Life in Milwaukee, Wis.
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
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
The latest in Lakefront Brewery’s My Turn series is Luther. Luther, the brewery’s brewmaster, created his version of a rauchbier, an old German style beer similar to an Oktoberfest, in which the malt is roasted over an open beechwood fire. Very interested to taste this beer.
Business Journal names winners in Fastest Growing Firms Awards
Congratulations to the local businesses that were able to grow- and grow significantly- over the last year. The Business Journal recognizes the 27 local Milwaukee-area businesses that were able to increase revenue in a down economy. Among those recognized: BizLab Inc in Menomonee Falls, Waukesha Metal Products in Sussex and Lakefront Brewery Inc in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee's Best
Milwaukee Magazine chooses it’s “Best of” Milwaukee beer.
Some of my favorites…
“Beer Making Headlines
Smooth, dark Sprecher’s BLACK BAVARIAN has had its share of recent media coverage. Billed as one of Men’s Journal’s top beers in America, it also earned a mention from respected beer aficionado Ashley Routson (aka The Beer Wench) on craftbeer.com and was named one of the top 10 craft beers of 2011 by Washington Times Communities writer Bryan Kolesar. The combo of a tasty roasted malt flavor and a reasonable 5.9 percent ABV (alcohol by volume) makes it easy to drink. So go ahead, believe the hype…
Beers That Make Winter Manageable
Lakefront Brewery has nailed the whole holiday beer thing. The cinnamon and nutmeg flavor of HOLIDAY SPICE has made it as big a part of the holidays as overeating. The 11 percent ABV is also a winter warmer.PUMPKIN LAGER is another seasonal hit that goes perfectly well with Thanksgiving dinner (and preps you for Black Friday shopping melees). The smooth, spiced flavor with hints of pumpkin is a fall favorite and a fine substitute for pumpkin pie.
Best Beer Brewed by a Tax Guy
“My Turn Series” lets Lakefront employees join the brewing process. The first, DAN MADE A BALTIC PORTER, was released at the end of 2011. And it’s obvious that Dan, the tax and compliance/transportation manager at Lakefront, knows more than numbers and logistics. The black, complex beer mixes roasted malt flavor with a touch of hops and hints of coffee. Clearly, Dan’s a good guy to have managing the books.
Beer for the Third-Base Side in the Sun
The fruity BOOYAH from Milwaukee Brewing Co. is a solid addition to Miller Park’s beer menu (which has a slew of new craft beer choices). The slightly sweet and citrusy farmhouse ale is a nice way to combat the hot sun, and drinking a local beer gives new meaning to “root, root, root for the home team.”
Mad Scientist Award
WEEKEND AT LOUIE’S by Milwaukee Brewing Co. is a combination of Louie’s Demise ale and Rishi’s blueberry rooibos and hibiscus tea. Huh? That’s right. After the tea is filtered out, the beer is left with a tart blueberry finish, a low 4 percent ABV and a crisp, clean flavor with a hint of tea.”
by Dan Murphy 6/18/12
MILWAUKEE (May 10, 2012) – Lakefront Brewery, Inc. will today introduce Wisconsinite, a new unfiltered Weiss-style beer made entirely of local, Wisconsin-grown ingredients. It is believed to be the first 100 percent “all local” beer made in the U.S.
Wisconsinite will debut at several release parties tonight, including at Hooligan’s on Milwaukee’s East Side, Burnheart’s in Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood, and The Village Pub in Shorewood. Product will begin appearing at retail outlets in the coming weeks.
The beer was created around a new native Wisconsin yeast strain envisioned by Lakefront President Russ Klisch and developed by Jeremy King of home brewing supplies distributor Northern Brewer. Their new strain is believed be to the only North American-grown yeast in commercial use today as well as the first native brewing yeast from Wisconsin. Yeast is just the tip of the local-sourcing iceberg, however. All products used in Wisconsinite hail from the state, including its water (Lake Michigan), malted barley (from Milwaukee’s Malteoup), wheat (Chilton) and hops (Mazomanie).
Wisconsinite is intended for summer drinking, with a light, cloudy body and a relatively low ABV of 4.2 percent. “The craft beer market is trending towards session beers with full flavors but lower alcohol content,” said Klisch. “Wisconsinite fits this category, given its (low) ABV and hints of banana and clove.”
Wisconsinite’s style and ingredients were chosen to complement the local yeast’s natural flavor. Its flavor is so distinct, in fact, that Klisch plans to forgo compensation to make it available to other brewers, hoping to create a new category of beer called Wisconsin Weiss.
“Yeast is the final frontier for craft brewers,” said Klisch. “It’s certainly what gives this beer such a distinct taste.” The Lakefront Strain yeast is available for purchase by commercial brewers through Wyeast, and by homebrewers through Northern Brewer. Lakefront will not receive any compensation for the sale of the yeast.
Lakefront Brewery, Inc. was started in 1987 and is one of the oldest microbreweries in Wisconsin. Today, the brewery distributes its products to 35 states, Israel and Canada. Lakefront Brewery, Inc. was the first brewery to brew a government-approved, gluten-free beer, New Grist, and brews the oldest USDA-certified organic beer, Organic ESB. For more information, visit http://www.lakefrontbrewery.com or call (414) 372-8800.
MEDIA CONTACT: Andy Larsen
O: 414.271.0101 Ext. 119
C: 414.840.0891
E: alarsen@boelterlincoln.com
Ballast Point Brewing and Spirits: San Diego, California - my review of the Ballast Point brewery in San Diego. Good, but not as great as my favorite Milwaukee and Wisconsin breweries.
Oops! I gave away the ending!
Enjoying a Lakefront Oktoberfest while baking oatmeal cranberry cookies… It’s fall!!
First Lakefront Pumpkin of the year! YUM!
