March 04--What's widely considered some of the best maple syrup in the world is made not in Canada or New England, but at Burton's Maplewood Farm in southern Indiana. And this weekend, there's a great excuse for an impromptu road trip to syrupville: the National Maple Syrup Festival.
The festival, founded by syrup maker (not filmmaker) Tim Burton, runs in Brown County State Park in Indiana, near Burton's farm. It's about a four hour drive from Chicago, or an hour south of Indianapolis.
Full disclosure: I judged the recipe contest at the festival in 2012, 2013 and 2015. But I can tell you: The whole weekend is a great time.
You may have tasted Burton's syrup, some of it barrel-aged in chef collaborations, at restaurants around Chicago, including Paul Virant's Vie in Western Springs and Perennial Virant in Lincoln Park. (Virant will be at the festival doing maple-syrup-centric cooking demos.) It also has a nationwide reach; for example, you'll find it on the menu at Spago in Beverly Hills.
The festival, held in Indiana's biggest state park, is now hosted by the Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Taste flights of maple syrup from makers across the country, food (pancakes, of course, but much more), and drinks, from maple water (a hot health trend) to maple cocktails. Plus there will be tree tapping, sap boiling, a maple beer garden, and maple-themed menus at local restaurants.
At the Sweet Victory Challenge recipe contest, hosted by Burton, enjoy samples from the contestants. Paula Haney of Hoosier Mama and local Story Inn chef Kevin Allen will make breakfast, dessert, and savory dishes, including what they're calling "Slap Your Pappy Maple-Lacquered BBQ Ribs."
Tickets are $10 each, which includes admission to the festival all weekend, and roundtrip shuttle service between the nearby town center and the park.
Saturday, March 5 and Sunday, March 6 at Brown County State Park, 1810 State Road 46 East, Nashville, Ind., www.nationalmaplesyrupfestival.com.
lchu@tribpub.com
Twitter @louisachu
