What is Alpine Touch? Find Out the History & How it Tastes
You know it, we know it: Alpine Touch is the business.
What you may not have known is that this local Montana company started in Whitefish out of a concrete mixer behind a grocery store. When Whitefish became too "touristy" for the owners, they went in search of a "quieter existence" and settled finally in Choteau, Montana.
Who Owns Alpine Touch and Where are they Based?
I got to catch up with Chad Ekegren, the owner of Alpine Touch and a dedicated small-town man, "What better place to live and work than on the Rocky Mountain front?"
Chad bought Alpine Touch from the previous owners (Choteau residents as well) in a joint venture with his dad, the owner of a John Deere company in Choteau as well, "My family bleeds green and yellow."
Here is our selection of Alpine Touch products you can order online.
Chad went to school for a degree in business at the University of Montana.
"Yeah, I try to keep that pretty quiet around here; maybe we shouldn't write about that?"
"Sure," I told him, "That doesn't need to be in the final article."
Short of titling this article, Alpine Touch is a GRIZ brand, I figured I would add this little bit of down-home rivalry (Montana State Bobcats versus University of Montana Grizzlies) so our readers across the nation will get a taste of the work environment we experience every day in Montana.
Back to the product, I learn something cool everyday writing for N40, and in this article: N40 has their own label from Alpine Touch. "Part of the reason our company is so successful, in fact, a very large reason we are so successful, comes from the hunters that use our product."
Hunters and Alpine Touch End-Users... aka Foodies
I was intrigued and got Chad to go a bit deeper into this idea.
"Well, what happens when you go out and harvest a big bull or cow elk? You have an excess of meat, and you prepare it and give it to your friends. Alpine Touch is the spice these hunters use when preparing their game, and when their friends ask what it was that gave it that flavor--that's our word of mouth. Just like it was when Russell Street started the company.
That's why we are happy to put that big bull elk on the Alpine Touch bottles we stock at North 40 in appreciation for the hunters that help us stay successful."
This is the Alpine Touch label he is talking about.
Like Hershey chocolate back in the day, Alpine Touch has a huge following in the US military. Perhaps there is something to be said about military fare, or perhaps it's just because Alpine Touch is that- wonderful.
Chad told me he's always sending shipments out to bases around the world. "I'll get these notes from US military personnel, 'It's the only way we can eat this stuff.' We keep these letters. We love hearing from our troops."
I asked him what's in the works for Alpine Touch he said, kind of in an offhand manner, "We've got something called,˜Prairie Fire Rub' for ribs and brisket." This blew my mind: spicy Alpine Touch.
But that wasn't the end of it, "We are going to move into sauce soon, too."
Chad welcomes everyone "If you're driving through, stop by or drop us a line on social media or mail if you are overseas." A very cool guy taking a very cool company to new places I'm happy to follow.
So... What Does Alpine touch Taste Like?
--Jake England (North 40 Cameraman) Speaks
What is the old saying- "If you can't do it, blog about it?"
There's not too many things in life that I am good at, but I like to think I am pretty good at eating food. Now, if only I could cook. My culinary ability rests somewhere between burning box mac and cheese and barbecuing some decent steaks. I have even burned hotdogs on the grill; it wasn't my proudest moment. The good news, I have not yet burned down my house.
Plus, I make a pretty mean bowl of cold cereal. All of that being said, I do love food.
I think it is my creative side that really connects with the artistry in good cooking (or just my inner fat kid). I enjoy everything from the composition of a plate to a unique combination of flavors. I have had the pleasure of eating at some fancy places and some pretty fantastic dives across the northwest. I love to try new restaurants in new places, the more undiscovered the better. When it comes down to it though, my favorites are always good old comfort foods.
As for good eats, I don't think it gets further off of the beaten path than Heaven on Earth guest ranch, located on the Smith River a little over an hour outside of Great Falls. The first thing you will notice at the ranch is the view. Nothing like a backdrop of massive cliffs falling straight to the pristine Smith River.
Trust me when I say, there is something very special about sitting on the deck and watching the sun rise over the cliffs with a warm cup of coffee. A hidden gem in this small piece of heaven is Debbie Wilson. Debbie can cook. Her prime rib is off the charts. If I had to describe her style, she is a hard working Montana chef that specializes in northwestern comfort foods, my favorite.
Here are the Alpine Touch products that Debbie uses in her cooking.
Since Debbie moved to Montana she has been cooking with Alpine Touch.
"I use it in everything, soups, stews, salads, fried potatoes, spaghetti, eggs, grilled meat, fish- It is good for just about anything," says Debbie.
Whether you are camping in Montana wilderness or cooking dinner at home, I can't recommend Alpine Touch enough, after all, even I can cook with it.
And that brings us to the final question: What are you going to cook with Alpine Touch?