American Craft Beer Week
We survived Milwaukee Beer Week and Madison Beer Week, and now we’ve reached American Craft Beer Week which runs from May 14 to May 20 (and explains why the events list below is so long). Isn’t every week Craft Beer Week?
Chicago Craft Beer Week
The Windy City is just an hour and a half from Milwaukee on a good traffic day (a roughly three-day journey if there’s an accident on the Kennedy or three lanes are closed due to construction on I-94). Make the trip to check out some of the events at Chicago Craft Beer Week from May 17 to May 27 (Chicago’s calendar must be different than ours and weeks apparently last 11 days).
New Brews from Area Brewers
Last week, Lakefront unveiled the Wisconsinite Summer Weiss at a few tastings in Milwaukee. The locally made session beer is slated to hit store shelves the upcoming weeks.
Sprecher’s Hooligan Whole Cone Hop Ale release happens on Thursday May 17 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Sprecher Brewery (701 W. Glendale Ave.) The cost to attend is just $5 and includes hors d’oeuvres courtesy of the Astor Hotel and a car show by the George Washington Stein Club. Whole Cone Hop Ale is a limited release, only 40 barrels were brewed.
Craft Beer, Macrobrews, and the Economy
I don’t normally pass along a lot of articles about beer, but David Sirota’s piece, “Can Beer Save America?” was too fabulous to keep to myself. It doesn’t matter what side of the political aisle you’re on, his comparisons between craft beer and big breweries are pretty insightful.
Barley Pop of the Week
The Lakefront My Turn Series has another winner. I tried Brad Made a Scottish Ale last weekend and found it to be another tasty product from the guys on Commerce Street. It’s a smooth, malty and slightly sweet brew that is a nice follow up to Dan Made a Baltic Porter.
Quick Taps
I made a trip to Romans’ Pub (3475 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.) on Wednesday for the release of Leinie’s Big Eddy Imperial IPA and I’m glad I did for several reasons – the IPA was another excellent Big Eddy beer, bar banter with owner Mike Romans is worth the trip alone, and I also got to sample a rare Leinie’s Russian Imperial Stout that was bourbon barrel aged with sour cherries (thanks to Joe for that).
I plan on making the trip south to Chicago to attend at least one of Three Floyds tap takeovers I’ve seen on the Chicago Beer Week calendar. Three Floyds rarities never disappoint.
Events Brewing: A Full Slate Due to American Craft Beer Week
Monday, May 14: Three Floyds takes over five taps at Rumpus Room (1030 W. Water St., rumpusroommke.com) starting at 7:30 p.m., giving fans a chance to try rarities like Tiger Jelly, Stygian Darkness and Ham on Rye.
Tuesday, May 15: Ale Asylum is the guest at Rumpus Room starting at 6 p.m. and Ambergeddon, Bedlam!, Ballistic and Madtown Nut Brown are all available.
Tuesday, May 15: Erv’s Mug’s (130 W. Ryan Rd., ervsmug.com) Tyranena Beer Dinner includes a main course of chile orange short ribs with cheesy potatoes and asparagus paired with Scurvy IPA. Enough said. Price is $30. Call 762-5010 for details.
Wednesday, May 16: Jeff Hamilton, president of Sprecher Brewing, hosts a beer and cheese pairing with 15 Sprecher beers and 15 Wisconsin artisanal cheeses. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. at Sprecher Brewery. Cost is $25 and reservations can be made by calling 964-2739.
Wednesday, May 16: Bedlam! and Ballistic IPA are the highlights from Ale Asylum being sampled from 4 to 6 p.m. at Discount Liquor Milwaukee (5031 W. Oklahoma Ave.).
Wednesday, May 16: Furthermore heads to Discount Liquor Waukesha (919 N. Barstow St.) from 4 to 6 p.m.
Thursday, May 17: Sierra Nevada brings Southern Hemisphere, Torpedo, Porter, and the flagship Pale Ale to Rumpus Room at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 17: Capital Brewing will bring its bourbon barrel Doppelbock and a few others to Romans’ Pub at 7 p.m. and each beer will have a cheese pairing.
Thursday, May 17: Point samples at Discount Liquor Milwaukee from 4 to 6 p.m. include Nude Beach Summer Wheat and Drop Dead Blonde.
Thursday, May 17: Ale Asylum samples at Discount Liquor Waukesha from 4 to 6 p.m.
Friday, May 18: Samples from Point at Discount Liquor Waukesha from 4 to 6 p.m.
Friday, May 18: A big day at Discount Liquor Milwaukee with samples from Shiner Brewery from 4 to 7 p.m. and Sierra Nevada from 5 to 7 p.m. (Hint: Try a sample of the delicious Ovila Belgian Quadruple).
Friday, May 18: Furthermore tasting from 7 to 9 p.m. at Burnhearts (2599 S. Logan Ave.)
Saturday, May 19: Amber beer tasting from 1 to 4 p.m. at Three Cellars (7133 S. 76th St.).
Saturday, May 19: Lakefront samples at both Discount Liquor locations from 2 to 4 p.m. include the brand new Wisconsinite and Brad Made a Scottish Ale.
Saturday: May 19: Tyranena sampling at Burnhearts from 7 to 9 p.m.
