Meet Member Danny Brennan
Healdsburg Ferments Hot Sauce, how did it all get started? Healdsburg Ferments started out as an idea, sparked by all the delicious overabundance spilling out of my backyard garden. A couple years of growing way too many cayenne peppers in the garden, test batches, and learning the art of fermentation culminated last May when we bottled the first official vintage. That 2021 vintage was so tasty, we decided to go all in and try and double production and add a second flavor.
Why Hot Sauce? Well, I'm from Louisiana, and I just see cayenne peppers and hot sauce as the perfect blend of where I from and where I am now. The flavors of Louisiana lend themselves very well to the flavors of Sonoma County. Both areas have a rich agricultural heritage also, and to me the whole idea of a Louisiana style Hot Sauce from Sonoma County just makes sense!
Why Ferment? Here in wine country (and beer country and bread country), fermentation is already a key pillar of our society, so the idea of fermenting peppers, once again, just makes sense. From the technical side, the process of fermenting peppers creates a shelf stable product without the use of any added vinegars or acids or heat/cooking... mother nature does all the work. Peppers, Onions, Garlic, Salt, and Water - nothing else. From a taste perspective, fermenting tones the spicy peppers down, bringing out a citrus-y flavor, along with salty-delicious umami finish. Not too spicy, but still has a bit of a kick!
What's in the pipeline, or should I say what’s in the fermentation tank? The 2022 vintage is nearing the end of its fermentation and will be bottled up in the coming weeks. Glass bottles has been ordered and new labels are at the printer. The official release is set for the first week in August, with a Craftwork Lunch catered by The Parish Cafe. I can't think of a better way to taste the new hot sauce than a pairing with some Louisiana Red Beans and Rice! Stay tuned.
Can't wait till August to taste the sauce? No problems, we still have a couple bottles of the 2021 vintage... ask me about it next time you see me at Craftwork.
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