Tess’ Take On Beer Dinners
Beer dinners happen so often that it’s hard to know which ones are worth making an effort for. Tess (2499 N. Bartlett Ave.) has a great track record in the beer dinner department, and the East Side spot has a great plan for November 1-2 (Tues-Wed).
First off, the dinners. Tess brings in a slew of great Belgian beers, including St. Bernardus Wit, St. Bernardus Abt 12 and Val-Dieu Cuvee 800 Belgian Pale. The dinners start at 6:30 p.m. and cost $57.
Here’s the catch. After each beer dinner, Tess is hosting a cellared beer sale. The restaurant is offering great deals on some rare brews that are taking up space in its beer cellar. But you only have access to this good stuff if you attend either beer dinner. It’s a pretty good idea to go. Email tess2499@aol.com or call 414-964-8377 to make a reservation.
The Riverside Theater: Great Beers at a Great Venue
I spent my weekend nights at the three Widespread Panic concerts at the Riverside Theater, which serves a beer list that just keeps getting better and at prices that aren’t ridiculous. I was ecstatic to find tallboys of Toppling Goliath Pseudo Sue Pale Ale, and when that ran out (and it did), I moved to Bell’s Two Hearted Ale (for just $6). The great choices also include brews like Karben4 Fantasy Factory IPA, Surly Furious IPA, Lakefront Riverwest Stein and Milwaukee Brewing Hop Happy. The Pabst Theater Group – which oversees The Riverside, Pabst Theater and Turner Hall Ballroom – is doing things right. That’s a big reason why bands like Widespread Panic like playing there, and why fans from all over the country travel to Milwaukee to see them.
Barley Pop of the Week
Founders Harvest Ale is one of my favorites, and this year’s batch doesn’t disappoint. Juicy hops mix perfectly with a moderate amount of malt to create a fine fall beer. The folks at Founders know what they’re doing. If you see a four-pack, pick it up.
Quick Taps
I made it to Raised Grain (2244 Bluemound Rd.) to try out the new food truck menu that Ann Christenson wrote about last week. The Waukesha brewery already makes great beer and now they have good food to pair it with. The SMOCO pizza (sausage, mushrooms, onions and caramelized onions) was delicious, and the Bratza pizza (bratwurst, sauerkraut, onion with a mustard white sauce) that a patron next to me ordered smelled amazing.
Jim Vorel pairs beers with 10 horror movies just in time for Halloween.
Events Brewing
Monday, Oct. 24: Good City Brewing (2108 N. Farwell Ave.) hosts its first beer dinner at 6 p.m. where they’ll be tapping a new Lord Lyon Scotch Ale. Tickets are $89.12, including gratuity.
Tuesday, Oct. 25: Milwaukee Craft Brewery League members are taking over the taps at Lakefront Brewery (1872 N. Commerce St.) from 6 to 9 p.m. The beer list is pretty solid, and the event gives you a chance to try beer brewed by plenty of locals.
Wednesday, Oct. 26: Head to The Malt Shoppe (813 N. Mayfair Rd.) from 4 to 9 p.m. because 25 percent of growler sales during that time benefit Kathy’s House, a nonprofit hospital guest house. Cheers to great causes.
Wednesday, Oct. 26: The Milwaukee Beer Society highlights Stone Brewing at its weekly meetup from 6 to 9 p.m. at Best Place (901 W. Juneau Ave.).
Wednesday, Oct. 26: A great Halloween costume will snag you a Founders KBS 2014/2015 gift pack at the Founder’s Black Out Halloween Party at Ray’s Growler Gallery (8930 W. North Ave.) starting at 5 p.m. That’s not all. There will be bobbing for apples in All Day IPA and plenty of great taps of Founders, including this year’s Harvest Ale, which I recommend highly.
Thursday, Oct. 27: Sample 3rd Sign brews at Discount Liquor Waukesha (919 N. Barstow Ave.) from 4 to 6 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 28: The Brass Tap (7808 W. Layton Ave.) hosts beer and candy pairings all weekend. For $12, you can try Founders Breakfast Stout with Reese’s Peanut butter Cup, Central Waters Mudpuppy Porter with Snickers, Hinterland Oktoberfest with candy corn (a classic) and Like Minds Exiled Saison and Sweet Tarts. Trick or treat.
Friday, Oct. 28: Try Point Brewery samples at Discount Liquor Waukesha from 4 to 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 28: New Holland and 3rd Sign are both handing out samples at Discount Liquor Milwaukee (5031 W. Oklahoma Ave.) at 4 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 28: Third Space Brewing (1505 W. St. Paul St.) debuts Scottish Rye Ale at the weekly Brewmaster’s Toast at 5:45 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 29: Third Space hosts Badger tailgate party for the Wisconsin-Nebraska game at 6 p.m. in its parking lot. Check out the details on Facebook. Go Huskers. (Sorry, I have Nebraska roots).
Saturday, Oct. 29: New Holland brings tasty samples to Discount Liquor Waukesha from noon to 3 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 29: Discount Liquor Milwaukee has samples of Point from noon to 3 p.m. and samples of Summit from 4 to 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 29: The Brass Tap celebrates Halloween with 10 pumpkin beer taps and a ton of beer specials starting at 7 p.m. The best costume takes home $100. Get your $40 ticket and learn more.
Saturday, Oct. 29: Cellar-worthy beers 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.
