We made an exciting change in our kitchen. We have switched to a local grass fed and finished cattle ranch called Happy Hollow Beef!
Brandon Howley, the head of production and ranch operations, called me back in March, and we hit it off immediately. He loves our beer, and we love beef, so we decided we needed to be friends.
The relationship started with an invitation to join his crew during their spring roundup. Karl, Edison, and I then spent the weekend experiencing ranch life and everything that goes into wellness checks for the mamas and calves. We loved watching their practices and the way they care for the animals. (I saw many cowboys giving calves little kisses!) Their operation is a far departure from feedlots and a truly magical place. The fact that Brandon, Stefnie, and their girls are some of the kindest people makes it even sweeter.
Now about the beef. It is fantastic! We thoroughly tested all the cuts, of course. And we even had side-by-side burger comparisons. Happy Hollow Beef always won. The flavor is a bit different than feedlot cattle. It is not gamey like some grass-fed operations, but it is much more flavorful than what you buy in a grocery store. The ground beef specifically has a more steak-like flavor. During the tastings, I caught myself saying their burger was beef flavored. You don’t realize how much is lacking in your meat until you taste natural grass fed and finished beef.
As of today, our burger is Happy Hollow Beef! We could not be more excited to support our local ranch and the Howley family!
More about Happy Hollow Beef
SUSTAINABLE | Eco-Friendly Farm Practices
Their grass-fed beef is hand raised from birth to maturity on a 100% forage diet. The cattle are free to roam in the pasture, naturally maintaining the earth around them.
NATURAL | Non GMO
Happy Hollow is committed to true farm-to-table practices. The cattle are NEVER treated with any hormones or antibiotics.
CERTIFICATIONS | Step 4
Happy Hollow is proud to be Step 4 Certified by the Global Animal Partnership Organization! It means their animals are humanely raised on pasture year-round and sustainably manage the ranch environment.
CERTIFICATIONS | American Grassfed
Their beef has been inspected and certified by the AGA. As certified AGA producers, the cattle have been fed a lifetime diet of 100% forage, raised free to roam in the pasture, and have never been treated with added hormones or antibiotics.
MISSION AND VISION |
Happy Hollow Beef is fully committed to values of environmental responsibility and agricultural sustainability. Our goal as a grass-fed beef producer is to never lower our standards or compromise the quality of our beef to satisfy a bottom line. We seek to further initiatives of
transparency, sustainability, and stewardship to enhance the quality of life for the cattle we raise and beef we produce through our practices and day-to-day operations. As an AGA Certified operation, we strive to create an ecosystem of balance. Our cattle thrive daily in open pastures and feed on green grass for the entirety of their lives. We are committed to ensuring that our ranch practices are passed on to the consumer through the superior quality of our product.
Learn more about Happy Hollow on their website, and order your own pack out while you are there!
