There’s a big push to shop small and local this holiday season. We take for granted the treasures that are right underfoot. Nothing screams holiday cheer like the mall, right? Um, not so much. I happen to hate the mall on any given day, though we do pop in time to time to go to the LEGO store. I love to discover little shops and markets in my own area code. It’s fun to explore our own neighborhoods and see what local craftsmen and foodies are up to. There’s something comforting about talking to the book store owner about our favorite childhood books versus having an online customer service chat with big box retailers. My most favorite thing is discovering local purveyors of yumminess.
I recently went on a little jaunt around Chatham County. I ate some delicious apple crumble made with local apples and tasted a lovely dessert wine that is delectable either warm or cold and shall make a fine syrup to drizzle over ice cream. It’s actually the wine version of sun tea, which is a taste of the South in a wine bottle. I also got a growler of IPA from Carolina Brewery. I have lots to do when I go back to Chatham County – mead to taste, local chow to chow down on, and a growler to refill.
This holiday season, I encourage you to serve up some local treats from your own area. I plan on stocking up on that dessert wine to serve warm by the fire outside on the patio. I’ll fill my fridge with more Carolina Brewery beverages for my out of town guests. I just know my hipster cool LA brother will appreciate that. It’s yet another way to open up the North Carolina experience to friends and family who come from afar. It’s amazing how your palate is often overlooked when it comes to experiencing new places.
So for today’s 5:00 Fridays, I want to hear what’s tasty in your local scene. Be it beer or wine or nog or tonic, what’s brewing in your neighborhood?