This time on Food Trippin’ in the Mitten: History comes alive, pork belly comes out of the oven, and Belgium inspired brews come out of the backroom at Albion Malleable in Albion.

This establishment opened in May of 2018 in a beautiful rustic building that was originally a carriage house, built in the late 1800s in downtown Albion. Owners Ben Wade, Charles Moreau and John Rogers say the name malleable, which pronounced malleable locally, is a nod to Albion’s rich history of iron production in Calhoun County which began in 1888 with the Albion Malleable Iron Company. The factory closed in 2002 after several changes in ownership.

Albion Malleable Iron Company (Credit Frank Passic, Albion Historian)
Albion Malleable Iron Company (Credit Frank Passic, Albion Historian)
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One of their featured items is The Porchetta Sandwich is a pork belly wrapped in pork loin which we worked on in the kitchen. It’s marinated and roasted, then sliced thin with arugula salad and shaved parmesan before being topped with some crushed pork skins. On the side, there's hand cut Idaho French fries and a choice between cucumber salad or the unique sriracha coleslaw.

Albion Malleable pork loin and pork belly before prep
Albion Malleable pork loin and pork belly before prep (Lacy James/TSM)
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Co-owner Ben Wade has been making home brews for years and has it down to an art. They are Belgium inspired and include several varieties of Saison and Farmhouse ales, IPAs, among others. One of my favorite things about craft beers is the names they come up with and the stories behind them. Uncle Cousin, Noisy King, Beedeviled and Red Headed Senator.

Albion Malleable brewing room (Lacy James/TSM)
Albion Malleable brewing room (Lacy James/TSM)
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History, hard work, hot ovens and hoppy brews: bringing hometown appeal to the heart of Albion. Albion Malleable’s passion for this community is infectious and it will hit you before the bites and beers come to your table. What makes them different? It’s simple. Albion. And Albion Malleable is a one-of-a-kind experience.

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