The big day this week is Black Friday, and that is so full of beer fun that it required its own post. But if your Friday is scheduled to be spent with family, you still have more than few chances to sample a beer or two.
Monday, Nov. 19
The monthly Crate Club Fill-Up is happening at Milwaukee Brewing (1128 N. 9th St.) from 5 to 8 p.m. It’s a cool, environmentally friendly way to fill up on plenty of MKE Brewing beers. For $5 you buy a crate that holds up to 20 bottles. Once a month you can fill up the crate for just $15. Mix and match whatever beers are your favorites.
Tuesday, Nov. 20
The month-long 39th birthday celebration at Erv’s Mug (130 W. Ryan Rd.) continues with the tapping of a couple of barrel-aged treats from Boulevard Brewing. Rye on Rye Barrel-Aged Ale and Plaid Habit Canadian Whiskey Barrel-Aged Imperial Brown Ale are the guests of honor for as long as they last.
The Brass Tap (7808 W. Layton Ave.) gives up a few of its taps to standouts from Sierra Nevada. The list includes a couple of beers from the Trip in the Woods barrel-aged series.
Epic is bringing some big bad brews to Sugar Maple (441 E. Lincoln Ave.) from 5 to 8 p.m. The list includes Big Bad Baptist Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout and the amazing-sounding Quadruple Barrel Big Bad Baptist Imperial Stout. It isn’t a Belgian quad, but a stout made with barrel-aged shaved coconut, almonds and coffee beans blended into stout aged in both rum and whiskey barrels. Ummm, yes please.
Get in some exercise before overindulging on Thanksgiving with some yoga at The Fermentorium (7481 State Rd. 60). Down Dogs & Drafts runs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. For just $15 you get a one-hour yoga session and tokens redeemable for beer. Bring your own yoga mat.
Cafe Hollander (7677 W. State St.) hosts a beer dinner with Bofferding. Five beers from the brewery in Luxembourg will be paired with five courses and Bofferding’s owner, George Lentz, will be there to discuss his family business. The dinner starts at 6 p.m. and costs $66.
Wednesday, Nov. 21
Sprecher Brewery (701 W. Glendale Ave.) releases the XII Dragons Barrel-Aged Belgian Quad as part of a holiday gift pack. The bundle also includes a bottle of Czar Brew Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout and Commando Barrel-Aged Scotch Ale. XII Dragons has been aging for nearly two years in bourbon barrels and I’m guessing it won’t disappoint. The gift packs will also be available on Friday, Nov. 23 at the Sprecher Taproom (706 S. 5th St.).
Bottle shares are best when they are with people who know their beer. So, a share hosted by the Milwaukee Beer Society will likely be a pretty amazing night. The group’s annual bottle share starts at 6 p.m. at Best Place (901 W. Juneau Ave.). To participate, bring a bottle (bombers please) of something special from your cellar. Make sure it’s something good and hard to find. This group knows beer.
1840 Brewing (342 E. Ward St.) hosts Drinksgiving from 3 to 10 p.m. To honor the occasion they’re tapping a firkin of an imperial stout with cherries juice, vanilla and cacao. They’re also tapping a barrel or two of the Damsel Gose.
Black Husky Brewing (909 E. Locust St.) is releasing Ahead of the Pack Barrel-Aged Tart Imperial Stout starting at 4 p.m. What’s cool about the beer is that it’s the last one brewed at the original Black Husky brewery in Pembine. It has been aging for more than two years, and that’s a good thing.
Upland Brewing celebrates 20 years of business by bringing 20 beers to The Brass Tap at 4 p.m. A few rarities are on the list and few of Upland’s famed sours.
Eagle Park Brewing (823 E. Hamilton St.) begins a busy week of public beer releases (those in the Eagle Park members program get access to these a day earlier) with Float On Berliner Weisse made with orange peel and aged on cranberries.
Try samples from Sprecher at Discount Liquor Waukesha (919 N. Barstow St.) from 4 to 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 23
Eagle Park releases Big BOTM’s Imperial Milkshake IPA, a big and juicy IPA made with lactose.
Milwaukee plays host to at least 14 Black Friday beer releases and events, for those not interested in fighting the crowds at the mall.
Saturday, Nov. 24
If you missed out on the myriad Black Friday beer releases, head to Eagle Park to redeem yourself. The brewery is releasing Booze for Breakfast, an imperial stout with Vermont maple syrup, bourbon barrel-aged coffee beans and Madagascar vanilla. That’s not all. They’re also releasing Booze for Breakfast: French Toast, which substitutes cinnamon for the coffee beans. But wait, there’s more. Bowie’s Space Suit (what a great name) will also be on hand. It’s a New England IPA with Galaxy and Citra hops. Busy day.
Black Husky is having a drawing for a slew of cellared barrel-aged rarities including several vintages of the excellent Twelve Dog Stout. Drawings are at 6 p.m. but you can get there at noon. You earn an entry with every pint you purchase.
Sample beers from Sprecher at Discount Liquor Milwaukee (5031 W. Oklahoma Ave.) from noon to 3 p.m.
