Tag: Wisconsin

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Badgers in Cans

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This post isn’t to hammer home the point that beer in cans is growing and that practically any beer can be canned.  Nor will I be making any Packer Cheesehead jokes.  Nope, this is a quick post about the design of the cans from Badger State Brewing.

This is a perfect example of being not only consistent but inventive as well.  Most cans don’t truly utilize the background to the full potential without overwhelming the beer purchaser with too much twee detail.  These three designs are simple but bright and bold and for once, the background is what draws the eye in first.  Be it the plaid, the green stripes or the picnic checkerboard, all three really pop.  And that choice for background allows the main badge detail to be set-up in the same arrangement without getting boring.  The two elements really play off the other well.

Though I wouldn’t ever trust a badger with an axe.

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Hop Gose

I have mentioned the Wisconsin brewer MobCraft on a couple of occasions and now have cause to do so again.

I had a (very) salty Gose at the Eagle Rock Session Fest a week+ back and it led me to look at the style again and I ran across this “Only in American Craft brewing” example of a mash-up….

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The label isn’t one of my favorites but this type of hybrid does.  It is the type of beer that might get hop heads to try a new style and I think the combo just might work.

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Milwaukee Brewing

Being from the Milwaukie of Oregon, when I saw an ad for Milwaukee Brewing, I was intrigued. Even more so that they go by the handle of MKE.

Because that looks almost like my middle name. I will let you guess. Shouldn’t take long.

But then I started looking at their beer and saw that their head brewer studied culinary arts. Which would be an odd but maybe inspired choice for a brewery background.

Plus the beer names and packaging are very cool. A little old school looking with some wit. I was most taken by Louie’s Demise, “Our flagship brand; this medium bodied amber ale starts with a rich malt flourish that’s kept in perfect balance by a smooth hop finish. This MBC original is similar to a German style malt beers.”

I also liked “Admiral” Stache “Milwaukee Brewing Co’s take on a classic European style. Baltic Porters are the stronger lager fermented cousin of the classic London Porter. The higher strength and cold fermentation help to create a smooth, less fruity porter, rich in roasted malt flavors and aromas. The “Admiral” Stache has a deep brown hue with a light caramel head. Toffee and milk chocolate dominate the flavor with subtle hints of dried fruit. One month of aging in Bourbon Barrels imparted a layer of vanilla and oak.”

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Dave’s Brewfarm

Eco friendly and craft beer go together like chocolate and peanut butter. You got HUB in Portland, New Belgium in Fort Collins and now the wind powered beer of Wisconsin, Dave’s Brewfarm!

Lupulo Noir is roasted malt and a boatload of hops.

Saison Farmfresh is an estate hop mashed up with French Saison list.

and check out RateBeer for some of their other fine beers!

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Furthermore brewing

I am always surprised and delighted by brewery and beer names. And this Wisconsin brewery has both, Furthermore and a quirky attitude to boot. Of the beers listed on the website the triple play struck a chord with me.

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Make Weight: “Our triple pale is a bastardization of three regionally distinctive recipes that were stacked in unequal measure in order to make a beefy beer which highlights each recipe’s finer points: Esters from a dominant Flanders yeast are reigned-in by cleaner American and London strains; Kent Golding hops provide mild bitterness, giving English and Belgian specialty malts room to breath; Oregonian hops offer a fragrant nose; Belgian candy sugar boosts the strength of this mash-up to 8.5% ABV.”

Furthermore is known to those in the know for being the house beer at concerts called Shitty Barn Parties. Which are described as…“Audience and performer coexist in an intimate and integrated space with as little separating instruments and ears as possible. No stage. Stripped down. Pure music love. Like having the performance in your living room (except, in this case, a sh*tty barn). “

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Northwoods Brewing

Thanks to the wonderful (on my list of beer places to visit) Four Firkins in Minnesota, I heard about Northwoods Brewery and Pub from Wisconsin.

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All of their beer labels are outdoorsy themed especially this beer that caught my eye…
FLOPPIN’ CRAPPIE – A Biker Beer!
Light caramel colored ale with the sweetness of honey and a mild bitterness. Voted best beer at Sturgis Brewfest 2004.

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Local hops

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More hops for the midwest! I love seeing small, local, boutique operations and that extends to beer ingredients. Simple Earth Hops “is a new 1/4 acre hopyard located at Greenspirit Farm CSA in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. The hopyard was founded with the idea of providing a much needed agricultural product for local craft brewers. Simple Earth Hops was established to demonstrate that local farmers can produce a consistent, sustainable supply of ultra high quality hops by working directly with local craft brewers while still maintaining a focus on ecology, the land and the people involved.”

Here is a partial list of the hop varities that they will grow:
cascade, eroica, liberty, Mt. Hood and perle.

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Beer + Chocolate =

from Wisconsin (home of a great beer scene) comes two great tastes that taste great together…
“We’re sure you’ve heard of pairing wine and chocolate, but did you know that chocolate and beer work well together? Introducing Great Dane Beer Chocolates, handcrafted exclusively for The Great Dane Pub and Brewing Company by David Bacco Chocolats. These amazing creations are made with Great Dane brews and each chocolate complements the flavors of a distinctive Great Dane beer. Four chocolates are available including Black Earth Porter, Crop Circle Wheat, Stone of Scone Scotch Ale and Tri-Pepper Pilsner.
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4-piece box (one of each flavor) $10
8-piece box (two of each flavor) $18

You can also experience these chocolates with the beers that inspired them! Great Dane Beer Chocolates are available in the bar or restaurant of the Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company’s locations in downtown Madison, Fitchburg and at the Hilldale shopping center. When you dine in, each chocolate is served with a four-ounce sample of the paired beer. Order individually – or as a delicious dessert flight of four chocolates and beers!”

Valentine’s Day is 2 weeks away. Order up!