Local Finds

Brewer Fever has swept into Milwaukee and is lighting up the US Bank Building in downtown Milwaukee.  Brewers fans have always been a loyal and proud bunch, but post-season is unfamiliar territory to younger fans 29 years old or less, including me.  Here’s a gathering of Brewers fan items to get you through the post-season.  Hometown Hangouts:    The Miller Park parking lot is the epicenter of Brewers fandom, but if you’re not lucky enough/fast enough/rich enough to score the prized Playoff tickets, several Milwaukee pubs offer up fandemoneum that rivals the goldstandard of Miller Park.       Gumby’s Pub:       www.facebook.com/GumbysPub     2151 S. Kinnickinnic…

It was almost 100 degrees, but the Brewfest on Saturday was packed and the taps continued to flow.  For  Three large tents plus a row of pop-up tents housed over 50 breweries, most with two or even three beers to sample.  I may not have sampled all 50 breweries, but I was able to taste a good assortment.  Some of my old favorites were there along with some new favorites.   I’ve had Fox Barrel Pacific Pear Ciderbefore, but on a really hot day, the light fruitiness was just what I needed.  Sugar Maple serves it but you can also…

Beer Cheese Soup from St. Francis Brewery (photo via JSonline) One of my best local finds in the past few years was a stash of reader requested recipes from restaurants all over the greater Milwaukee area.  Every week or two, the Journal Sentinel post a restaurant recipe for their “You Asked For It” series.  Find it at JSonline or in the Wednesday paper.  Recipes like La Merenda’s Tres Leches Cake and Beans & Barley’s Spicy Peanut Noodle Salad are among the prized many.  Readers can write in asking for their favorite recipe from any restaurant and the editors and staff at JSonline make…

Baseball’s American League was formed where a parking lot now stands.   Photo by Christian Bobst  With Fourth of July upon us, we head out to parade routes to watch pageantry, we head to the parks to watch fireworks, and we head to Lake Michigan to basque in the lakefront breeze.  On our ways we pass many historical landmarks, hidden or unmarked, that were once important places in our nation’s history and our local history.  These little known places later helped to shape Major League Baseball, the Veteran’s Administration, and the first safe Fourth of July fireworks display.  So when…

photo via John December In middle school and high school, I played tennis every.  single.  day.  And I’m pretty sure I wore one of those Tennis is Life t-shirts, too.  I loved it so much that it didn’t even feel like work or exercise.  Hearing the ping of a tennis ball being hit and the birds chirping in the nearby field was the soundtrack to my summer.  Sadly, I haven’t picked up my racket since college when I played intramural tennis at Marquette, so it’s time to get back out there.  And, since, Wimbledon is going on this week, I’ll have some good inspiration to help…

The South Shore Farmers Market starts this Saturday, June 18th.  I have been missing out on fresh fruits and vegetables lately, so it will be nice to replenish the fridge and freezer soon.  I picked up a Farm Fresh Atlas at Alterra recently — it has all the needed information for Farmers’ Market planning.  You can also download a PDF from their website if you can’t find one around town.  So, with that in hand, I should be ready.  I am not exactly a morning person so getting there well before noon poses a little problem.  Luckily, Stone Creek Coffee is ready and waiting at…

Grilling out is a lifestyle here in Milwaukee.  Milwaukee has been making cookout staples like hot dogs, brats, and beer for over a century.  Rich German and Polish heritages loan tradition and recipes to Milwaukee cuisine.  Therefore, it’s no surprise that we embrace the grill.  So, next time you’re at the store or in the neighborhood, pick up some of these locally made Milwaukee specialties.   The Spice House:  1031 North Old World Third Street, Downtown Milwaukee Walk into the Spice House and take a deep breath.  The aroma of a hundred exotic top-shelf spices fills the air and can…

                                                              Brewers Opening Day 2010 Eeek!  Brewers Opening Day is just around the corner.  To some, Summer starts on June 21st, but for Brewers fans, it starts on April 4th.  Getting tickets can sometimes be like finding a golden ticket inside a chocolate bar, but if you’re lucky, a visit to Miller Park on Opening Day is something you’ll always remember.   My husband and I began going to Opening Day…

I think we’re all still reeling a bit from last night’s Packers’ Championship win.  It was beautiful…….but it’s time to wipe away those grown-man tears, toss up your high-fives, and make a final Cutler joke because we’ve got a Super Bowl party to plan.   The best part of the Super Bowl is getting together with all your friends (aww…..heartwarming pause) and being able to unleash your inner fandemonium-soaked football patriotism.  If ever there was a time to paint your belly green and gold and arrange yourself and your friends into a word, this would be it.  So, proper planning…

The countdown to Christmas is closing in and I’m embarrassed to say that I have not bought a single gift, yet. Yes, I’m screwed. So, in an attempt to scrap together a holiday shopping plan, I started a list of local stores, within a 10 mile range of my house where I can gifts that don’t scream “I bought this at the gas station on the way to your house.” I’m all about supporting the local economy, but when it comes to Christmas, creativity and a personal touch is key. So, will everyone be getting a 6-pack of Miller Lite?…