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Gun Hill Brewing Company

   What better way to spend Independence Day weekend than a visit to Gun Hill Brewery? This Bronx, NY based brewery credits its name to nearby "Gun Hill", the site of a strategic battle in which Colonists stored ammunition and dragged a cannon up hill to fend off the British army. From its beers to its branding, this brewery has made its mark by playing into its deep local history. On the exterior of what used to be an old transmission repair shop, there now bares brown painted brick with white "old american cursive" style writing proudly displaying the name of their brewery across the top. To one side of the entrance is a painting of a revolutionary war cannon surrounded by a circle of stars and their signature "GH" while an old American flag proudly flies on the other side.

   The brewery is set up with the tap room and bar in front where you enter, and the brewery behind it. The space is fairly large with a 5,000 square foot open layout, and provides its customers a brief glance at the brewery in the back where their beers are brewed. We were greeted by part time bartender Chris, who started us off with a flight of their six offerings on tap; Gold (a fresh and hoppy session style ale), India Pale Ale (a more balanced east coast style IPA), Schuyler's American Wheat (an american style wheat ale with "a thirst quenching bready character and a mild yeasty nose"), Pomegranate Wheat (Schuyler's American Wheat but with the addition of pomegranate during secondary fermentation), Void of Light Stout (a dark, roasty stout with smooth hints of coffee and chocolate), and Thunder Dog Stout ("half comprised of caramel and roasted malts, creating a complex, chocolaty, chewy delight"). After talking a bit with Chris about brewing, he surprised us with a small flight glass of beer pulled from one of the fermentation tanks in back of a German style Altibier that Gun Hill is currently working on; a well-hopped, malty treat.

   While there, we had the opportunity to meet co-owner Kieran, who didn't think twice to give us a private tour of their brewery and answer any and all questions. With 23 years of experience, mostly on the west coast, award winning brew master Chris Sheehan is the veteran behind their brews. Operating on a 30 barrel system, they are hoping to hit 2,000 barrels by the end of the year. Relatively new, they've only been open for around four and a half months now and only brewing since February, Gun Hill Brewery seemed to have just popped up on the local craft beer scene. Although they had been building for about a year, they remained low key with little media attention and hype until they were ready. The first beer manufacturer out of the Bronx in nearly five decades, Gun Hill is introducing craft beer to a community and neighborhood that hasn't had the same exposure to it as many of the other neighborhoods in NYC. They are reaching a new market and creating more craft beer drinkers with their diverse crowds in the tap room. You can find their beers at their brewery during hours open to the public as well as some bars scattered across the five boroughs.

   What could have been more patriotic than spending a couple hours imbibing on brews such as Schuyler's American Wheat? An american style wheat ale named after the wife of a Patriot general during the Revolutionary War who burned her fields of wheat in order to prevent the British Army from harvesting it. Gun Hill's Battle cry is "We hold these truths to be self evident, that not all beer is created equal". They are setting themselves apart by using the freshest ingredients from local New York farmers to craft their beers.  "From our location, to our ingredients, to our logo, Gun Hill Brewing Co. celebrates those who stand for their ideals. So get excited.....Because the revolution is almost here".

 

Milwaukee Brewing Co.

   While attending a good friend's wedding this past weekend in Wisconsin I had the opportunity to visit Milwaukee Brewing Co. and sample not only some of the great beers from them, but other Wisconsin favorites such as New Glarus (most notably Spotted Cow), Lakefront Brewing Co, Central Waters, and 3 Sheeps. We landed Friday morning shortly before 8am and were greeted in the airport by a shirt that read "Drink Wisconsibly". Knowing our weekend schedule left little time for visits to breweries during hours open to the public, we decided to stop by Milwaukee Brewing Co. on a whim, on our way upstate. Walking up to the brewery it was clearly evident they were open for working hours but closed to the public. After attempting to find a way to get someone's attention we gave up hope and began walking toward the car when brewer Brian "Blaze" Blazel came racing down the street and up to the door on his scooter.

   After telling him how far we'd come and asking for any good local bottle shops to bring back some of the great craft beers Wisconsin has to offer, he invited us in to check out the Central Standard Craft Distillery adjacent to the brewery. A distillery that was undergoing its final touches in order to open to the public this past weekend. Walls made of old restored wood from a local barn along with wooden barrels, grain bags, and earthy colors made its new copper mash tun and equipment shine bright in the light. After talking for a few minute's about the distillery, how far we had traveled and that I was a fellow brewer, he was quick to invite us in to the brewery for a full private tour.

   

   We were met immediately by the aroma of fresh spent grain waiting in barrels to be taken to their final destination. We started our private tour the only right way to start any brewery tour, with a couple fresh sample glasses of Polish Moon Milk Stout and Hop Freak Double IPA. Milwaukee Brewing Co is currently operating on a 53 barrel system but can get up to 60 depending on the grain bill. They are projected to produce 12,000 barrels this year. We had the opportunity to see the fermentation tanks, aging room, and canning and bottling lines.We also had the opportunity to walk up the stairs to the mash tun where they were mashing in a batch of Outboard Cream Ale. Brian took the time to talk to us about the awesome eco-friendly adjustments they've made to the brewery including solar panels and bio diesel made from grease to help conserve and create energy in the brewery. 

   Milwaukee Brewing Co.'s philosophy is "a non-conforming attitude applied to crafting and creating beers using the best local ingredients and suppliers in a sustainable, creative and innovative environment". It is clearly evident they are keeping true to their philosophy with their commitment to energy conservation and local ingredients. Another example of this was the Espresso Oatmeal Stout we had the opportunity to sample. This beer is a collaboration with neighbor Anodyne Coffee Roasting Company, created by adding fresh roasted coffee beans to their oatmeal stout. It would be a disservice if I did not also highlight another stellar beer "O-Gii" that we had the opportunity to sample; an Imperial Witbier with Milwaukee's own Rishi Tea and chamomile. Paving the way with their commitment to solar power and other eco-friendly adjustments, along with a killer line of delicious locally crafted beers, Milwaukee Brewing Company stands out in the Wisconsin craft beer community that has proven to be in Brian's words "Highly Underrated".