organization’s subsidiary, Hopeful Harvest, since 2014 to manufacture and package its drinking vinegars.

“We like to support and promote the importance of local growing and biodiversity,” McClary said. “We also wanted to use this new line of drinking vinegars as an opportunity to give back to Forgotten Harvest because they have been such a tremendous partner in our rapid growth.”

The line, which debuts with the opening of the tasting room, is made from crops that are uncommon, unusual, hard to grow or forage, or simply not commonly used today due to the commercialization of agriculture.

The first flavor in this new line, Michigan PawPaw, will be a limited edition and available for sale at the Dec. 5 tasting room.

The nutrient-rich pawpaw fruit is Michigan’s only native tropical fruit and it has a distinctive mango-banana-citrus flavor. It’s a fruit that was popular in early-era America but is not as commonly known today as commercialization of the delicate fruit is difficult. To bring this flavor to market, McClary Bros. partnered with an Ann Arbor-area farmer who has created an orchard dedicated to growing pawpaws.

Special activities planned at the grand opening, which takes place from noon-6 p.m., also include food and beverage demonstrations, giveaways throughout the day and face-painting for children.

Regular hours will be noon-6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Extended hours, including Sundays, will be offered through the holiday season.