At Louisville Label our clients are more than that. They are partners in business and when they succeed, we succeed. Louisville Label would like to recognize some of our trusted partners in business that were recognized in Kentucky Monthly Magazine last month. Here is a snapshot of their history and a bit more about what they do.
Allman’s Beer Cheese
On a quest down the Beer Cheese Trail, Kentucky Monthly Magazine author Jackie Hollenkamp Bentley trekked to the land that was once used by the Driftwood Inn on the shores of the Kentucky River. Bentley was in search of beer cheese in the region that had made a name for itself and Allman’s Beer Cheese definitely has. “Snappy Cheese” as it was originally called, touts a recipe based on the original, first-ever-made batch of beer cheese which was created at Johnnie Allman’s Driftwood Inn. The recipe originator was Allman’s cousin, Joe and although the recipe is said to never have been officially written down, but has been passed down for years. Allman’s grandson has kept the recipe and the tradition alive today by offering testings and samplings that are available in local retail shops in and around Winchester. A complete list of Allman’s Beer Cheese varieties can be found here allmansbeercheese.com.
DJ’s Beer Cheese
Last stop on the Beer Cheese Trail landed Bentley at DJ’s Bar and Grill, another noted server of the area’s famous beer cheese. Owner Donna Crim developed the beer cheese recipes in 1999 and has been serving them at the restaurant ever since. Crim holds the recipe tightly as she is the only one who officially knows how to make it just right because she is the only one who makes it. Not even the employees know how to make it. Word has certainly circulated about the unique flair of DJ’s beer cheese as they have had countless people coming in from out of town just to buy it. In fact, Donna and her husband recently returned home early from trip to Florida because they were running low on beer cheese.
Elmwood Inn Fine Teas
Making tea is a true art form that takes time, according to Bruce Richardson, owner of Elmwood Inn Fine Teas. He and his wife Shelley were featured in the April edition of Kentucky Monthly Magazine for their gourmet tea expertise and the ability to “steep tradition and tranquility into every cup.” Bruce provides information on the importance of hand-picking each tea leaf from tea plants that are in well-groomed, higher elevation tea gardens. The Richardsons also share with their customers a “Cup of Serenity” card with specific instructions on how to make the most of their specialty teas. He encourages everyone to “become their own teacher,” by experimenting and tasting until a perfect result emerges.
Crank and Boom Ice Cream
Since age 7, Toa Green has worked in the food industry alongside her parents in their family-owned Thai restaurants. After leaving for college, she swore she would never work in the restaurant business again, but the itch took over and two years after graduation she summoned her parents out of semi-retirement and a new joint venture was born again. Thai Orchid Cafe opened in 2006 and by 2011, Toa and her husband Mike had taken over ownership completely. To complete the culinary experience, Toa began searching for the ultimate combination of ingredients that would comprise the prefect coconut ice cream to offer for dessert. She wanted to make the ice cream herself and began toying with different flavors and ingredients. The customers fell in love and as a result, Toa’s experimentation grew into other varieties of ice cream that Lexington patrons began to rave over. Enthusiasm and growing demand for her creative flavors like Bourbon and Honey and Coconut and Green Tea promted Toa to brand her ice cream efforts and set up shop in the ice cream arena. In 2013, purple Crank and Boom tents began popping up all over town at local events. One year and 40 flavors later, her ice cream is still “cranking and booming” in the local community. Toa continues to use her ice cream business as a vehicle to encourage local businesses to stick together and to give back to the community that has supported you. She also hosts a birthday party on her birthday and gives a percentage of the proceeds to a local charity. By living her dream, Toa has inspired the community to participate in their local community and share the joy of doing what you love.
Louisville Label is proud to partner with these Kentucky businesses and to support their unique products.
