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McClary Bros. Bestows Very Vinegary Tasting Room on Farmington

The drinking vinegar maker is putting down permanent roots

Jess Sanchez McClary is the founder of McClary Bros. drinking vinegars.
Jess Sanchez McClary is the founder of McClary Bros. drinking vinegars.
Courtesy of McClary Bros.
Brenna Houck is a Cities Manager for the Eater network. She previously edited Eater Detroit and reported for Eater. You can follow her on the internet at @brennahouck.

Old timey drinking vinegar producer McClary Bros. is poised to debut a tasting room in Farmington next month. Founder Jess Sanchez McClary tells Eater the 200-square-foot space will have a Colonial-era feel with a bar area and, eventually, chairs. Unfortunately, there won't be a liquor license so cocktail fiends will have to make their shrubs at home.

McClary, who appeared on ABC's Shark Tank in September, is also launching a new line of products called "Forgotten Flavors" that showcase "uncommon, unusual, and hard to grow or forage" ingredients, such as Michigan's only native tropical fruit — pawpaw. The company plans to follow pawpaw with saskatoon vinegars next spring. Hopeful Harvest, an organization that fights hunger and food waste in Southeast Michigan, will receive 7.5 percent of proceeds from each bottle.

[Facebook/McClary Bros.]

When asked whether she had plans to expand the brand's distribution and production, McClary notes that the company's first micro batch will be completed at a New Orleans-based production center this January. The Louisiana production center will also allow her to revive one of the brand's older flavors, fig leaf.

The tasting room launches with a grand opening party from noon to 6 p.m. on December 5 featuring samples, food, giveaways, face painting, and drink mixing demonstrations. Following the event, the tasting room will open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. with extended hours including Sundays throughout the holidays.

McClary Bros. Tasting Room

32621 Grand River Ave., Farmington, MI Visit Website