This week is a busy one for beer lovers. There’s a long list of Black Friday beer releases (and a couple of Wednesday releases) at local breweries to consider and other events that should keep you busy through the holiday weekend. There are plenty of amazing local beers hitting shelves and tap lines, as well as 2024 Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout variants (here’s what we thought after tasting this year’s batch). Plan your calendar wisely.
Wednesday, Nov. 27
Raised Grain Brewing (1795 Dolphin Dr., Waukesha) gets a jump on the big weekend with Friendsgiving. The doors open at 11:30 a.m., and to mark the occasion they’re releasing Six Stone Barrel-Aged Scotch Ale.
Drinksgiving at both 1840 Brewing locations (342 E. Ward St. and 401 N. Main St., West Bend) means a special tapping of West Bend Dark made with coffee. Hours are noon to 10 at both spots.
3 Sheeps Brewing (1837 North Ave., Sheboygan) hosts Sheepsgiving from 7 to 11 p.m. They’ll have live music and are staying open an hour later than normal to ensure that you are just a little more groggy and your family festivities on Thursday.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
Friday, Nov. 29
If you can’t make the rounds to area breweries for Black Friday (check out our complete guide here), Magellan’s in Waukesha has you covered. They’re pouring a few local standouts at 3 p.m. and may have another surprise or two on tap when they open at noon. The list includes 2024 Explorium Milwaukee County Stout Proprietors Reserve, 2024 Central Waters Black Gold, Raised Grain Brewing Nine Lives 2024 Barrel-Aged Anniversary Stout, and 2024 Eagle Park Brewing Last Christmas Stout.
The big beer release at Black Husky Brewing (909 E. Locust St.) is Wednesday, which leaves them wide open for their Fabulous Friday. They’ll be pouring vertical flights of Sparkly Eyes DIPA from 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024. They’ll also have Ahead of the Pack, their Belgian golden strong ale on tap.
Aman’s Beer + Wine (26210 W. Loomis Rd., Wind Lake) is offering a bottle of each Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout variant available locally in a presale. Pick up begins on Friday for 2024 Bourbon County Stout, 2024 Bourbon County Vanilla Rye Stout, 2024 Bourbon County Cask Finish Stout, and 2024 Bourbon County Macaroon Stout.
Both Discount Liquor locations (5031 W. Oklahoma Ave. and 919 N. Barstow St., Waukesha) open at 9 a.m. They’ll have all four 2024 Bourbon County variants available in the area on sale with no limits. They’ll also have some vintage Bourbon County bottles and barrel-aged beers from the likes of 3 Sheeps, Explorium, Revolution, and more.
Brewed Omen (120 N. Main St., Hartford) is releasing its Explorium Milwaukee County Stout variant. It is aged in Driftless Glen bourbon barrels.
Consumer Beverage Outlet (5313 S. 108th St.) opens at 9 a.m. and will have Bourbon County variants available and their Explorium Milwaukee County Stout variant aged in 1792 barrels.
The Stillery (1304 12th Ave., Grafton) releases its Explorium Milwaukee County Stout variant, which is aged in Blanton’s barrels at 11 a.m.
Three Cellars (N72 W13400 Lund Ln, Menomonee Falls) is tapping its keg of Explorium Milwaukee County Stout aged in a Smoke Wagon bourbon barrel at noon. It’s available in cans as well.
The Brass Tap (7808 W. North Ave.) is pouring all sorts of barrel-aged gems, including a few 2024 Bourbon County variants, some Central Waters standouts and 3 Sheeps The Wolf: Mexican Hot Chocolate. The bar opens at 11 a.m.
Ray’s Bar (8930 W. North Ave.) is tapping four stouts and offering a buy one, get one free deal on them from 4 to 10 p.m. Ray’s Wine & Spirits also has presale available for Bourbon County variants.
Downtown Racine has Bourbon & Beer happening from 1 to 5 p.m. Do some shopping and stroll through downtown while sampling your choice of 10 beers, 10 bourbons and 10 bourbon-infused appetizers. Tickets are $40.
Saturday, Nov. 30
Sahale Ale Works (1505 Wisconsin Ave., Grafton) opens at 10 a.m. for the Grafton Christmas Parade. They’re hosting an afterparty that includes food and music.
Sunday, Dec. 1
Milwaukee Krampusnacht comes to the Brewery District on Juneau Avenue from 3 to 10 p.m. The event includes a parade, dozens of vendors, live entertainment, food, and beer of course.
Coming Soon
Wednesday, Dec. 4: Tess (2499 N. Bartlett Ave.) has two Freestyle Holiday Beer Dinners happening on Wednesday and Thursday (Dec. 5). The five-course meals are paired with five seasonal beers. Call 414-964-8377 to reserve a spot.
Thursday, Dec. 5: Señor Krampus is being released at Perspective Brewing Company (7508 W. Greenfield Ave.). The stout is made with guajillo and ancho chiles, cacoa, cinnamon, and Madagascar vanilla beans.
Saturday, Dec. 7: Kegel’s Inn (5901 W. National Ave.) celebrates 100 years with a Centennial Birthday Bash. The party includes the release of Barrel Breaker Doppelbock, a beer brewed in collaboration with MobCraft that has been aged in Central Standard whiskey barrels with Wisconsin maple syrup.
Saturday, Dec. 14: Amorphic Beer (3700 N. Fratney St.) celebrates three years of beer with a party that includes a pair of special beer release, food, and live music.
Wednesday, Dec. 18: The last Beer School of the year at Third Space Brewing (1505 W. St. Paul Ave.) happens at 6:30 p.m. The subject is barrel-aged beers, and class should fill up quickly.
