Ace Hotel in Portland has partnered with local distillers House Spirits to stock their minibars with limited-edition artisan spirits. In addition to gin, vodka, rum and blended whiskey, guests can also get a cocktail kit including fresh citrus, bucket of ice, cocktail shaker, jigger and martini glasses. Plus cocktail recipe cards for amateur mixologists in need of inspiration.

Launched by native Northwesterners in 2004, House Spirits Distillery makes its spirits on SE 7th Avenue, less than two miles from Ace Hotel's lobby. Its Apothecary Line—a collection of small-batch, limited edition spirits packaged in individually numbered 375 ml bottles—is currently only available at its own Apothecary Tasting Room, and in the Portland Ace Hotel. By offering guests an exclusive homegrown product, the hotel adds a unique element to their experience while supporting the local economy. Move over, Absolut and Toblerone ;-) (More urban beekeeping, this time atop a Toronto hotel — Loews Hotels adopt local farmers.)

Website: www.acehotel.com/portland
Contact: www.acehotel.com/portland/contact

Last year we reported on Bin Ends, who gave the public the opportunity to take part in wine tastings via Twitter. Last month, a London restaurant got in on the social media act by crowdsourcing their wine list selection. L'Anima, Time Out's pick for Best New Italian Restaurant 2009, hosted a tasting for six wine experts, including wine writer Anthony Rose, wine vlogger Denise Medrano and resident sommelier Gal Zohar. The tasters formed three teams to sample Zohar's short list and settle on the final selection. "Unfortunately," said the sommelier on his blog, "these enthusiasts, rarely agree with each other." That's where the public came in.

For three wine categories where the experts couldn't reach a consensus, L'Anima uploaded videos of each team pleading their case. Members of the public, who had been given advance notice of the wines and were updated on the selection process, were then asked to vote for the wines that they'd like to have in the restaurant. The exercise proved a successful marketing tool for L'Anima, not least because a prize of free wine and a tour of the restaurant was up for grabs for a randomly chosen Twitterer who tweeted about the process. And L'Anima's audience benefited too, getting its nose into proceedings that were once the exclusive domain of experts.

Website: www.lanima.co.uk
Contact info@lanima.co.uk

Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann

Finding a convenient, healthy snack can be difficult in workplaces and schools where fruit trees are long gone and the best on offer now comes from a vending machine stuffed with junk food. Back in 2007 we picked out YoNaturals, a company that responded by supplying vending machines filled with organic produce. Now a Barcelona company—Lof (short for 'Lo Fresco')—has brought a similar service to market in Spain. Sidestepping the debate over whether organic food is all it's cracked up to be, Lof's emphasis is on solid nutritional value. Their machines, which are supplied, installed and maintained for free, sell nuts, prepared fruit, ready meals and Spanish speciality, gazpacho soup.

Novel uses of vending machines are a staple of the Springwise diet—we've dispensed reports on vending machines for everything from bathing suits to hot pizzas. By using them to promote healthy eating, Lof has latched on to two key trends: convenience and organic foods, with a model that creates social value as well as profits.

Website: www.lofresco.es
Contact: info@lofresco.es

Spotted by: Joandó Reverter

New Zealand start-up Your Pure Honey is offering customers the chance to own a share of a beehive in and enjoy the Manuka honey it produces. A basic share costs USD 285 per season (September–May) and yields 2kg of raw honey (delivery costs are included). Those who their own personal colony can adopt an entire hive as a 'Premium Partner' for USD 2,500 and receive 20kg of honey at the close of the season.

Your Pure Honey is keen to establish a personal connection between partners and their hives. Each partner receives a personal link to a website that's updated throughout the season with photographs and videos of their hive, and the material is collated in a photo book and DVD at the end of the season. Like the vineyard shares and adopted olive tree that preceded this venture, it's all about creating a unique story and product that can be shared with friends.

And there's an extra dimension that should appeal to consumers: forest preservation. Manuka trees are often felled to create extra farming land. Your Pure Honey rents land from farmers (one hectare per hive), protecting Manuka forests and providing farmers with an alternative source of income. It's a sweet deal all round. (Related: Remote-controlled farming for city dwellers — Sustainable crowdfunded forest — Rooftop beekeeping at Fortnum's.)

Website: www.yourpurehoney.com
Contact: info@yourpurehoney.com

Spotted by: luxist.com via Chris Turner

Manhattan Milk Company reacquainted downtown New Yorkers with doorstep deliveries of bottled milk. Now, another local startup is hoping to, um, milk the same market. Soon to officially launch, Milk Made is offering New Yorkers the chance to have a pint of freshly-made ice cream delivered to their doorstep every month. The service will be by subscription only, and will give members the chance to submit flavour ideas and see how their ice cream is made, as well as attend Milk Made ice cream parties. Pricing for the service is still being finalised, and Milk Made expects to be able to accommodate about 50 members.

So what kind of ice cream are we talking here? You've guessed it: local and organic. The ingredients are sourced from local farmers' markets, so flavours vary with the seasons. There will generally be five to choose from per month, to be detailed on a menu sent to all members. Examples of flavours on offer include Maple Pancake, Berry-Berry Cobbler and Peanut Butter Brown Sugar, all handmade by the company's founders in their East Village flat. Which is about as (still) made here as it gets. (Related: Used cooking oil for ultra-local candlemaking in Tokyo — Handmade greeting cards by monthly subscription.)

Website: www.milkmadeicecream.com
Contact: info@milkmadeicecream.com

Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann