A classic Moscow mule featuring Valentine Vodka can now be found on participating Applebee’s menus. And for a twist on the classic mule, a Motown Mule featuring Valentine White Blossom Vodka is also available. Both are served in Valentine-branded, copper mugs.   

“To kick off the New Year, we are extremely excited to share two of our favorite cocktails with innovative restauranteurs at TEAM Schostak,” said founder Rifino Valentine of Valentine Distilling Co.

As a family-owned company, TSFR purchased the Michigan Applebee’s due to its alignment with their company values of creating a neighborhood dining experience with high-quality food at an affordable price.

“We understand the dining experience often begins with a cocktail.  Having the opportunity to partner with a local, craft brand that’s already won international acclaim was an easy decision to make. This allows us to offer something unique & different from other national dining establishments.” said TSFR Executive Chairman Mark Schostak. “Throughout our more than five years owning and operating Applebee’s, we have remained committed to bringing a local perspective of the market to our Applebee’s locations.”

Recognized as one of The Detroit Free Press’ 2018 Michigan Top Workplace, TSFR is proud to be the local owner and operator of Applebee’s and looks forward to continuing to lead the way both in the restaurant industry and the communities it serves for years to come. 

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Valentine Distilling Co. Releases New, Upscale Valentine Vodka Bottle to Share in the Quality of its World-class Status

Valentine Vodka Has a New Look. Don’t Miss this Fabulous Bottle on a Shelf Near You!

Ferndale, Mich. – Well Detroit, the best just got better. Valentine Distilling Co. will release a new-and-improved bottle that reflects the elite sophistication of its award-winning vodka late this spring.

After researching, via several focus groups, Valentine Distilling found that consumers look for a bottle that embodies a high-quality drinking experience. The consistent theme that Valentine heard was the quality of the product far exceeded the branded look that sat on retail shelves. Valentine determined it was time to have all elements of the branded vodka appeal to the quality that is known as Valentine.

The new design features vertical ridges around the bottle, which adds a touch of class to the look and feel consistent with the world-class taste of what’s inside. The re-designed label is a classic white with light, wavy horizontal lines in the background. The simple, yet elegant text gives consumers a first glance at what kind of quality they are purchasing.

The decision to tone the bottle to a more classic look allows the eye to be drawn to this stand-out design on the grocery or liquor store shelf.

“We are the top vodka product in the industry. Those who know us, know our products rate among the best in the world, so we made the choice to look the part, too,” said owner Rifino Valentine.

Valentine Distilling’s product distribution is growing at a significant rate year over year. As the brand gains more national distribution, Valentine knew it was imperative to meet consumers’ expectations.

As the bottle hits retail shelves, consumers will notice Valentine’s brand icon, Belle, still included in the redesign. Belle passionately represents a staple of the Valentine brand, as she pays homage to an era of American history, the 1920s through the 1940s, during a time when Detroit was known as the Paris of the Midwest. Belle’s look reflects the work of the Peruvian artist, Alberto Vargas, and her image will draw consumers in and show that Valentine’s traditional roots are still very much present.

For those who wish to collect the original design of the bottle before it’s gone, act fast, as the brand new-and-improved bottle hits shelves soon.

Valentine Vodka’s new look can be defined as:

● A simple label with the right balance of information and style

● Elegant ridges to offer a sleek, high-class feel

The tagline on the bottle speaks for the new design itself: quality above all else.

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Drink Michigan is hosting a fund raising dinner for First Step of Wayne County on August, 22, 2013 at 6:30p. It takes place at the Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth, MI. For those of you not familiar with Drink Michigan, their are a pair of ladies promoting the bounties of Michigan booze. This dinner will be no exception featuring Valentine Distilling Co, Black Star Farms, & Kuhnhenn Brewing Co. Tickets are still on sale and the money goes to a great cause.

I have the privilege of making the cocktails for the event. I have 6 cocktails on the menu and will go into more detail after the event. But here is a sneak peak.

Cocktail Hour: Lane’s Last Stand & Walter’s Experiment

1st Course: Sour Dr. Cooper

2nd Course: Mitchell & Cameron

3rd Course: Tom Schrute

Dessert: Hot Swanson

I’m really looking forward to the event on Thursday and can’t wait to make 300 cocktails. Then I can yell, “THIS…IS…NICK’S…DRINKS!” (Get it? 300 Reference? Bueller?)

Budmo!

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Sponsor: Black Star Farms

Summary: A unique agricultural destination that features two winery production facilities with adjacent tasting rooms, a distillery, an Inn, and an equestrian facility. Our winery and distillery produce some of the most sought after and awarded Michigan wines and spirits. Our luxurious Inn is the perfect place to host private special events including weddings, corporate retreats, and family celebrations. Enjoy culinary offerings including dinners at the Inn or wood-fired pizzas at the Hearth & Vine cafe both located on our Suttons Bay site.

Spirits: The group makes a number of fruit spirits including; Pear, Apple, Cherry, Pear, Apricot, Plum & Grappa. They donated a number of free passes for their tasting room.

Sponsor: Civilized Spirits (Northern United Brewery Co.)

Summary: Civilized Spirits — a family of liquors created for the woodland gentleman of yore; the sort of man who cut wood for a living and wrestled grizzlies for fun, but still found time to wax his mustache and comb some pomade through his hair. Although the grizzlies may be gone, the dedication and appreciation of artisanal spirits lives on in every Civilized Spirit we hand-bottle.

Spirits: The brewery makes a number of fine beers along with Vodka, Whiskey, Rum & Gin. They’ve donated a bunch of goodies for the prize package.

Sponsorship: Journeyman Distillery

Summary: Journeyman is excited to offer handcrafted artisan spirits with a focus on whiskey. Our products are unique because we’re dedicated to producing something that takes time and pure ingredients. While whiskey is what we originally fell in love with, all of our products have a special place in our heart. Variety and quality are what motivate us. We’re excited about this adventure of the spirit; we hope you are, too. We hope you’ll give all of our products a try.

Spirits: Journeyman also offers a full range of spirits; Vodka, Gin, Whiskey, Rye and Rum with a bunch of new whiskey’s soon to debut. They have provided some swag and other surprises for the prize package.

Sponsor: Valentine Distilling Co

Summary: Inspired by this rebellious swagger, Valentine Vodka Founder and Master Distiller Rifino Valentine decided to take a stand against mass-produced vodkas by using old world techniques and equipment to create a hand-distilled vodka with a proprietary multi-grain blend. This defiant approach has won awards at international competitions for its special taste and smooth drinkability.

Spirits: Valentine offers both vodkas and gin including special vodka flavors such as White Blossom. They have provided some swag and goodies for the prize package.

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