A Big Barrel-Aged Event
December has been a good month for barrel-aged beer fans. Champps Americana (1240 S. Moorland Rd., Brookfield) tapped a ridiculous amount of barrel-aged brews early in the month at its anniversary party, and now Dublin’s (110 Wisconsin St., West Bend) gets into the act. Darkest Day II means that at 4 p.m., 36 of the pub’s 40 taps will be dedicated to big, boozy beers. The list includes 2015 Lakefront Black Friday Imperial Stout, three years (2014, 2015 and 2016) of Central Waters Bourbon-Barrel Stouts, the amazing Central Waters Rye Barrel Chocolate Porter and 3 Sheeps Midnight Bourbon Wheat Ale. Think of it as an early Christmas present from Dublin’s.
An Interesting Read by Draft Mag
Check out Joe Stange’s piece for Draft Magazine about The Starbucksification of Craft Beer Bars. It’s an interesting and insightful take on where chain craft beer bars are their ability to offer anything novel. The beer bar chains I’ve been to have been fine, and I generally judge them on what’s pouring from the taps. But I see Stange’s point that if that the product ceases to be novel, then what’s the point of cookie-cutter experiences? That’s precisely why neighborhood pubs and taverns are my preferred craft beer haunts.
Barley Pop of the Week
A cold front and the upcoming holidays make this a perfect time for 3 Sheeps Veneration Belgian-Style Quad. The decadent brew, released at the beginning of December, is aged in rye whiskey barrels and comes in a whopping 13% ABV. Veneration has a brown sugar and dark fruit sweetness that keeps the hint of booze in check. It’s another example of the good things that 3 Sheeps brewmaster Grant Pauly is doing in Sheboygan.
Quick Taps
Founders announced details about its 2017 barrel-aged series last week. The first of the series is Frootwood Cherry Ale, which is aged in maple syrup bourbon barrels. It is expected be released in late January. KBS and Backwoods Bastard are also on the schedule, as are three other brews that are TBD. One cool thing about these delicious brews is that they will be available in both 750 mL bottles and in four-packs.
I made a trip to Chicago’s Publican restaurant last weekend (for dinner with my mom who made the trip to see “Hamilton” – she gave rave reviews). I had a chance to talk with Adam Vavrick, the beer director for Publican, who has put together an amazing beer list. A couple of years ago, I lamented in a column about how irritating it was that some quality restaurants didn’t pay enough attention to their beer menus. That problem has clearly changed for the better, largely because smart restaurants like Publican know what they’re doing when it comes to beer.
Events Brewing
Wednesday, Dec. 14: Lakefront is bringing its recent barrel-aged brews—Cherry Lager, Imperial Pumpkin Ale and Spiced Winter Lager – along with a cask-conditioned mystery brew to Champps (1240 S. Moorland Rd., Brookfield) at 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 14: Surly Brewing is taking over the taps at Ray’s Growler Gallery (8930 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa) at 5 p.m. Expect some goodies.
Thursday, Dec. 15: Discount Liquor Milwaukee (5031 W. Oklahoma Ave.) hands out samples from O’so from 3 to 6 p.m. and Bofferding from 4 to 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 15: Try samples from Two Brothers and Bofferding at Discount Liquor Waukesha (919 N. Barstow Ave.) from 4 to 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 15: At 4 p.m., Crafty Cow (153 E. Wisconsin Ave., Oconomowoc) starts pouring some gems from Deschutes, including The Stoic Belgian Quad, Black Butte XXVIII and Obsidian Stout, infused with espresso beans, cocoa nibs and candy canes. Festive!
Thursday, Dec. 15: Sugar Maple (441 E. Lincoln Ave.) is pouring the delicious – and hard-to-find – Perennial Abraxas Imperial Stout at 3 p.m. I’ve sampled this year’s brew and it’s a wonderfully rich winter brew complete with a perfect hint of cinnamon. Sugar Maple will be pouring vanilla and coffee variants too, which makes this a can’t-miss opportunity.
Thursday, Dec. 15: Great Lakes Brewing is headed to Draft & Vessel (4417 N. Oakland Ave.) for a Christmas party, and the brewery is bringing the aptly named Tripel Dog Dare Belgian Ale with it. Get there at 7 p.m. and wear an ugly sweater for a chance to win a prize or two.
Thursday, Dec. 15: Bell’s Brewing makes a visit to The Malt Shoppe (813 N. Mayfair Rd., Tosa) at 5 p.m., and they’re bringing samples.
Friday, Dec. 16: Tyranena is taking over 10 taps at The Brass Tap (7808 W. Layton Ave.) starting at 4 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 16: Ballast Points hands out samples at Discount Liquor Milwaukee from 4 to 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 16: Alaskan Brewing brings samples to Discount Liquor Waukesha from 4 to 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 17: Good City Brewing (2108 N. Farwell Ave.) is celebrating its six-month anniversary in a big way. The brewery is releasing its first barrel-aged brew, Density Imperial Stout, when it opens at 10 a.m. Good Citizens members get in early at 9:30 a.m. I’ll let you know how Density rates after I attend a preview of the new brew on Thursday.
Saturday, Dec. 17: Black Husky is holding its first-ever Christmas Cookie Exchange from 2-10 p.m. Bring a batch of your own cookies to exchange with others. BH welcomes the sharing of recipes and for people to arrive dressed in holiday costumes. Costumed dogs are welcome as well.
Saturday, Dec. 17: Alaskan comes to Discount Liquor Milwaukee from noon to 3 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 17: Discount Liquor Waukesha has samples of Ballast Point from noon to 3 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 17: Beers for Christmas are the subject of the weekly sampling at both Three Cellars locations (7133 S. 76th St., Franklin; and N72 W13400 Lund Lane, Menomonee Falls) from 1 to 4 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 18: Ray’s Growler Gallery gets into the holiday spirit with its annual Ugly Sweater and Cookie Share Party. Bake some cookies, wear a nasty sweater and enjoy beer specials from 4 to 7 p.m. Get there at noon if you want to catch the Packers/Bears game before the party.
