Deschutes is winding down the summer with a boozy bang. The Black Butte Anniversary Party at Sugar Maple (441 E. Lincoln Ave.) on Tuesday, Aug. 18 is a can’t-miss event for fans of porters. They’ll be tapping a Black Butte XXVII Imperial Porter, a whiskey barrel aged beauty made with cocoa nibs, pomegranate molasses and apricots, and Black Butte XXVI, which is barrel aged with cocoa nib, pomegranate molasses and cranberries. They’ll also have a Black Butte that is infused with Mexican mocha. And to make sure everyone there has a solid base for these high ABV brews, there will also be a brat cookout. It’s almost barrel-aged beer season, make sure you’re prepared for it.
Barley Pop of the Week
The ability of Three Floyds to make every beer style a hop bomb is astonishing. Battle Priest is a wild ale/IPA that is fermented with Brettanomyces. Moderate Brett funk comes through in the aroma and in the initial flavor, but it is tempered by big hop bitterness. Funk and bitter work extremely well together.
Quick Taps
Like Minds made some big news last week by announcing plans to open a brewery in Chicago. Expect big things from the formerly small brewing outfit.
Wheaties redefined “Breakfast of Champions” last week with the announcement of the Wheaties Hefeweizen.
Events Brewing
Tuesday, Aug. 18: Ray’s Growler Gallery (8930 W. North Ave.) hosts the St. Bernardus Belgian Beer Class at 6:30 p.m. This is a big one for fans of Belgians and features the Oak Aged Abt12 and some other beauties. The cost is $20 and you need to reserve a spot by emailing rayswine@rayswine.com or calling 414-258-9821.
Tuesday, Aug. 18: Sample an array of Deschutes Black Butte Anniversary Porters and a few brats at Sugar Maple starting at 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 19: Bierklasse at Café Hollander (2608 N. Downer Ave.) features a visit by North Coast and includes a cheese pairing. Cool. Tasting starts at 7 p.m. and costs $30. Reserve a spot at Bierklasse@LowlandsGroup.com.
Wednesday, Aug. 19: The Milwaukee Beer Society samples a slew of wheat beers at Best Place (901 W. Juneau Ave.) from 6 to 9 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 20: Potosi Brewing comes to The Malt Shoppe (813 N. Mayfair Rd.) from 5 to 7 p.m. and they’re bringing a few beers, including the Barrel-Aged Baltic Porter.
Thursday, Aug. 20: Locavore at Potawatomi Hotel (1611 W. Canal St.) hosts a beer dinner with Brenner Brewing at 6:30 p.m. The five-course spread costs $55. Call 414-847-8510 for reservations.
Friday, Aug. 21: Ballast Point is bringing samples to Discount Liquor Waukesha (919 N. Barstow Ave.) from 4 to 6 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 22: Plan to have lunch at Discount Liquor Milwaukee (5031 W. Oklahoma Ave.). Hinterland is bringing Aged Cheddar Packerland Pilsner brats and Bourbon Barrel Doppelbock brats, and handing out beer samples from noon to 3 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Wisconsin Ovarian Cancer Alliance.
Saturday, Aug. 22: Try samples from Hinterland at Discount Liquor Waukesha from 4 to 6 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 22: Red ales are the weekly free sample at Three Cellars (7133 S. 76th St.) from 1 to 4 p.m.
Monday, Aug.24: Bar Bites at Story Hill BKC (5100 W. Bluemound Rd.) pairs five delicious courses with O’so brews. The cost is $65. Call 414-539-4424 to make a reservation.
