Life in Milwaukee, Wis.
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
Looking east down Wisconsin Ave. from the roof of the Wells Building
13 Beers of 2013
Last year I decided to try six new restaurants in the Milwaukee area… and I failed miserably. I only made it to three out of the six: The National, Conejitos and Maxie’s Southern Comfort- basically, the three cheapest restaurants on my list. (Not that it’s the point of this post, but Maxie’s was by and far my favorite of the three.)
So this year, I’m going to try NOT to set myself up for failure. I’m going to choose something I love more than food… beer. Since the year is 2013, why not try 13 different beers this year?
My list is incomplete, and I’m open to edits. Please offer any suggestions you may have in the comments!
1. Russian River Pliny the Elder
2. Russian River Pliny the Younger
(Russian River Brewing Co. beers aren’t available in Wisconsin, so I’m going to need help from one of my sisters that live in Cali for these two.)
3. O’Fallon Kite Tail Summer Ale
4. Deschutes Red Chair NWPA
5. Deschutes The Abyss
6. Deschutes Black IPA
7. Deschutes Black Butte XXI
8. Unibroue 17 Grande Reserve
9. Bogota Beer Company Cajica Miel
10. Saguenay Criminelle
11. ?
12. ?
13. ?
So very sad. Mahal, the five-year-old orangutan at the Milwaukee County Zoo, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday night. I generally try to visit the zoo at least once a month, and on every trip I make sure to stop by the primate house to visit Mahal. It will be weird to not see him at the zoo anymore. I feel for his surrogate mother, MJ. Here’s what the Zoo had to say on Mahal’s death:
“As many of you have learned by now, the Milwaukee County Zoo’s 5-year-old orangutan, Mahal, died unexpectedly Saturday morning (December 29). The Zoo’s veterinary personnel believe the cause of death was pneumonia. Mahal was one of the Zoo’s most popular animals. Anybody who encountered Mahal knows why. Attached is a photo of Mahal in 2008. If you like, please share your favorite memories of Mahal.”
AJ Bombers, bacon get big hugs on Destination America
…Restaurant owner and chef Todd Fisher gets to travel the country for The Discovery Channel’s newest offering to check off bacon dishes on his bucket list. Because the three-part “United States of Food” did so well in the ratings, Fisher got to expand his broadcasting acumen with a full season. The 12-episode run kicked off on Sunday night, and featured four stops in the area, including the peanut butter bacon cheeseburger - the Barrie Burger - at AJ Bombers…
Find out what other Milwaukee restaurants will appear on your TV at “AJ Bombers, bacon get big hugs on Destination America” on OnMilwaukee.
Had fun at the Stone Creek Coffee Factory Grand Opening this morning. Congrats to the team at SCC! That team does well under pressure! That line was intense.
Craft brewers turn to local ‘wet hops’ for special beers
by Tom Daykin of Journal Sentinel
Wisconsin Beer update from Milwaukee Magazine
by Dan Murphy
“Wisconsin Wet Hops
Wet hopped beers, where freshly cut hops are added to the brew (as opposed to dried hops), are an increasingly popular (and tasty) variety. Some Wisconsin breweries hopped on the wet hop train in a cool, local way. Early in November, five Wisconsin breweries (Lakefront, Sprecher, Central Waters, South Shore and Bull Falls) released their takes on wet hopped beers using Wisconsin-grown hops. Look for Central Waters Harvest Ale, Lakefront Local Acre Wet Hop Lager and Sprecher Hopfuzion Fresh Hop Lager, which are all available locally, before the bottles are gone…
Quick Taps
Congrats to Lakefront and Central Waters for each taking home bronze medals at the Festival of Barrel Aged Beer. Lakefront was third in the Classic Porter/Stout category with a Rye Barrel Aged Fuel Coffee Stout. Central Waters took home third in the Barleywine/Wheatwine category with the Bourbon Barrel Barleywine.
The Black Friday Imperial IPA Black Ale one-day release at Lakefront was apparently a big hit. I’m already looking forward to next year. How about a release of that tasty sounding Barrel Aged Fuel?
On Black Friday, Uncle Mike’s Pub (6611 120th Ave., Kenosha) tapped the amazing Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout and Kentucky Breakfast Stout. I have to give Uncle Mike’s serious props for that kind of effort. It’s pretty clear that I need to make a trip to that place.
Events Brewing
Friday, Nov. 30: Stubby’s Gastrogrub & Beer Bar (2060 N. Humboldt Ave.) has put together quite a beer dinner. The feast features Boulder Beer and highlights include the delicious Nitro Mojo IPA paired with bone marrow bruleed lamb belly, and dessert that features a Cognac Barrel Aged Obovoid Stout and banana bread roulade. The tastiness begins at 7 p.m. and costs just $55 ($50 for Stub Club members). Call 763-6324 to reserve a spot.
Saturday, Dec. 1: Sample Thai beer when Singha comes to Discount Liquor Milwaukee (5031 W. Oklahoma Ave.) from 2-5 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 1: Romans’ Pub (3475 N. Kinnickinnic Ave.) hosts its 34th annual Christmas party starting at 7 p.m. It’s a pretty safe bet that Mike Romans will have some tasty (and likely hard-to-find) stuff on tap. “
excerpts pulled from the 11/26/12 article on MilwaukeeMag.com, Sunday Funday Thanks to the Map Room
Wrap your holiday gifts in this Milwaukee wrapping paper.
