Des Moines, IA – Shannon Duffy moved to Denver in 2008. As with many Denver implants, he quickly developed a love for the mountains and the Denver way of life. At the same time, he felt something critical was missing. “As a born and raised Iowan, I found it impossible to find high quality bacon in the mountains,” Shannon admitted. He continued, “Shortly after moving here, I ordered bacon at an upscale Denver restaurant. Needless to say, I was disappointed with the quality and taste. I felt like Patrick Swayze’s character in Dirty Dancing and someone had just put Baby in the corner.”
A year later, Shannon found himself back in Iowa visiting his brother Erik. One morning the two dropped into a rural cafe for a warm breakfast. Shannon ordered a side of bacon. When the bacon arrived, he bit into one of the crispy strips. His emotions overwhelmed him. As Shannon fought back the tears, he shared his bacon struggles with his brother. Entrepreneurs at heart, the Duffy brothers soon realized there was an opportunity. They would create the best bacon in the world and bring it to the Rockies.
Within months, the Duffy brothers were able to find farmers in Iowa producing the finest Berkshire hogs. The heritage hogs were naturally raised and fed a 100% vegetarian diet. This produced an exceptional belly with an ideal meat-to-fat ratio for bacon. The brothers then developed a signature maple and spice rub, applied it to the bellies, dry cured them and then smoked them with cherry wood to perfection. In 2010, this delicious bacon became the launching pad for a successful food company, Tender Belly. Tender Belly Bacon is currently available in a variety of upscale restaurants and grocery stores throughout Colorado and Arizona.
The Duffy brothers aren’t the only native Iowans bringing bacon to Colorado. Brooks Reynolds of Des Moines, IA is doing his part. Reynolds is president and chairman of the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival, the world’s premier bacon festival. Held in Des Moines, Iowa, the festival offers a rich bacon educational lecture series and more bacon than a person could ever dream.
For the second year straight, Reynolds is working with Keystone Neighborhood Company to bring the festival’s tour to Colorado. Reynolds explains the Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour as being “much like the Crusaders introducing a large variety of spices from Asia to Western Europe during the Dark Ages. The Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour travels to places like Colorado and Iceland to transform the lives of bacon lovers by introducing a variety of bacon and bacon-inspired dishes from all over.” Reynolds continues, “Of course, we like to do all this while tossing back a few cold beers and bacon bloodies.”
On June 23rd and 24th, the Duffy Brothers will join Reynolds in celebrating bacon at the Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour at River Run in Keystone, Colorado. The two-day event will feature a ton of Iowa bacon (2,000 lbs.) along with plenty of bacon from around the nation, bacon-inspired dishes from local and traveling restaurants, bacon bloody mary’s courtesy of Hawkeye Bacon Vodka and Pearl Vodka, live music, and samples of Beggin’ Strips® for those with bacon-loving dogs at home. A limited number of ticket packages will be available online through http://www.blueribbonbaconfestival.com, beginning May 10, 2012 while supplies last.
Quick Facts
What – Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour, KEYSTONE, CO
When – 1 – 6 pm, on both Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, June 24
Where – River Run Village, 129 River Run Road, Keystone, CO 80435
Attendance – Plans to accommodate over 4,000 bacon lovers over a two-day period
Tickets – A limited number of Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour ticket packages will be available online through http://www.blueribbonbaconfestival.com, beginning May 10, 2012 while supplies last. The ticket packages are as follows:
Saturday Bacon Package ($30)
This package includes an event koozie, event hat, $5 in Bacon Bucks for use at Vendor Tents and unlimited bacon tasting at Bacon Purveyor Tents on Saturday, June 23rd.
Sunday Bacon Package ($30)
This package includes an event koozie, event hat, $5 in Bacon Bucks for use at Vendor Tents and unlimited bacon tasting at Bacon Purveyor Tents on Sunday, June 24th.
Weekend Bacon Package ($50)
This package includes an event koozie, event hat, $8 in Bacon Bucks for Vendor Tents and unlimited bacon tasting at Purveyor Tents.
Bacon Showcase – The popular Bacon Showcase provides purchasers of the Bacon Packages with the opportunity to sample some of the nation’s best bacon brands and talk directly to brand reps. Last year the following bacon brands were showcased: Tender Belly, Eden Farms and Daily’s Premium Meats.
Bacon Bucks – Available throughout the festival grounds in $5 increments, Bacon Bucks will allow participants to purchase samples of gourmet bacon inspired cuisine throughout the day. Over 15 restaurateurs are expected to attend and will be serving up delicious bacon dishes for all to enjoy.
Bacon-Inspired Dish Competition – All restaurants will be participating in a professionally judged food competition with both a winner for best savory bacon dish and best sweet bacon dish. The winner of the 2011 Best Savory Dish, Gusto Pizza Co (http://www.gustopizzaco.com) will be returning to defend their title.
Our Mascot – A furry pig named, Blue, is the official mascot of the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival and Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour.
Source: Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour