Wisconsin Pilgrimage

So I returned from the promised land Sunday. Have to say Wisconsin is a wonderful place. Beautiful trees, cheese curds, sausage and sour kraut, polka, and most importantly beer! Was able to pick up a six pack or five of New Glarus beer which we hope to enjoy this Saturday at our next brew session.

I do have to say though that the Leinenkugal's visit was a dud. Not only did they divulge that their beer is made with corn as a significant portion of the gain bill (to smooth out the flavor we were told - what a load of hooey) but all their "flavoring" from coriander, orange peel, berries, and lemon are extract added to the bottle post fermentation. Throw in the fact that the free samples are limited to two (2!!) 7 oz. sample glasses makes for a disappointing afternoon. They bill themselves as a "craft" brewery since they still do some things "by hand" and then proceeded to show us on the tour the entire automated brewing process. The only "hand" added ingredient was a 5 gallon bucket of hops. The old brewery building was cool and the two copper kettles were pretty neat. But overall I would have to say the tour was a bust. Think I will pass on the Leinie's the next time I am at the liquor store.

Did stop at a pretty cool microbrew in downtown Minneapolis - Town Hall Brewery - on the way to Wisconsin for lunch. Enjoyed their West Bank Chicken Club and their Smoked Porter seasonal. Very good. Especially since the weather was 40 degrees and drizzle. Set the mood nicely. Picked up a growler of their IPA and Tripel that were enjoyed later in the motel room. After lunch visited the Mecca of liquor stores - Surdyk's in Minneapolis. At some point, any passionate beer and wine aficionado must come here. Was able to pick up several sixers of Summit beer out of Minneapolis - again will be enjoying some of these this weekend with Matt.

To top it off, what would a trip to Wisconsin be if not for the champagne of beers - Miller High Life?! Was able to enjoy many of these at the wedding - which, yes we did make it to. All in all, I would count this as a successful trip.