Oktoberfest kicks off its four-weekend run at Old Heidelberg Park (700 W. Lexington Blvd.) on Friday, Sept. 7. Feast on spanferkl (suckling pig), hendl (roasted chicken), bratwurst, or rollbraten and wash it all down with hefty German brews from Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, and Hofbrau. For $20 you can reserve a picnic table for you and seven of your closest friends, or you can just snag a standard ticket for $4 (that’s right, four bucks) and meander through the festivities.
Live music from 5-11 p.m. on Fridays and 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Saturdays provides a nice soundtrack to overindulgence. Oktoberfest runs every Friday and Saturday in September.
Barley’s Angels
Barley’s Angels is set to meet up at St. Francis Brewery (3825 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.) on Thursday, Sept. 6. No, it’s not a trio of female beer drinkers solving crimes against craft beer, but rather a group of women who want to learn and talk about beer.
“Barley’s Angels gives women a friendly, educational, and supportive atmosphere to learn more about beer,” explained member Erin Anderson. “Our meeting locations change each month to give members an opportunity to visit new destinations in Milwaukee.”
I’m all for the group, which has 28 chapters worldwide. If you are too (and are female) get to St. Francis Brewery, for the 6 p.m. social hour on Thursday. The meeting, where the group will be sampling the beers at the brewpub and discussing the best ways to taste beers, begins at 7 p.m.
Barley Pop of the Week
I thought about an Oktoberfest or pumpkin beer this week, but it was hot and humid and it didn’t really seem right to drink either one. Instead I went with the New Glarus Belgian Red. The dominant cherry flavor is perfect for the waning days of summer. But the beauty of Belgian Red is that it isn’t tart, which is a good thing.
Quick Taps
Beer email newsletter author Grynder tells me that Goose Island Bourbon County Stout will make it to Milwaukee in a few weeks and that one of those barrels just might be headed to Romans’ Pub. Keep an eye out for this delicious, and potent, brew.
I checked out The Ruby Tap (1341 Wauwatosa Ave.) last weekend. They’re big on wine obviously but they also have a nice selection of Wisconsin beers.
Events Brewing
- Thursday, Sept. 6: The owner of O’so Brewing will be handing out samples (including the Goldilocks’ Revenge Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout) at Discount Liquor Waukesha (919 N. Barstow Ave.) from 4-7 p.m.
- Friday, Sept. 7: Taste Corsendonk Belgian Ales at Discount Liquor Waukesha from 4-7 p.m.
- Friday, Sept. 7: O’so heads to Discount Liquor Milwaukee (5031 W. Oklahoma Ave.) from 4-7 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 8: Bell’s Brewery fans should head to the 8th Street Ale Haus (1132 N. 8th St.) in Sheboygan for a tap takeover. Just don’t drive home.
- Saturday, Sept. 8: Sample canned beers from Tallgrass Brewing at Discount Liquor Waukesha from 12-2 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 8: Try Corsendonk Belgian Ales from 12-3 p.m. and Tallgrass brews from 3-6 p.m. at Discount Liquor Milwaukee.
- Saturday, Sept. 8: Sample Oktoberfest beers from 1-4 p.m. at Three Cellars (7133 S. 76th St.).
- Saturday, Sept. 8: Get a taste of all of the pumpkin, fall seasonals, and Oktoberfest beers that you can when Erv’s Mug (130 W. Ryan Rd.) hosts Ervtoberfest. For just $45 ($35 in advance) you get unlimited samples of more than 20 beers and access to a German buffet.
