More beer is headed our way.
Expect Westallion Brewing Co. to open next spring in the city it is named for. Third Space Brewing, a production brewery, plans to open a production brewery by summer of 2016 in the Menomonee Valley.
This week, Erik and Kim Dorfner closed on a building at 1825 S. 72nd St. in West Allis where they plan to build Westallion, a play on the nickname Stallis for West Allis, where Erik grew up.
Erik Dorfner left his job at Lakefront Brewery in February with plans to start his own brewery. Kim Dorfner continues her job as event coordinator at Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery.
Erik Dorfner expects the brewery’s signature beers will be a Scottish Ale, a Vienna lager, a pilsner and a hefeweizen. He also hopes to offer seasonal and historical beers.
The Dorfners are shooting for opening April 23, the anniversary of the Reinheitsgebot, the name for the German purity law that regulated the ingredients of beer.
Third Space Brewing hopes to open next summer in a repurposed factory at 1505 W. St. Paul Ave., said Kevin Wright, a Thiensville native and brewer who spent six years as a brewer at Hangar 24 Craft Brewery in Redlands, Calif.
Journal Sentinel business reporter Tom Daykin wrote about the neighborhood in March.
Wright, who will be the brewer, said he’s bringing his dream back where it started. The former biomedical engineer began home-brewing in his east side apartment a decade ago before heading to California to get his degree from the master brewing program at the University of California in Davis.
Wright, who has two partners, said plans include signing the lease this week and then putting in place a production brewery, a tasting room and an outdoor beer garden.
Now, for your more immediate beer needs:
Nov. 7:Champps Americana, 1240 S. Moorland Road, Brookfield, and the Make A Wish Foundation host a party called Kaden’s Wish, inspired by 10-year-old Kaden Stark, a Make-A-Wish recipient who wanted to give others the wish he was granted in 2011. The day includes a silent auction and 100% of the proceeds go to the charity.
Nov. 19: The second annual Punk House Kegger Party combines Three Floyds favorites and local punk bands Dorth Nakota and Piles at Burnhearts, 2599 S. Logan Ave. The party starts at 6 p.m., according to the Punk House Kegger Facebook page.
Nov. 27: It’s become a Black Friday tradition. Stand in line for the annual barrel-aged Black Friday release beer at Lakefront Brewery, 1872 N. Commerce St. A few upgrades are planned. They’re moving the hot dog cart to the front. Expect to be able to get coffee, maybe some warm treats while you’re waiting in line. Beers will be $15 a bottle. Doors open at 8 a.m.
Nov. 27 and 28:Discount Liquor, 5031 W. Oklahoma Ave., offers Goose Island brews both days. Look for Bourbon County Stout, Coffee Stout and Barleywine on the first day and the BCS variants on day two. That’s good for people like me who didn’t get chosen in the Nov. 13 Rare Release Day lottery. That’s where Goose Island Brewing holds a lottery for the chance to purchase rare beers, visit the barrel house and speak with experts at the brewery in Chicago. Maybe next year.
Nov. 27: The annual Black Friday Beerfest continues from 4 to 7 p.m. in The Garage at the Harley-Davidson Museum, 400 W. Canal St. General admission is $40.
Nov. 28: Uber Tap Room, 1048 N. Old World 3rd St., hosts a Barley and Whey Festival starting at 1 p.m., according to the Facebook page.
For a guide to beer news and more, check out Tap Milwaukee’s Beer Here page.