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".