Paul Wahlberg crafted Apple Rye BBQ Pork Sliders featuring BBQ sauce made using Mark & Digger’s Rye Apple Moonshine, made by Sugarlands Distilling in collaboration with Mark Ramsey and Digger Manes, stars of Discovery Channel’s Moonshiners. Provided
Sugarlands Distilling Co., a craft distillery, and Wahlburgers, a burger restaurant and bar founded by Paul Wahlberg alongside his brothers Donnie and Mark Wahlberg, created the Apple Rye BBQ Pork Sliders. They feature a scratch-made BBQ sauce made using Mark & Digger’s Rye Apple Moonshine, an unaged rye made by Sugarlands Distilling in collaboration with Mark Ramsey and Digger Manes, stars of Discovery Channel’s “Moonshiners,” according to a company press release. Each order includes three sliders with slow-smoked pulled pork, house-made Apple Rye BBQ sauce and coleslaw, served with a stack of onion rings.
“I’m always searching for new ideas to bring to the kitchen, and my latest trip to Tennessee was full of unexpected stories, people and flavors that inspired me greatly,” Chef Paul Wahlberg said in a company press release. “Mark, Digger and everyone at Sugarlands were fantastic hosts, and I left with a new understanding of the rich history of moonshine and the area’s devotion to slow-cooked barbecue. I can’t wait to share my interpretation of this southern staple with Wahlburgers guests this fall.”
To accompany its Apple Rye BBQ Pork Sliders, Wahlburgers will also serve a specialty Bootlegger Apple Cider craft cocktail for a limited time. The Bootlegger Apple Cider combines Mark & Digger’s Rye Apple Moonshine from Sugarlands Distilling Company with the crisp refreshment of apple cider, according to the release.
The Apple Rye BBQ Pork Sliders and Bootlegger Apple Cider cocktail will be available at Wahlburgers locations through November 2023.
“We’re always exploring new ways to share our product offerings and reach new customers,” Patrick Sullivan, Sugarlands chief revenue officer and Boston native, said in the release. “Partnering with Wahlburgers offers an exciting and unique avenue to do that. We’re intentional about whom we collaborate with, and the family values and a commitment to quality of Wahlburgers align perfectly with Sugarlands. It’s been a tremendous experience working with Chef Paul and the entire Wahlburgers team to bring these menu items to life, and we’re excited for what the future could hold for our two brands working together.”
