Brew City: Sugar Maple!

Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer incorporated! We're gonna do it! Okay, many of you have seen the opener of Laverne and Shirley as the glove goes down the assembly line of Schotz Brewery. Milwaukee, Wisconsin has long been associated with the behemoth side of the American brewing industry because it gave birth to Miller, Pabst, Schlitz, and Blatz. But the world of craft brewing is also alive and thriving in Brew City!

Howdy! Artsy guy here. I'm here in the MKE to see my artsy goods exhibited at Ten Chimneys (estate of the late, great Lunts of Broadway) and decided to take advantage of the weekend to catch up with friends and visit old haunts from my recent days at Milwaukee Rep. One of these is Sugar Maple in the Bayview neighborhood.

This place is a craft beer lover's dream. They feature 60 rotating taps (SIXTY!!!) that rely heavily on local and regional craft suds (i.e. New Glarus, Bell's, Three Floyds, Founders, etc.) and those from across the country (i.e. Lagunitas, Moylans, Rogue, North Coast, Oskar Blues, Southern Tier, Ommegang, and more). And they have hard booze too although I was, as usual, hop-focused.

(Interesting fact #1: Sugar Maple occupies the former home of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin that relocated in 2007.)

I ordered a taster tray of amazing mostly local stuff to which my bartender added another wee taste of something she thought I might like (and she was right). The only food they serve is a rotating menu of soups made by local restaurant Triskele's. The simple menu works very well. My bowl of sweet corn and potato chowder was incredible. The place also features the work of local artists and musicians.

If you find yourself in Milwaukee, get thee to Sugar Maple! That's what's HOPpenin'! (The catch phrase is a groaner, I know, but one day I'll just embrace it without qualification.) Cheers, y'all!

(Interesting fact #2: Sugar Maple was named for the state tree of Wisconsin.)

Harvest Moon Brewery!

So just down the street from the George Street Playhouse, where I'm rehearsing these days, BING!  There's a brewpub!  (I knew I loved New Brunswick.)  Yup, the Harvest Moon Brewery, at 392 George Street, literally just down the street from the train station in New Brunswick has been in this space (in quite an old building) since 1994, and under the present ownership since 2003.

We didn't have time to ask a ton of questions, but there was time to speak to a bartender, have a meal and sample some beers after a long day in the rehearsal studio.

We tasted our way through several of their beers, and very much enjoyed the Porter, a nice Double IPA and an especially fine Barleywine.  The menu is quite nice and well priced.  (My burrito was pretty fantastic.)  We'll be in the neighborhood for a while, so perhaps we'll get back there for some video.  Stay tuned!  Meanwhile, whenever and wherever you can, DRINK LOCAL!  Cheers!

 

Video episode #167: The Guys 'get some' Pies & Pints!

The Guys find themselves (oh, there we are!) in Fayetteville, West Virginia, a town known for whitewater rafting, mountain biking, climbing, and... GREAT pizza and craft beer! ;Yup, Pies and Pints in the very cool small town has some of the best pizza The Guys have ever had with incredibly fresh ingredients.

Why oh why oh Weyerbacher?!

Howdy folks! Artsy Guy here, feeling accomplished after a full day at the desk. Reward? Sampling the Weyerbacher tap takeover at Rattle & Hum here in the shadow of the Empire State Building (or the location of said shadow if it were actually sunny in NYC, which it's NOT).

I'm such a fan of these events that happen periodically at Rattle & Hum, Pony Bar, Blind Tiger, etc. It's a great opportunity to taste a few brews from one brewer side by side. Favorites sampled on this day were the Double Simcoe IPA, Insanity (barley wine), Heresy and Tiny (both imperial stouts). Just look at all those "W" tap handles!

So... get thee down to Rattle & Hum toot sweet to experience a brewery that doesn't raise a tap handle often in the Big Apple! That's what's HOPpenin'! (Still not sold on the catchphrase, but - heck - it's almost Easter and it's bunny-related.)