BY: DAN MURPHY with CHRIS DROSNER and ANN CHRISTENSON
READ MORE FROM OUR ‘ULTIMATE TAILGATE’ FEATURE HERE
In that sea of parking lot partiers, there is no judgment (unless you’re rooting for the Cubs or the Vikings for some reason). Everyone is there with one goal in mind – to indulge their passion for sports and revelry. From bold snacks to our favorite beers, here’s how to power up your pregame festivities.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
Snacks to Pack
Kettle Chips, Krinkle Cut Truffle Oil & Sea Salt
A little bougie, yes, but this fried potato creation fuses a thick, super-crunchy texture and earthy umami flavor that doesn’t come off as artificial. $2.50-$6. Buy at Sendik’s, Walmart and others.
Old Trapper Peppered Beef Jerky
Thick and chewy without tiring your jaw, this sassy stuff levels up tangy and peppery. $14. Buy at Target, Pick N Save and more.
G.H. Cretors Cheese & Caramel Mix Popcorn
A delectable collision of those two worlds – sweet and salty – with crunchy puffed kernels that melt in your mouth. $4. Buy at Target, Pick N Save, etc.
A Bloody Good Time
A. Lemon or lime
B. Olive, cornichon or anything pickled
C. Sport pepper for spice. Put it on last, the sturdy peppers hold everything in place.
D. Protein. Shrimp. Summer sausage, meat stick, bacon. Really, any salted and cured meat.
E. A cheddar or pepper jack cheese cube – or five. It is Wisconsin.
F. Celery stalk. It’s tradition.
Plus, horseradish. It doesn’t fit on a skewer, but a dollop does wonders.
Stock the Cooler
Third Space Happy Place
Brewed in the Brewers’ Menomonee Valley, this 5.5% ABV American pale ale – not a higher-octane IPA – is a better choice for tailgating hopheads who might be having a few.
New Glarus Pilsner
The best craft beers reward your senses when you pay attention to them but also do not get in the way of just drinkin’ beer. This crushable but full-flavored pils threads that needle perfectly.
Miller High Life
Put down the Lite; the Champagne of Beers is the best tailgate offering from the local big brewery: Fizzy, soft and perfectly balanced.
Recipes
Inspired by a pasta salad recipe published in Eating Well magazine
Ingredients
- 2 quarts cold water
- Pinch of salt
- 3 cups dried cavatappi or fusilli pasta
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- 2 medium ears of fresh corn, cooked and removed from cobs
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 avocado, diced
Directions
-
Cook pasta according to package instructions, until just past al dente. (It should be tender but have a slight chew.) Drain in a colander and rinse in cold water. Set aside.
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Combine the olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, shallot, and salt and pepper in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Cover and shake until well-combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
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Add cavatappi to a large serving bowl. Pour half of the vinaigrette over the pasta and toss, making sure it’s evenly distributed. Add corn, tomatoes, fresh basil and remaining dressing. Toss to combine. Add parmesan cheese and gently mix. Taste and add more salt and pepper as needed. Cover and refrigerate. Top with diced avocado and lightly toss before serving. Makes 6 servings.
No grill? No problem. This easy, uber-tasty sandwich (created by a Sicilian immigrant in early 1900s New Orleans) will give the obligatory sausage a run for its money.
Ingredients
- 1 package (12-count) King’s Hawaiian sweet rolls
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- One 16-ounce jar Glorioso’s Muffaletta (olive salad),
mild or hot - 6 ounces Genoa salami
- 6 ounces thinly sliced provolone cheese
- 6 ounces thinly sliced deli ham
- 6 ounces thinly sliced mortadella (or bologna)
Directions
-
Keeping the rolls connected, carefully cut the sheet in half using a serrated knife. Brush the inner side of each sheet of rolls with olive oil.
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Add a thick layer of olive salad to the bottom half.
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Layer the remaining ingredients evenly in this order: salami, half of the provolone, ham, mortadella and a final layer of provolone. Top thickly with olive salad. Lightly press the top half of the rolls over the olive salad.
-
Cut into 12 portions. Wrap in aluminum foil. These can be made a few hours ahead so the flavors have time to mingle. Makes 12 sandwiches.
Tunes to Tailgate By
Playing Games
Washers
What
Think horseshoes where the pit is a box, the stake is the inside of a PVC pipe, and the horseshoes are half-dollar-sized washers.
Our rating
3.5/5. Low exertion required. Older folks can easily play. Clinking. Can be played with a beer in hand.
Ladder Toss
What
We had to look up the safe-for-work name for this otherwise alliterative game where you aim twin balls attached with string at a three-tiered “ladder” that looks like a drying rack.
Our rating
1/5. Lacks nuance. Balls go flying. People you don’t want to hear say that word are gonna say it. Can be played with a beer in hand.
Cornhole
What
Throw beanbags on a big, angled board, with extra points for hitting the hole.
Our rating
5/5. Exciting. Good team dynamic. Easy for all skills. Can
be played with a beer in hand.
Beer Pong
What
Bounce a ping-pong ball into a cup filled with a beverage; your opponent drinks the beverage.
Our rating
2/5. High drama. Unsanitary. Forced drinking. Can be played with a beer in hand.
